Le Gourmet | | by
Anna Reisman - April 16, 2001. |
 "We've
been coming here for the past 18 years, and I can't
remember having ONE bad meal... ever!" This from
a well-to-do, worldly couple from Chicago who live in
Vallarta half the year. They were sitting near us the
last time we went to dine at Le Gourmet.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to
point out little marvels to us, that have been quietly
sitting under our noses and that we've never noticed.
About three years ago, other American friends of mine
had asked me incredulously: "You've never eaten
at Le Gourmet? But you live here!" That's when
I first discovered this "little marvel" just
a few blocks from my house.
The restaurant is attached to the
Posada Rio Cuale hotel, a lovely, small traditional
Mexican hotel, frequented mostly by European tourists
in the know. Located on Aquiles Serdan right near the
corner of I.L.Vallarta (right after the southbound bridge),
Le Gourmet has been around for some 30 years. And that
American couple was probably speaking the truth because
everything I've ever ordered there over the years -
from their breakfast, lunch or dinner menus - has been
consistently excellent, including the service. The waiters
are attentive, fun, and speak English.
The tables are set near a small swimming
pool and, at this time of year, the two incredibly beautiful
and huge flowering trees adjacent to it attract a myriad
hummingbirds that you can admire as you dine. Also,
there are musicians in the evening that play everything
from romantic Mexican ballads to that Andean music on
pan flutes that transports you to the mystical elevations
of Peru or Bolivia.
 The
extensive dinner menu offers a complete selection of
dishes, ranging from appetizers and salads (the excellent
Caesar is prepared at your table), through soups and
pastas, to beef and fowl, seafood and desserts. I don't
have enough space here to delve into each and every
dish my friends and I have ordered over time, suffice
it to say that I've never witnessed disappointment.
The tortilla soup and the lobster bisque are my favorites,
and some say the onion soup is the best in town. All
the cuts of beef are prime, the sauces are wonderful,
the shrimp are great, I could go on and on... And there's
always a basket of warm bread fresh out of the oven,
served with seasoned butter, in the center of the table.
When I went there last week, we were
a huge group of 14, and we sat in the back, elevated
section of the restaurant, closer to the bar and away
from the pool area, just so we wouldn't disturb the
rest of the diners with our banter... It was lovely,
like being in someone's private dining room. Someone
suggested that I order the Duck à l'Orange as
a main course. Wow! This isn't "lacquered"
duck, this is a beautifully prepared half duck, bathed
in a light, flavorful orange sauce, surrounded by colorful
steamed veggies, crunchy and tasty, combined just right.
Succulent. As always, the plate was full to the rim.
(You really get your money's worth here.)
One of my favorite things about eating
at Le Gourmet is to watch as the waiters prepare perfect
Crêpes Suzettes - at your table. They dim the
lights in the entire restaurant as a two-foot spiral
of grapefruit rind glows blue with the flaming Cointreau,
Grand Marnier, etc. combination in which it was soaked.
All the diners applaud the spectacle, each and every
time. The resulting crêpes are light and delicate,
swimming in a Suzette sauce that is so good that we
finish it off with our spoons!
I've had many breakfasts and lunches
there too since that first time years ago. I really
think it's worth a special effort to get up early just
to try out some of their breakfast offerings. As a matter
of fact, it's worth going there just to read the menu,
even if you only order a cup of coffee! I really enjoy
the humor with which each of the dishes is described.
Allusions to art, and literature, history and TV...
Breakfasts are cheap and the portions are large!
Another good thing: prices at Le
Gourmet have remained reasonable (unless you order the
inevitably more costly jumbo shrimp or lobster dishes).
An average 3-course dinner, not including drinks or
tips, will set you back about U.S.$20. My recommendation?
Definitely try it out, and bring a healthy appetite!
242 Aquiles Serdan, Tel.: 222-0914.
Examples from the Breakfast Menu:
Pancakes -
"Strawberry Fields": Let us take you down,
'cause we're going to pile this one high...
"Carmen Miranda": Yi! A whole hatful of fresh
mixed fruit. Hat not included.
Omelettes -
"Don Quixote": This Spanish-style treat is
not an impossible dream...
"Hieronymous Bosch": Welcome to the garden
of earthly delights! This work of art features...
"Zeus":
Spinach, tomatoes, olives and crumbly Feta cheese make
this selection food of the gods!
"As You Like It": Even Shakespeare can't beat
this masterpiece...
Specialties -
"Eggs Roswell":
This UFO (unique food ordeal) involves... The only cover-up
here is our delicious ranchero sauce.
"Jackson Pollack":
Even traditionalists will love this not-so-abstract
concept... pvmomto3@hotmail.com |
Current
Weather Report
