|
Maria Bonita - a cultural
encounter full of taste and color! |
| by The Editor - June,
2004 |
 There is no doubt that in order to taste authentic
Mexican dishes surrounded by a regional and cheerful
atmosphere, the place to visit definitely is the Maria
Bonita restaurant at the Hotel Camino Real.
Protected by large panoramic windows from the inclemency
of the weather, the restaurant is located a few feet
from the beach. In addition to its exquisite food,
it offers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular sunsets.
The whole interior is regarding
Mexico. It consists of 3 spaces and each one represents
one state of the Mexican Republic: Jalisco, Michoacán
y Oaxaca.  Every section is divided by a spectacular
bar where some of its specialties are the cocktails
prepared with tequila, like the mango margarita which
is served in a glass iced with salt and red chili
powder, adorned with a green chili pepper.
The state of Jalisco is represented
in the area of the barroom where you find comfortable
equipales, offering the atmosphere of a hacienda - a Mexican country estate - complemented
perfectly by the spectacular setting of a typical former
Mexican kitchen with pots, comales (pans for heating
tortillas), grill and tools like large wooden spoons,
metates (grinding stones), molcajetes (mortars) and
baskets filled with spices, creating a space where
tradition is revived and where tortillas for the restaurant
service are hand-made, prepared in front of everyone.
 Michoacán is a lounge
where the wooden tables and chairs dazzle with joy
and strong colors that whet one*s appetite. In the
center of this area we find the pavilion where live
music is performed, first with marimba and then with
the traditional mariachi music.
Oaxaca is an area of interior terraces where the strong
colors transmit romanticism and sensuality. Here all
the tables have a view of the garden and the ocean
and they are located underneath the Oaxaca style arches
which collaborate in creating a truly pleasant atmosphere.
 The best way of describing
the experience in the Maria Bonita Restaurant is
saying that Maria Bonita is an "encounter" with
culture through the taste of Mexico. As a starter we
ordered Shrimp Costeña. These are small shrimp
and pineapple tacos wrapped in spicy tortillas with
avocado sauce. An exquisite taste generating the desire
to eat more. As a starter we also tried the Pumpkin
Cream Soup which definitely has a taste of the
traditional former cuisine, just like my grandmother
used to cook. As a main dish we enjoyed the Tamarindo
Shrimps - bathed in a tamarindo sauce with a
tiny and contrasting flavor of hot chipotle pepper - and
baked chicken marinated in beer which practically melts
in your mouth! I would like to point out that each
of the dishes was served to us being decorated according
to the Mexican ambience.
The drinks are served in a spectacular way, too, i.e.
the mango margarita is iced with salt and chili powder
and decorated with a Serrano chili. The icing of the
glass contrasts with the sweetness of the mango, creating
such a rich taste during your first sip that it gives
you goose bumps.
 Definitely the most outstanding feature is the attention
of the staff; everyone is offering an exceptional service
and a sincere attention manifesting a complete commitment
to satisfy the customers. Some of the waiters even
show their additional talents as artisans, creating
paper or palm flowers or animals which they happily
give away as a present to their clients.
Another aspect that is worth acknowledging is that
on one hand the musicians that interpret the marimba
music count on at least 20 years in the environment
of live music in Vallarta and on the other hand some
of the members of the mariachi group are young people
from Vallarta that are starting their career, impregnating
their interpretations with joy. There is live music
every night from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. While the marimba
interprets Veracruz style songs, the mariachi group
pleases the audience with a journey through the restaurant
passing all the tables. At present no other restaurant
in Puerto Vallarta grants this privilege daily.
Without any doubt in the whole region of Banderas
Bay Maria Bonita is a restaurant unique in its kind,
offering quality products, a good price, a colorful
flavoring, a traditional Mexican atmosphere and an
excellent service.
Example of the menu:
Snacks to Share:
Shrimp "Costeña": ...................
$ 110.00 Pesos
Cream of Pumpkin Soup: .................
$ 48.00 Pesos
The
Doña's Specials:
Baked
Chiken Marinated in Beer: ...
$ 110.00 Pesos
Shrimp in Tamarind Sauce: ......
$ 220.00 Pesos
Desserts:
El Chiquitin Mexicano: ...... $
52.00 Pesos
[Cream of chocolate
and coconut ice cream]
|
Restaurante
María Bonita
Playa las Estacas Km. 3.5 Zona Hotelera
Sur.
Hotel Camino Real - Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Reservations: 226-5000
Open every day from 18:30 p.m. a 23:30 p.m.
Live music daily from 18:30 p.m. a 23:30
p.m.
The Editor
Archives
by date |
Current
Weather Report
