Always "más" at Las Palomas | | by
Anna Reisman - June 17, 2002. |
There are always reasons why one
particular establishment "makes it" while
others don't. But when such places last and last and
last, the causes are more fact than hype. To survive
and thrive in a tourist resort like Vallarta, a restaurant
has to be really, really good.
Las Palomas Restaurant is such a
place. Not only has the one on the Malecon been around
forever, but it became so successful that its owners
opened a branch in Marina Vallarta (and there's another
in the state capital of Guadalajara, but that's run
by the family's next generation…) Both venues in
Vallarta have become favorite gathering places for nationals
and locals alike. Tourists love them.
What impresses me most at the Malecon
location is the number of totally different areas one
can choose to eat in. I counted five, there may be more.
Each has its own character and ambiance. There are two
separate terraces on the uppermost level that are reminiscent
of so many typical restaurants in Europe. Customers
are protected, shaded from the sun, yet still "outside".
On the next level down, there's a lovely indoor courtyard
like the ones in New Orleans, featuring one of Ramiz
Barquet's impressive sculptures. Another graces the
entrance to the restaurant itself. (The award-winning
sculptor is the husband of the owner of Las Palomas,
Ms. Nelly Barquet). The courtyard is surrounded by three
separate areas including a sports bar complete with
big screens, tables and a bar. Besides that section,
you can opt for one of the tables with an unobstructed
view of the group of statues on the Malecon -and all
the passers by who "use" them- or you can
sit indoors where the décor is different again.
You choose.
The menus are something else altogether.
There are three, huge different menus for breakfast,
lunch and dinner, each filled to the brim with mouth-watering
dishes, each with about one hundred different offerings!
Needless to say, I've only been able to sample a small
fraction over time, but one thing is certain: the portions
are overly generous! Every time I've eaten at Las Palomas,
I've left with a "doggie bag" because there
was too much for me to finish, and because it was delicious.
The average cost of breakfast is
$60-$70 pesos, lunch - $100. to $200. pesos and a 3-course
dinner watching the sun set over the Pacific would be
$150. to $300. pesos. The bar is stocked with all the
best brands of liquor. Beer is $22. pesos and mixed
drinks range from $28. to $60. pesos.
Las Palomas Restaurant-Video-Bar
on the Malecon is located right in front of the group
of statues, at 610 Paseo Diaz Ordaz and is open from
8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tel.: 222-3675. You can also check
out their web site at: www.laspalomaspvr.com pvmomto3@hotmail.com |
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