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000258 Visit since
SPECIAL REPORTS Not long ago Anna Raisman, Editor of the PV Tribune,
who honors us with her collaborations in PVMirror, wrote her comments about this
prestigious restaurant. Now, fulfilling my promise to Felipe Palacios, son of
the Don Felipe Palacios, founder of this restaurant, I went to visit them to find
out at depth what they are offering and what makes them be talked about by everybody,
visitors and residents alike. Definitely their location
is still Felipe's main attraction. Upon my arrival and as I stepped into the threshold,
I was drawn to the main tower with its crown of angels of the church built to
honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, that since long ago is the symbol that people chose
to identify and distinguish Puerto Vallarta with. Almost from every viewpoint
of its wide terraces the sight is spectacular. Downtown lays just below the restaurant
and the whole "pueblo" can be seen form there. I stand there and listen
to the bustle below and mentally I stop time to simply deep breath and watch.
My feet rest upon a place that in communion with the sea, conspires with the mountains,
enticing with its enchanted jungle scents, to woo those who dare stare at it.
Many have been the distinguished guests that for years have come to Felipe's.
They all agree that one of the most romantic views of the city may be enjoyed
from its terraces. I hereby testify that more than once this view collaborated
in infusing romanticism to some of the most unforgettable moments in my life.
Before becoming a restaurant, the open spaces filled
with mango and other fruit trees, was the home of the Palacios Family. Encouraged
by his friends, back in 1983, Don Felipe Palacios opened the restaurant's doors
to offer, for the first time, the internationally known "Felipe's filet mignon",
dressed with a combination of three tasty sauces; one of black pepper, the second
of green tomatoes and the third of mustard. This is still one of the favorites
dishes. Don Felipe is still the administrator, but his
youngest son, Juan Pablo, runs the operation. He started working at the restaurant
when he was twelve by helping the guests out of cabs. For more than fifteen years,
Juan Pablo has been preparing himself for this moment. He even went to Holland
for two years to study restaurant operation. All this reflects in the quality
standards of the food and beverages and most of all in the warm service offered
by his collaborators. To this Juan Pablo adds that any visitor that dines in different
restaurants in Vallarta, will definitely notice the difference while being tended
at Felipe's. Today, the personnel offers their services conscious that his family's
well being depends entirely on the complete satisfaction of their clients, therefore,
deserves their full attention and their best performance to keep them satisfied.
While having a delicious cup of coffee, I sat in a comfortable
lobby set up as a bar with ample view of the main terrace and pool which frame
a perfect picture of Vallarta in the background. From there I watched the operation
and was able to see how, that night, that approximately ninety per cent of every
departing client thanked the attention and expressed their entire satisfaction
for the service and flavor of its food. I asked Juan Pablo
what was being done in the kitchen to result is such comments. He said it was
due to the intervention of chef Laszlo Mojaros, from Hungary, who has been working
with them for the last five seasons. While talking to the chef
I discovered that the key to his success is due to the combination of Suisse and
Italian styles, together with Mexican ingredients, which result in a unique flavor.
Something else important is the fundamental aspect granted to the portions. Laszlo
says that in years of study and experience, he has discovered that in the preparation
of the dishes, the idiosyncrasies of the clients are very important to be considered.
Taking in account that most of the clientele is mainly from the United States
and Canada, professionals and workers dedicated to the daily hard task needed
for a competitive lifestyle, whose one or two week vacations are a deserved reward
for their efforts. For them, besides a tasty flavor and an attractive presentation,
a large portion should be served. Laszlo says "Our clients have made a big
effort to come to Vallarta to enjoy their stay. The least we can do is to offer
our services and food as we would like them to be served to us. Each time we prepare
and serve a dish we think about the unique opportunity to collaborate in making
our clients feel a full satisfaction in selecting us. We don't know if our client
will come back some day, so what's important is that moment, and to that we dedicate
our 100 % to satisfy them. With pride and joy we find out that a large percentage
of the ones that come for the first time, they come back again and they all recommend
us. Laszlo arrived to Vallarta for the first time five
years ago and since then, like most of us, was attracted to it by its natural
beauty and most of all, as he says, by the sea. After knowing them and sharing
life with the Palacios Family, who made him feel like at home, he decided to work
at the restaurant during high seasons. Thanks to him, one of the main characteristics
is that year after year, new recipes are made so that Felipe's may offer novelties
and variety of dishes every new season. The place, its surroundings, the view, the flavor
of the food, the attention and service, which include flambé dishes prepared
at your table, intertwine to make Felipe's the perfect scenario from where the
most awesome sunsets may be viewed. Where the nightlife of the friendliest city
in the world may be watched while enjoying one of the most special moments you
can experience while visiting Vallarta. All of this frame within an excellent
taste of musical ambiance. The place is perfect to taste an intimate diner, or
with the family or even have a group event like the closing of a convention, an
anniversary celebration or a wedding reception. Because of its structure, the
restaurant gives you the opportunity to feel the sea breeze or the night cool
wind from the mountains, therefore between the months of December through February
we recommend you dress comfortably covered. Its important
to point out that though as difficult as it is today to maintain such prices,
they are very reasonable. A three-course meal may be enjoyed for about $280.00
pesos (USD$28.00) per person, drinks not included. Among
all variety of dishes, as entrees we find "Florentine mushrooms" sauté
in garlic stuffed with onions, spinach and blue cheese. Or "Smoked Salmon"
served in thin slices with butter, lime and onions. From the grill you may enjoy
the "Roquefort Steak" which is garnished with champignon and Roquefort
sauce. If you crave for seafood, I suggest the "Red Snapper filet" accompanied
by mussels and onions and covered with a white wine sauce. Also the "Orly
Shrimp" are delicious in their beer batter and coconut. Worth mentioning
is the "Puerto Vallarta Lobster" cooked on the grill and served on a
bed of seafood pasta. To know the full menu we suggest you visit their web site
www.felipes.com
Via Internet Felipe's offers a promotion of a bottle of domestic wine to go with
your diner. Visit the web page to find out how to win this promotion. One
of my favorite dishes is their "Ceasar's Salad", which is prepared right
on the table and which I always order with shrimp included. The combination creates
such a special flavor that it remains impregnated in my mind. The
most important thing worth mentioning and that deserves recognition is that throughout
the years of operation, the dessert specialties are still prepared at home by
Mrs. Teresa, Don Felipe's wife. Here in the city, these desserts are famous and
the reason why locals and foreigners visit them frequently. There are some anecdotes
that say that some worldly renown characters have taken home, to prepare them
there, the original recipes (complete?) of some of these exquisite desserts. If you are about to come to Vallarta
and still don't know where to celebrate Christmas or New Years, this is an unsurpassed
option. Soon their menus for these occasions will be posted on their website:
www.felipes.com Felipe's
is located on 466 Prolongacion Insurgentes, on Altavista. To get there we recommend
you take a taxi. For reservations call (322) 222 3820 and 222 1434. Suggestions
for when you visit Felipe's: - Bring your camera or
video
- Dress elegant casual (It's not mandatory by the
restaurant but I think the place deserves it)
- Make reservations
ahead of time.
May you enjoy your meal and talk
to you next time. Jesus de Avila M.
PVMirror.com
- Editor & Reporter
editor@pvmirror.com
* Report Translated by Laura Aragon
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