Los Mercados- Part 2- Prices and Such

We went to the opening of Los Mercados Tuesday morning and in typical Vallarta fashion, they were not open due to programming errors of the cash registers. Since I already lived through that dilemma when opening stores here in Mexico, I felt their pain and completely understood that even under the best of circumstances, Murphy's Law applies doubly in Puerto Vallarta.

Once they got the computers and software to cooperate, we found ourselves in Mikey's (the deli shop) famished and ready for a true deli styled sandwich. I put my tummy in chef Elliott Gallagher's hands and told him to surprise me. Surprise me he did with an amazing BBQ'd pulled turkey sandwich on a crusty yet soft roll, slathered in a tangy and refreshing slaw with a vibrant smokey, sweet and spicy BBQ sauce covering juicy roasted turkey breast. Just what the doctor ordered!

Click to enlarge photo

My friend (who I split the sandwich with) declared it “the best sandwich she ever had” and I agreed wholeheartedly. It was fabulous and well worth the wait! Best yet, the size was perfect for sharing.

Unfortunately we were so focused on devouring Elliot's creation, I forgot to take a photo of it.

I did take some photos (with prices) of the menu board and some of the delicacies available.

After picking up the sandwich I headed over to Don Fresco to snap some pictures of the produce and prices.

Thanks to Peter, Beatrice, Michael, Elliot, Dani, Nina and the rest of the team for creating a fabulous place to explore. You were wll worth the wait!

See previous article: Los Mercados: Everything Under One Roof!

Los Mercados- Everything Under One Roof

One frustrating thing about living in Puerto Vallarta is having to go to multiple locations to find everything you want, especially when it comes to grocery shopping. (see previous article)

If you are not a cook or a aficionado of food, then grabbing a few things at your local market is easy, but trying to locate pastrami, Italian sausage, shallots, sweet potatoes, fresh baked bread, a bottle of wine and mixed baby greens will have you running all over town.

Tonight I found my shopping Mecca. It is called Los Mercados and it is Heaven in Paradise.

Located (see map) on the same block as Rizo's, right in the heart of the South Side of Vallarta is five shops within one building that stock just about everything you need to fill your fridge, fill your tummy and fill your craving for creativity.

Last night we attended their preview party and for once I was able to convince my husband to stay more than 10 minutes. Probably because the wine was flowing from Cork and Bottle and the passed canapes were streamlined, timely and absolutely delicious.

The venue is beautiful, stylish and comfortable, retaining a Mexican vibrancy in the décor and the architecture fitting in with the neighborhood. The shops house high tech coolers, product show cases and state of the art equipment, keeping all products at optimal temperatures for freshness.

On the main floor, when you first enter, you will find Cork and Bottle on your left. This impressive shop houses imported and Mexican wines and spirits. Nina Goodhope , wine extraordinaire, stocks this shop with her extensive knowledge of wines and spirits and offers wine paring classes and many chilled wines available for you to take to a dinner party.

On your right, there is Mikey's Fine Foods and Delicatessen which made my mouth water the second I entered the shop. The display cases were full of beautifully prepared salads, salsas and side dishes, all available to eat there at the courtyard tables or to bring home. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented and just begging to be sampled.

Next to the prepared foods is what really took my breath away. Homemade sausages, cured meats, deli meats like pastrami and roast beef, cheeses such as sharp cheddar and Swiss, all calling to be made into a sumptuous deli sandwich. Not one of those typical Bimbo bread sandwiches but an honest to goodness deli sandwich on freshly baked bread, with spreads and fresh fixins. Oh be still my heart! I love me a good sandwich! And incidentally, right as I was wiping drool off my chin and making nose marks on the glass case, the server came by with samplings of their pastrami, smoked turkey and a delicious smoked duck. One word: fabulous!

Also in Mikey's you will find a nice assortment of imported goods, often hard to find in Vallarta, from Hot (not prepared) Horseradish, Kosher Salt, French mustard and many sauces and jams, to crackers and pickles and specialty olives and vinegars. You can order items by weight or order a sandwich from their menu and dine in the courtyard. Another plus, Cork and Bottle sells wine by the glass for you to enjoy with you meal.

For those who can live on bread alone, Mikey's has amazing breads available and K'Rico (my next stop) offers a plethora of pastries.

K'Rico is a caffeine and carbohydrate addicts dream. Serving up all of the traditional coffee drinks, along with some twists, they also offer scrumptious pastries and tarts that are almost too beautiful to devour. All items can be enjoyed inside the cafe or out in the courtyard but I do highly recommend also purchasing something for that midnight snack attack. (Trust me, this comes from experience! I awoke around 1:00 AM wishing I had stuck one of the Jamaica empanadas in my purse.)

They offer many whole cakes, pies and tarts for sale or by the piece, so when you are invited to bring dessert to your next dinner, party, head to K'Rico and be the hit of the party!

The next shop to peruse is Don Fresco which is a vibrant splash of colorful produce and healthy deliciousness. Inside this climate controlled shop you will be surrounded by the best looking and most varied fruits and vegetables in the area. You name it, you need it, they have it. I could already envision my fruit vegetable bins in my fridge exploding with a bounty of those beauties. Everything in Don Fresco is brilliantly displayed, clean, and hand selected, so you do not need to delve deep and squeeze every tomato to find a good one, they already did the work for you.

I took a peek into the cold storage room where they house the extras and was amazed at the level of cleanliness. None of the products are ever stored on the floor, instead in freshness bins on shelves to keep them ventilated and fresher longer. Wow- that is a new concept here and a testament to the over-all thoughtfulness and quality of the entire operation.

And lastly, the last shop is upstairs and one that makes my heart and creative spirit overjoyed! Fireworks (aptly named) is a “Paint Your Own Pottery” shop where your creativity can be unleashed. Even non-artistic types can pick a piece of pottery and paint it at their whimsy or use one of the many books on hand for inspiration or stencils available.

Beatrice, the owner is a delightful woman who is there to help with selection, tips and techniques, offering advice and then she will take your work of art and fire it for you. Everything in the shop is non-toxic, including the pottery and the paint and glaze, so your creations can be used for food purposes.

I see a plethora of painted pots, mugs, canisters, pet dishes, and bowls entering my life! Even if you do not live in Puerto Vallarta, visitors can come and paint their own piece, fire it and pick it up within three days and have it safety packed for the trip home. I highly recommend this to anyone with children as what better souvenir can be had than one created by their own hands?

If you are redecorating your kitchen, they also have tiles available to paint for back splashes, so you can design a tile mural or individual tiles that perfectly match your design, especially if you have a hard to match color scheme or want to create something that reflects your collection (roosters, chickens, grapes) that you will never find on tiles where you live. Bring pictures and color samples and create your own designer kitchen at a fraction of the price.

Prices are extremely reasonable and includes everything. I fell in love with about 50 items and it will be hard to decide what to paint first. I do need a big giant coffee mug (95 Pesos) and there is a rooster canister (250 Pesos) that it itching to be in my kitchen and I see many Christmas platters and bowls to be painted for gifts (90 to 200 Pesos)

I am already planning a painting party at Fireworks-so if you are interested in joining a group of ladies (or men!) for some fun painting, French music (Beatrice is from France and loves French music), lunch and wine, please send me an email so I can alert you when the first “Ladies Who Create” lunch will be.
Prices are what you select to paint, what you chose to eat and what you chose to drink, in essence, no extra fees... just FUN!

So, if you cannot already tell, I am in love. I am thrilled that Peter and his wife took a dream and brought it to fruition. Puerto Vallarta needed something like this, especially in this area. It is one stop shopping at its finest and an all around delight.

Location: Aquiles Serdan #265  (see map)
Website: http://www.losmercadospv.com/index.php
Phone: 222-0383

Press Release- Decadent Pairing for the Festival Gourmet

This may be the first pairing of its kind ever! Join us at the breathtaking oceanfront Blanca Blue restaurant & lounge for a fun-filled afternoon with a light lunch created with hors d'oeuvres and wine followed by five pairings of Xocodiva's delectable chocolates with Mexican beverages.

Xocodiva, the official chocolatera to the Festival Gourmet, will be selecting five handmade chocolates and pairing them with five traditional Mexican beverages. Join us for this tasteful event on Friday, November 12, at 11 am.

Guests will be greeted at the stunning Blanca Blue Restaurant, located in the exclusive Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Development on Puerto Vallarta's South Shore, with a refreshing signature "agua fresca" and given the opportunity to tour a luxurious penthouse and the development's grounds. After the tour, attendees with be served wine and hors-d'oeuvres on Blanca Blue's beautiful ocean-front terrace. After lunch, guests will move into Blanca Blue's main dining room where they will be treated to the selected pairings of Xocodiva's exquisite chocolates with five traditional Mexican beverages including café de olla, tuba and tequila. Served in their customary fashion, each delicious pairing will be different from the next. A rare treat for the senses!

Tickets are $37 USD ($460 Pesos) per person and includes all taxes, service, a welcome beverage, hors d'oeuvres and the five pairings. Space is limited; and due to advanced preparation, reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets can be purchased at Xocodiva, open daily from 10 am - 10 pm, located at Rodolfo Gomez 118, across from the San Marino Hotel in the Romantic Zone, by telephone at 222-2247, via e-mail at inform@festivalgourmet.com, online at the Festival Gourmet website at http://www.festivalgourmet.com/ or at the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Front Office.
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Xocodiva - (pronounced SHŌCŌ DEE VA)

Centuries ago ancient Mesoamerican civilizations revered cacao as the "Food of the Gods" using it for scared ceremonies, social status and currency. Today, Xocodiva blends European artistry with Mesoamerican mythology and traditions to bring you fine hand-crafted gourmet chocolates and confections.

Blanca Blue restaurant & lounge, www.blancablue.com ultra-chic onsite gourmet restaurant, is one of Vallarta's most elegant and sophisticated dining options. In such spectacular surroundings it provides an idyllic setting for a romantic dinner or social gathering - a truly unique experience. The fully air conditioned restaurant overlooks the expansive Banderas Bay offering impressive views of Los Arcos beauty spot and Puerto Vallarta's stunning domino skyline.

Old Town Farmers’ Market-Returning for a 2nd season!

Every Saturday, starting November 6th, 2010

Nearly 50 participating vendors. Many of last year’s favorites are returning plus new ones.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – One of Banderas Bays’ favorite activities from last season is returning for a second fabulous year! Every Saturday, starting November 6th  from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Paradise Community Center located at Pulpito #127 (across from Coco's Restaurant) will once again come alive with the sights and smells of a good old-fashioned Farmers’ Market.






This year, you’ll have nearly 50 vendors to choose from, including many returning favorites from last year plus a few new ones.


Only the freshest and finest fruits and vegetables, herbs and plants, preserves, coffee, organic products, baked goods and a dazzling variety of crafts will be available for sale.

There will also be an area for non-profit organizations to keep you informed about their services and how you can become more involved. Musicians will provide the background music while you stroll through the aisles enjoying the rich aromas and sampling available products.

After shopping, enjoy lunch from one of the many food vendors, including Thai food, barbecued sandwiches or homemade tamales with freshly squeezed juices or agua frescas.
If you have a product that you would like to sell and are interested in becoming a vendor, please e-mail coordinator (AT) oldtownfm.com.

Join us every Saturday, starting November 6 from 10 am to 2 pm (an added hour to shop this year) at the Paradise Community Center for the return of Puerto Vallarta’s own Old Town Farmers’ Market. For updated products, event announcements or news, visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Old.Town.Farmers.Market.PV  or on line at http://www.oldtownfm.com/

Map to the Old Town Farmers Market

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 25, 2010
Press Contact: Charlotte Semple - oldtownfm (AT) hotmail.com or call 322-133-9673

Making the Move to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

If you are considering moving, retiring or relocating to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Learn Vallarta is here to help you make the move.

While Learn Vallarta is a relatively new company in Puerto Vallarta, the owners, Sandra and Marc are not new to living in the area. They have resided here in Puerto Vallarta and other areas of Mexico for many years and have made it their personal mission to assimilate into the local culture as well as discover all of the tips and tricks to living here.

Their love and knowledge of the area shows when you meet them on one of their “Learn Vallarta Package Tours” where they take you around the area on “off the beaten path” custom tours to show you how the locals live, where they shop, eat, and play. These tours provide their clients with the information they need to live here comfortably, well prepared with knowledge. For example, where to get the best cuts of meat, buying local produce at prices below the grocery stores, where to get shoes made or fixed, paying your electricity bill, phone bill or how to find a great apartment, condo or home.

The Learn Vallarta Day Tours are designed to take you places you would probably not find on your own and they are filled with helpful hints and information.

Besides showing you around town, Marc and Sandra are involved in many groups, including the local Writer’s Group and will gladly introduce you to other local expats. By becoming a member of Learn Vallarta you will also receive updates about local events, new tours, news and new information.

More than just tours, they also provide their clients with necessary information on immigration, banking, home purchases, healthcare, and insurance plus virtually anything else you need to know to live fruitfully in Mexico. They are partnered with some of the best experts of the area in regards to medical care and doctors, real estate agents and free home tours, Notarios and lawyers, bankers and accountants and pet care providers. Professional Consultations are free of charge for Learn Vallarta members.

Retiring to Puerto Vallarta can be very economical, not to mention a wonderful lifestyle change. The health care here often rivals that of North of the Border, dentistry services are less than 50% of what you pay back home, Vallarta’s weather makes it a perfect place to enjoy perpetual summer and activities abound. Local produce is fresh, inexpensive and tasty and there are plenty of charities and groups to get involved with to keep you active in the community and afford you tons of new friends. Learn Vallarta puts you into contact with all of this and more. Join them in uncovering the mystery of how to relocate and prosper in a tropical paradise.

Moving is difficult to say the least and moving to a new country may seem insurmountable but Learn Vallarta helps make the move not only easy but fun! View their website for more information on how they can introduce you to Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas.

POP Diner- Comfort Food in Puerto Vallarta

I have been craving onion rings lately and while I can cook them myself, having a kitchen covered in oil splatters and smelling like a greasy diner is not worth the energy to satisfy my hankering.

Recently someone on Facebook mentioned a new diner that opened in Puerto Vallarta that serves up all the artery clogging delights that I miss from the Great White North and my Cardio doctor says I should eschew.

I am weak. I admit it. I should not give into temptation but oh dear, sometimes a cheeseburger and onion rings are the only two things I need to make my world right.
Last week I had a weak moment and gave into temptation and plummeted myself into the greasy evilness of the best darn onion rings I have ever had this side of the border. Mexico is not known for greasy diner gringo comfort food. Which, when I think about it is a very good thing. Otherwise my lack of will power for finding comfort in comfort food would have me on a fistful of Lypitor, Crestor and Zocor for breakfast every morning. And I thank my lucky stars that Burger King onion rings have no allure for me.

I curse Maria O-C for giving me the head’s up about Pop Diner. I should un-friend her for leading me down a naughty eating path once again. She got me back onto eating burgers with her Best Burger Competition and now she has me waking up at 2:00 AM craving a plate of Pop Diner O-Rings. *sigh*

So, last week, I had a bad day and wanted to find solace in something. While some seek their mate, some seek the bottle, I sought after hot golden rings. Sadly, my husband is not a gringo comfort food lover, in fact, he doesn’t like burgers all that much and *gasp* pizza! But then I am not a big taco, pozole or mole eater. I guess we are even. None-the-less, as a loving and understanding mate, he accompanied to fulfill my dinner wish.

Unfortunately, the address they had on their Facebook page was incorrect and had us wandering around downtown Puerto Vallarta frustrated, hungry and cranky. I even phoned a friend to double check the address on FB (Yes, I need a Blackberry!) and what we had written down was what they had listed but the physical address did not exist. After 20 minutes of trudging around, two friends we ran into pointed us to the correct location.

Upon arrival to Pop Diner, (Right next door to Sr. Frog’s on Morelos #540 -NOT on Hidalgo!) we opened the kitchen styled diner door (complete with port hole) to the delicious smell of what will eventually lead me into coronary hell.

We sat down and our server quicky brought us a menu. We ordered Diet Cokes right away (Go ahead and insert hamburger/ Diet Coke joke here) and checked out the dark interior complete with diner chairs (red of course) and small tables lining a long naugahyde bench . The music was funky as was the “art” on the walls, mainly photoshopped photos of the area and New York. I liked the atmosphere, it “worked”, and for being on a busy street, none of the buses, taxis or dust entered the restaurant.

Our Diet Cokes came and soon after a plate that was artistically drizzled with a balsamic glaze and two steak frites landed in front of us. A nice to touch from the owner after we mildly complained to our waitress about our efforts on trying to find the place.

Not long after we devoured the complimentary steak frites (delish!) our burger came along with the side order of Onion Rings. We decided to split the cheddar cheeseburger with bacon , French fries and onion rings. OMG. Where to start?

The onion rings were thick cut and perfectly battered, golden fried, crunchy, heavenly circles of love. With a side of thick and creamy homemade dill –ranch dipping sauce. Even though they were flaming hot, I could not stop myself from trying to chew and take more bites. Call me a junky- I found my fix!

While the onion rings were my mission, the French fries took a very close second. Hand cut, fried golden crisp with an amazing blend of seasonings, I was hard pressed to decide which was going into my mouth next. As I was going back and forth, happily chewing, my burger tolerating hubby cut the burger in half, gave me my share and proceeded to take his first bite. I can always tell by his eyes if he likes something or not and Halleluiah! His eyes smiled. Being polite, I asked how it was and he gave me a favorable grunt. He asked about the onion rings and I grudgingly gave him one.

His eyes lit up and he proclaimed them “excellente!” much to my dismay, forcing me to share. He then tried the fries and declared them excellent as well. I tried the burger and found it to be very good, nice and juicy with thick cut, perfect cooked, FLAT bacon. The patty was well seasoned and while I prefer my burgers grilled over a flame, this one was one of the best cooked on a plancha (flat grill) that I have had in Puerto Vallarta.

The prices are very reasonable, our bill came to $180 Pesos and the service, atmosphere and location (once you have the correct address) are excellent.
Other items on the menu include a variety of innovative salads, filet mignon, fish and chips, some funky tacos, lobster rolls, specialty hotdogs and appetizers. They also have breakfast and serve a special brunch menu on the weekend,

Highly recommended, great for late night dining, early morning breakfast and a fun place to get your grub on!

Video about Mexico

The Mexico Tourism Board recently released this video and I have to share it. It is simply stunning and shows so many reasons why I chose this country as my home.



It saddens me that Mexico always seems to be the target of negative press by the Media. Granted Mexico has its warts but every country does, as well as every State/Province and city. Unfortunately, Mexico is a HUGE country (11th largest in the world), yet the Media makes it seem tiny and that everywhere you go in Mexico has danger lurking around the corner.

Puerto Vallarta is safe! Puerto Vallarta is about 1000 kilometers from the border towns where there is violence and a drug war going on. Even there, unless you are directly involved in the drug trade you will be just as safe as driving through some areas of Chicago or New Orleans.

Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas has over 300,000 residents, this does not include the over 2 million visitors each year. 

Needless to say, Puerto Vallarta is a safe and wonderful place to visit, or in my case; live. After eight years of living here full time, safety is not my concern, unless you count walking on the cobblestone streets in heels!

Come explore the beauty of Mexico, the safety and diversity of Puerto Vallarta and hopefully you will fall in love with this beautiful country like I have.