Cafe Des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta

It used to be the best restaurant in town overall, but now it has reduced its quality significantly... It is still good, but the price is too high. They started to make discounts to locals to make it more attractive. The patio is really nice but they need to update it!

Favorite Dish: there is no a special dish I would choose here, because they are all quite good and consistent

Reputed by many as Vallarta's top spot with Star Diamond winner owner/chef Thierry Blouet presenting Mexican and French cuisine since 1990. World renowned, Condé Nast Traveler Magazine 2005 Hot Tables and named by the Nestle Food Group as one of the 80 best restaurants in the world, is formal, very expensive with attentive but unobtrusive service. Many exquisite choices as sea bass herb butter 245p, grilled tuna with tomatillo, glazed tamarind roast duck, filet mignon Camembert, baked osso buco with spinach gnocchi, cream of prawn and pumpkin soup, tuna sashimi salad, escargot with garic mushrooms, eggplant vegetable symphony, fine desserts as apple and pear pecan strudel with caramel ice cream, tropical baba au rhum and chocolate crème brulée. Three course bistro menu 375p or with wine 440p. Dine inside [A/C], in a 50+-year-old garden or outside on hillside [open Nov.-June]. Cocina de Autor dining room built in levels, backed by a flowing waterfall with a ficus tree centerpiece, [closed Sunday and September, manager Polo] with signature 3-5 course menus 590-750p. Number one for many worldwide travelers. City ‘landmark’ with world famous reputation. Splendid list of 400 wines by the glass 65-95p and bottle 200-4500p. Live music many times 8-11pm, as piano or blues in relaxed but elegant Costantini Bar Lounge at entrance. Reservations advised/required. Valet parking. Virtual Vallarta 2007 "Best Gourmet and Wine List." Ask about the chef's open kitchen view cooking classes.

From: www.cafepress.com/vallartaguide
PV Beck's Best

Try my fave spot in PV. Love the place but be prepared for a big bill though his bistro menu is about 350 pesos.

Gary

San Francisco, CA./Puerto Vallarta, JAL. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Puerto_Vallarta_OldTown_SouthSide

My Vallarta Restaurant Guide:
www.cafepress.com/vallartaguide
www.lulu.com/content/132501

www.CasasDelMarPV.com/145-BahiaBonita-85-custom.html

www.CasasDelMarPV.com/145.html

Favorite Dish: Anything with chocolate!

"Café des Artistes, “café of artists,” is intended as a double entendre, referring to Chef Blouet’s ability to masterfully blend provincial Mexican flavors with classical French cuisine to create special dishes that are visual as well as epicurean works of art. But the name also indicates the commitment to showcase not only culinary masterpieces of the professional team but to create an environment in which patrons are inspired by the relationship between architecture and landscape." I couldn't have said it better. Dining here is experiencing a work of art, not only in the presentation of the cuisine, but in the service, the atmosphere, the architecture. This restaurant seemed to be nearly close to perfection.
That being said, the atmosphere des not overwhem the ability to have a very good time while enjoying the incredible cuisine! About 15 of us dined here, talked, sipped martinis and generally had a terrific three hour meal.

Favorite Dish: Herer's what I had:

Beef carpaccio with spices on dijon mustard dressing;
Small arugula salad
Grilled tenderloin petals with Camembert cheese and chilpotle chili sauce;crusty paper potato
Chocolate cake “Napoleon” with praline, caramelized hazelnuts and lemon cream; citrus reduction

Fantastic!!!