Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and the surrounding areas~

Most of us love to dine when in a new place or learn more about the town and area where we live! I live in Puerto Vallarta part-time and have been visiting since 1979, so if you desire info, write me anytime. Now you can purchase my famous spiral bound 107 page 365+ restaurants guide which has become a hit with visitors and local residents alike with places ranging from street food up to 5* dining. After 20+ years in the restaurant business, I have learned much about knowing and making tasty food.

By June 2005, Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide Beck's Best had progressed from a small document emailed for free into the largest most up-to-date dining guide in the PV Bay Area. For many years, I have hiked from spot to spot, dining, taking notes and pictures, talking to owners and managers. Though fun and rewarding, it had gotten quite costly figuring in the food, beverages, airfares, rentals and taxis. Many told me it was time for a small compensation for this work which is a great benefit to visitors and residents alike, edited almost daily. I do not receive free meals nor accept advertisement, calling it my labor of love. I publish works in most major PV area English language newspapers and magazines and have recorded a radio program for Paco Ojeda's the VU. I am a food columnist for the Banderas News online.

I am proud to release the first 2009 edition.

My listing website is:
www.cafepress.com/vallartaguide
or
www.lulu.com/content/132501

Also available in PV at:

Agave Grill, Morelos 589 near Aldama, inside La Casa del Tequila DT.
bANANaCANtiNA, Amapas 147 at Púlpito, 2nd floor OT/SS.
Boca Bento, Casa Iguana, Avenida 5 de Mayo 455, Mismaloya.
El Arrayán, Allende 344 DT. Lucy's Cucú Cabaña, Basilio Badillo 295 OT/SS.
Mariscos Polo's, Francisco I. Madero 376 OT/SS.
PVRPV, Pino Suárez 210 at Francisco I. Madero OT/SS. Rainbow Tee-Shirts, Púlpito 137 OT/SS.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Barra de Navidad Km. 24, 3 Km. past Boca de Tomatlán.

Gary R. Beck
San Francisco, CA./Puerto Vallarta, JAL.
Owner/Editor

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Puerto_Va ... _SouthSide
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Puerto_Va ... Gay_Travel

Here is a small sample from my hardcopy spiral-bound guide:

El Arrayán
Allende 344 near Miramar DT.
222-7195
www.elarr... info@elarray... 6pm-10pm Closed Tuesday and August.
Delightful owners Carmen Porras E., Claudia Victoria and chef Mariano Valdés present traditional menu choices of appetizers are plentiful to share for dinner. Named for the Jaliscan flowering tree found in the restaurant's courtyard, this spot offers old Mexican family recipe specialties including impressive pozole de... 4 quesadillas filled with Oax and...chicken breast pasilla and tomatillo 130p, chiles en nogada, very fine beef tenderloin mole 160p, pork Pibil with habañero and black bean escabeche 180p...Open kitchen and lovely romantic partially covered courtyard, featuring an array of art, including local Huichol work, with traditional Mexican influence. Attentive service with abundant portions. Sat. 7:30pm features live music...In 2007, again voted by Virtual Vallarta readers “Best Mexican”...

Boca Bento
Casa Iguana Avenida 5 de Mayo 455, Mismaloya.
Stewart and Monika Haverlack took over management of Casa Iguana suite resort right off the Mismaloya Highway 200 [Barra de Navidad], moving their fixture of fine dining on Basilio Badillo...achiote miso marinated broiled sea bass fillet with sautéed zucchini, sticky rice in a sweet soy glaze and cilantro chard sauce. The moist delightful flesh was actually red from the marinade and swayed us into thinking it was salmon. Chipotle dusted grilled jumbo shrimp Diablo [6] was a taste bud exciter, served with Pad Thai. The ribs here are...

Lucy's Cucú Cabaña
Basilio Badillo 295 OT/SS.
lucycucu@pv....
Hard to find traditional Mexican creations from Oaxaca and artwork from the Zapotec and Huichol. Best-selling books as Refried...Very whimsical.

Rainbow Tee-Shirts
Púlpito 137 OT/SS. 223-2868
High quality tee-shirts made for order or from stock at good prices. Many colors and styles. Martin and staff will...

Agave Grill
Morelos 589 near Aldama, inside La Casa del Tequila DT.
222-2000
agavegrill@pro www.agavegrill.c
Noon-11pm
Authentic Mexican restaurant with open kitchen in a romantic hacienda featuring an agave tequila tasting room in the front, creates wonderful Mexican dishes as cream shrimp soup 59p, pollo mole poblano 139p, huachinango Vera, panela cheese with nop...pastel Azteca Vegetarian [souffle-style layered tortillas]... fine desserts are chocolate truffle with coconut strawberry and banana mousse with rice...Tequila tasting dinners...

Mariscos Polo's
Francisco I. Madero 376 between Insurgentes and Aguacate in Hotel Lina OT/SS.
306-8944/044-322-113-0364 CP
www.vallarta-i...
Noon-10pm Closed Tuesday.
Some of the area's best seafood at owner Polo's [Leopoldo Dueñas] colorful café include marlin taco 8p, ceviche tostada 7p...seafood fettuccine al chipotle diablo 76p, fish fillet 70-90p [fantastic special fish with mushroom wine...octopus ajillo, shrimp 130-145p, seafood cazuela [casserole] 63/73p and creamy coconut caramel flan...

bANANaCANtiNA Amapas 147 at Púlpito, 2nd floor above their casual Choco Banana OT/SS.
222-2114
www.banana pvbananacantina@ chocobananacanti@y
4-11pm Closed Monday, Tuesday and June 1-October 15.
Owner Debbi Egan's exotic contemporary gathering space with iron tables, leather furniture, lime and red walls, hanging metal globes and wall candles. Virtual Vallarta's Best New Rest... Contemporary Mexican cuisine as bruschetta with...spring rolls [3] with shrimp and teriyaki, Caesar salad, with chicken or shr...romaine apple salad with goat cheese empanadas, arugula with pomegran...avocado, mango and shrimp sal, almond crusted shrimp fritter with garlic jam and, crab ravioli basil cream, slow roasted achiote pork with...mango sea bass...Voted 2007...

Plantation House Café
Vallarta Botanical Gardens Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km. 24, 3 Km. past Boca de Tomatlán
044-322-105-7217 [CP]
www.pvb... pvbotanicalgardens@...
10am-6pm Closed Monday.
Chef Miguel Ruíz offers eclectic dishes served open air amidst hanging and potted plants, especially orchids, overlooking a pool and gardens. Carnitas stew 140p, individual pizzas baked in brick wood-burning oven 120-140p, cheeseburger with fries and organic salad 90p, tortilla soup 60p, chicken mushroom quesad...