Getting Out and About for the Holidays
Published in Puerto Vallarta Mirror
By Christie Seeley
vallartasounds.com
It's fun getting out and about and learning new places. One Saturday in the recently re-opened Los Arcos marketplace on Lazarro Cardenas, I ran into Dennis de Crenet, a friend in music and a fantastic blues guitarist. We had a friendly chat. He told me about his new gig at Hot Mama's Whiskey Kitchen, a jumping bar/ restaurant just up the highway from old town towards Mismayola near condos Brisas Del Mar. It is just a short walk from Basilio Badillo. (One might want to take a cab as it is mostly uphill). Dennis told me how good the atmosphere and food were, cozy, friendly, with southern-style hospitality. A friend and I visited this fun place the following Sunday. The restaurant is not brand new. It was opened about a year ago by Gina, originally from North Carolina. She also has a restaurant in Mexico City that's been very successful. The cuisine was delicious and the music great. The vibe is excellent and welcoming. It is a small place, probably a good idea to make a reservation but worth it!
I just returned from a trip back to California and drove with my daughter in her truck back to Puerto Vallarta, an exciting and somewhat challenging journey. Upon arrival, I learned that Tracy Parks had re-opened the Piano Bar at his popular venue and restaurant/bar Incanto Vallarta after an extended closure following the tragic Hurricane Nora in September. The floods occasioned by the storm caused much damage to the club and the surrounding area. Long and strenuous hours of volunteer work, contracted work—some financed by generous fans and patrons of Incanto— have paid off, and they are slowly returning to normal. On Sunday, friends and I joined them for a beautiful brunch featuring the marvelous musicians of Media Luna. Caleb and Jair Cabrera. They played incredible music as guests sipped mimosas and brunched on the most delicious southern cuisine. And who do you think prepared this repast? Well, Gina from Mama's Whiskey Kitchen! What a lovely surprise.
Gina is partnering with Tracy on some of these events as they work back to normal. It is delightful news. These brunch performances will continue on Sundays, beginning at 11:00. Caleb and Jair are introducing many new pieces, and their tone is relaxed and soothing. They offer their new music and those exciting pieces for which Media Luna is famous. The newly redecorated Piano Bar atmosphere lends itself to such an intimate gathering. You don't want to miss it. You can make a reservation at incantovallarta.com.
I sense we all find it hard to believe we are so close to the end of this tumultuous year. While some signs of the holidays are present, it is nothing like the pre-pandemic celebratory display. Still, venues all around are doing their best to provide opportunities to loosen up and bring on the joy of the season. Nacho Daddy's features some great shows, including Piel Canela, banging out party music in their gypsy rumba style. Nacho Flores enchants with his great repretoire of mediterranian music at La Fiamma Pizza and Beer Garden and La Tosca Trattoria da Gaetano in Versaille. He also plays at Cuates y Cuetes at 6:00 on Thursday and Saturday nights. Media Luna Band plays its fiery Latin fusion music at Cuates y Cuetes Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:30. Grupo Tajin celebrates Mexican music on traditional instruments on Friday nights at Cuates y Cuetes. And if your taste is more smooth jazz in the Ella Fitzgerald style, catch Beverly and Willow at 8:30 on Wednesday and Thursday nights. You can see a calendar of these events with location, time, etc., on my website, vallartasounds.com.
Check your favorite restaurants for special meals for your celebrations. You might enjoy an outdoor venue like the Botanical Gardens for Christmas Dinner, Oscar’s Bar and Grill on the River Cuale or the excellent cuisine of the River Cafe! See their websites.
Happy Holidays to All!
Published in Puerto Vallarta Mirror
By Christie Seeley
vallartasounds.com
It's fun getting out and about and learning new places. One Saturday in the recently re-opened Los Arcos marketplace on Lazarro Cardenas, I ran into Dennis de Crenet, a friend in music and a fantastic blues guitarist. We had a friendly chat. He told me about his new gig at Hot Mama's Whiskey Kitchen, a jumping bar/ restaurant just up the highway from old town towards Mismayola near condos Brisas Del Mar. It is just a short walk from Basilio Badillo. (One might want to take a cab as it is mostly uphill). Dennis told me how good the atmosphere and food were, cozy, friendly, with southern-style hospitality. A friend and I visited this fun place the following Sunday. The restaurant is not brand new. It was opened about a year ago by Gina, originally from North Carolina. She also has a restaurant in Mexico City that's been very successful. The cuisine was delicious and the music great. The vibe is excellent and welcoming. It is a small place, probably a good idea to make a reservation but worth it!
I just returned from a trip back to California and drove with my daughter in her truck back to Puerto Vallarta, an exciting and somewhat challenging journey. Upon arrival, I learned that Tracy Parks had re-opened the Piano Bar at his popular venue and restaurant/bar Incanto Vallarta after an extended closure following the tragic Hurricane Nora in September. The floods occasioned by the storm caused much damage to the club and the surrounding area. Long and strenuous hours of volunteer work, contracted work—some financed by generous fans and patrons of Incanto— have paid off, and they are slowly returning to normal. On Sunday, friends and I joined them for a beautiful brunch featuring the marvelous musicians of Media Luna. Caleb and Jair Cabrera. They played incredible music as guests sipped mimosas and brunched on the most delicious southern cuisine. And who do you think prepared this repast? Well, Gina from Mama's Whiskey Kitchen! What a lovely surprise.
Gina is partnering with Tracy on some of these events as they work back to normal. It is delightful news. These brunch performances will continue on Sundays, beginning at 11:00. Caleb and Jair are introducing many new pieces, and their tone is relaxed and soothing. They offer their new music and those exciting pieces for which Media Luna is famous. The newly redecorated Piano Bar atmosphere lends itself to such an intimate gathering. You don't want to miss it. You can make a reservation at incantovallarta.com.
I sense we all find it hard to believe we are so close to the end of this tumultuous year. While some signs of the holidays are present, it is nothing like the pre-pandemic celebratory display. Still, venues all around are doing their best to provide opportunities to loosen up and bring on the joy of the season. Nacho Daddy's features some great shows, including Piel Canela, banging out party music in their gypsy rumba style. Nacho Flores enchants with his great repretoire of mediterranian music at La Fiamma Pizza and Beer Garden and La Tosca Trattoria da Gaetano in Versaille. He also plays at Cuates y Cuetes at 6:00 on Thursday and Saturday nights. Media Luna Band plays its fiery Latin fusion music at Cuates y Cuetes Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:30. Grupo Tajin celebrates Mexican music on traditional instruments on Friday nights at Cuates y Cuetes. And if your taste is more smooth jazz in the Ella Fitzgerald style, catch Beverly and Willow at 8:30 on Wednesday and Thursday nights. You can see a calendar of these events with location, time, etc., on my website, vallartasounds.com.
Check your favorite restaurants for special meals for your celebrations. You might enjoy an outdoor venue like the Botanical Gardens for Christmas Dinner, Oscar’s Bar and Grill on the River Cuale or the excellent cuisine of the River Cafe! See their websites.
Happy Holidays to All!