Reviews
Virtual Vallarta
1. Me encanta
por Melania de Mexico
Deliciosa comida con una atmósfera muy agradable y servicio amigable y abiertos a las expresiones de arte. Prueben las carnitas de pato
Escrito hace 21 días el 5/1/2006 5:23:42 PM
2. Todo Excelente
por Viktor Manuel Kuryel de México
Todo el servicio es excelente, no hay mejor lugar que este, lo recomiendo ampliamente, las personas son muy profesionales, toda la gastronomia es estupenda, no hay mejor lugar que este.
Escrito el 4/15/2006 6:39:23 PM
3. lo mejor en comida mexicana. . .
por Marcia Guardado de México
definitivamente no hay otro lugar que se pueda comparar con el servicio y calidad de los platillos del Arrayán. Pruebe las deliciosas empanadas rellenas de queso y frijol, pozole de camarón, pescado en axiote, cochinita pibil, todos los platillos tienen personalidad y la extensa lista de vinos y cocktales hacen que esta experiencia sea única en el pueblo. Felicidades!!!
Escrito el 2/24/2006 2:14:01 PM
BOOK IT
El Arrayan
344 Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Dine at one of the hottest restaurants in town.
Restaurants Details
Everything about El Arrayan is inspired by authentic Mexican traditions. Chef Carmen Porras presents an interesting menu full of her award-winning selections such as the favored shrimp pozole. Inside this Mexican restaurant you will find good food combined with excellent service making dinner at El Arrayan a pleasant experience. To enhance your visit try one of their signature cocktails, a drink from the full bar or a selection from the wine list.
FROMMERS
Frommer's Review
The traditional but original Arrayán is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for anyone in search of authentic Mexican cuisine. Owner Carmen Porras enlisted Mexico City chef Carmen Titita (praised by James Beard for her culinary work) to assist in the design of the kitchen and creation of the restaurant's concise menu, which features genuine Mexican food of the region. The open-air (but covered) dining area surrounds a cozy courtyard, while its exposed brick walls, and funky-chic decor showcase a modern view of Mexican classics -- tin tubs serve as sinks in the bathrooms, while colorful plastic tablecloths and primitive art enliven the dining room. Start with an order of sumptuous plantain fritters filled with black beans, or an unusual salad of diced nopal cactus paddles with fresh cheese. Favorite main courses include their tacos filled with prime beef filet, or a Mexican duck confit, served in an arrayán-orange sauce. (Arrayán -- the namesake of the place, is a small bittersweet fruit native to the region.) Homemade, fresh-fruit ice creams are an especially tasty finish to your meal. The full bar offers an extensive selection of tequilas and regional liquors, while nonalcoholic beverages center around aguas frescas, a blended drink of fresh fruit and water. You can't miss the pink facade with the large bell at the entry. The excellent service is a plus to this can't-miss dining experience.
From Vallarta Online
An excellent choice
by Richard Jones (2 Comments:) from USA
My wife and I, with our two teens, visited El Arrayan in February 2006. In summary, the food was the best we ate in Puerto Vallarta. It is not cheap though: We spent about $100 U.S., although we ate and drank alot. We wanted authentic. After several people recommended places that seemed less than authentic, we were referred to El Arrayan. We made reservations, and found our table ready when we arrived. That was probably the last of the good service though. But hey! You're on vacation -- slow down. The food was apparently infused with Mayan touches. It was sufficiently Mexican to be familiar, yet exotic enough to be a treat. As others have noted, the pork leg was excellent, as were the tostaditos and just about everything we ate. Only the prawn soup was less than excellent, although that may be simply a matter of taste. I asked for a taste of their house-made mole, and our server brought a generous portion for us to try. It was the best I ever had. Like another reviewer, we are a (bi-cultural) family from the San Francisco area of California. We know good ethnic eats when we find them, and this places qualifies. I would return to this restaurant each time I visited Puerto Vallarta.
Written 2 months ago on 3/7/2006 6:17:11 PM
excellent!!!
by bobsrides@gmail.com from U.S.A
Excellent mexican food!! Very different from all the other "Mexican food" places, a change of pace from the guacamole, quesadillas, and the like. Try the duck carnitas, and don't be afraid to ask for the grasshopers, the "Ceviche Colima" and the Black bean&cheese plantain fritters: D-Lish!!!! congratulations to owner Carmen Porras, keep up the good work and we promise to pay you a visit every time we're in P.V.; which is twice a year.
Written 2 months ago on 3/7/2006 3:45:42 PM
WHAT A GEM :)
by Jodi Meyers from Canada
We had supper here Feb 3 and everything we ordered was incredible.....the plantian emapanada, the shrimp pozole, catus salad and the duck carnitas....WOW....And the flan was the best we had ever tasted....Ice cold beer hot the spot and the servers were friendly, warm , and made an enjoyable supper sublime!!!!! We will be back
Written 3 months ago on 2/16/2006 5:08:05 PM
A real gem
by Jeff M from Chicago, IL
I first want to thank all of the reviewers who have made this site so valuable. We just returned last week from vacationing in PV and the restaurants that we found on this site are a big part of what made the trip so special. This is one of those restaurants. The room itself is beautiful and charming, with traditional Huichol art on the walls and wonderful interior design. The menu consists of updated and gourmet versions of traditional Mexican fare from around the country. We had three families dining together, so we were able to taste virtually the entire menu. Everything we tried, from soup and appetizers to main courses, was sublime. I had the pork dish for my main course, which I ordered solely on the waitress' recommendation, and it was just delicious, with a really unusual flavor that was a bit spicy but did not rely on the spice for its flavor. The drinks are also a specialty, and the coconut margarita that I had was one of the best drinks I've ever had. The only desert that I got to taste was the flan, which was perfect. Needless to say, I would recommend El Arrayan to anyone with an adventurous spirit and good taste.
Written 4 months ago on 1/1/2006 11:56:35 PM
by Sandra Ballantine from USA
The food was spectaular and the sevice excellent. The owner was a personable, friendly presence. We would never go to Puerta Vallarta again without visiting this delight. We live in San Francisco and have access to many fine restaurants. We would love to see her open one here.
Written 6 months ago on 11/4/2005 1:36:47 PM
Our favorite!
by arriba from USA
We LOVE El Arrayan! We love this Mexican cuisine with a flair! Their attention to detail is amazing as is the very accomodating service and personal attention of talented owner Carmen Porras. We dine there every week while in PV and have never been disappointed! We enjoy the open air feel as well as interesting decor and design features. Easy to locate on Allende near Miramar.
Written 7 months ago on 10/9/2005 10:52:20 PM
What a lovely experience EL ARRAYAN
by Raymond Huston from Alberta, Canada
My wife and I had the chance to have dinner at El Arrayan. The location is away from the bustle and hustle of the "Malecón" board walk, not too touristy.We liked the way they have decorated the space and the traditional "Huichol" art pieces. They even have their own arrayan tree in the courtyard!The music was at a nice volume, playing mostly Mexican Music from around the country. Our waitress was Ma Elena. She was very efficient, always paying attention to us and smiling.We tried a few things to share: Plantain empanadas, escabeche duck tostaditas, shrimp pozole and Beef filet in arryan mole. Everything was well prepared, presented and very tasty. Their original cocktails are so refreshing and they have an interesting selection of Mexican wines. We will go back for sure.
Written 8 months ago on 9/5/2005 5:32:19 PM
Real Mexican Food !!
by Cludia V. from mexico city
Old family recepies and from different parts of mexico, with traditional flavours. They have a very warm welcoming atmosphere, with a court yard and a lovely arrayan tree growing, lots of original huichol art tasted their famos duck carnitas , wonderful!! and their ceviches , very fresh. Helpful friendly service a short stroll from the malecon
Written 11 months ago on 6/10/2005 6:30:29 PM
Loved this restaurant!
by C. Stafford from USA
What a wonderful dining experience! Carmen and her staff are wonderful and create the most welcoming warm atmosphere in a beautifully decorated space. The food is wonderful--we enjoyed several different appetizers and entrees in our several visits there. I love that she has used her grandmother's recipes and refined them. Definitely a repeat on our next trip!
Written 12 months ago on 5/23/2005 9:33:26 PM
Various
• From http://www.cheftalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16216
01-20-2006, 01:29 PM
jacksina
Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Colchester, VT
Posts: 8
A Visit to Puerto Vallarta
________________________________________
Hi, Chef,
The next time you come to Puerto Vallarta, you should visit El Arrayan, where Carmen Porras keeps the traditional foods of Mexico alive. She is starting a Slow Food program there. Also, the Agave Grill, has a great young chef, Oscar. I am an old chef. (How old? As an apprentice, I had to take a saber tooth tiger to the tallest tree and wait for lightning.) and hard to please. These two young chefs are really outstanding. In mid-November, the Food Festival has almost 30 chefs from around the world, each hooking up with a local chef for a whole week of mind melding creativity. It is totally amazing.
Peace,
Chef Donald Jacksina
• From: http://www.bootsnall.com/namericatravelguides/pv/oct04pv.shtml
New Restaurant in Town
El Arrayán
There's a new restaurant in town serving traditional Mexican recipes, using fresh local ingredients. Several well know dishes like Pozole and Chile en Nogada, plus Cactus Paddle Salad, Molotitos (adobo spiced rabbit in corn wraps) and a lot more. Here's a link to the site El Arrayán, ask for the owner Carmen and tell her JR sent you, you will get extra special service.
The restaurant (kitchen design, menu, etc.) is inspired by Carmen Titita (Mexico City’s famous 'El Bajio'), who earned James Beard's praise for her work. The bar offers an extensive variety of tequilas also with regional liquors besides internation drinks and different Mexican fruit coolers "agues frescas". English, French and German are spoken.
• From http://www.asthegroveturns.net/ATGTJan1106.htm
El Arrayan – Allende #344 Centro, Puerto Vallarta. Tel: 22 27195. “An atmosphere reminiscent of yesteryear, with scents, aromas and flavors we recognize without trying . . . for people who want to try authentically Mexican dishes . . . with that touch of family warmth . . . unique recipes, traditional dishes.” Gay-owned. Really good food. Charming ambience. Friendly service. www.elarrayan.com.mx.
• From http://vallartarestaurants.com/index.php
Downtown
.. EL ARRAYÁN Puerto Vallarta is an intimate little Mexican restaurant with a lot of soul. Offering a variety of authentic yet unusual Mexican food dishes using only the best traditional recipes and highest quality ingredients, and acquiring a wonderful reputation and large clientele along the way. Situated in the heart of Old Town, it’s an easy walk from the Malecón. El Arrayán opened its doors November 2003.
The owner, Carmen Porras, a young entrepreneur with an enormous love of Mexico and its cuisine, decided to create EL ARRAYÁN because she felt a need to showcase genuine yet different and unique Mexican food in a casual and friendly atmosphere, with excellent service and great attention to detail. ..
From http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2005_August_30/ai_n15655250/pg_2
19 El Arrayan
Authentic Mexican food with reasonable prices at our intimate, comfortable restaurant. Fabulous cocktail options! Short walk from Malecon.
