Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
December 18, 2009
| | Nacho Daddy, on the south side of Vallarta at Basilio Badillo #180, is a venue for different music groups Thursday-Saturday nights. | |
Martha Socodo Eniquez, owner of Coco's Kitchen, 122 Pulpito (223-0373), had $50 to her name when she returned to Puerto Vallarta from the US. Her husband, Antonio Villegas, had died of cancer there, and she and her four children were on their own.
Coco and her husband had owned restaurants and property here, but they were gone with the medical costs. After several small food ventures here, the widow of 13 years has her own restaurant now, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautiful setting of greenery and sparkling lights. "I am so proud," Coco says.
She also is proud of her children, all obtaining university education. They will be here for Christmas and will help out at the restaurant with its menu of home-style cooking, Mexican and Mediterranean dishes. Coco is a woman to be admired.
The Chocolate store successful entrepreneurs, Charlotte and Carol, have moved across the street on Rodolfo Gomez for expansion and work needs. They soon will add more chocolate products for sale. Chocolates and other chocolate items will be available. Carol states that there will not be coffee or sweet rolls, as was speculated by some.
Popular Hank and Conrad, of former restaurant fame here, will be serving lunch starting January 25th, at Cafe Bohemio on Rodolfo Gomez. There will be a festive opening... with many hugs and cheers amidst the Bloody Marys.
Owner Debbie Egan turned over Banana Cantina to "hot" Chef Seth Cloutman for a gorgeous dinner to raise funds for Becas to provide scholarships to local children. A Becas founder, Polly Vicars, was thrilled. Chef Seth is dedicated to helping children here. Robert and Joan Seiwald of San Francisco were my dining companions, along with dear friends.
Restaurant reviewer Gary Beck has returned to San Francisco, planning to return here permanently. With his hospitalization earlier this year, he realized how many friends he has here who care about him. Gary, a PV Mirror and BanderasNews.com pal, and I enjoyed the duck menu at Trio, 264 Guerreo. This special menu continues until December 20. Diners enjoy everything in the duck category from soup, salad, two duck dishes to a rich dessert of dark chocolate. Enjoy!
Sergio Miramontes of Mateo and Sergio at Mama Rosa restaurant, 297 Leona Vicario, now has his own clothing store at 602 Juarez. Sergio is a clothing designer as well as a chef.
A full house outdoors at the American School celebrated Christmas with the local chamber orchestra and community choir, conducted by Nick Salmans who is recovering from dengue. The song, Peace, Peace, was especially moving. Musical director Mary MacLachlan tells us that this was the final orchestra performance conducted by Nick Salmans. He will continue to conduct the community choir and other choral groups here. For the next performance of the orchestra in March, Don Bieghler will conduct. He is a teacher and conductor from the state of Oregon in the US.
Hanukah at Cafe Bohemio was just plain fun with a delicious meal. Sol Rose treated us to a song with his Menorah glasses on his face, standing beside a blown-up balloon Menorah. An undoubtedly more sedate dinner by others was at River Cafe.
A tribute to John Lennon was magnificent with very good local musicians, with fans galore both at Ritmos Cafe on the beach and at Nacho Daddy on Basilio Badillo. Repeat performances are at Nacho Daddy at 8:00 pm on Tuesdays, December 22 and 29.
Bobby Taizen is quite the entertainer with vocals, guitar and his active feet. Instrumentalist Oscar Terrazas and international bass guitarist Steve York joined Bobby. Steve knew the Beatles when they first came to London. Of course, Steve, who has a beautiful new bass guitar, has played with many big names in the music industry.
Nacho Daddy is a venue for different music groups Thursday - Saturday. Joe King, part owner, is an excellent guitarist, having played with some of the great musicians. The Traveling Band plays early Thursday evening. Ajim is a talented guitarist, and Alessandra is incredible on various drums. They also perform at Que Pasa. Owner Sean Moore sings the blues at 8:00 pm on Fridays. This week, international vocalist and keyboardist Lisa York joined Steve York, performing with Sean. Beloved local bartender, Sammy, with smiling face, is behind the bar.
El Gringo Loco, F.I. Madero 403, will celebrate the holidays at 5:00 pm, Friday, December 18. Please bring non-perishable food items for distribution in the neighborhood.
Well, you know Tiger Woods has a home here. If he comes sailing in on his yacht, you can bet Puerto Vallarta will be in prime time.
Enjoy the winter surf as it bounces up against, and sometime on, the Malecón.
 An award-winning journalist, Twila Crawford lives in Puerto Vallarta, where, in addition to contributing articles to BanderasNews, the PV Mirror and other local publications, she writes Out and About in Puerto Vallarta, an informative column that offers inside information about who, what, why, where and when it's happening around Banderas Bay.
Click HERE to read more articles by Twila Crawford. |
Vallarta Weddings
Vallarta Living | December 2009 
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