Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Raise your stein and toast Oktoberfest in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Restaurant Kaiser Maximilian is celebrating all month with a distinct menu, so you won't have to travel to Germany to savor the flavors of traditional European cuisine.

The special menu items, created by chef Juan Carlos Palomera, are derived from several European countries and the recipe seasonings reflect that country's unique palate. The starter is Frittatensuppe, a chicken consommé with sliced crepes and parsley.

There are three hearty entree choices, including grilled smoked Polish-style Pork Sausage Links served with homemade sauerkraut seasoned with cumin and caraway seeds and sautéed potatoes; Szegediner Krautrolade, a cabbage roll stuffed with seasoned beef and topped with a tomato red bell pepper sauce seasoned with chili and paprika; and finally, Veal Gulash prepared with onions, fresh red bell pepper and paprika served with spatzle, the home made knöpfle style egg noodles.

Don't forget to leave room for dessert, Austrian-style cottage cheese strudel with a creamy vanilla sauce. The cheese is from a local farmer in El Tuito so it is very fresh. To accompany your meal is a selection of German beers and wines.

The staff goes to great lengths creating these recipes. While on vacation in Austria this past summer, owner, Andreas Rupprechter, bought spices not available in Mexico. The paprika used in the some of the dishes comes from Hungary, which is world famous for its paprika production. The powder is produced by grinding the dried, dark red paprika pods of the pepper plant and can range from sweet to spicy to very hot. Szegediner is a town in southern Hungary and is the heart of paprika production. The cabbage rolls are named after this city and paprika is used to season the meat and the sauce. The gulash is also seasoned with paprika.

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig, later crowned King Ludwig, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The people of Munich celebrated this event along with many other towns in Bavaria. The king organized a horse race and the royal party drew about 40,000 guests and a lot of good food and beer was had by all. The tradition has continued and Munich's Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world.

Visit Kaiser Maximilian, Olas Altas #380 on the south side of Vallarta, until October 31st for a true taste of Oktoberfest with authentic food and spirits. Dinner is served from 5-11 pm.

Open Monday-Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant & Cafe is located at Olas Altas #38B in the Zona Romántica of Puerto Vallarta. For reservations call (322) 223-0760 or visit KaiserMaximilian.com

Click HERE to read more about Kaiser Maximilian.