Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - The depth and breadth of dining in Puerto Vallarta is expansive, diverse, and at an extremely high quality, thanks to not only the qualified restauranteurs that Puerto Vallarta has been able to attract, but also due to the demanding well-traveled patrons.

I recently had the good fortune of visiting Buenos Aires, a culinary hot spot of South America. First-class restaurants are plentiful and the variety of the cuisine runs the gambit from traditional parillas/steak houses to haute Asian. Prices range from the affordable to the obscenely expensive. Décor can be all the way from rustic to avant garde. I've had my fair share of delicious meals, the occasional spectacular, and unfortunately, far too many mediocre or just simply wrong.

I travel to eat. I suppose that qualifies me as a "foodie," although the term is not to my liking. I wouldn't say that I am a gourmand, but without question I'm particular. My friends are now chuckling at that understatement. But I have no shame in stating that I know what good food is, and what it is not. I have been lucky enough to be able to eat in some of the best restaurants in the world, and having enjoyed the works of some of those premier chefs, I can safely say that for those of us who enjoy a good meal, we are very fortunate in Vallarta.

For such a relatively small town, we have an extremely wide array of quality restaurants at comparably reasonable prices, even at the upper echelon. I have gone to battle many a time with folks who challenge my statement that we really do have world-class restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. No, not all restaurants in PV are to "write home about," but that's true in any city in the world. I do think, though, that given the size of our pueblo, we have a remarkably high quotient of excellent dining choices and experiences.

In addition, of course, the city boasts a Gourmet Festival, which takes place every November. This is an event that has proven to be wildly popular over the years, so much so that some visitors make their travel plans to coordinate with the dates of the Festival. Guest chefs are invited to exhibit their talents at many fine restaurants throughout the Bay, both North and South. While these restaurants still offer their original menus, the Gourmet Festival menus feature the gastronomic creations of the visiting chefs. Though this year's event ended on November 23rd, you can view the list of the 2013 participating restaurants and their guest chef backgrounds at FestivalGourmet.com.

No matter how developed your taste buds, or if you want a simple dining experience, there is something for everybody in Puerto Vallarta. Don't be afraid to try something new. And talk with somebody who has similar tastes as you to get the best recommendations. We all have different likes when it comes to food. But I can assure you, you will be pleasantly surprised with the culinary options available to you in Puerto Vallarta. Buen Provecho!

Wayne Franklin is the President/Broker of Tropicasa Realty and has lived in Puerto Vallarta for 17 years. You can contact him about this article or any of your real estate needs at franklin(at)tropicasa.com. or at his office at (322) 222-6505.

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Since 1997, Wayne Franklin and his team at Tropicasa Realty have been a trusted name in Puerto Vallarta real estate. Tropicasa Realty is the region's representative for "The Leading Agents of the World" and with over 100 years of combined experience in real estate, all agents of the company are affiliated with AMPI. Wayne Franklin or any member of his knowledgeable team can be contacted in-person at their Romantic Zone Office - Pulpito 145-A at Olas Altas or in their San Marino Office - San Marino Hotel at Rodolfo Gomez 111-4. While in PV they can be reached at (322) 222-6505 or by calling 866-978-5539 (Toll-Free) from the U.S.

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