Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – During the tranquil summer period in PV, it is an annual custom of mine to revisit beloved, crowd-favorite dining establishments that remain consistently booked during the bustling high season. A slight disclosure is warranted here, as Bravos is one of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.
On this occasion, I was accompanied by a good friend, a first-timer to dining in, despite his numerous past experiences with their delivery service. His appreciation for the unwaveringly exceptional service and the soothing atmosphere Bravos consistently offers was a delight. The ever-present owner, Michael Boufford, helms this operation with a steady and consistent mission of making your evening special every time you go.
Our culinary journey began with a pair of shared appetizers. The Crispy Calamari ($175 pesos), complete with roasted marinara dipping sauce, was flawlessly cooked to tender perfection. Meanwhile, my companion opted for the Potato Chip Chicken ($160 pesos), complemented by a honey-chili dipping sauce. While the flavor was commendable, I found the strips to be on the lean side. As a native of the South, I prefer plump, juicy chicken fingers. Thus, the somewhat thin and chewy nature of these strips didn’t quite hit the mark.
I selected a classic beef dish as we moved on to our main courses. The Rib Eye Sterling ($495 pesos) with blue cheese butter stands unrivaled in our city, further elevated by the garlic mashed potatoes. Its substantial serving size is perfect for ensuring enjoyable leftovers. Our other main course, the Chicken Cordon Bleu ($320 pesos), reimagines home cooking with its blend of ham, cheese, and bacon-stuffed chicken breast, lightly fried in panko and served with a luxuriously rich Parmesan sauce.
I found myself unable to resist the allure of two desserts: the Bravos Churro Basket ($135 pesos), an indulgent offering of vanilla ice cream, caramel, and chocolate sauce, and the equally irresistible Bravos Double Chocolate Brownie ($135 pesos), served warm with ice cream, nuts, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. As expected, a return to my Keto diet was in order the very next day.
For those seeking a balance of comfort and elegance in the Romantic Zone as they indulge in a memorable dinner, the allure of Bravos is challenging to surpass.
I give Bravos:
Fco. I. Madero 263, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380
Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 to 10:30 PM. Closed Monday
Reservations Strongly Suggested: 322-222-0339
I welcome your comments or suggestions of restaurants to try at TheHungryCriticPV(at)gmail.com.
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