A Birthday On The Isla Cuale
As is tradition in Vallarta – at least for Scorpios, birthday celebrations will continue until the end of this month. That means all pieces of pie/cake are happily accepted for another couple of weeks.
Qulture, a visionary concept by Jim Lee, celebrated its 7th anniversary last week. Drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres flowed for hours in the Art Gallery/Restaurant/Bar to the tune of a rock band that offered up super dance tunes. The wait staff was kept extremely busy, and owner Gabriel was caught on camera happily washing glasses – helping the bartender so he could refill them for the dozens of guests. I will be back at ‘The Q’ tomorrow for Scrabble.
Langostino’s on the beach has been a part of my celebrations for many years in Vallarta, and my birthday number 74 was officially started with a chile poblano omelette on the beach on a perfect day, with my sister, Patrice, and dear friend, Brian Bott, enjoying the lovely food and scenery.
Later in the day, Music in the Park returned to the Isla Cuale, sponsored by the Vallarta Garden Club. These free concerts, held in a spectacular outdoor setting, featured child prodigy Angeloo, tucked under a massive shade tree by the Rio Cuale, and showcased why he wins voice competitions. He finished the afternoon with a rousing rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ with lots of help from his audience. The Garden Club offers chairs for rent; however, you are also welcome to bring your own. Or a blanket if you prefer to sit on the grass. Wine and beer are available for a small donation; please also bring a tip for the performers. It is a lovely way to spend a late Sunday afternoon. See VallartaCalendar.com for dates and information on who is performing every other week at 5:30 pm.
Patrice and I strolled across the Island, remarking on its beauty and applauding Guy Weeks and the Vallarta Garden Club for their often heroic volunteer work beautifying and preserving this last remaining strip of Mother Nature in the heart of our city.
We ended up at Il Pesce. (soon to become ‘Nomada’) on Constitución for our favorite pasta dish, featuring mushrooms and truffle oil. I have had this delightful homemade fettuccine every time I have gone to Il Pesce, and each time it has been replicated to perfection. I cannot say that about any other restaurant anywhere.
The congenial owner of Il Pesce, Carlos Venegas, invited Patrice and me to accompany him to see the soon-to-be-inaugurated new home of Il Pesce. We walked a block over to the former Banderas Bay curio shop/fab folk art gallery/store run by the Bowmans for years. Inside has been transformed into a sleek, stylish eatery with a pet-friendly open garden in the back, a small holding bar up front, and the main body of the restaurant looks straight at a brand-new kitchen galley. It is like being in the belly of a grand ship – if ships had exposed adobe brick walls. Stay tuned for Grand Opening details soon.