Beyond the Readers Choice Restaurant Results Paco Ojeda - Virtual Vallarta
go to original August 9, 2012

The winners of this year's annual Virtual Vallarta Readers’ Choice Awards have been announced. There were many return favorites, along with some unexpected new entries. After all, the results reflect the preference of our readers as they support their favorite restaurants.

Looking beyond the actual list of winners, however, reveals a number of interesting facts, trends, close calls and near ties that are worthy of featuring as honorable mentions. And just as in the case of the Olympic Games presently taking place in England, the results, while set in stone, invite a bit of behind-the-scenes commentary.

The Close Calls
 
Year after year, there are restaurants that battle very closely for the top honor in several categories — sometimes with single-digit difference in votes — encouraging those of us that tally the ballots into imagining a soccer match, in which the winner is not decided until the last penalty goal, or even placing bets along the way. Such is the case of Café des Artistes and Trío in the Best Gourmet Category, both restaurants previously having won in the category, and equally deserving of such an award.

Similar close calls took place between Dee's Coffee Company and The Coffee Cup in the Best Coffee Shop category, and between El Arrayán and No Way, Jose! in the Best Mexican category. And while Fredy's Tucan has been comfortably leading the Best Breakfast Category, Coco's Kitchen raised our eyebrows more than once during the voting period.

The Creative Promoters
 
This day and age, between social media, word of mouth, online reviews in websites such as TripAdvisor, not to mention hard-working publicists, there are many factors that come into play as foodies decide where to cast their votes in the Readers’ Choice Awards — and let's not forget the actual dining experience!

Ultimately each restaurant decides how they wish to implement their own brand retention strategies to keep their loyal customers happy, if at all. Restaurants such as No Way, Jose! gave their wait staff "vote for us" buttons to wear through the entire voting window. And those who had the opportunity to dine at Taste@Casa Cupula may remember the clever paper butterfly decorations they placed on champagne flutes during their popular Sunday brunch, encouraging voters to participate. We thought theirs was the most original idea, so far, and it reflects tastefully — pun intended — on their innovative menu.

And then there's creativity. When dozens of continuous votes started coming in from Brazil — via Yahoo Brazil email addresses — all favoring a particular restaurant, we took notice. But we also know that local tourism authorities are not presently emphasizing promotional efforts in that South American country, and we didn't notice an unusual influx of Brazilian tourists in the city. The restaurant was discreetly disqualified.

Good Karma
 
Just as we pay attention to restaurants that implement a variety of strategies to remain favored among their clients, we also notice how excellent restaurants such as Archie's Wok (Best Asian), La Palapa (Best Sunset) and Barcelona Tapas (Best Spanish) are consistent winners that do not necessarily go out of their way to promote Readers' Choice among their clients. And they have strong contenders to deal with! We call this good karma, along with excellence in their menu, service and overall experience.

Late for Dinner
 
As in years past, many of the restaurants that appear in the winner list do so not only because they excel at what they do; they've embraced the idea of promoting the poll starting in December, when the poll becomes available to voters (the voting period is mid December to mid June, every year). Many excellent restaurants don't fare better in the results not because they are not deserving of the top places; regretfully, they don't begin promoting the voting process as early or actively as others.

And the Winners Are...

Ultimately, in a poll such as Readers’ Choice, the winners are the restaurants that understand the fact that the competition throughout the bay is fierce, and ultimately, they must strive to offer the most memorable dining experience, all the time. Many are featured here, and there are many more to be discovered, much to the advantage of those who enjoy the vast culinary diversity that makes Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit a wonderful destination to explore.

• Best Gourmet Restaurant 2012: Café des Artistes
Thierry Blouet, Maitre Cuisinier de France and a member of the Culinary Academy of France, has what is considered by many to be the best restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, Café des Artistes. Now, with recent dramatic changes, it's one of the best in the world.

• Best Moderate Restaurant 2012: No Way José!
Delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine featuring dishes such as "Sopa Montezuma," inspired by a secret family recipe based on cactus soup, or the traditional "Chiles en Nogada" with a unique homemade touch.

• Best Inexpensive 2012: El Brujo
Tucked away in the south side of El Centro, this restaurant is known for its generous portions, delicious food and reasonable prices. The eclectic menu includes seafood, chicken, soups and Mexican cuisine, which are carefully prepared and nicely presented.

• Best Service 2012: No Way José!
Delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine featuring dishes such as "Sopa Montezuma," inspired by a secret family recipe based on cactus soup, or the traditional "Chiles en Nogada" with a unique homemade touch.

• Best Rivera Nayarit 2012: La Dolce Vita
Among the Italian restaurants in town, La Dolce Vita stands out as a Vallartense favorite. La Dolce Vita serves exquisite dishes renowned for their original flavor and pizza prepared in a wood-burning oven.

• Best New Restaurant 2012: India Gate
This intimate restaurant only half a block from the Malecon features fine north Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Select from an assortment of staple dishes with confidence; the restaurant has been in operation in Vancouver for 35 years.

• Best Wine Selection 2012: Café des Artistes
Thierry Blouet, Maitre Cuisinier de France and a member of the Culinary Academy of France, has what is considered by many to be the best restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, Café des Artistes. Now, with recent dramatic changes, it's one of the best in the world.

Best Coffee Shop 2012: Dee’s Coffee Company
When not just any brew will do, enjoy a great cup of coffee at Dee’s Coffee Company, located one block from Los Muertos Beach. In addition to their wide array of delicious coffees they also offer tempting treats including muffins, pies, pastries and sandwiches.

• Best Breakfast 2012: Freddy’s Tucan
Since the early 80's Freddy’s Tucan has been a popular breakfast stop in the heart of Emiliano Zapata, thanks to their great food at economical prices and the excellent service. The extensive menu features generous portions of Mexican and American breakfast favorites.

Most Romantic 2012: Hacienda San Angel
Dining privileges once reserved exclusively for guests of this gorgeous antique-filled luxury boutique hotel are now extended to the public, by reservation only, for lunch and dinner. Limited seating in the courtyard, garden and private dining room provides diverse ambiances.

Best Outdoor Restaurant 2012: Daiquiri Dick’s
On the most popular beach in town, the kitchen of this casually elegant landmark perpetually reinvents itself. The constantly evolving menu, best described as Pacific Rim with a Mediterranean flair, keeps things fresh and interesting.

Best Sunset View 2012: La Palapa
Haute cuisine and friendly service blend in this beautiful setting at Los Muertos Beach that offers the perfect balance of fine dining and exceptional service in a casually elegant atmosphere with the characteristic warmth and charm of Puerto Vallarta.

Best Takeout 2012: Mikey's Deli
Located within Los Mercados, Mikey's Deli has garnered a faithful following in a short time thanks to its outstanding products. Mikey's features fully prepared foods, and premium meat cuts to order along with a broad selection of breads and gourmet cheeses.

• Best Mexican Restaurant 2012: El Arrayán
El Arrayan has become one of the hottest restaurants in town, winning "Best Mexican" for many years. Everything about it is inspired by the most authentic Mexican traditions, with a fresh modern edge. Explore this country's most amazing dishes with confidence.

Best Italian 2012: La Dolce Vita
Among the Italian restaurants in town, La Dolce Vita stands out as a Vallartense favorite. La Dolce Vita serves exquisite dishes renowned for their original flavor and pizza prepared in a wood-burning oven.

• Best Asian Restaurant 2012: Archie's Wok
Sip a Mai Tai Thai in a serene asian garden as d’Rachael delights with harp, flute, and vocals while you await a feast of tropical flavors. Archie, movie director John Huston's chef for many years, garnered the best elements of Pan Asian cuisine and gave them a Thai emphasis.

Best Grill & Steak House 2012: Thierry's Prime Steakhouse
This avant-garde eatery by Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes serves USDA Prime cuts and all the fixings in a contemporary ambiance. You might begin at the bar with a shot of Thierry's private collection tequila, while watching your meal being prepared in the open kitchen.

Best Taquería 2012: Takos Pancho's
Located in one of the most popular downtown areas, Takos Panchos is an ideal place to experience a traditional Mexican taquería. The location features a small seating area, plus a table right on the sidewalk.

Best Seafood 2012: El Barracuda
El Barracuda accurately describes itself as "a seafood joint with a twist." Very casual in design and spirit, El Barracuda features an affordable and creative lunch and dinner menu that features ceviches, seafood tacos, and several surf and turf combinations.

Best Spanish Restaurant 2012: Barcelona Tapas
Ideal for sharing as a couple or with friends, appetizer-sized servings of Spanish flavors are prepared with the highest quality local ingredients and a bird's-eye view of the town and bay. Sea breezes refresh the charmingly casual terrace.

Best Bakery 2012: Pie in the Sky
Pie in the Sky was founded over 20 years ago when the original owners started baking pies to raise money to fix a marooned sailboat. The product line has been expanded over the years to include cakes, cookies, pies and their famous Beso.

• Best Margarita 2012: Daiquiri Dick's
On the most popular beach in town, the kitchen of this casually elegant landmark perpetually reinvents itself. The constantly evolving menu, best described as Pacific Rim with a Mediterranean flair, keeps things fresh and interesting.

Best Martini Bar 2012: Garbo
This popular gay friendly, but not exclusively gay bar, is located close to the beach on the south side El Centro. Known throughout the city as a great place to go for cocktails in air-conditioned comfort, Garbo offers a tempting selection mixed drinks including their famed martinis.

(Photo Source: Virtual Vallarta)