Cafe des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Review

Cafe des Artistes is a semi-formal restaurant run by famous local chef Thierry Blouet. It is located in the heart of the city and is highly recommended by the Fodor’s Guide and friends.

Awards

Dining Room

Bar Area

Wow

Wall Mural

Bathroom

The restaurant has some beautiful art, making the atmosphere better than the food.
An English version of the menu is available.

Menu:

Prix Fix

Dessert Menu

Picks:

Shellfish platter ($495 pesos, 10:1 US$) had oysters, shrimp, flan scallop cerviche, and crab.  All items were fresh, so it was hard to screw up as long as they had freshly harvested seafood.  The flan scallop cerviche was a little too creamy.

Grilled Snapper (Prix Fix $389) with baked garlic, ratatouille stew, mini gazpacho with parmesan cheese was fresh and of large quantity. It was cooked well and is a good entree.

Sorbet ($90) came with 3 types passion fruit, pineapple, and vanilla , all very good. Run raisin sauce, chantilly cream and toasted almonds helped make this healthy dessert good.

Chocolate cake (Prix Fix $389) was freshly made, looked beaufityl and was decadant.

OK:

Broiled giant Scallop  (Prix Fix $389) with leek ravioli and saffron essence did not have the freshest scallops around.  Not much camelization.  Edible but not special.

Margarita Cadillac ($138) was strong and uniquely flavored.  A good chance to try an authentic drink as compared to the ones back in the US.

Pass:

Sauted Foie Gras ($298) with grapes, apples, and salty caramel was of below average quality. We’ve had better Foie Gras at almost most places in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was overcooked but of large quantity.

Lobster ($650) was steamed and fairly fresh, but was overcooked to the point of being rubbery. It comes with garlic butter. The lobster at Old port lobster shack is far better.

This restaurant serves up some decent dishes, but better food can be had for much less. The best bet is to come to Cafe des Artistes for drinks and appetizers, or dessert. The bill will be much less and you can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere more.

Book Cafe des Artistes Reservation

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Cafe des Artistes Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Good)
Service Rating:	(Good)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Excellent)
Value Rating:	(Average)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Full Bar
Attire:	Dressy
Hours:	6pm-Midnight
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes
Prices:	$19-$50