The name Xitomatl comes from the Nahuatl name for tomato. The great contribution from the Aztecs to the world.
Mexican cuisine has evolutioned since its pre Hispanic roots, adding elements brought from the new world, fhe conquer of Spain and the new influences, such as Mediterranean, Continentals, Caribbean and Oriental.
The restaurant is decorated with the tones of the earth; It combines a sober elegance with pieces made by Mexican artists and the terrace has a romantic, beautiful view of El Malecón and a piece of our Banderas Bay.
Los Xitomates opened in 2002 and the founder of this marvelous place is Chef Luis Fitch; born in Querétaro, but a world trotter chef with experience in Hotel and Restaurants kitchens in countries like Austria, Germany, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and México.
He started it with the desire to take the Mexican cuisine to the highest level and remark the contribution of México to the cuisines of the world.
Now, Los Xitomates have a new owner and Chef and many new additions to the menu with the innovative touch of Chef Javier Fernandez Somellera, born in México but educated at The Cordon Blue, in Paris and with experience in restaurants in London, Seattle and México.
His friendly personality and his great talent in the kitchen gave a completely new “fair” to Los Xitomates, you will be very very well suprised!
His creations include the Tuna with a Bacon layer with caramelized vegetables in a red wine sauce and a delicious Mushrooms Risotto.
We were invited to make an experiment with a French and an American Wine with Mexican Food and it ended being a fun, delicious night among friends, good food and good wine!
The menu was:
Duck Tacos, with Oriental sauce and chile Habanero. This is a great entrée, what can be more Mexican than tacos? the duck meat is perfectly done, soft and juicy and the flavor of the Oriental sauce combined with the Habanero chile (one of the hottest chiles in our Mexican collection) is simply wonderful!
Seared Tuna medallions on a Julienne of Chayote, seaweed salad and Basil & Chipotle Vinaigrette. This Tuna is one of my favorites at Los Xitomates, it is sealed with seeds and inside the tuna keeps a red, juicy meat, the Julienne is fabulous! Chayote and seaweed salad…great and very very yummy!
Both paired with a bottle of Chablis Louis Latour, this wine is very soft on the palate and the freshness and crispyness was perfect for this entrees. A great choice from my dear friend, the Sommelier Diego Rodriguez (he doesnt like to be called Sommelier, but he actually is and a very very good one!)
Duck breast with Garambullo Sauce, paired with my precious bottle of Pinot Noir Estate Reserve from Phelps Creek Vineyards, my contribution to this dinner! the pairing resulted very nice, the Garambullos are the tiny red fruits of the cactus and the taste is very similar to red fruits, imagine how well it felt with the wine that has captivated me with its aromas and flavors!
For dessert, we had a double chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, accompanied with a glass of port.
We ate, we drank and we even signed a bottle! time passed incredibly fast with the good conversation, the laughters and tasting the fabulous Mexican dishes, representation of the creativity and innovation of the Chef Javier Fernández.
Can´t wait to visit again Los Xitomates, not only for the food, but for the great location!!
This cozy place in Puerto Vallarta downtown, has a fun bar called “Los Tomatillos”, the dining room boasts a chandelier that came from the chef´s grandmother´s house along with old pictures, some paintings of Mexican artists. It has the Mexican feeling and of course, the Mexican hospitality too!
Come to Vallarta and enjoy a romantic, delicious Mexican Gourmet dinner at Los Xitomates and tell Chef Javier Fernández Somellera, that you saw it on this blog, i am sure he´ll be so happy that he´ll invite you a nice glass of tequila!!!
salud…y Viva México!
