After a long time without writing, dedicated to my latest job as Touristic Competitiveness Director at Tourism Board of Nayarit, a year and a half that left me a lot of experiences and knowledge but over all an increased love for my beautiful state, Nayarit, I felt the need to communicate again, so now is time to go back to my favorite hobby: Being a Foodie and boast about it on my blog!!!

September, the patriotic month, the Mexican pride; this is the month to celebrate our Independence, so, I had to talk about a “very” Mexican place where we can celebrate our rich gastronomy, our traditions, our wine and the warmth of our people; that’s why my choice was “Emiliano Comida y Vino”, located right on the Historic downtown of the capital city of Nayarit: Tepic.

Tepic´s downtown is now so very interesting because of the renewal of the museums, the Mexico Av. (main street in town), the implementation of two great touristic/historic shows: “Edificios Parlantes” (talking buildings) and “Luces del Bicentenario” (Bicentenary lights show) – I promise to about this in the future-.

Everything around Emiliano Restaurant is inspiring and full of traditions and this, together with its own essence and a special touch, make it a unique place that we can´t miss to enjoy.

There is so much to talk about Emiliano Restaurant, come and join me!

First the formal description so you understand a bit more about them, then inside, my own experience and the purpose of this note:

The Huichol or Wixáritari are an indigenous ethnic group of western central Mexico, living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango. They are best known Huichol, however, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari  “the people”  in their native language. The adjectival form of Wixáritari and name for their own language is Wixárika.

The craftsmanship of the Huichol includes embroidery, beadwork, sombreros (hats), archery equipment, prayer arrows, and weaving, as well as “cuchuries”, woven or embroidered bags.

Their religion consists of four principal deities, the trinity of Corn, Blue Deer and Peyote, and the eagle, all descended from their Sun God, “Tao Jreeku”. The Shaman is named Maraakame . Most Huichols retain the traditional beliefs and are resistant to change.

In traditional Huichol communities, an important ritual artefact is the nieli’ka: a small square or round tablet with a hole in the center covered on one or both sides with a mixture of beeswax and pine resin into which threads of yarn are pressed. Nieli’kas are found in most Huichol sacred places such as house shrines (xiriki), temples, springs and caves.

In the past thirty years, about four thousand Huichols have migrated to cities, primarily Tepic, Nayarit, Guadalajara and Mexico City. It is these urbanized Huichols who have drawn attention to their rich culture through their art. To preserve their ancient beliefs they have begun making detailed and elaborate yarn paintings, a development and modernization of the nieli’ka.

Here we are again at Caio Tres!!!   This time, trying and introducing to you some very tempting new items in their menu.

Viñas Pijoan started as a hobby, a desire to make wine and share it with family and friends, but Pau Pijoan, a Catalan  settled in México,  made a hit with his hobby and had no choice than to keep it going and growing!!!

I visited this winery a little while ago and i was very well impressed, not only for the quality of the wines, but also for the personality of Pau, the owner and winemaker. But most of all, i was impressed to see the love of this man for his family and his wines; such love that as a tribute to the women of his family, each wine have their names.

Wine events in PV are inn and it´s perfect!  This event was organized by Vinoteca and Bodega Catena Zapata, from Argentina, a very prestigious winery, well recognized by “Wine & Spirits” and “Wine Spectator” Magazines.

Catena Zapata recently had an important recognition  by “Decanter” Magazine, as they named the owner: Nicolás Catena as “Man of the Year” for his trajectory and his philosophy about wine making.
The place: the new and trendy La Leche, owned by 2 very prestigious chefs: Nacho Cadena and his son Alfonso Cadena.
This chefs and the place deserve an exclusive article, so i´ll leave you with the curiosity for a new post here!!

“At Viña de Liceaga, we capture the magic of the vineyard through our selected wines, so you can enjoy…México´s fine Wine”

Caio Tres Restaurant is located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta´s downtown.  It´s a place where you feel very comfortable; with the decoration, the ambience, the young staff, the owners, the chef, the food and the drinks!
Oliver Martínez, Luis Alvarez and Pablo Martínez are the young team behind this very interesting place, that started only a year ago  and it´s already established in the taste of locals and tourists, so don’t  forget next time you visit Puerto Vallarta… Caio Tres is the place of the Global food with a very original touch!

I had a review for IKAL 1150, Wines from Mendoza, Argentina and i decided to make it in Vista Grill, a spectacular restaurant on the hills of Conchas Chinas in Puerto Vallarta, México.

If you like to combine fine Gourmet food, great wines list and excellent service in a unique ambiance overlooking a picture-post card sunset in Banderas Bay, you have to come to Vista Grill in Puerto Vallarta!

Gina Naya and the great Sommelier Pedro Poncelis Jr. invite you to the first Grand Mexican Wines Tasting at La Odisea Yacht in Banderas Bay, México!!!

Enjoy a great conversation about some of the best Mexican wines, the breathtaking views of the mountains, the fabulous Banderas Bay, see Puerto Vallarta from the sea with the red “teja” roofs, Los Arcos at El Malecón, the inviting lights from the night clubs and restaurants across town.

Join our star guest, the Sommelier Pedro Poncelis Jr, taste and learn about some of the best Mexican Wines:  Vino de Piedra, from Casa de Piedra Vineyards, Icaro from Jose Luis Durand, Casa Grande Shiraz from Casa Madero and Gran Ricardo from Monte Xanic.

The Date: 18th July

The time: 19:00-22:00

The meeting point:  La Marina Puerto Vallarta, Dock A-29

The Fabulous Yacht we will board: La Odisea

For more information contact

Gina Naya:  gina.naya@g-naya.com

Pedro Poncelis Jr: info@cepage.com.mx

Welcome to my Blog!

My love affair with Gourmet food and Wines started in 2004, when i arrived to Puerto Vallarta, with a a suitcase full of dreams.  Dreams of freedom, sun and the hope that the sea waves would bring a mysterious foreigner from faraway lands that was going to sweep me off my feet and live happily together by the sea shore. Well, that did not happen! but instead i found a bunch of friends, a lot of opportunities and a world of culinary experiences that made me fall in love with this industry.