If you have not yet been to EL Sueno, you are truly missing out on a very special Mexican experience.
The food: Renee, chef and owner will guide you through the menu and specials of the night. We were a group of 15, 9 adults, 5 teenagers, and 1 child, from different parts of the world - from Canada, France, Italy, England, Mexico, and San Francisco, California. We ordered mostly family style and shared a wide variety of appetizers and a few entrees. The conchinita pibil tacos, octopus tacos, fish tacos, mushroom and chorizo Queso fondito, the guacamole, and all of the quesadillas. Each item had its own unique flavors which is not always the case in Mexican restaurants. We also ordered a few entrees to share which included the Milanesa Torta, chicken enchilada, and tortilla soup. Out of everything we sampled, my favorites were the Queso fondito, octopus tacos and the conchinita pibil tacos. We enjoyed everything Renee recommended.
Cocktails: Renee has hired a bartender that is like not other. He constructs and delivers an exquisite list of cocktails equivalent to what you would find in a high end Mexican restaurant in San Francisco or New York. They source their ingredients from local distilleries but also offer the major brands of mescal and tequila. Each cocktail has its own flare and complex mix of liquor, mixer, and herbaceous accents. They are extremely well balanced with just a hint of sweetness so you can enjoy each component.
Atmosphere and service: As is true of many neighborhood restaurants, you won't find El Sueno along the main drag in Punta Mita. You have to venture a short block off of the Main Street into town to get here but it is not hard to find. Renee has taken a space that was once nothing at all and turned it into a cultural and festive environment. It is decorated with brightly colored, hand painted murals both outside and in. She has plenty of tables that can be configured for an intimate couple on a date or a large group wanting to share a dinner together. Her staff is attentive and will take great care of you in between Renee visiting the table to share food recommendations and getting to know her customers for a highly personal experience.
In summary, El Sueno is a great restaurant that will impress friends and family of all ages no matter where you come from. Enjoy. read more