La Tienda Grande
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Recommended Reviews - La Tienda Grande
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This place is among the best - if not the best - restaurant in PV. The staff fully engages you upon entry. The chef pays personal attention to each guest ensuring your experience is exquisite. The food is simply amazing - it's like Mexican fusion - modern and delicious. I had Mole enchiladas and my friend had duck. They were simply outstanding - a party of flavor in your mouth. Even the desert was balanced with decadence and a hint of spice. The prices here are similar to a US restaurant but the value is priceless. Go here - you will thank me.
Our experience here was nothing short of a terrible dining experience. First and foremost the attitude by mostly the bartender (who never felt the need to smile once the entire night), and our server was bad, and overall rude. We had a reservation, and the atmosphere felt like we were bothering them by being there. No welcomes, no smiles; just rubbing of eyes, and irritated looks. Very strange. We ordered plenty of drinks and food items, and never once were guided on popular or special items on the menu. We ordered wine and a drink to start, had to ask twice for prices on the glass of wine, no help on the drink selection. Again, not welcoming or friendly at all. Then we ordered the plantain empanadas and the beef carpaccio. The empanadas were okay, a bit sweet. The carpaccio was amazing, but bread was served in a closed paper bag... I guess kind of cute, but just steamed the bread so it turned soggy. We ordered another round of wine, then the main course shrimp dish, and the filet and foie (asking specifically if it was duck foie-they said yes) The shrimp was okay, nothing special but expensive, the steak dish was not great. Steak had no sear or char, but was medium rare, the "foie" was a brown mushy log. It tasted horrible, gritty, warm, and was absolutely not foie gras. It was left untouched on the plate. Served with it were rolls, again in a brown paper bag? Weird, mushy again. Hot pink tortillas served with the shrimp? You guessed it! Served in a hot brown bag... No one asked once, if we enjoyed the meal, why we didn't eat ANY of the "foie". Full kitchen staff, full wait and bar staff, all chilling out doing nothing except looking at their phones. Pretty disappointing. Wife wanted dessert, we got a slice of badly burnt guava "cheesecake". This place is pure hype...
To give this place five stars is because I ran out of stars. This restaurant clearly is created by talented individuals who know exactly what they wanted to bring to this world with their talent. As you step through the door, the decor pays homage to the location's corner store history with actual milk jar, glass bottle sold in the corner store with modern decor and yet everything is in perfect harmony, and that's just a hint of what's to come. We made our own 8-course meal with amazing cocktail to boot. And everything is exceptionally- it invites all of your senses to be present; our evening was a pure delight to smell, taste, and view the presentation of the dishes. Speaking of which, I have always been very skeptical of food that's plated Instagram worthy, I always wondered does it taste as good as it looks? And is it just going to be two spoonful of food which is going to leave me more upset than satisfied? Well if you have similar healthy skepticism then fear not, yes it taste as wonderful as it looks, and each plate is a self containing universe of experience that will leave you satisfied and dazzled. No five star experience is ever complete without the staff who delivered the experience, our server Johnny and big boss Gabriel gave us attentive service, background on the food (for example the cheese croquettes are made with fresh cheese made from chef's grandmas cows just for this restaurant) and background for the restaurant- and how every dish, every plate is a homage to a significant memory, a family member, an inspiring place. The result of the dishes is exactly like the decor, something old and familiar and something new and exciting and yet, they add depth and soul to each other and play in perfect harmony. This place is 30 minutes away from downtown PV (or 15 min without traffic) and will be the reason I return to PV! definitely try the octopus which is epic both in taste and smell and the bread ice cream and you must inquire about the inspiration behind the bread ice cream By the way they update their menu every 6-7 months so use the QR code I am uploading to get the latest Intel
Okay, foodies - I know this restaurant has been mentioned here before - but if you're in Vallarta and you have a car, use Uber, or know your way around the Vallarta public transportation system - you really need to get your mouth, your tastebuds, and your belly on out to La Tienda Grande in Ixtapa. I'd first read about Chef Salvador "Chava" Carrillo online - Eater's list of "The 25 Essential Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta" and I saved the location in Google Maps on my phone, knowing that we'd get there someday. Well, "someday" turned out to be yesterday - and boy howdy - I'm only sorry it took us so long to check them out (we've lived in Jalisco for almost 9 months now, traveling back and forth between Mascota and Puerto Vallarta on a regular basis). We were on our way back to Mascota after spending the day in the city running errands, and we were STARVING! We'd stopped at Home Depot for our last errand, so I checked my map to see what was in the area. Since we had to drive past Ixtapa anyway - I figured it was time to give Chava's place a try. They opened at 5:00 - and we were there by 5:30 or so - so pretty early for dinner - which was perfect - since we didn't have reservations. If you're going during peak dining hours, I'd hazard a guess that reservations are a must. Be sure to read the chef's story - it's part of the menu. The next time we go - I definitely want to try one of his tasting menus. There are two - a 5-course option and an 8-course option - and they change daily - based on available ingredients and the chef's whim or mood. On this visit, my husband and I opted to share 4 of the smaller plates. The pork belly taco was, by far, my favorite. It was phenomenal - probably the best food I've had since moving to Mexico - and that's saying a LOT! If the Michelin Guide was handing out stars in Mexico, Chef Chava deserves a sky full of them! I don't drink alcohol anymore, so I can't comment on his cocktail menu - but based on past experience - it looks legit - lots of interesting flavor combinations and options. Oh - and his staff - well, they are equally amazing! Our waiter (I wish I could remember his name!) was friendly, helpful, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, the ingredients, and the history of the chef and his restaurant. The space is small but comfortable and well-appointed. Even the dishes were beautiful! But the food - OMG - you MUST go. Try it. Be amazed. Be titillated. Be satisfied. You, and your tastebuds, can thank me later!
--There are always some places you wish you could keep all to yourself but are too good to do so. This is that place. This is a do not miss no matter what you have to do to get here. We started out with a short cab ride into an area that ( not being a local) was not too sure of how safe it was. Looking back we would've missed one of the greatest food experiences of our life. We walked into a corner restaurant in an area that I did not see any other restaurants. Greeted as if they were truly grateful we walked into the door. A warmth you rarely get anywhere in the world. We sat at a table by the window and our waiter greeted us immediately. We let him decide what handmade cocktails we were going to start with and at no point in the evening did they ever disappoint. My wife looked out the open air window while multiple hummingbirds hovered in the tree just outside our seats. We let all the staff decide what we were going to eat with a little guidance. My wife is Gluten Free and that slowed nobody down. I rate this restaurant's food, drink, and experience as one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. All of that is only out done by the amazing people and Chef that work there. Special thanks to sous chef Ana who led the way through this amazing evening. Leo and Joel made this experience one of a kind in the world. There is no relationship, or financial return for this review. It is just from our hearts.... Thank you for changing the world.
This was a awesome dining experience, one of my favorites in PV. The tasting menu was a great way to try the Chef's art. They have to highlight your favorite taste profiles and he tailors a tasting menu for your palette. Very affordable and delicious as well. Only drawback is this is kind of out of the way so if you plan to walk around/do bar hopping it can be tough
Half our hotel team said no because the town is off the beaten track and half said yes this restaurant is great and we know is we grew up in this town. It's a 15 min taxi from the Marriott and opposite direction to city center. We love adventure so went for this. Ambience is great and staff super attentive. My wife ordered the toro Gino drink and it was amazing. My wine was so so but it's not Napa so I was all good. They brought cheese starters that were tasty as was the duck starter. The flank steak was amazing and both my kids ended up having that. I ate the pork which was tasty and had onions that shouted chocolate. Never experienced that before but super worthy. My wife had the white fish and it was fresh and tasty. If you love authentic experiences come here. The staff were incredibly attentive and the restaurant small and intimate and the flavors were really sensational. They are still rolling around my mouth as we order dessert.
Everyone and their mother is going to tell you to not make this trip because what's a tourist doing in IXT. But go here because the food is THAT good and you'll keep wondering what if I'd just mustered the courage to make that journey for the vibrant gastronomical expedition you'd experience here. Somethings to note, they're not in PV, u need a car or cab or bus ride and it's 45-60 mins away from Zona Romantica or Downtown PV. Would recommend just eating, booking a cab and leaving as locals recommend not exploring Ixtapa. You can reserve ahead via Whatsapp but the staff doesn't really make a note or need to, so why bother. We did the odyssey - their 7 course tasting menu chef's choice and customizable per guest. One pescatarian and one vegetarian minus mushrooms and eggplants. They deleivered and how. Each dish was fantastic. Boi do they knw how to cook and with panache! I'm someone who is scared of raw fish and I cleaned the plate of ceviche. They even got our dessert out on an anniversary plate! are alright but GO, RUN,for their food. read more
2 years ago
Built out of one of the first grocery stores in Ixtapa La Tienda Grande sees Chef Salvador Carrillo creating elegant Mexican Cuisine utilizing Mediterranean influences, a Tasting Menu seeing guests invited to choose their own main course plus innovative Cocktails or Wines focused on local purveyors. Far from the tourist corridor, the sort of Restaurant that has earned the effort needed to visit since it opened, diners will notice streets filled with local vendors on their way into a space decorated with plaster and tile around the kitchen on full-display. A frequent award recipient, though friendly and professional service assures a lack of pretense, Dinner begins with a crackling Croquette filled with molten Cheese before proceeding to a dish called "Child's Play" featuring seared local Tuna on a color-shifting plate. No doubt a Mexican Restaurant, but proudly incorporating global influences into dishes such as a Plantain Empanada or Lamb in Red Wine Demi, Chef Carrillo's Braised Pork Belly Taco is a work of art balanced by Cream and Greens preceding Pork Ribs with Sweet Potato Puree. Rethinking Enfrijoladas as an exceptional dish based on Beef Short Ribs, pickled Vegetables cutting through the richness with ease, "Pink Octopus" sees Cephalopod tender with a bit of snap adjacent non-traditional accouterments before finishing the night with an Ice Cream Cone indistinguishable in flavor from Bolillo Bread. read more
4 years ago
This place is amazing! I went on a trip to Puerto Vallarta with some friends, and they wanted to meet up with their friend who lives in the area. He suggested this spot and oh my goodness, I'm so thankful he did. We tried the 5 course tasting menu. I initially thought, "Soup? Who needs soup?" Well, the answer is we all did. That soup was amazing. I have a friend who has a soy allergy, and they chef/team made sure every thing she got was soy-free. They were very attentive and answered all our questions - like when we were worried about whether or not she could have the shrimp with the dark sauce. (She could!) Our drinks were impeccable, too! Beautiful and delicious. At the end of the night the staff called a taxi for us, so we could get a ride back to our hotel. The place was beautiful. The food was great. The people were kind and wonderful. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I will make it point to come back here. read more
This place is among the best - if not the best - restaurant in PV. The staff fully engages you upon entry. The chef pays personal attention to each guest ensuring your experience is exquisite. The food is simply amazing - it's like Mexican fusion - modern and delicious. I had Mole enchiladas and my friend had duck. They were simply outstanding - a party of flavor in your mouth. Even the desert was balanced with decadence and a hint of spice. The prices here are similar to a US restaurant but the value is priceless. Go here - you will thank me. read more
2 years ago
Our experience here was nothing short of a terrible dining experience. First and foremost the attitude by mostly the bartender (who never felt the need to smile once the entire night), and our server was bad, and overall rude. We had a reservation, and the atmosphere felt like we were bothering them by being there. No welcomes, no smiles; just rubbing of eyes, and irritated looks. Very strange. We ordered plenty of drinks and food items, and never once were guided on popular or special items on the menu. We ordered wine and a drink to start, had to ask twice for prices on the glass of wine, no help on the drink selection. Again, not welcoming or friendly at all. Then we ordered the plantain empanadas and the beef carpaccio. The empanadas were okay, a bit sweet. The carpaccio was amazing, but bread was served in a closed paper bag... I guess kind of cute, but just steamed the bread so it turned soggy. We ordered another round of wine, then the main course shrimp dish, and the filet and foie (asking specifically if it was duck foie-they said yes) The shrimp was okay, nothing special but expensive, the steak dish was not great. Steak had no sear or char, but was medium rare, the "foie" was a brown mushy log. It tasted horrible, gritty, warm, and was absolutely not foie gras. It was left untouched on the plate. Served with it were rolls, again in a brown paper bag? Weird, mushy again. Hot pink tortillas served with the shrimp? You guessed it! Served in a hot brown bag... No one asked once, if we enjoyed the meal, why we didn't eat ANY of the "foie". Full kitchen staff, full wait and bar staff, all chilling out doing nothing except looking at their phones. Pretty disappointing. Wife wanted dessert, we got a slice of badly burnt guava "cheesecake". This place is pure hype... read more
To give this place five stars is because I ran out of stars. This restaurant clearly is created by talented individuals who know exactly what they wanted to bring to this world with their talent. As you step through the door, the decor pays homage to the location's corner store history with actual milk jar, glass bottle sold in the corner store with modern decor and yet everything is in perfect harmony, and that's just a hint of what's to come. We made our own 8-course meal with amazing cocktail to boot. And everything is exceptionally- it invites all of your senses to be present; our evening was a pure delight to smell, taste, and view the presentation of the dishes. Speaking of which, I have always been very skeptical of food that's plated Instagram worthy, I always wondered does it taste as good as it looks? And is it just going to be two spoonful of food which is going to leave me more upset than satisfied? Well if you have similar healthy skepticism then fear not, yes it taste as wonderful as it looks, and each plate is a self containing universe of experience that will leave you satisfied and dazzled. No five star experience is ever complete without the staff who delivered the experience, our server Johnny and big boss Gabriel gave us attentive service, background on the food (for example the cheese croquettes are made with fresh cheese made from chef's grandmas cows just for this restaurant) and background for the restaurant- and how every dish, every plate is a homage to a significant memory, a family member, an inspiring place. The result of the dishes is exactly like the decor, something old and familiar and something new and exciting and yet, they add depth and soul to each other and play in perfect harmony. This place is 30 minutes away from downtown PV (or 15 min without traffic) and will be the reason I return to PV! definitely try the octopus which is epic both in taste and smell and the bread ice cream and you must inquire about the inspiration behind the bread ice cream By the way they update their menu every 6-7 months so use the QR code I am uploading to get the latest Intel read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Okay, foodies - I know this restaurant has been mentioned here before - but if you're in Vallarta and you have a car, use Uber, or know your way around the Vallarta public transportation system - you really need to get your mouth, your tastebuds, and your belly on out to La Tienda Grande in Ixtapa. I'd first read about Chef Salvador "Chava" Carrillo online - Eater's list of "The 25 Essential Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta" and I saved the location in Google Maps on my phone, knowing that we'd get there someday. Well, "someday" turned out to be yesterday - and boy howdy - I'm only sorry it took us so long to check them out (we've lived in Jalisco for almost 9 months now, traveling back and forth between Mascota and Puerto Vallarta on a regular basis). We were on our way back to Mascota after spending the day in the city running errands, and we were STARVING! We'd stopped at Home Depot for our last errand, so I checked my map to see what was in the area. Since we had to drive past Ixtapa anyway - I figured it was time to give Chava's place a try. They opened at 5:00 - and we were there by 5:30 or so - so pretty early for dinner - which was perfect - since we didn't have reservations. If you're going during peak dining hours, I'd hazard a guess that reservations are a must. Be sure to read the chef's story - it's part of the menu. The next time we go - I definitely want to try one of his tasting menus. There are two - a 5-course option and an 8-course option - and they change daily - based on available ingredients and the chef's whim or mood. On this visit, my husband and I opted to share 4 of the smaller plates. The pork belly taco was, by far, my favorite. It was phenomenal - probably the best food I've had since moving to Mexico - and that's saying a LOT! If the Michelin Guide was handing out stars in Mexico, Chef Chava deserves a sky full of them! I don't drink alcohol anymore, so I can't comment on his cocktail menu - but based on past experience - it looks legit - lots of interesting flavor combinations and options. Oh - and his staff - well, they are equally amazing! Our waiter (I wish I could remember his name!) was friendly, helpful, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, the ingredients, and the history of the chef and his restaurant. The space is small but comfortable and well-appointed. Even the dishes were beautiful! But the food - OMG - you MUST go. Try it. Be amazed. Be titillated. Be satisfied. You, and your tastebuds, can thank me later! read more
3 years ago
--There are always some places you wish you could keep all to yourself but are too good to do so. This is that place. This is a do not miss no matter what you have to do to get here. We started out with a short cab ride into an area that ( not being a local) was not too sure of how safe it was. Looking back we would've missed one of the greatest food experiences of our life. We walked into a corner restaurant in an area that I did not see any other restaurants. Greeted as if they were truly grateful we walked into the door. A warmth you rarely get anywhere in the world. We sat at a table by the window and our waiter greeted us immediately. We let him decide what handmade cocktails we were going to start with and at no point in the evening did they ever disappoint. My wife looked out the open air window while multiple hummingbirds hovered in the tree just outside our seats. We let all the staff decide what we were going to eat with a little guidance. My wife is Gluten Free and that slowed nobody down. I rate this restaurant's food, drink, and experience as one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. All of that is only out done by the amazing people and Chef that work there. Special thanks to sous chef Ana who led the way through this amazing evening. Leo and Joel made this experience one of a kind in the world. There is no relationship, or financial return for this review. It is just from our hearts.... Thank you for changing the world. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
This was a awesome dining experience, one of my favorites in PV. The tasting menu was a great way to try the Chef's art. They have to highlight your favorite taste profiles and he tailors a tasting menu for your palette. Very affordable and delicious as well. Only drawback is this is kind of out of the way so if you plan to walk around/do bar hopping it can be tough read more
5 years ago
Half our hotel team said no because the town is off the beaten track and half said yes this restaurant is great and we know is we grew up in this town. It's a 15 min taxi from the Marriott and opposite direction to city center. We love adventure so went for this. Ambience is great and staff super attentive. My wife ordered the toro Gino drink and it was amazing. My wine was so so but it's not Napa so I was all good. They brought cheese starters that were tasty as was the duck starter. The flank steak was amazing and both my kids ended up having that. I ate the pork which was tasty and had onions that shouted chocolate. Never experienced that before but super worthy. My wife had the white fish and it was fresh and tasty. If you love authentic experiences come here. The staff were incredibly attentive and the restaurant small and intimate and the flavors were really sensational. They are still rolling around my mouth as we order dessert. read more
4 years ago
I ordered the seven course meal and it was worth it. A true culinary experience. An adorable little restaurant that was meticulously thought out. The food is definitely top notch. Pleasing to the eyes and palate. I will definitely return. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Truly an exceptional experience. A little off the beaten path but definitely worth it! Our server was delightful and super helpful. The 5 course pre set menu is perfect just enough to be "comfortably" full. Will definitely go back :) read more
5 years ago
This restaurant is a bit of a drive from downtown PV, but worth the drive. It's worth noting Uber is not usually available and taxi can be hard to get. So plan ahead. The service, food and drinks were all very very good. If you are a foodie you should definitely try this. read more
5 years ago
More info about La Tienda Grande
Calle Hidalgo 172A
Col. Ixtapa Centro
48248 Ixtapa, Jalisco
Mexico
Directions
322 291 7717
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