How does the combination of beaches, majestic sunsets, and haute cuisine sound? That’s the trifecta you’ll experience at the first edition of the Premier Gastronomic Journey, conceived by chef Francisco “Paco” Ruano in Puerto Vallarta. His restaurant, Alcalde, has been featured on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and reached the #15 spot in Latin America in 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
The Premier Gastronomic Journey is part of an experience that blends signature haute cuisine, nature, and performing arts in a hidden cove, once the estate of filmmaker John Huston, located between Yelapa and Quimixto, and accessible only by sea.
The journey begins at sunset aboard a boat that, if you’re lucky, allows you to spot whales along the way. When you arrive at the small port and the engine shuts off, the sounds of the jungle and the candlelight take center stage. The illuminated path leads you to a space with tables set up by the sea, where the service flows calmly and the surroundings make time seem to melt away. Here there is no rush or distraction: everything is designed to awaken the senses, because gastronomy is not merely an accompaniment to the spectacle; it is part of the narrative language of the evening, and Chef Paco Ruano knows this.
To achieve this, Paco brought not only his experience and technique to the table, but also his memories, since his professional career began in Vallarta (at Café des Artistes, under the guidance of Thierry Blouet), and all those flavors, aromas, and landscapes he experienced there return transformed into a menu that tells his intimate story with the place.
Chef Paco Ruano’s connection to Puerto Vallarta is deep and meaningful, as evidenced by his three-course menu, inspired by the Mexican Pacific and the flavors he cherished during his years living here: the iconic raicilla of Cabo Corrientes, the traditional tuba that accompanies sunsets on the Malecón, the freshness of local fish, the silky texture of fresh coconut, and the sweet aroma of ripe mangoes during the summer.
Diners can choose between two appetizers and three main courses (one of which is vegetarian-friendly). For the first course, guests can choose between a fish salad with sunflower mole or a green aguachile with tender coconut. For the second course, they can choose between grilled fish in a light velouté of tender corn, a beef terrine in a rum-soaked tuba and mezcal sauce with caramelized onions, or roasted zucchini in an orange mole of sunflower and manzano chili. And to finish on a high note, a chocolate tart with mango mousse. The package includes a pairing of Mexican wines and unlimited champagne during dinner. All accompanied by live music.
But the experience doesn’t end with dinner. After dessert, you move to an amphitheater to enjoy the ALMA-Rhythms of the Night show, a world-class Vallarta Adventures production created by Mukhtar Mukhtar, with set design by Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero, featuring dancers, acrobats, and live percussion.
ALMA tells the story of a guardian who, guided by sacred peyote, awakens the soul of the jungle and the extraordinary beings that inhabit it. As ancestral voices rise, mythical and real creatures emerge, brought to life by more than 30 artists, acrobats, dancers, and musicians from around the world, whose movements channel the spirit of transformation.
Premier Gastronomic Journey is not just a dinner, nor is it just a show. It’s the encounter between a chef returning to his roots and a setting that enhances everything. And yes, after experiencing it, I can say with certainty: this is a culinary experience in Vallarta that is truly worth the trip.
Source: animalgourmet
