It's Labor Day and I'm Starving

I know these two things have nothing to do with each other but it's the truth, "I am starving on Labor Day!" I guess they're sort of related since the average American BBQ's today but alas "no mas." Though my hunger did get me thinking of seafood chowder and the prawn and avocado pizza from Matt's...humyumyumyum! Then I began to think of the hole in the wall shrimp cocktail spot in Puerto Vallarta which, though she can't remember the name, my friend and fellow blogger Mishka highly recommends. Which then got me thinking of all of the wonderful food we will eat while in PV. I can't help it...you've just witnessed the inner workings of my food obsessed brain!

If your wedding is in PV or you're just there on a much need va-kay, then below are some highly recommend local spots to check out!

1. Cinnamon Roll French Toast at Boca Bento. "Seriously TO DIE for. Of course, it's sweet, but oh sooooo yummy! They don't have their breakfast menu on the website because they call themselves something different in the a.m."
2. Nachos con carne desabrada (shredded beef) from Pipis
3. Nachos con pollo (with chicken) at Agave Grill
4. Molcajate at El Brujo. This dish consists of meet stewed in a special salsa, grilled steak and chicken, grilled onions, grilled cactus, refried beans and homemade tortillas.
5. Shrimp Cocktail from some place by the river...really! I'll be contacting Mishka for directions on this one. She says it's the best!
6. Machaca at Freddy Tucans
7. Aqua de Sabores (flavored water): Mishka recommends, Jamaica, Horchata (a rice based drink with canela and cream, Naranja (orange) and Limon (lemon). *Local secret ... Horchata con Fresa (strawberry horchata) which not on the board - you have to ask them if they have it.
8. Tacos (and quesadillas) de Carne Asada at Majayote
9. Late night tacos ... again, un-named but another must try!

Other all around great restaurants:

1. El Arrayan: "it is almost unanimously declared to be the best Mexican restaurant in town"--PotatoMato
2. Cafe des Artistes: "one of the most renowned restaurants in Mexico with a menu that will intrigue the most exacting palate"--The LA Times
3. Archie's Wok: So, you don't travel to Mexico for Asian food but...this place is wonderful! Here's the sordid back story: "John Huston was the famous Hollywood director who shot "The Night of the Iguana" in Puerto Vallarta forty years ago...leading man's (Richard Burton) extra-marital affair with Elizabeth Taylor...blah, blah, blah...PV was catapulted to international fame. John Huston - who happened to be a very picky eater - chose to live in near seclusion ..blah, blah, blah...his chef there was Archie Alpenia, the creator of Archie's Wok." Dinner at Archie's Wok averages $200 pesos per person not including drinks or tips. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. (130 Francisca Rodriguez, ½ block from Los Muertos Pier in the Zona Romantica of Olas Altas. Reservations are recommended. Tel.: 222-0411.)

{images courtesy of PotatoMato}
{foodie excerpts courtesy of Mishka @ Mishka Design}