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Photos by Oscar Almeida
Attention all foodies, you are in for an absolutely amazing experience. It is called A Mar Y Sierra, meaning, To Sea and Mountains and you can find it in the gastronomic hotspot of Versalles.
The creation of Owner and Chef Fabiola Meraz, it brings together the sea and the high mountains in a fusion of Mexican culture and high end cuisine.
A Mar Y Sierra is proudly female owned, in an industry that has long been male dominated.
Though Chef Fabiola has lived in Puerto Vallarta three and a half years, the charming colonial city of her birth, San Luis Potosi, is always close to her heart. Chef Fabiola studied Culinary Arts through a partnership with the Culinary Institute of America and Anahuac University in Mexico City.
Later, returning to her hometown she worked as a cook for twenty five years, before becoming a Chef. She held this position for twelve years prior to opening her own restaurant in San Luis Potosi.
During the time of Covid-19, she began searching for a city that was more open than her hometown, which due to the pandemic was very locked down. Discovering and settling into Puerto Vallarta, with its proximity to the sea gave her a sense of freedom again, allowing her creative nature to flourish.
After one year in PV, she became co-owner of a restaurant named Toneles, which was located in the neighborhood of Zona Romantica. Leaving that partnership after a year, she then worked in different venues to learn more about the local culture here.
Chef Fabiola desired to connect with more females in the food and beverage industry, and to highlight women working in this field. With this goal in mind, she founded Ellas Se Juntan, meaning, they are together. It is a group of female Chefs, Mixologists, and Sommeliers that organize fundraising events to assist local associations.
As the Chef so eloquently stated, “the magic of the mixology, food, wine and shows helped people in need, and created lasting friendships.”
An integral part of her vision for A Mar Y Sierra is to provide an opportunity for females to thrive as collaborative partners.
Chef Fabiola stated, “the food here is creative, and unique to anything else you will find in Vallarta.” The theme is to highlight female driven creations, indigenous to San Luis Potosi, while fusing some of the best traditions of Jalisco.
Each guest to the restaurant is presented with a welcome drink of Tejuino, which is a very popular nonalcoholic offering that is commonly sold on the streets of Puerto Vallarta. Accompanying the Tejuino is a delicious appetizer called Bocolito, a vegan chorizo presentation made from corn and a harmonious mixture of carrots, zucchini and dried chili.
As I looked around the large room, I had the distinct feeling of a European air; soft yellow lighting highlighted walls painted with a deep mustard hue.
A beautiful dark wood bar and matching tables of the same solid wood are placed throughout. I was particularly taken with two large murals opposite the bar.
Chef Fabiola explained that a graffiti artist named Aldofo Flores had painted them. She gave him the opportunity to highlight his art in a prominent space, and was very pleased with the result.
It vibrantly encompasses nearly one whole wall of the restaurant, and is truly inspiring.
The Chef introduced me to the Mixologist named Aht Rodriguez. She was in the process of creating cocktails that were utterly beyond words. Aht was born and raised in Puerto Vallarta, and met Chef Fabiola through her aforementioned group, Ellas Se Juntan. She has been a Mixologist for four years, and learned the trade through her two brothers, who are also Mixologists here in Mexico.
As Chef Fabiola concluded the introduction to Aht, she shared, “a mixologist becomes an alchemist, in a way, with flavors and magic that is created with, or without alcohol.”
As a case in point, for those who don’t drink alcohol, or just want to try something different, a wide selection of Mocktails are available on the menu.
Included in the staff introductions was the Manager, and Captain of the two waiters, Carlos Gutierrez. In the kitchen were four cooks; two female, and two male. I smilingly noted the parity to Chef Fabiola, who readily affirmed this is not accidental, but by design.
I asked the Chef if she had a favorite cocktail of her own. She smiled, and without hesitation mentioned two faves; Tonito with Mezcal, and Solar with Tequila. As to her favorite dishes, the Chef was reflective, and then praised two in particular. The Tamale Rabo de Toro, a tamale with oxtail, and the Plato Botanero de la Bahia, a bay seafood platter, which is an incredible option that is meant to be shared.
As the evening drew to a close, the Chef made a final point that spoke to the heart of what makes A Mar Y Sierra so unique.
Speaking passionately she stated, “I want our guests to be happy, and to feel the emotion of the flavors we are presenting to them, we try everyday to make magic with the food and with the drinks that we introduce them to.”
Come visit A Mar Y Sierra soon, and explore the magical artistry present with every sip, and in every bite.
Hamburgo 146, Versalles, Puerto Vallarta 48310
Open 3:30pm to 11:00pm. Closed on Monday
To make a reservation, Please use the OpenTable App or Tel/WhatsApp +52 322 385 6736
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