There have been all sorts of whisperings in the grapevine of Puerto Vallarta this week. I’d like to share some of them with you.
The first deals with the closing of the Posada Rio Cuale Hotel. The coffee and ice cream shop on the corner is closed and has moved. The old building will be torn down within the next few weeks and a new condo building will take its place. Five stories, 22 condos, shops on the ground floor, pool, underground parking, etc.
Our friend T. J.’s reaction: “What is amazing is that half of the condos are already sold.”
It is also rumored that José Luis, the owner of the beloved Le Gourmet Restaurant that used to be there, with its beautiful flowering trees and little swimming pool, might have his son open a gourmet place in the new building to be erected on that site. His son is currently studying in a culinary college, so that bodes well.
Also murmuring in the grapevine: seems that Sr. Frog’s is moving from its South Side location to where Planet Hollywood, and then The Rex, were located. Loads of workmen doing lots of work over there. I just hope that place isn’t “jinxed” like so many others in this town. Mind you, with all the bucks backing the Sr. Frog’s folks, they could probably overcome whatever hex Arnold Schwartzenegger and his partners may have left on the place.
At the risk of turning this issue of the Tribune into an ode to Jenny McGill, I do want to tell you that I finally had the honor of meeting this grand lady, and get a copy of her book, of course.
Now I should mention that since I started working with the Tribune, soon to be ten years, I’ve been reading very little. In what I like to call my “other life”, I was an avid reader. That is no more. By the end of the day, I just want to sit in front of the idiot box and watch my favorite CSI and Law & Order programs.
That changed this week. I figured I would just glance through Jenny’s book while having lunch the other day. Well, that intention went out the window really quickly. It is what critics like to call a “page turner”, at least for me. I found myself laughing out loud. And I didn’t watched TV for days as I only had a couple of hours free, and just had to allot them to reading. If you have lived here for years, or if you want to know a little about how Vallarta used to be, and you haven’t picked up a copy of this absolutely delightful read yet, don’t delay. Just drop in to either of the two Book Store locations. Tom carries it, and I guarantee it: You’re sure to love it.
Did you notice how the hugs and kisses have proliferated all over town lately? I’m referring to those ubiquitous OXXO stores of course (my girlfriend is the one who thought the letters stood for hugs and kisses…) They’ve popped up like mushrooms everywhere. Reminds me of when the dépanneurs appeared in Montreal and, like the Seven Elevens in the U.S., multiplied overnight like those metal wire hangers used to do in our cupboards, until there seemed to be one on every street corner. Uggh!
I’m going to end here for this week. I’ve been invited to “cover” the Full Moon Feast at our stupendous Botanical Gardens. Can’t wait! And I still have a couple of restaurants to visit - while I can afford the special “Restaurant Week” prices. By the way, if you haven’t been to Bruce’s Back Alley yet, you’re in for a treat! He’s had so much success with his $145.- and $245.-Peso specials that he’s decided to continue offering these menus throughout the summer, changing them every couple of weeks. I understand that the Tribune will publish his menus every week. Way to go, Bruce!
I wish you all a most enjoyable week, and I hope to see you all at the Tucson Gay Men’s Concert on Wednesday. I hope they also perform some numbers a cappella (sp?)… I just love that type of singing. Hasta luego. pvmom04@yahoo.com
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