Sufi

Punta Mita has gained a new restaurant.  Sufi is a breathtaking open-air restaurant inside Porta Fortuna.  I had the pleasure to attend the grand opening last Saturday.    

The entrance is spectacular as you walk through the huge palapa under the grand seashell chandelier- I am a sucker for chandeliers!  Although this chandelier wasn’t made of crystal, it was tastefully done in seashells- nothing like that tchotchke glue-gun art of the early 80’s.   The pool was glowing pink as we greeted people we knew at its foot.  Seductively the pink pool turned to violet and then to aqua blue.  I instantly began dreaming of having my own sexy colored pool and desired it even more when I learned that the pool had speakers underwater so not a beat would be missed while cooling off underneath.  

The bar and dining area were just up the stairs.  I requested the cocktail menu to once again here “we have all cocktails, martini’s, margaritas….” even though we were in the elite location of Punta Mita, the restaurant still did not have a specialty cocktail menu.  I did manage to rediscover my favorite vodka- Stoli Orange.  This vodka is commonplace in NYC, but in Vallarta it is more rare than finding a four leaf clover.  With the drink in my hand and a smile on my face, I made my way through the crowd.    

The live band playing latin music dwindled down and all eyes were on the acrobat duo hanging from bright red silk cloths between two palm trees.  Their performance was a slow, sensual display of floating strength and beauty- it was fabulous!    

Palapa and Seashell Chandelier

  A few hors d’oeuvres were passed, not nearly enough in my mind, but the bartenders continued working hard filling our empty glasses.  I mingled among the crowd of three hundred guests simply absorbing the beautiful setting.  The designers of Sufi didn’t forget a thing!  The ocean can be viewed from both the raised dining deck and the pool area.  At night the lawn is alive with delicate lights that look like electric mist.  The crashing waves are a glow just passed the manmade beach.  On the beach, off to the left you can find a fire pit ready for cool nights or marshmallow roasting.  Finally, hailing from the school of “You can tell a good restaurant by the look of their bathrooms”, I was sold when I was pleasantly greeted by a well kept bathroom attendant, the perfectly rolled washcloths awaiting my wet hands and the hook inside the bathroom stall for my purse!  

I think Sufi is sure to be a huge success!  I recently popped in to discuss wedding options for my clients and after that meeting… well let’s just say I wish I was already wearing an engagement ring because I have now found my dream location!  

Shani Castri “Sensual Cooking Diva” Wedding Consultant

Tags: dining, food, mexico, Punta Mita, Restaurants, sufi restaurant, travel, vallarta, weddings