Jerry C.
Yelp
My second trip to Hacienda San Angel was just as fantastic as the first. Everything exceeded our expectations. Ambience, service, food and drinks, five strong stars across the board.
On the outside, it is an unadorned building along a tiny plain street. Pull a rope to ring the doorbell, the speakeasy opens and the person asks questions. Answer correctly and just like in The Wizard of Oz, the huge double doors swing open and you are granted entrance into another world.
Although not the Emerald City, Richard & Susan Burton's renovated hacienda is step-back-in-time Old Colonial Mexico enchanting. Indoor-outdoor, you're greeted with huge oak furnishings, religious icons, water fountains, steps and gardens. It looks even more evocative and romantic at night with hundreds of tea light candles.
The open air restaurant view is one of the best in Puerto Vallarta, and sunset and night remind me of Monaco. Many customers are decked out in the finest clothes they've packed.
We started with cocktails, and I loved the Jalapeño Margarita. Smooth and spicy! Friends liked their picks as well, including an awesome Hacienda 75 Martini.
Lion's Paw Scallops came with green tomato sauce, heirloom tomato sauce, purple cauliflower purée and topped with lumpfish caviar. They melted in my mouth and were gone in a flash.
I'd also recommend the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. A rich and delicious appetizer!
My Shrimp & Coconut Cream Soup was just as tasty as the first time.
Last time I thoroughly enjoyed the Cabrería bone-in filet steak entrée. This time the Rack of Lamb was even better. Succulent, flavorful and grilled medium rare, it tasted like heaven. A friend had my alternate choice, and the Chilean Sea Bass was moist and perfectly cooked.
Four of us shared a few desserts while listening to the mariachi band. The Chocolate Soufflé is simply not to be passed up.
It is not an inexpensive restaurant, but worth every peso for the ambiance, view and gastronomic experience!