Palladium Vallarta – Chef’s Table
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa is a lavish, all-inclusive resort occupying a flourishing swatch of the manicured jungle with an enticing private beach, about a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. The 420 rooms have jetted tubs and furnished terraces and the master suites have outdoor whirlpools.
Before you read my review, I strongly recommend that you read my article on how to enjoy an all-inclusive vacation.
My review of this resort will be broken into the following sections:
- Introduction
- How to enjoy the food at this resort
- The Chef’s table
- Have a romantic day at the Palladium
- Take in all the activities
- Do a tour
Alejandra Sanchez Mendoza invites me to Chef’s Table which takes place every Friday night at the Palladium Vallarta.
I plan the perfect romantic day with my wife. We order room service for breakfast. Later we go for a massage at the Zentropia Spa. We go for a walk down Love Street and head to Chef’s Table. Executive Chef Isau Zepeda and his team are waiting for us.
I am on a cliff, seeing the beautiful Pacific Ocean with the San Madre Mountains as the backdrop. The waves are hitting the rocks and the guitarist is strumming a romantic tune.
Christian the Master Sommelier and Mixologist greets me with a cocktail he has just made. I am not a big fan of cocktails. He offers me the Diosa del Mar. It means the God of the seas. I take a sip and I am impressed. The reposado tequila along with a hint of liquor 43 goes perfect with the puree of guava and berries and just the right amount of basil and sparkling wine.
Chef Isau has written the menu in the form of a score with the notes that are played by each different ingredient. Christian has set the perfect note with this cocktail.
The table is set with white linen and I feel like I am in heaven.
The professional waiter brings some warm bread and butter. 
The first course is the Arugula Salad with Apple. It is marinated with oregano on top of an emulsion of goat cheese with chipotle and caramelized walnut cilantro perfume. Christian serves the Casa Madero V Rosado Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Parras Coahuila. Apple with Arugula is a marriage made in heaven. The caramelized walnut is like the perfect honeymoon.
The rose just goes perfect with the salad.
The deep salmon color rose shows on the nose and the notes of rhubarb and the dry finish go perfectly with the salad.
The next dish is the Lobster Cream with Crispy Dried Chili. Christian serves it with the Casa Madero Chardonnay, Valle de Parras Coahuila.
To me, nothing is more luxurious as well as comforting and delicious as a silky gorgeous bowl of lobster bisque. Chef Esau has pulled all the classic techniques to make this amazing soup.
The soup is light and stimulates my palate and the white wine is the perfect complement.
The Jamaican Sorbet with Mezcal and a touch of Tajin is the perfect palate cleanser. The mix of dried and ground red chilies, sea salt and dehydrated lime juice mix give the sorbet the right amount of seasoning.
The main course is the Surf and Turf Beef fillet stuffed with flower and lobster with mashed Castilla pumpkin and a bed of mole of almonds with a caramelized coffee.
Will Christian decant the red wine? Yes, he does. The master takes the bottle and pours it in the glass decanter and lets it breathe.
The best surf and turf I have ever eaten. The lobster is seasoned with tequila and it shows. A piece of art. The Casa Madero 3V, Valle de Parras, Coahuila is smooth.
For dessert, we get the Corn delight with vanilla ice cream guajillo chile sauce and red berries.
I am expecting a dessert wine, a sherry something sweet to drink. Christian shocks me and gives me a Gavilan Reyes. Mon Dieu. He has broken the cardinal rule. The Mezcal Negra, anchos Reyes liquor, lime, grapefruit, and salt comes as a shock to me. However, I try it and it is the ying-yang of food. Bravo, Bravo.
The Chef’s Table has pizzaz, swagger, bold flavors, outside the box thinking with the perfect ambiance to end an amazing romantic day. When I go out for dinner, I want my thinking challenged, I want to be surprised and shocked at the same time, I want the umami delivered, I want something unique and different and I want the meal made from scratch, sourced ethically, using sustainable methods and have a unique setting. Chef Isau delivered on all points.
For 40 U$ per person, this is the best meal I have ever had.
Photo Credits: Ana Acosta, Debbie Godinho
With the pictures, you made us (your readers) feel like we were there too! What a great experience!
Wow, the foods looks absolutely amazing! It’s like artwork on the plate!
This looks like a meal I could only dream about! And not to mention, it was on the beach during the sunset and you have live music! That bowel of bowl of lobster bisque must a been delightful.
Wow, beautiful setting and scrumptious food. Wish I was there!!!
For $40 per person, I feel like you got the deal of a lifetime on such a fantastic dinner! I’d still feel pretty good at $100 per person, to be honest. Because that meal was clearly well put together. I always appreciate that kind of effort to make a meal so perfect. The ambiance, taste, the presentation, and creativity. Too many people think cooking is simple. Which it can be. But to put together such an experience and not just food takes serious talent and knowledge. There is nothing simple about your experience.
What a beautiful place! Great pics by the way! Made me wanna try all those foods! Lol
What a great time you had with your family! So nice! Loved the food pics! Left me wanting to try them all! Lol
I am drooling into my keyboard here… There is nothing quite so spectacular as when an excellent chef gives you their best. I’ve tried a couple of tasting menus in the last year and every time, I’ve been challenged and delighted. Excellent photos, as well. Really brought out the character of the dishes.
This looks like an awesome dinner! The photos are amazing! It was like enjoying all these delicious meals right there with you.
Honestly, I have read so many restaurant reviews but this one has been the best! Your pictures, your flow of writing and your descriptions are so on point! loved it. And yes of course, this place seems like the place to be!
Seriously only $40 per person! That is a steal for this level of restaurant and experience! I will have to check this place out for sure!
Sounds like such a great experience! Those photos are seriously stunning!
Oh wow! These photos are stunningly delish! One day, I’ll book for a chef’s table 😉
Absolutely amazing! Thank you for taking me on a tour of the senses, I felt like I was there! Beautiful food in a lovely setting. I will plan to visit here one day. I also think you got a deal at $40 per person, lol.
Everything looks so tasty.