Trio is an art-filled, Mediterranean restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.
The Ambience: Situated on a quiet cobblestone side-street not far from the malecon (waterfront boulevard) in Puerto Vallarta’s centro, Trio is a three-story restaurant with décor that calls to mind a family-run Italian trattoria. The walls are painted with murals depicting bucolic European scenes and there are a host of Old World touches like stained glass, Roman columns, oil paintings and handmade mahogany furniture. A tranquil courtyard is filled with tropical plants surrounding a stone fountain, while the rooftop garden, with its ivy-draped walls, makes for a romantic setting on a balmy night.
The Food: The menu leans heavily towards the Italian, with a focus on pasta dishes and Mediterranean classics like antipasto and beef carpaccio. The kitchen, helmed by chef-owners Bernhard Güth and Ulf Henriksson, also makes great use of the city’s waterfront location with seafood dishes such as snapper with ratatouille and a warm seafood salad with shrimps and scallops.
Not surprisingly, Mexican flavors are also a component, showing up in dishes like the fish glazed with Yucatecan spices and lime or the calamari served with avocado and jalapeno. That said, this isn’t the place to book if you’re looking to sample authentic Mexican cuisine: Mediterranean food is Trio’s forte.
The Service: In keeping with its Old World ambience the service is slightly more formal than is usual in Mexican resort towns. Waiters are in uniform and tend to keep a discreet distance until they’re needed, but are knowledgeable and friendly when called upon. On my visit the chef came out to greet diners and chat briefly, which reflected the thoughtful approach the Trio family employs.
The Verdict: Trio deserves its reputation as one of Puerto Vallarta’s best restaurants. The food is refined (although the dishes tend to be very rich), the service is seamless, and the setting is rustically romantic.
Address: Guerrero 264, Centro Puerto Vallarta
Phone: (322) 22 221 96
Hours: Daily from 6:00pm to 11:30pm
Reservations: Call or book online
Read about more high-end restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.