by Polly G. Vicars

After an absence of two years, when the economy made it difficult to raise funds for the many charities in Puerto Vallarta, Luis Fitch of Los Xitomates decided, “Enough Already!” and called on his friends, the Casa Magna Marriott and the chefs and owners of Vallarta’s most famous restaurants to reinstate this elegant affair that raises funds for four well known Vallarta charities: Becas Vallarta, Arturo & Los Hijos de Dios, Agape and Asilo San Juan Diego.

On Monday, October 4, Lourdes Bizarro, public relations manager at the Marriott, hosted a press conference where the chefs, owners or representatives of the participating restaurants, Café des Artistes, Kaiser Maximilian, La Palapa, Le Kliff, Los Xitomates, Marriott, Trio, Vista Grill, and Vitea presented their visions for the event.

Calling the Palamazo Un Evento de Amigos Para los Amigos (an Event of Friends for Our Friends), these busy Vallartenses, in addition to managing their businesses, have chosen to be a part of the growing cadre in this community who are giving their time, money and talents to help those in need, whether it be in education, health, places to live or protection.

The menu described for the event left all us attendees with our mouths watering. The evening will begin at 7 pm with a cocktail hour with exotic botanas and canapes. Le Kliff is preparing satay of chicken and of salmon as well as won ton of shrimp.

Café des Artistes is preparing brochettes of duck with dried fruits and mango chutney, rolls with salmon, bouillabaisse with peas, tofu, saffron and other spices. Los Xitomates will prepare pork tacos, brochettes of goat cheese and grilled mushrooms, brochettes of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and vinaigrette of basil.

Then at the sit-down dinner with wine, the Marriott will prepare a cold first course of scallops with lemon and vinaigrette of ginger. La Palapa and Vista Grill will prepare a hot corn and potato chowder with mussels.

Then, for the main course, Kaiser Maximilian will prepare rib eye steak from New Zealand, potatoes au gratin, green beans with Gorgonzola & Chimichurri sauces. After all of that, Trio and Vitea will provide a strawberry and almond tart with white chocolate ice cream!

There will be music, entertainment, raffles, closed circuit television of the chefs at work and more. It promises to be an evening not to be forgotten by those of us who attend and those who will receive the funds brought in by the event.

Tickets are only $600 pesos and are limited to 300. They are going fast, so contact me, any member of the four charities or the Concierge at the Marriott for yours. Get your friends together and reserve a table for 10.

Here again are the facts:

• Where: Casa Magna Marriott Hotel in the Marina
• When: Sunday, October 24, 2010
• Time: Cocktail hour begins at 7 pm, Dinner at 8 pm
• Cost: Tickets are $600 pesos.

Call me at (322) 223-1371 or email me at phvicars(at)gmail.com for your tickets. See you there!