Got an itch for some real farmers market food to take home while you are waiting for November 5 for the big Vallarta Farmers Market to begin its 2011-2012 season? Try the sidewalk outside of the Tratorria Michel Restaurant on the corner of Rodolfo Gómez and Olas Altas where you will find some of the favorite regular farmers market vendors: Mark’s Leek and Thistle Pies, lorraine’s Artisan bakery , Bickle’s pickles , Narrissa with Thai spring rolls and maybe dips plus a few others…

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Michel Pascal Ferrari owns Tratorria Michel and he is also, coincidentally, one of the founding members of the Puerto Vallarta Farmers Market. As he says, “The Market may be closed but the people are still here. Pies are still being made, bread still baked, exotic tropical fruit is still ripening, and the residents of Vallarta still have a hunger for quality.”

In the space outside of his restaurant where normally there would be found dining tables, there are now, on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 2 pm, displays assorted other gourmet treats and delights.

Michel has opened his restaurant terrace on Saturday mornings for anyone with a quality food product to display and sell. No, you won’t find crafts or art work at this mini-market. Vendors are limited to selling traditional mercado food-based items, from fresh vegetables and fruits to gourmet prepared foods. There is no fee or commission for selling at this mercado. Quality and availability are the intent.

It is true that most of the items at this mercado can be purchased from the individual vendors in their shops or in other larger stores, but nothing quite beats purchasing food directly from the producer, both from the standpoints of freshness and from personal service.

For information about reserving a spot at this mini-mercado, please call email markhughes_54@hotmail.com.

LINKS

• Trattoria Michel (www.trattoria.com.mx/)
• Leek and Thistle Pie Company (www.leekandthistle.com/)
• Artisan Bakery (www.artisanbakeryintl.com/)

by Rick Hepting

Beginning on May 16, 2011 and continuing until mid-September, 2011, Paseo Diaz Ordaz, the street bordering the Puerto Vallarta Malecon, is closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate major Malecon renovations.

Traffic is diverted onto Morelos street which now has a no parking regulation to keep it open to the original 2 lanes. “Intelligent” traffic lights have been installed at the upper end of the Malecon and on Morelos to regulate traffic.

THE CLUBS AND BARS ON THE MALECON ARE OPEN. I might even go so far as to recommend to people that they patronize these places more now while traffic (walking and vehicular) is down and the construction is in process. Party with the changes.

The truth behind the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.

In a statement released today, May 20, the Director of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, on behalf of the city mayor, confirmed that the ambitious project of widening the sea side malecon in the heart of the city will provide a public space for residents of and visitors to Vallarta.

Q. What is the purpose of the work being carried out along the boardwalk?
A. The main objectives are:

– Reconstruction of the retaining wall facing the sea, as it was damaged.

– Generate a public space for living and strengthen trade along the malecon.

Q. Are businesses closed during the works?
A. No. All businesses are operating as usual.

Q. Does the work break with the identity of Puerto Vallarta?
A. No, because only materials that reflect and support the colonial style typical to Puerto Vallarta will be used.

Q. Will there be concessions to place tables and chairs along the boardwalk?
A. No. The commitment is to respect public spaces.

Q. Will pedestrians be safe?
A. Yes. Our primary concern during the planning of the project was public safety.

Q. Do you close for the street Diaz Ordaz the passage of vehicles?
A. No. We will respect the lanes that currently exist and introduce speed limits.

Q. Why are traffic lights used on Morelos Street.
A. Because of the work in progress, is necessary to divert traffic and avoid gridlock or congestion.

Q. How long will the project take to complete?
A. The project will be delivere in 4 months. Access will only be restricted during the first phase, or for 2 months.

Q. How is the program being funded?
A. Funding provided by the Municipal Government in coordination with the State and Federal governments are behind the program.

Q. How will the city benefit from the work?
A. The project was created to attract more tourists to Puerto Vallarta, show casing the destination as a place to live, host events like the Pan American Games in October without losing the charm of our Mexican heritage and architecture. We see the project making Puerto Vallarta a better place for families to live in.

Q. What company was hired for the construction of the Malecon?
A. The construction company is Gemini SA. Experienced in carrying out major works like the Pitillal River and the Estero Salado bridges, the ramp at the Puerto Vallarta International airport and an 8 lane development near the Ameca estuary at the mouth of the Salado River

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EDITORIAL OPINION: More and more Puerto Vallarta, at least the aging gringo portion of it, is looking like characters in a scene from this “play.” And, of course, all of these characters and symbolic references are fictional and any resemblance to actual persons and events is purely coincidental.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNtqFt9Ck[/youtube]