Frommer's Review
This sophisticated restaurant is known as the place in town for that very special evening. Creative in its menu and innovative in design, the dinner-only restaurant rivals those in any major metropolitan city for its culinary sophistication. The award-winning chef and owner, Thierry Blouet, is both a member of the French Academie Culinaire and a Maitre Cuisinier de France. In late 2003, the singular dining experience of the Café evolved into a trio of special places, expanding to add the upscale Bar Constantini lounge, and separate, but connected Thierry Blouet Cocina del Autor dining area. All are located in a restored house that resembles a castle. The interior of the original Café des Artistes combines murals, lush fabrics, and an array of original works of art, with both an interior dining area as well as a lushly landscaped terraced garden area. The menu of this section is a changing delight of French gourmet bistro fare, which draws heavily on Chef Blouet's French training, yet uses regional specialty ingredients. Noteworthy entrees include sea bass filet served with a lentil, bacon, and coriander stew; and the renowned roasted duck glazed with honey, soy, ginger, and lime sauce, and served with a pumpkin risotto. At the Cocina de Autor, the atmosphere is sleek and stylish, and the fixed-priced tasting menu (prices depend on the number of plates you select, from three to six) offers you a choice of the chef's most creative and sumptuous creations, with each dish creatively combining ingredients to present one memorable "flavor" -- choose any combination of starters, entrees, or desserts. After dining, you're invited to the cognac and cigar room, an exquisite blend of old adobe walls, flickering candles, and elegant leather chairs. Or, move on to the adjacent Bar Constantini, with its live jazz music and plush sofas, for a fitting close to a memorable meal. It's without a doubt worth the splurge.
Chef Thierry has also opened a new venue, Thierry's Prime Steakhouse in the Plaza Peninsula mall (Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485, local Ancla Sub. A; tel. 322/331-1212; www.thierrysprime.com). It features aged prime steaks, plus a limited selection of fish and chicken dishes. It's open for lunch and dinner daily.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
