Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Yet more restaurant comments!

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It's been more than a few years since I've posted on this site and 3 years since we were last in Zih. It was great to be back and for the first time in the 5 times we've been, we stayed at Villa Mexicana and really loved it. We usually stay at least 2 weeks and rent a condo but this was a last minute - week long getaway. Of course, Paty's is a constant, nothing much has changed there..what you see is what you get - a perfect toes in the sand restaurant. Tried LaPerla...first time...totally ignored for 10 minutes so got up and left, second time we were walking and decided to stop for breakfast, even with basically no one there we still waited a long time...the third time (I know ! -but we were on LaRopa most of the time for lunch)...another long wait and indifferent service. Elvira's was not much better in terms of service. El Manglar...busy Saturday nite - sat down and ordered got our drinks fairly fast, however, 45 minutes later, the waiter came and asked us what we had ordered ..they hadn't started our order so we paid for drinks and left. Generally, service on LaRopa was consistently bad. Don't they get it? Had some wonderful meals elsewhere. Breakfast at Aura del Mar, El Arrayan..La Vitae Belle, Il Mare and probably the best - Nardo's ..all had great service. I might add, if my memory serves me correctly, the prices have gone up alot in these couple of years! Anyway, we loved our short time there and are already making plans for next year.

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Carol, what the hey do you expect from a restaurant on a CERTFIED BEACH?? Try bad service, maybe a view of kids playing in the waves, but of course the food is the final straw, and they are on a CERTIFIED BEACH, so it must be great YEH Right!! B-)

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Actually, La Ropa has not yet become a "certified" beach. And hopefully never will.

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Carol,

Not sure what you are doing wrong, We have been here for two weeks and as of yet haven't experienced anything like you are Experiencing. All the staff at Elvira's : Reve, Jamie, Arturo & Chris are great. We are treated by our names each time we visit, shown to our favorite table and the service is prompt and the food is the best it has been in years.

We had no problem at La perla either. Wouldn't eat at Paty's if she gave a way the lousy "Americano-Mexican" food she serves.

La Vita Bella excellent and Catrina is really a nice hostess.

Amuleto has gotten even better! Murmillo (sp) very good! Dona Licha as we'll . New places on La Ropa road are Trattoria Givovanni and El Gordon Gringo as well as Loot. All interesting, good service and good food.

Tenticiones last night was perfect.

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I was in Z for a week early last Dec and only once (La Perla) experienced bad service (I guess at 6'4" I was invisible). I just think that it is a difference in expectations -- Americans view it as bad service, Mexicans just want to leave you alone so you can enjoy your time at the restaurant. Who knows. But if you find yourself in a situation with really indifferent or bad service you must speak up -- wave your arms for attention, get up and talk to the manager, etc.
Also, ultimately JUST LET IT GO and bask in the beauty of all the GOOD things about Z which is virtually everything.

I also find that typically, when people post about the bad things: road work on LaRopa, harrasment by the dog police, bad service/food, too much noise ... whatever, when I arrive in Z I don't notice, or see, NONE of this stuff. Maybe it's just human nature to see the bad. Usually the "bad" just happened to be that particular moment on that particular day. As I said JUST LET IT GO.

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Steve, you just nailed it!

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The lack of good service didn't impact our overall great experience and,no, we don't expect "American" type service..yes you're on Mexican time..but there is a difference between slow service and non-existent, non-personable service and with so much competition in town, why not praise those who go the extra mile and truly want their customer's dining experience to be memorable and worth the pesos so they will return and pass the word.
I forgot to mention two other great breakfast spots we found...Carmelita's...hard to find but amazing and Le Terracita - just beside Nardo's on Aledita. Their coffee de olla was totally addictive and yes, service was great.

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Carol in the past we had the same experience at La Perla..... Gave it another try as everyone can have a off day. Will not return, we are never in a hurry but I do like my coffee to enjoy at. Breakfast first. Could not flag down, smile, or nod for any serve. Approached and still not really interested . Thanks for pointing out the ones you enjoyed. There are so many great places to try we all enjoy going back to one that has good food and service..

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Carmelitas is great food and good service.It is never pleasant to be ignored at a restaurant.No matter where or who you are.

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Will take your recommendation, there are sooo many great places casual, high end to food carts. Plus I always want to go back to favourites , Ohhh if that is our hardest decision to make , what a dreamy life that would be LOL.Not to worry we always enjoy, never in a rush and take nothing for granted .

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Glad to hear about Carmelita's. Not much about that restaurant on this board lately, but it is one of our favorite's. For any meal. Good service, great food.

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Exactly, let it go, have fun and enjoy!!!

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People also post on this board who spend more time here than just a few week vacation. Sometimes they are discussing topics that might not be of interest to people who are only here on vacation. Just letting it go is not always the solution in that case. :-)

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Point taken, keep in mind that most and likely all of us would like to spend more than just a vacation in Zihua, you are some of the lucky ones. ;-)

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Point taken, keep in mind that most and likely all of us would like to spend more than just a vacation in Zihua, you are some of the lucky ones.

I think most of us feel that way too. Hard working, good planning, and lucky.

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Carol,

Not sure what you are doing wrong, We have been here for two weeks and as of yet haven't experienced anything like you are Experiencing. All the staff at Elvira's : Reve, Jamie, Arturo & Chris are great. We are treated by our names each time we visit, shown to our favorite table and the service is prompt and the food is the best it has been in years.

We had no problem at La perla either. Wouldn't eat at Paty's if she gave a way the lousy "Americano-Mexican" food she serves.

La Vita Bella excellent and Catrina is really a nice hostess.

Amuleto has gotten even better! Murmillo (sp) very good! Dona Licha as we'll . New places on La Ropa road are Trattoria Givovanni and El Gordon Gringo as well as Loot. All interesting, good service and good food.

Tenticiones last night was perfect.

Incisors,
Do you visit every year and/or extended lengths of time? I notice you mention the staff by name and they knew your names. IMHO many that do some times get better service. The staff knows your a repeat customer and already know what you might be spending and tipping. If your a yearly customer you do create a friendship of sorts with them. Especially if you also stays extended periods of time. I remember one yr. going to Patty's after many high ratings on here. Only to get the worst service we have ever had in Zihu/Ixtapa. Other than that I don't know that we have ever had "BAD" service. Just a bit slower at times when there are people in a place that seems to know the staff.

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