Puerto Vallarta is a relatively new Mexican restaurant in downtown Stamford. It is conveniently located next to Stamford Towne Center and just steps away from Bedford Street, making it an ideal spot for a night out with friends or a delicious dinner with family. When we walked in the door, we were immediately greeted by the friendliest servers and managers, welcoming us to our table near the beautiful fireplace in the back. Glancing over the cocktail menu, we saw options ranging from mezcal and tequila-based drinks like margaritas, and other Mexican-inspired drinks like a passionfruit mojito. One of the highlights of this restaurant is the tableside guacamole, which is made fresh right in front of you. During our visit, we started with the melty and cheesy queso fundido and the spicy tajin-coated Mexican street corn, both of which were delicious. The queso fundido could have been a little more “melted”, but the flavor was good. The street corn was slightly charred and tender, with the perfect amount of spice. We then tried the chimichangas, enchiladas de mole, and crispy chile rellenos, all of which were flavorful and satisfying. The chimichanga was filled with braised beef, and the crunchy exterior went perfectly with the melt-in-your-mouth beef and housemade guacamole. The enchilada was filled with chorizo and was coated in a red mole sauce. It could have been a little spicier, but the waiter brought over two types of hot sauce that lit my mouth on fire! One was a garlic and habanero chopped salsita, and the other was a chili de arbol-based red sauce. Both were fantastic and tasted perfect, but trust the waiter when he says it is really hot! The chile relleno could have been slightly more crispy, but the cheese on the interior melted perfectly, creating the most picture-perfect cheese pull. The steak and chicken fajitas were also a hit; tender and full of flavor. They were served with a large plate of Mexican rice and refried beans, perfect to craft your own little bundles with the flour tortillas, pico de gallo, and sour cream. To finish off our meal, we indulged in some decadent churros with chocolate sauce, which were warm and melted in our mouths. The interior of the restaurant is perfect for Instagram-worthy photos with friends, and the ambiance is perfect for a delightful night out with family. The service was attentive and pleasant, and contributed to a great dining experience. We also highly recommend trying their perfectly crafted spicy margarita, which was strong enough to make one drink more than enough for the evening! Overall, Puerto Vallarta is a fantastic addition to the Stamford dining scene, with its delicious food and great ambiance. Even though Stamford has a bustling Mexican food scene, we always craved a Tex-Mex spot that satisfied us with large portions, and spot-on flavor combinations. It was also extremely affordable, and we must go back to try the many other options on the menu that we missed! If you are craving Mexican food, and need a place to hang out with friends or bring your kids to enjoy, you cannot miss Puerto Vallarta!
