Ep 9. Double Vallarta

In season 10 episode 9 of Pati's Mexican Table, viewers join Pati in Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico's Pacific coast. The episode, Double Vallarta, focuses on the intertwined history of the city's people and cuisine, weaving together stories of Chinese, Spanish, and Mexican influences that have shaped the local food scene.

Pati begins the episode by taking viewers to the bustling Mercado Municipal, where she chats with vendors and admires the colorful array of produce and seafood. She then heads to a nearby beach, where fishermen are preparing a traditional camarones al coco, or shrimp in coconut sauce. As she watches the preparation, Pati reflects on the role of seafood in Vallarta's cuisine and its impact on the city's economy.

Next, Pati meets with a local chef who specializes in the city's fusion cuisine. They visit a neighborhood restaurant that serves comida China-Vallarta, a unique blend of Chinese and Mexican flavors that arose from the Chinese community's influence on the city. Pati and the chef try a variety of dishes, including a spicy shrimp stir-fry and sweet and sour pork, and discuss the role of immigrant communities in shaping Vallarta's food culture.

Later, Pati visits a restaurant in the nearby town of Sayulita, where she tries a traditional Mexican dish with a twist: duck confit tacos with mole sauce. The chef explains that the dish reflects the city's evolving culinary scene, which now embraces both traditional dishes and modern techniques.

The episode also explores the role of tequila in Vallarta's cuisine, as Pati visits a family-run distillery to learn about the process of making the spirit from agave plants. She and the distillery's owner discuss the history of tequila in Mexico and its significance in social and cultural contexts.

Finally, Pati meets with a woman who has started a grassroots art initiative that promotes local artists and preserves traditional art forms. Together, they visit a ceramics workshop and talk about the importance of preserving cultural traditions in the face of modernization.

Throughout the episode, Pati emphasizes the importance of valuing traditional cuisines and the stories behind them, as well as embracing new ideas and influences. The episode's title, Double Vallarta, reflects both the city's dual nature as a tourist destination and a vibrant culinary hub, and the many cultural threads that have come together to shape its unique food scene.