Puerto Villarta is more than just a Mexican getaway for Howard and Patty Fleischman of Community Tire Pros.
Upward Projects boss Lauren Bailey (Postino WineCafe, Federal Pizza and more) isn't normally a fan of what she calls "tourist-y Mexico," which is why she had reservations about a solo tour of Tulum on the country's Yucatan Peninsula. But she went anyway on the recommendation of foodie friend Aaron Chamberlin (St. Francis, Phoenix Public Market Café), and had her mind positively blown. "It's got this really amazing vibe to it," she says. "They call it eco chic. It's very bohemian, it's got a ton of art and it's got this amazing energy."
AdventuresJust Back From: Jalisco with Jeff Smedstad
Leah LeMoineJanuary 29, 2018
Muslims flock to Mecca, hipsters swarm Coachella and Elvis fans go to Graceland. Chef Jeff Smedstad of Sedona's prized Elote Café heads sur for his annual pilgrimage to the western Mexican state of Jalisco, particularly its capital Guadalajara and its blue agave-ensconced town of Tequila. Smedstad and Elote manager Juan Rojas venture here each year to "look for unique barrels of tequila, to spend time with the different tequila makers... kind of researching the product, the same way people would [with] wine country," Smedstad says. He shares a few of his Jalisco hot spots.