A Toxic Brew Comes A Long Way.

Back in the 80's, to get a decent cup of cafe in this former pueblo, one had to look long and hard. For a coffee producing country it was one of those sad ironies that every establishment in Vallarta and environs served instant Nescafe and badly! (The good coffee was apparently all being exported.) You would generally be served a plastic tea cup filled with tepid water in which the granules would barely dissolve. There would be some condensed milk on the table and refined sugar to add to the toxic brew. The granules would float on top and the whole mess would be swallowed with a grimace and you would pay for this experience! The other option was to make your way across town to the "gringo" grocery store, "Gutierrez Rizo's" and purchase some whole beans. I still remember the wonderful smell of that kilo paper bag and how I hustled it under my arm like so much gold; the only hassle was the inconvenient location.

Fortunately times have changed and there are a plethora of new coffee serving establishments around town. The one I'm most interested in is across from The American School since it's easily accesible and affordable. It's called "The Coffee House"and they aim to please. They even have a little system where they punch your card and after eight coffees, you get one free. Anyway, it's located in the Plaza Marina and they are open from 6:30 am so you can be sure to get a steaming cup of Joe before you start work. Sometimes it's the small things in life that make all the difference.