I believe that one of the many reasons we moved to Ajijic, Lake Chapala over 15 years ago was that it was getting very difficult to find a place that one could smoke in Toronto.

On arrival to Ajijic, Lake Chapala there were no such restrictions in place and one could smoke freely anywhere as it were. Of course, you might run into the odd rabid anti-smoker but that was to be expected.

Now it would seem that last week-end federal officials closed several restaurants and bars in Guadalajara for not adhering to the General Law for Tobacco Control.

Many of these establishments in Jalisco still allow their patrons to smoke ever though the law states they must have separate smoking areas.

Although the details are still sketchy, a team from the Federal Sanitation Protection Commission ( Cofepris) is thought to have visited approximately 40 restaurants in the city.

To reopen, owners of the closed restaurants need to make their establishments 80% smoke-free with outdoor or (more…)

When my husband and I lived in Toronto we did a lot of entertaining at home. Almost every Friday and Saturday for years, we entertained friends and clients in our home. We did all of the cooking ourselves and quite enjoyed it. This in the days we had a nanny looking after the children and doing most of the every day cooking. So cooking was fun and not something we had to do every day. Another reason, of course, was that in Toronto, it was extremely expensive to take 8 or 10 people out for dinner to the wonderful restaurants.

Since we moved here we find that, for us, dining out is a much better choice for entertaining friends and clients. I had forgotten everything that goes into a dinner for 8 in your home.

First you have to plan the menu, then shop for the menu and unlike Toronto you are very fortunate if you manage to procure everything on your list.

Then there is the buying of flowers, candles, wine, pre-dinner drinks, after dinner drinks, specialty coffee, cream and (more…)

When my husband and I lived in Toronto one of our favorite restaurants was Thai Magic on Yonge Street below St. Clair Avenue. We loved this restaurant with its wonderful aromatic flavors and scents and were devastated when it closed a few years ago.

Now, however, we once again have reason to celebrate as a new Thai restaurant has opened up in Ajijic, Lake Chapala about a week ago. It is called Simply Thai and is located on Ramon Corona #11 kitty corner from The Lake Chapala Society. Reservations are a must and their phone # is 766-5665.

Owners Jim McMahon and Thip Phonsavath have created a warm, pleasant and nicely decorated space and are very welcoming and professional the food is wonderful!

Appetizers consist of such delights as Crispy Spring Rolls, Fresh Spring Rolls, Chicken Satay, Crispy Chicken Wings, Tom Yum Soup, Chicken Coconut Soup and Shrimp Flavored Chips.

Some of the authentic entrees are Pad Thai, Fried Rice Noodle with Chicken or Beef (Ladd Na), Fried Clear Noodle with Pork, Spicy Sir Fried Chicken or Beef (Pad Ped) also with shrimp or fish. Sweet and Sour Chicken (Pad Priew Wann Gai), Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (Pad Priew Wann Pa), Mixed Vegetales with Oyster Sauce (Pad Nam Mun Hoy), Beef Salad (Yum Neua), Shrimp Salad (Yum Goong), Chicken Salad (Larb Gai), Vegetable Red Curry (Gang Ped Pak), Beef Red Curry (more…)

This year the annual Chili Cook Off is on Friday, February 26th, Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Again this year it is being held at Tobolandia (water park) at the carretera and libramiento and will commence when the gates open at 11:00 am on Friday.

The official opening of this traditional Ajijic event begins around noon on Saturday, February 27th with the arrival of the annual parade. This will be led by an honor guard formed by members of the Lake Chapala Shrine Club. Among the honored guests at the opening ceremonies will be United States Consul General Daniel F Keller, Chapala Mayor Jesus Cabrera, Chapala Chief of Police Raynol Contreras and Traffic Commander Juan Carlos Borrayo. Cook off Chairperson, Loren Reynolds, will open the event with a tribute to Tom Johnson, an enthusiastic (more…)

Manix Restaurant – Bar has been an institution in Ajijic, Lake Chapala since 1987.

Many other restaurants have come and gone but Manix has not only survived it is flourishing.

Recently they have had a new facelift to the building and now have access to parking beside the restaurant.

We have been going to Manix for many years. We particularly like their roast loin of pork and their signature dish which is a delightful and delicious corn soufflé. All meals included soup or salad and dessert.

On Wednesday night they have music by Ricardo from 7:00-9:00 pm and every Saturday
Blanca Estela is featured also from 7:00 -9:00 pm.

So when we were looking for a venue for a friend’s birthday party of 14 people, many of whom wanted to dance, Manix was our restaurant of choice.

We had called a day or two ahead and ordered a special smoked pork loin (lomo) and Hector very graciously said he would (more…)

Many newcomers or potential newcomers ask me “What is there to do in Ajijic, Lake Chapala?

I can honestly tell them that in over 15 years I have never been bored and there is indeed plenty to do.

You can be as busy or as idle as you would like,

In Ajijic, Lake Chapala there are two garden clubs, The Garden Guild and The Garden Club. There are cooking competitions and lessons available. There are bridge clubs and cribbage clubs.

There are all types of cultural events such as symphonies, plays both local and imported and I can honestly say my children have been more exposed to culture than they ever were in Toronto.

We have the Auditorium in La Floresta which stages many events and also the Little Theatre in San Antonio Tlayacapan and they are always looking for people who wish to get involved in theatre.

There are local golf clubs and tennis clubs in Ajijic, Lake Chapala as well as many more in Guadalajara. Lessons in both sports are available and tournaments to participate in.

There are many very worthwhile charities to get involved in and churches for all (more…)

For over 30 years the Eager Family and La Nueva Posada (originally just The Posada) have been institutions in Ajijic, Lake Chapala.

Originally started by Morley Eager and his wife, Judy, these experienced innkeeps have provided Ajijic with a consistently superb Hotel, Bar and Restaurant.

Their son, Michael and his wife, Maria Elena, took over management and now Michael’s three out of five children are also in the business. Michael Jr., Wendy and Kristina also work at La Nueva Posada. Michael Jr. has a degree in hotel service management and is now bringing some of his innovative ideas to the table, as it were.

When they were first here they were virtually the only place in town and over the years many new restaurants have come and gone but La Nueva Posada is still going strong with bookings well into the spring and offering facilities for specials dinners, catering and meetings of all kinds.

The Eager family is truly the treasure of Ajijic and some say that Morley Eager put Ajijic on the map. One of his many claims to fame was staging a full production of “Phantom of the Opera” in the bar.

To this day La Nueva Posada is integrally involved in the community and Michael Eager (more…)

Kim Everest, the owner of Number FOUR Restaurant on Donato Guerra, has done it again!

We were lucky enough to be invited to the opening of her new bar “Chili Bang Bar” on Hidalgo #15 in downtown Ajijic a few doors west of the Plaza. Tel. (376) 766-1919.

Chili Bang Bar is an upscale bar with great prices and music. They have a great wine list and fabulous martinis plus many other mixed drinks and all makes of tequilas and beer.

The Fusion Food Menu is brought to Chili Bang Bar by Chefs at Number FOUR Greg Couillard and Ismat Jivani. They are currently working on perfecting the menu but such delights as Tequila Shrimp (more…)

My first introduction to Mexican wine was in 1975 in Cozumel. We had gone out to a quaint restaurant for dinner and with our main course a small dish of a lovely fresh looking chopped tomato salad was served. I took a large forkful of this salad and instantly my mouth was on fire. There was not enough bread on the table to put out the fire so I reached for our untouched bottle of Hidalgo white wine and very nearly drained it in one gulp. When I stopped to catch my breath hoping the fire was subsiding I realized that this wine was not quite up to my standards to say the least.

I had two wishes at that point. The first one was that someone had told me the “salsa” was a “poco” picante and, secondly, that I would find a Mexican wine I liked better than Hidalgo.

Being a relatively quick learner I have never sampled any sauce brought to the table without asking about it’s level of heat. I am also happy to report that there are many very good Mexican wines. One of our favorites is L.A. Cetto which has a full range of whites and reds including a very nice reservado.

We now shop at La Paz wine and liquor store beside Superlake on the carretera in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Years ago the store was a lot smaller and the selection a lot more limited. All the Mexican labels were, of course, well represented and there was a full wall of various tequilas.

Now La Paz boasts wine from all over the world including, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia, Chili, the United States, South Africa. We like Puilly Fuisse from France, Rioja from Spain, Pinot (more…)

Number 4 is a recently opened restaurant in Ajijic located at Donato Guerra #4. The opening was a gala affair with wonderful music and delicious food such as lamb chops, shrimp and gourmet pizza among many other savory delicacies.

It is beautifully renovated with the striking décor by Arden.

Downstairs is a piano bar with nightly music and tables for casual dining and up the spiral staircase is a lovely dining room surrounding a four sided fireplace which burns brightly with fires on the cooler nights and candles during the warmer evenings. It is under a huge palapa and has excellent views of the lake and mountains. Candle sconces provide and warm and friendly atmosphere to enjoy your dining experience. They have an extensive wine list and the staff is well trained and dedicated to your experience being an enjoyable one.

Number 4 is a great restaurant for special occasions, romantic dates or just going out with friends. It is very beautiful.

They have two new chefs which have elevated the kitchen to an excellent standard of fine cuisine.

Greg Couillard is the head chef and always comes to the table to make sure everything was to your taste. Kim, the owner, is always there too to welcome her guests with a wonderful smile (more…)