Welcome to the 2024-2025 Season!

I hope everyone had the most amazing summer! Last year was such a whirlwind, packed with exciting new adventures for the business, and I just know this season is going to be even better! I'm so excited for what's ahead!

Last year, we launched the Casita & Garden Newsletter, and thanks to the positive response, I’ve decided to expand it to include all the restaurants in the Bonito family. We have so much in store for you this year, and I can’t wait to share it.

For those unfamiliar with the Bonito Group, let me introduce you to our family of restaurants:

Casita & Garden is our premier outdoor dining, wine/sake bar, and entertainment space, open Monday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Inside Casita & Garden, you’ll find the Izakaya Sake Bar, a popular spot for sake tastings, sushi, and Omakase. Sake is curated by our sommelier, Rafa Martinez, and the menu is developed by Chef Hiroshi Kawahito. The sake bar operates during the same hours as Casita & Garden.

Launching on November 2, we’re excited to introduce the Ramen Bar inside Casita, open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The menu will feature ramen, breakfast noodles, fried rice, dumplings, and wonton soup on Thursdays and pho on Saturdays.

Bonito Lounge, which opened in June 2024, offers inventive Japanese cuisine, creative cocktails, sake, and wine in a stunning space that evokes the ambiance of larger metropolitan cities while fitting seamlessly into Puerto Vallarta. The Lounge is open for dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

Starting November 4, Bonito Lounge will also offer lunch, Monday through Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring Bento-box-style sets that include one entrée, miso soup, a cucumber salad, and a side dish of either asparagus tempura or Inari Sushi. The entrée options are:

Sashimi (choice of Kapachi or Hamachi)

Nigiri (choice of Salmon or Akami Bluefin Tuna)

Sushi Roll (Spicy Tuna, Rainbow Roll, or Vegetarian)

Tempura Mix

Bonito Kitchen, Tules, is open from Monday through Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., while Bonito Kitchen, Zona Romántica, serves dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Our beloved weekly specials are back, including Wonton Soup on Thursdays, the Indian menu on Fridays, and Pho (my grandma’s special recipe) on Saturdays.

At Bonito Group, we deeply care about our community. Every month, a portion of our proceeds will be donated to local and international charities, supporting causes like clean drinking water, hot meals, pantry programs, healthcare access, and education.

As with the previous newsletter, we’ll update you on the restaurants, highlight events at Casita & Garden, and discuss other interesting topics.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Francie

Live Music at Casita & Garden

We have live music 5-6 days a week; please check our new music & event calendar casitagarden.com/event-music-calendar

Once again, we look forward to welcoming the excellent Gloria Fiona, accompanied by Bing Young, on October 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets include a glass of wine, and we recommend making reservations here.

Ventura Supper Club

Chef Roman Ventura of Ventura Chef Services returns to Casita & Garden with a one-of-a-kind Supper Club designed for small groups, couples, and singles. The club offers a communal dining experience where guests will be fully immersed in Chef Ventura’s globally inspired, Mexican-influenced creations.

Each evening, Chef Ventura curates a new, thoughtfully themed menu that ensures a cozy, interactive dining experience combining unforgettable flavors and engaging conversations. With seating limited to just 16 guests, this event promises an intimate setting, fostering connection and an appreciation for culinary artistry.

Inspired by the global trend of pop-up dinners, celebrated for their spontaneity, exclusivity, and creativity, the Supper Club captures the thrill of a one-night-only gastronomic adventure. It’s a perfect opportunity for Chef Ventura to showcase his talents and five new menus in one of Puerto Vallarta’s most enchanting settings.

The first dinner is November 20, 6:45 p.m., at which the chef will introduce a new menu representing the food of Oaxaca. Tickets are available now online.

Wine Tastings

Our monthly wine tastings return on December 19 at 6:00 p.m. However, next month, we have a special wine tasting with one of our favorite top wine producers, Distinto. The tasting is Thursday, November 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., where you’ll have the opportunity to taste some of your Distinto favorites and their new wines. Make your reservation here.

As with all of our wine tastings, appetizers will be served to complement the wine.