Chef Chavez:Hugo

Azul Botanas del Mar opened its doors a little less than 2 years ago. In that time it has established itself as one of the favorite places in Puerto Vallarta for the quality of its cuisine, specializing in seafood. We approached its chef, Hugo Chávez, to tell us about his concept.

Hugo, tell us about your restaurant. Azul is characterized by its unique flavors, by its fresh ingedients and because we use a lot of products from the region. But we also handle premium products from Baja California, Sinaloa and Sonora. We do something totally different from what is currently available in other placces, because all our dishes and snacks are based on carpaccio, octopus, tuna, salmon. I did my apprenticeship in Italy and that inspired me.

I see you use a lot of color... Yes, it is a characteristic of our restaurant, just like the tableware, the atmosphere, the service, the drinks and the fresh, top-quality products. What I offer clients is a gastronomic experience, so that you leave wanting to return.

What are your clientele’s favorite dishes?

The Callo Riñón Snack, the Princess Snack, which is hot and cold. The Macaroni Amore Mío, The Salmon and Blue Tostadas, which are something that nobody imagines: macaroni with seared tuna, a touch of chimichurri and dehydrated tomato.

You also have hot grill… Yes, we cook grilled salmon, seared tuna, sarandeado shrimp and octopus, lobster and a specialty that is an angus rib eye aguachile.

Recommend us some cocktails. We use Raicilla, which is a local drink from Cabo Corrientes, we make some cocktails with mezcal, like a coconut mezcal, a strawberry mezcal, a lemon cucumber mezcal. We have organic flavored waters served in our bamboo glasses.

You talk a lot about the freshness of the ingredients.

Can you delve into this?

I have no storage or anything frozen. Today’s lobster was caught today and tomorrow’s comes freshly caught.

Do I need a reservation to enter your restaurant?

Only from Friday to Sunday.

Who are your clients?

It all depends on the season. My clientele is generally people from Puerto Vallarta, people who come to do business, from Guadalajara, from Monterrey, from the United States and American residents of the area. We have a lot of regular clients who come 2 or 3 times a week.