Ajijic Restaurants Ring in the New Year

Ajijic restaurants will allow Lake Chapala residents who enjoy going out to have many options when celebrating New Year’s in and around Lago de Chapala. Many Ajijic restaurants will roll out the red carpet with good food and music to ring in the New Year.

Here is just a sampling of a few of the restaurants here in Ajijic.

A new addition to the Lake Chapala New Year festivities is Fiesta Lago Chapala Ferry evening dinner cruise and celebration. Merrymakers will dine and drink while cruising the Lake Chapala Rivera. Passengers will embark at the Ajijic pier at 8 p.m. on Wednesday December 31 and will enjoy the celebration of the New Year until 12:30 a.m. January 1st 2009.

Starting the cruise at 8 p.m., celebrants have their choice a free glass of wine, margarita, or tequila or glass of wine and the boat sets sail at 8:30 p.m.

The 4 course dinner, begins with appetizers, salad, entree, and is followed up with dessert. A New Year a champagne toast and party favors are included. There is a very good chance that the Lake Chapala weather will cooperate and be comfortable for the evening, but if it is cool, the cruise ship has indoor heaters available. If you are interested contact Viajes Ajijic Travel Agency for tickets which are 390 pesos each. Contact Martha at 765-5683 or call (376) 766-0575.

La Bodega Restaurant Ajijic
From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Located at Calle 16 de Septiembre #124, on the eastern side of Ajijic, for your dining pleasure La Bodega will serve fillet mignon or garlic shrimp dinners which include a Capri salad. The Mexican tradition of eating grapes at midnight will be part of the celebration including a glass of champagne for toasting. Nexus Fusion will provide the evening entertainment and music with a variety of dance music, To reserve call (376) 766-1002.

Saint Peter’s Centro Ajijic Restaurant
Situated at Hidalgo #17 half a block west of the Ajijic plaza, will bring 2008 to a close in this popular eatery. Things start off with cream of roasted pepper soup, oysters Rockefeller, herb-crusted salmon or 10 ounce prime rib, blackberries with champagne and per couple a bottle of house wine. Celebrate with dancing and live music from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The fixed price menu is 480 pesos per person. For reservations call (376) 766-1919.

Roberto’s
Roberto’s  will celebrate their first New Year at their new location at Carretera Poniente 35 in Ajijic. Crab bisque au Cognac will be served along with savory stuffed mushrooms Robere, New Year’s salad  of green  and red grapes with red wine aspic, and a choice of medallions of beef filet Robere on pate in marsala sauce with Béarnaise and mushroom caps (350 pesos), roast young turkey and all the fixins (350 pesos), whole lobster Neptune stuffed with crab, shrimp and scallops, and Mantua sauce (450 pesos). Dine on a tower of chocolate for dessert, smothered with a heavenly rich mousse. Homemade mocha ice cream and chocolate swirls. To reserve call (376) 766-1616.

Manix
One on Ajijic’s seminal favorites situated in Ajijic Centro at Calle Ocampo #57. It all begins at 8:30 p.m. with appetizers, a dinner of chateaubriand or lobster thermidor with house wine served all night. The evening will reach its pinnacle at midnight  with grapes and champagne celebrations. Ricardo a local favorite musician will make his keyboard sing for the dancing revelers. The cost per person is 460 pesos. To reserve call 766-0061.

Ajijic Restaurant Number Four
A new restaurant in Ajijic that is making a name for itself as a fine dining venue will also ring in the New Year for the first time. Located at Donato Guerra #4 (hence the name Number Four) A fixed price menu at 1,250 pesos per person for the dinner and entertainment  will include a choice of entree and a glass of champagne. The evening’s entertainment includes The Guanatos Brass Band and singer Rich Siegel (between band sets), starting at 8:30 p.m. “Black tie suggested”  is the dress code. Seating and piano music begin at 6 p.m., the band will start playing at 8:30 p.m. To reserve ask for Kim or Michelle (376) 766-1630.

La Nueva Posada
La Nueva Posada Hotel and Restaurant is one of the village standard bearers when it comes to both lodging and entertainment. Located at Donato Guerra #9 (just down the street from Ajijic Restaurant Number Four mentioned above). At 10 p.m. dinner starts with pecan covered cheese star with crackers, baby field greens salad, Gorgonzola cheese with toasted almonds and pomegranate vinaigrette, croissant with garlic herb butter, roasted salmon filet complimented with Gran Marnier rosemary balsamic glaze topped with mesquite-grilled shrimp, assorted mushrooms  with wild rice and a medley of vegetables.

The best dessert of 2008 in Ajijic will be a double threat of dark Belgian chocolate gateau with fresh raspberry coulis with whipped hazelnut cream and coffee. Yum, yum. An open bar with national drinks, plus a bottle of champagne per couple and corsages for the ladies. Per person, including taxes and tips the evening is 850 pesos. To reserve call (376) 766-1444.

There you have it, many choices of places to eat for New Year's eve or throughout the entire coming year.

If you missed out on a Ajijic Vacation this year make resolution right now that Ajijic Travel will be in your plans for next year.

Include Ajijic's best lodging option, Casa POreciosa in those travel and vacation plans.