Restaurant El Granero is The New Spinoff Bar and Eatery of Los Muertos Brewing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Stephanie Watts Talks about El Granero, Craft Beer and Elevated Pub Fare in The Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Rent a Villa Vacation Home in Puerto Vallarta and Punta de Mita with Agave Villas Mexico
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Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler, and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with your toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week we are going to visit with Stephanie Watts from Los Muertos Brewing in Puerto Vallarta. She will be telling us about their new restaurant El Granero on Francisco
Contact Information For El Granero Restaurant and Bar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elgraneropv
- Website El Granero: https://granero.com.mx/?fbclid=IwAR20Z4r4YGu3H-52nAL7oqlcrT3Rl7DXdNQm4gwivokUDIEs9FJfCCRbEUk
- Address: Francisco I Madero 333, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 223 2376
Contact Information For Agave Villas Mexico, Vacation Home Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Punta de Mita and Los Cabos
- Agave Villas Mexico Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agavevillas/
- Agave Villas Mexico Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agavevillas/?hl=en
Agave Villas Mexico Puerto Vallarta Properties
Agave Villas Mexico Punta de Mita Properties
Agave Villas Mexico Los Cabos Properties
Contact Information For Los Muertos Brewing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Website: https://losmuertosbrewing.com/
- Phone: Lazaro Cardenas 302, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Address: +52 322 222 0308
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losmuertosbrewing
Madero in the Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. She also will tell us about a cool company she has, its called Agave Villas Mexico, and they rent out luxury properties all along the bay. We have Vallarta news and more as well as special 420 news….Let’s see what’s happening in Puerto Vallarta this week the 20th of April, 2022….happy 420 day.
Be Aware of Pickpockets and Petty Theft During The Holidays
It was a big week for Puerto Vallarta. Easter, Pasqua came and went and it’s estimated that over 200,000 people were in town for the festivities during Easter week. An incredible number.
But with all the crowds, bad elements can more easily mix in, making your time in paradise a real nightmare. Busy holidays mean more theft, pick pocketers, professional pickpockets are out there. Mustard squirter pickpocket groups are out there too. These thieves squirt mustard or whatever gross solution they happen to be carrying on your pants, usually your rear end, then help you clean up and clean you out of your money, wallet, telephone. All while looking like they are helping you out.
And with new rules where you run the risk of being hauled into jail if you can’t produce your passport and tourist card, or your green card for residence, either your temporal or Permanente to the authorities should you be stopped and asked for them, getting ripped off could mean having to contact your consulate for a replacement passport to get out of Mexico or waiting for your new Mexican ID. Of course, the hassle of cancelling credit cards, the heartache of loosing your hard earned cash or worst of all, having your phone lifted and being without that electronic device that we have all come to depend on and can’t live without. Can you imagine having to navigate without that stupid thing?
So yes, watch out. Keep your things out of reach. Don’t call attention to yourself by wearing fancy jewelry either. Before I came down last time, I bought a whole bunch of different pouches to fit my passport. A couple I thought I would have sewn into the waistband of a couple of pairs of shorts. But in the end, I opted for cargo pants with pockets that were well protected in the front, where I could easily fit and carry my passport and tourist card without trashing them. I could keep my phone in a front pocket as well, so those cargo pants are a good choice. For ladies it’s still the cross-body bag with zippers facing in, towards your body. I guess they make cargo pants for ladies…. wait…can I still refer to ladies’ clothes as being for ladies…. never mind.
Anyway, these thieves are professionals. They can lift a wallet without you feeling a thing.
When I was in the family jewelry business. We operated a jewelry store in Burbank for 42 years, and I worked for my dad there for 36 years, before I went into Real Estate. We were trained in seminars how to identify these types of criminals. In the 80’s there were gangs, well, crews of Colombians who would do all sorts of stuff. For example they would stake out a jewelry store and find a salesman, who would be selling us merchandise like watches, a line of fine jewelry, wedding rings or whatever. They would watch these salespeople toting their display cases with them. Then they would, while the salesman was with the jewelry store owner or buyer, they would put a pinhole in the salespersons radiator hose, and then wait for the salesman to return to his car, then follow them until ultimately, they would have a car overheat and have to pull off the road for assistance, and that’s when the gangs would gain ultimately get the goods.
Groups of them would come in the store, and you needed to pay attention. They didn’t come in all at the same time. One would come in with a handful of watches for batteries, and then chat you up. Then the shop would start filling up with people, and each salesperson would be distracted, just enough, that one unattended person could slip behind a display case, or back to the vault.
We got really good at identifying those situations, due to the training we got at those seminars. We had a secret phrase or code we used when one of us on the sales staff felt there was mischief going on. If you thought there were baddies in the store you asked out loud.. “is Francis was coming in to work today?” That was the tip that all employees needed to pay attention to what was happening around them. Francis was my grandmother, who was dead, so she wasn’t coming in.
A couple of times I had to tell the guy with the fist full of watches that we knew why they were there, and it’s time for you to leave before things get ugly. In Spanish of course so I wouldn’t startle any of the clients in the shop who didn’t happen to be crooks.
We were very lucky over the 42 years in business in Beautiful Downtown Burbank, the butt of those jokes told by Rowen and Martin…anyone remember Laugh In? Yeah, we had a jewelry store on the Golden Mall in Beautiful Downtown Burbank, just down the street from NBC Studios. They were filming there all the time.
Well over those 42 years we only had two armed robberies. And I missed both of them. One happened a couple of days before Valentines Day. I worked at the store and went to Cal State Northridge at the same time, so I had a night Spanish class, so I left the store early to go to school, and before closing two guys came in the store and one pointed the gun at My dad and the other two employees while the other grabbed a bunch of diamond solitaires out of the front window.
The other one happened while my wife and I were in Puerto Vallarta. We were lying on the beach getting skin cancer and suddenly I felt a very strong sensation that something really bad just happened. I sat up and told Debbie about it, but those were the 80’s, and nobody had cell phones. It was nearly impossible to call home on a clear line.
As it turns out, three guys burst in to the Jewelry store, one pointing a handgun at my dad, a customer and a saleslady, while the other two smashed the glass display cases with sledge hammers in athletic bags, then filling the bags with the goods, and then off and out the door.
I have a twin brother…I’m pretty sure I’ve told you that but yeah, my twin brother Gary was working there too and he was in the back of the store cleaning a client’s ring or something then this started happening, and my dad called to Gary, who of course came out from the back, and the guy with the gun at the front of the store at the door was startled and nearly pulled the trigger. That’s probably when I had the feeling lying there on the beach.
Luckily for us, there were people on the mall that day who were looking out for us, and long story short, the police caught the thieves after a car chase, and all the jewelry was recovered. The store was a mess, but the expensive stuff was returned. And yes, the gunman said in court, on the stand that he almost shot Gary. So yes…identical twins do have that thingie going on. I’m just happy Gary generally keeps out of trouble. I couldn’t take many more of those events…just saying.
So… Watch Your Belongings
Celebrating 420 in Mexico
Hey speaking of secret words and phrases, do you know how the term 420 got started as referring to pot? Well it seems the 5 high school buddies in the early 70’s, in San Rafael California, devised a secret code that they used to indicate to each other that they would meet later in the day to smoke the weed. Saying 420 to each other passing each other in the hallways was their code. And it evidently grew from there. Even though nobody knows why…
Now for those of you who are sensitive to my comments regarding the smoking of cannabis, It is 420 for goodness sake… I’ll give you a chance to fast forward a couple of minutes…I’ll wait…..as you know, I’ve had several emails from listeners regarding the use of the hippie lettuce, the nasty weedy weed weed…
You know, listeners asking can you smoke the rope in public, will you get popped for possession and so forth. As you know I’ve said if the cops get a hold of you with weed they kinda can do whatever they want to with you, so even though laws have been passed, if you are in Vallarta and you get caught with weed you are screwed, but in Oaxaca City, stoners have a bit more leeway….from Mexico News Daily…
Don’t bother pot smokers, Oaxaca city officials tell local police
Government gives OK to smoking marijuana in public places
Published on Friday, April 15, 2022
The use of marijuana for recreational purposes has not yet been legalized in Mexico, but pot smokers can find an oasis in Oaxaca city.
The city government has advised police not to bother people smoking weed in public places in the state capital.
In an official letter directed to members of the Plantón 4:20 – pro-marijuana protesters who have occupied the El Llano park in recent months – and cannabis consumers in general, the city government reiterated its commitment to respecting human rights and noted that there is no municipal law that expressly prohibits the “personal responsible consumption of cannabis in public spaces.”
The government acknowledged that the Supreme Court has ruled that laws prohibiting the use of marijuana are unconstitutional, but also recognized that the court argued there is a need to protect the rights of people who don’t want to be or shouldn’t be exposed to secondhand smoke, such as children and adolescents.
“In that sense, we call on consumers to avoid consuming cannabis in places where there are girls and boys or there is express disagreement from other people,” the April 13 letter said.
“In addition, this municipal authority urges municipal police officers … to abstain from causing … trouble to consumers. In case of disagreement from a person in the same space, proceed only to ask consumers to move to another place,” it said.
The city government’s letter came in response to requests from Plantón 4:20 members and others that they be allowed to smoke marijuana in public without being criminalized.
Its publication coincided with the allocation of federal permits allowing 26 indigenous communities in Oaxaca to cultivate marijuana for medicinal purposes.
The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been legal in Mexico since 2017. The Supreme Court has directed Congress to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, but it has repeatedly missed deadlines to do so.
And I have a link to that article from Mexico News Daily online, lifted from El Universal, in the shownotes..
…And transitioning from weed to Micro dosing…From The San Miguel Times….
Expats are micro dosing in San Miguel de Allende
Expats here are experimenting with tiny amounts of hallucinogens as alternative medicine.
Microdosing, using micro amounts of recreational drugs, often LSD or psilocybin, has reached Mexico, and one of its epicenters is San Miguel de Allende, a popular destination for American and Canadian ex-pats living abroad.
Two years ago there were rumors of microdosing activities (using a tenth or twentieth of a typical recreational dose on a regular basis) in Mexico City. And today, San Miguel ex-pats are asking about acquiring the drugs locally.
The U.S. government had categorized both LSD and psilocybin as Category 1 drugs. Scientific research on them became impossibly bogged down in bureaucracy and restrictions.
In the year 2000, a Johns Hopkins University psychedelic research group was the first to get regulatory approval in the U.S. to research microdosing on healthy patients who had never used drugs before.
Microdosing LSD
In recent years, a new form of substance abuse is becoming increasingly common among stay-at-home moms and CEOs alike: microdosing LSD. Microdosing refers to taking a small fraction of what is considered a recreational dose of LSD or other hallucinogen (like psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms).
Reportedly, microdosing certain psychedelic drugs can improve mood, induce physical and mental stimulation, and encourage creative thinking. Emerging studies support the notion that hallucinogenic drugs, taken in small doses or under the supervision and guidance of a medical professional, can be used to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
However, taking consistent and frequent doses of any drug, especially one as potent as LSD, is by no means safe for all individuals and may put certain people at a high risk for developing addiction.
And hey, I have a link to that article from The San Miguel Times in the show notes. But what about you vacationers? What’s for you?
Mexico Opening All Inclusive Magic Mushroom Retreats
How about a Mexican all inclusive resort serving up magic mushrooms….. There are a number of them in Mexico. In Tulum, Merida, Playa del Carmen you can Reset your mind with magic mushrooms at a luxury yoga retreat.
- Your day begins…
- Schedule depends on days and activities planned*
- 8:00 AM Meditation
- 8:30 AM Yoga Session
- 10:00 AM Juice Break
- 10:15 PM Sound Healing
- 11:15 PM Probiotic Brunch
- 12:00 PM Magic Mushroom Session
- 6:00 PM Light Probiotic Dinner
The Purpose of the Retreat
- The main ingredient of this retreat is a couple of powerful mind-reset magic mushroom ceremonies.
- Psilocybin therapy has been proven to relief depression, provide deep insight that can lead to living life on your best purpose. Based on endless scientific studies about its benefits, we combine it micronutrients from natural spices and teas to prevent the breakdown of the neurotransmitters and have a longer effect on most safe amounts.
- The environment is a key factor for achieving the best results on a magic mushroom retreat, that is why we select small groups of like-minded individuals which creates a master mind of wellness and peer support towards a balanced life filled with purpose.
- On the jungle ceremony you will be offered optional smoke of ayahuasca, this form spares the nausea symptoms associated with this medicine.
Looking over this one in Playa Del Carmen, depending on the room you choose the cost for 5 days is between $2,000 and $3,500 US. Per person. And these retreats are popping up all over the world. Guess it give a whole meaning to Taking a trip.
When my wife and I were in the Gulf of Thailand on an Island for or honeymoon, we were treated to a magic mushroom experience by our hosts at the bungalow we were staying at for a week. That was 33 years ago. Looks like the rest of the world is finally catching up.
https://lifesynergyretreat.com/magic-mushroom-psilocybin-retreat/
Danny Mininni of Act 2 PV Passes Away
We had some very sad news this week in Puerto Vallarta which has shocked the Entertainment community and that was the sudden and unexpected death of Danny Mininni, co-owner at Act 2 PV. The cause of death is being guarded as being sensitive, I
can’t really say all I know but what I can say is there was no foul play and we are in total shock. I linked the episode of the podcast where we visited with Danny at Act 2 PV about this time of the year 4 years ago, and I linked it in the show notes. It’s a really good interview and it’s even better to hear Danny’s voice.
The show goes on with Elizabeth Wiggins and David Restivo at Act 2. My sympathies to Danny’s family here in California and Puerto Vallarta, to Danny’s friends and his family and crew at Act2PV my heart goes out to you all.
Danny, Miss you amigo. The whole town will miss you.
The Big Building at the end of Lazaro Cardenas Park is Being Finished after Years
Hey, They have started working on that unfinished abandoned building across from Tile Park. The building that’s been sitting there for years, deteriorating. Last I saw it was on the market for 10,000,000 US. But work has begun to rehab and finish the project, but they are creating a safety hazard it seems…from Vallarta Reporter online…
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And I have a link to that article from Vallarta Reporter hidden behind a paywall, in the show notes.
https://puertovallartareporter.com/demolition-puts-pedestrians-at-risk/
Finally, that eyesore will be something…whatever that will be.
JR’s Birthday Bash at Gringo Loco April 28th at 5 PM
Okay, I will be in Puerto Vallarta next week. I arrive the 27th and cut out of town on cinco de Mayo.
We have JR’s Birthday bash set for the 28that Gringo Loco in The Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood of Vallarta. On Francisco Madero 403. Festivities begin at 5 with a band.
I’ll have my microphone with me to record the birthday boy and whoever else wants to chime in. It should be a great party. Please stop on by. I’ll be making an announcement next week as to a possible meet and greet. Stay tuned.
Well, let’s get to our guest, shall we?
El Granero Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Agave Villas Mexico in Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Punta de Mita
If you recall, I was asked by our friends Lisa and Billy, over at one of our favorite orphanages in Vallarta, RISE, if as a bonus to their sponsors of their fundraiser, the talent contest So You Think You Can Rise, if I would have them on my show to feature them and
what they do. And one of these sponsors was Los Muertos Brewing and their new restaurant El Granero. Now I’ve had Conner Watts, the owner of Los Muertos and El
Granero on the show twice, so when I messaged Conner that I wanted to catch up with him, he suggested I try something different, and interview his partner, his wife Stephanie. And I’m really glad he did because Stephanie is multi talented. Not only is she involved in the restaurants, Los Muertos and El Granero, but she has a cool villa rental business, and she is an actress too.
So let’s get to meet the other half of the Family, Stephanie Watts, Los Muertos Brewing, El Granero Restaurant, and Agave Villas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico…
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Contact Information For El Granero Restaurant and Bar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elgraneropv
- Website El Granero: https://granero.com.mx/?fbclid=IwAR20Z4r4YGu3H-52nAL7oqlcrT3Rl7DXdNQm4gwivokUDIEs9FJfCCRbEUk
- Address: Francisco I Madero 333, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 223 2376
Contact Information For Agave Villas Mexico, Vacation Home Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Punta de Mita and Los Cabos
- Agave Villas Mexico Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agavevillas/
- Agave Villas Mexico Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agavevillas/?hl=en
Agave Villas Mexico Puerto Vallarta Properties
Agave Villas Mexico Punta de Mita Properties
Agave Villas Mexico Los Cabos Properties
Contact Information For Los Muertos Brewing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Website: https://losmuertosbrewing.com/
- Phone: Lazaro Cardenas 302, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Address: +52 322 222 0308
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losmuertosbrewing
Well thank you so much Stephanie. What a talented lady. I have links to the restaurants including google maps that will take you to the front doors. Get over to El Granero, it’s a
beautiful restaurant. Bring a group or a party, they have plenty of room. I especially like the tables on the upper level overlooking the street.
And I have links and pictures to Agave Villas Mexico where you can treat yourself and your family and friends to unparalleled luxury right on the Bahia de Banderas or Los Cabos. Check it out for sure and give yourself a treat.
Okay, that should do it for today…Next week Stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and
more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions about all things Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience
and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really.
And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy
for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
Thank you to Stephanie Watts from Los Muertos Brewing and El Granero. Check them all out. El Granero is just a lovely
restaurant. Grab a table overlooking the street or the brewing tanks. And don’t forget Agave Villas the next time you are planning to bring down the crew. What a treat to have your own staff to wait on you poolside at your very own Villa…Sweet! I have links and pics in the show notes. Thanks Stephanie, and thanks Conner for suggesting I interview her….good choice buddy.
www.puertovallartatravelshow.com.
And thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos.
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