Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit PRESSROOM

Chef Miguel Bautista Creates Multi-Course Menus At Mexico's Foodie Resort's Gourmet Specialty Restaurants & All-Day Dining Options

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico (January  11, 2017) - Vegan travelers can now indulge further at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit with new, curated tasting menus thanks to a collaboration with Mexico's leading Vegan chef, Miguel Bautista, co-founder and Executive Chef of Vegan Planet. Substituting new Vegan-friendly ingredients and new cooking techniques, Bautista has produced entirely original vegan tasting menus at its three AAA Four Diamond restaurants serving French, Italian and Mexican gourmet cuisine and all-day dining option. Culinary travelers can enjoy these specialty dishes at any time of day or night by the property's 24-hour in-suite dining services.

Dedicated menus at each restaurant feature four to five adapted traditional dishes of French, Italian and Mexican cuisine as well as international favorites and comfort food for the specialty diet. Frida, serving authentic Mexican food, offers standout dishes such as raw coconut ceviche with serrano chili and cucumber Aguachile, plus marinated wild mushrooms Mayan-style with baked plantain, brown rice and sautéed spinach in a homemade tortilla. Italian options at Lucca include a bruschetta sampler with crushed tomato, garlic, basil, arugula, olive oil and lemon over rustic bread, gluten-free penne pasta with broccoli, cauliflower and grilled Portobello, and espresso and chocolate cake with raspberry sherbet and marinated fruit. French dishes at Piaf include vegan nut pate with fermented cashew cheese and black pepper crust, smoked sausage with sauerkraut, antique mustard and green apple compote, and chocolate mousse with orange essence and forest berries over hazelnut glaze.

At any time of day or night, in-suite dining delivers vegan cheeses, breads, ice creams and sour cream, as well as burgers made with almonds, mushrooms, 10 different vegetables, onions, and garlic, with chia seeds and chickpeas for protein (pumpernickel bun or lettuce wraps available). Another savory option includes a vegan pizza melt made with cashews, tapioca and sunflower seeds. Committed to serving nutritious meals with sufficient protein, all dishes created at the property are free of processed foods and are made with healthy cooking oils and techniques.

Soon to come are pressed juices and shots of ginger, turmeric and cayenne, which are known for giving health benefits and helping the immune system. The new culinary offerings come on the heels of the property's first annual multigenerational Wellness Week inclusive of top chefs, vegan menus, culinary workshops, fitness activities, and spa offerings, which took place October 24-30, 2016. Wellness Week will be repeated this year in the fall.

All-inclusive rates include luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. For more information on Velas Resorts or for reservations, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit www.velasresorts.com.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a Leading Hotel of the World, enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains. The centerpiece of the gardens is a three-tiered infinity pool, a preferred spot for catching the legendary sunsets. The AAA Five Diamond all-inclusive resort features 267 ocean-view suites, some with private plunge pools, and all with plasma TVs, wireless internet access, fully stocked, L'Occitane amenities and Nespresso machines. New Wellness Suites include a personal training session and massage in-suite in addition to other fitness amenities, such as a Lifecycle Exercise Bike, organic soaps, an Alchimia Apothecary Aromatherapy Kit, a Nikken Kenko pillow and comforter, and LED lamp with a clock and timer. Of the resort's five restaurants, three, serving French, Italian and Mexican gourmet cuisine, have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation. An oasis of wellbeing, the resort's Leading Spa of the World offers 20 treatment suites, more than 30 spa treatments, many inspired by the native traditions of Mexico and a signature water journey. Other features include a fitness center, 24/7 in suite service, water sports, business center, tennis, baby concierge, Kids Club, and teen lounge during holidays. Puerto Vallarta is just a 15 minute drive away. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit features more than 25,000 square feet of indoor meeting facilities, including the Grand Marissa Ballroom, which consists of more than 6,000 square feet and is easily subdivided into five separate rooms. The resort's facilities also include four other rooms ranging from 681 to more than 1,954 square feet that offer several arrangement variations to maximize meeting productivity and efficiency. The resort has won numerous awards from Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes, which named it one of the Top Ten Coolest All-Inclusive in 2012. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.