June, 2016
Mita Mary Boat Drops Anchor in Punta Mita: Newest St. Regis seaside Palapa Bistro Restaurant with Links to the Past
The Mary Mita Boat Bistro occupies a delightful spot on Sea Breeze Beach, a lovely vantage point for watching activities along the shore and at sea during the daylight and witnessing the sun sink into the ocean and light up the sky at nightfall.
The seaside casual Eatery offers lunch, dinner and drinks at umbrella-covered tables where you can nestle your feet in the sand. An open-sided old boat shaded by a thatched-roof made of dried palm fronds, and colorfully decorated by area artist Marco Alvarez, serves as the kitchen and bar. Local fishermen deliver their fresh catch to the beach where resort chefs prepare a finger licking seafood menu including grilled fish and lobster, shrimp and fish tacos, along with a variety of margaritas. Mary Mita is the newest addition to The St. Regis Punta Mita portfolio of dining experiences, bringing a unique and informal option to the luxury resort.
Geographically defined, Punta Mita is small, low portion of land that juts into the ocean like a point. For centuries local fishermen have gone to sea, beached their boats and brought in their catch at this place. The village of Punta de Mita was located along the shores until being moved to a nearby location on Banderas Bay in the early 1970s it has been suggested that Mita was the last name of one of the earliest families to live on this point. The historic importance of the area’s settlements dating back to 300 B.C. and the folklore connected to it represent a profound sense of authenticity at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort.
Older, local residents whose ancestral people lived or spent summers, and fish the waters off this point by the ocean related stories that reflect the locations significance. The tales passed down from generation to generation tell stories of stormy nights with high winds, powerful waves, and sudden waterspouts. A wooden cross atop a small rocky island just offshore and visible from Mary Mita Bistro is a tribute to the many sailors, anglers, merchants and other mariners who lost their lives at sea.
One such narrative tells the story of Jose, a renowned angler, who lived in a fishing community along the shores and went to see from the same point where Mary Mita restaurant now stands. Jose’s young wife Maria prepared food and saw him off each day. Although squalls had been observed by people on the beach and fisherman reported high winds and heavy downpours offshore, no one saw Jose’s boat go down. He did not return that night, nor the next. Maria was accustomed to Jose being out for a day or two, but after a fortnight Maria began to worry. She walked to the beach each morning and evening, determined to never give up hope or accept the fate of losing the one she loved, and resolved to be there when he returned. Cooking at night, preparing traditional Mexican recipes and bringing them to the beach each day to sell or trade for fresh caught seafood helped to pass the time and bring in money. The weeks turned to months. One morning she discovered a damaged boat that had washed ashore. It was similar to Jose’s boats, the Mary Mita, but was not her husband’s vessel. With the help of villagers she righted the boat.
The partially buried hull, set above high tide line, was covered with a palm frond roof for protection from sun and rain. Maria set up shop on the beach to vend her homemade menu. A barbecue and oven, fashioned with the help of neighbors carrying stones, enhanced what became a bustling business where Maria prepared and sold an assortment of dishes each day. Maria spent more time at the beach creating and serving what soon became known in the area as a delicious cuisine combining fresh local spices, vegetables, fruits and gifts from the sea. The story of her devotion and love spread far and wide.
