By Edward Potocek
When Francie Nguyen opened Casita & Garden three years ago, she wanted to create more than a restaurant — she envisioned a gathering place. A lush garden tucked away in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica neighborhood, where locals and visitors could relax, connect, and enjoy inspired food, drinks, and conversation. From day one, Francie’s goal has been simple: keep things fresh, fun, beautiful, and full of flavor.
That spirit of creativity led to a new kind of dining experience — and the start of a remarkable collaboration.
Enter Chef Roman Ventura of Ventura Chef Services, known for curating unforgettable private dining experiences. When Francie first launched The Chef’s Table at Casita & Garden — a series of one-night-only pop-up dinners — she invited Chef Ventura to be one of the featured chefs. The result was immediate chemistry. Diners loved the energy, the setting, and most of all, the flavors of his dinners.
“Roman’s food tells a story,” Francie says. “Every dish connects our guests to Mexico — its ingredients, traditions, and sense of community. He makes each dinner feel like a celebration.”
The success of that first evening led to an ongoing partnership that has since evolved into one of Vallarta’s most anticipated culinary series: the Ventura Supper Club at Casita & Garden.
From November 2025 through March 2026, Chef Ventura will host six intimate dinners, each built around a unique theme. Every menu is inspired by his travels, his deep love of Mexican ingredients, and his desire to surprise and delight his guests. Past dinners have explored regions such as Oaxaca, Yucatán, and Sonora, and celebrated seasonal Mexican traditions — from Día de los Muertos to holiday feasts.
“It’s exciting and a little nerve-wracking to design a new five-course menu for every dinner,” says Chef Ventura with a smile. “But I think that’s what keeps it special. Every dinner is a journey — not just for the guests, but for me as a chef. The creative process, the response from diners, and the setting here at Casita & Garden — it all comes together in such a beautiful way.”
The first Ventura Supper Club of the season, on November 18, celebrates the ancient Mesoamerican farming tradition of La Milpa and its symbolic “Three Sisters” — corn, beans, and squash. For over 5,000 years, these crops have been planted together in harmony, representing nourishment, balance, and unity. Each of the five courses will showcase one or more of these essential ingredients, reimagined through the chef’s creative lens and inspired by market visits across Mexico.
“La Milpa isn’t just a farming method,” says Ventura. “It’s a philosophy about how we support one another and grow together — just like the plants themselves. I wanted to capture that spirit in this menu.”
Each Ventura Supper Club dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. with a welcome drink, followed by five courses that highlight the evening’s theme. Seating is limited to just 20 guests, ensuring an intimate, communal atmosphere where conversation flows as easily as the drinks.
Tickets are required and available exclusively through the Casita & Garden website.
If you love food with a story — and the chance to share it with like-minded diners under the stars — this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
