The restaurants at Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit compete with the best restaurants in Mexico, if not the world. Not willing to be categorized with other all-inclusive resorts (where cuisine is so often an afterthought), Grand Velas has created individualistic restaurants with the goal of each becoming the best in its respective genre, able to compete head-to-head with top luxury resorts' and independent world-class restaurants.

Each of the fine-dining restaurants at the AAA five-diamond resort in Playa del Carmen, for example, cost between $1 million and $3 million to design and build, and each is staffed with talented and acclaimed chefs with experiences in some of the finest kitchens aro und the world. For resort guests, meals and beverages (always top shelf) at any and all of these restaurants are always included in the daily rate. The exceptional lineup includes Piaf (French haute cuisine), Cocina de Autor (modernist/molecular), Frida (contemporary Mexican), Lucca (Northern Italian), Chaká (Mexican regional cuisine), Sen Lin (Asian), Bistro (casual French) and Azul (classical Mexican and international). Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit operates slightly different versions of Piaf, Frida and Lucca, but the concepts are the same.

The Riviera Maya's Cocina de Autor showcases the cutting-edge cuisine of celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso, owners of the famed restaurant Biko in Mexico City. The two Spanish-born chefs trained under Spain's legendary Juan Mari Arzak, and along with their own rising-star chef de cuisine, Mexico-native Xavier Pérez Stone, the team has created one of the most avant-garde restaurants in the country, blending the renegade spirit of the Spanish Basque Country with the flavors and finest local products from the Riviera Maya and elsewhere in Mexico. An amuse-bouche, say, might arrive as a spherification of gazpacho or perhaps a pickled Riviera Maya sardine balanced atop a fried tortilla chip. Receiving the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award for restaurants, Cocina de Autor is the only restaurant of an all-inclusive to receive the award in 100 years of AAA.

Frida, the resorts' destination Mexican restaurant, serves modern Mexican fare in an elegant setting with a bougainvillea-covered terrace overlooking the beach. A roving mixologist visits every table with a top-shelf tequila trolley, concocting a variety of seasonal margaritas, from the classic Cadillac to a more avant-garde coconut version served straight-up in a chilled flute, rimmed with toasted coconut. 

And at Piaf, native Frenchman Michel Mustiere serves foie gras, escargot, black truffles, duck confit, and pillowy soufflés in a cabaret-inspired dining room awash with Swarovsky crystals and red velvet—a lavish ode to the great, late singer/actress from whom the restaurant borrows its name.

The Frida and Piaf restaurants at both Grand Velas Resorts have all been distinguished with the AAA Four Diamond Restaurant Award. Lucca at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has also received the distinction.

Additionally, Velas Resorts has teamed with Tres Generaciones Tequila and luxury spa brand Natura Bissé offering a series of sensory culinary experiences that combine haute cuisine, the finest tequila, ambient music and the aromas of natural essences. Lead by the resort's sommelier and spa staff, along with highly regarded guest chefs, guests will participate in four-course dinners that deliver full-sensory experiences encompassing the unique flavors, aromas, music and visuals of Mexico.

For reservations or more information, please contact Velas Resorts at 1-888-407-4869 or visit www.velasresorts.com. 

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:
Set on 205 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all- inclusive resort. Guests can choose among three separate ambiances in this Leading Hotel of the World, including adults only ocean-front, family friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle. All 491 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, plasma TVs, wireless internet access, L'Occitane amenities, artisanal tequila and Nespresso machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs and marble interior. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour of Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of the disciples of world celebrity chef Arzak, won the AAA Five Diamond Award, the only all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Grand Velas Spa, a Leading Spa of the World, is the region's largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven step water journey. Other features include 24-hour personal butler concierge, 24/7 insuite service, three swimming pools, two fitness centers, water sports, innovative kids club and teens lounge, Karaoke Bar, Koi piano bar and business center. The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting spaces and outdoor areas for events and has a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests. The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today, Best of the Best Spa by Virtuoso, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes.com, which named it one of the Top Ten Coolest All-Inclusives in 2012. Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.

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 mini bar, L'Occitane amenities and Nespresso machines. 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 insuite 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-Inclusives in 2012. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.