Though 1994 is not all that long ago, it’s ancient history in Sayulita, since so much of the town’s development as a destination has been in the past two decades. But ‘94 was the year that Damien John Porter and his cousin Nicholas Parrillo opened Don Pedro’s restaurant down on the Malecon overlooking the beach; at that time, the only restaurant in town was El Costeno, and an open-on-occasion café on the plaza. But Damien and Nick had come down from California, after many a surf trip into various parts of Mexico, in search of a place to set up a winter getaway for their extended family. Naturally, since they are surfers, Sayulita seemed ideal. Once they decided to do a restaurant, they negotiated the necessary permits (easier to do in those days), pitched in money and expertise to help design and build the Malecon, and with architectural assistance from their friend Richard Broussard, built and opened Don Pedro’s.
At the time, Damien had no restaurant experience, unless a degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley counts, but Patrick, at least, had some, having put in sous chef time in various California restaurants. So they had the back of house covered, and Damien learned the front of house on the job, as it were.
Today, if there is a business in Sayulita that has been here long enough to qualify as an “institution,” it’s Don Pedro’s. At the high end of the pricing scale for Sayulita, and featuring a menu that skillfully blends Mediterranean, Asian, fusion, and Mexican influences, Don Pedro’s is where you go when you are celebrating an important event or throwing a bash. When the bash gets too big for the room, as for example a wedding, people head up to the Don Pedro palapa, on the bluff between Los Muertos and the main town beach. This beautiful, light, and open room, with its spectacular views of the ocean, the sky, and Sayulita spread out below, is the most popular wedding and party venue in town, and probably in all of Nayarit. It’s a magical spot. The restaurant itself is pretty special as well, as you can see from the photos. This is the best restaurant location in Sayulita, hands down.
With a staff of about 60 in high season, and many employees that have worked in the restaurant from the beginning, Don Pedro’s is deeply knit into the fabric of Sayulita life. Nick and Damien are big supporters of Pro Sayulita, CVIS, and every other community organization that needs financial support. They provide food, drink and a simply fabulous venue for Pro Sayulita’s annual fundraiser, for the CVIS fundraiser, for all kinds of community events.For many people, when they hear Sayulita, the first thing they think of is Don Pedro’s. And let’s not forget, every Monday night, in high season, it’s Salsa Night at Don Pedro’s.
