Step through history into a 360° celebration of Mexico.

The menu at Epazote, located at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, is famous for its modern take on traditional cuisine as Chef Enrique García transforms classic Mexican staples into culinary works of art. Recently, a team of Mexican designers and artisans have worked to echo that theme in the restaurant’s décor. Their artistry and attention to detail is apparent wherever you look, from the woven-reed lamps that recall native fishing creels, to the vibrant mural that venerates great artists and literary heroes of Mexico. In fact, their work is evident even before you step into the restaurant, in the form of the hand-carved door gloriously demarcating the entrance to Epazote.

From the old-world elegance of colonial haciendas—kiln-dried cedar wood and iron accents—to the spilt barn doors that still grace tequila distilleries today, elaborate entranceways are a mainstay of Mexican architecture. For Epazote, Vidanta designers decided to reach deep into the past and commission a piece from Toltec artisans in Tonalá, Jalisco.

The Toltec people are one of Mexico’s most significant indigenous groups, known for both the ferocity of their warriors and the expertise of their builders and craftsman. A millennium ago, the Toltec empire controlled much of central Mexico, including modern-day Puerto Vallarta—in some communities today, the word “tolteca” is still synonymous with “artist”, “artisan”, or “wise man”.

The piece they created for Epazote is unmistakable. Completely hand-made from mesquite wood, the massive carved doorway weighs more than five-hundred pounds. The door’s architectural elements recall the powerful solidity of Mesoamerican step pyramids, while the soft curves and fronds of the carvings themselves suggest the gentle flow of nature. Hidden within the carving are many symbols referencing different aspects of Mexican culture, including a divine humanoid figure carved at the top of the arch.

Take a close look the next time you visit Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta—but be careful not to be too captivated, you wouldn’t want to miss your reservation.