Mixed bag of a night

We headed out this evening with some friends for dinner at a restaurant up on the cliff. We've all been there for lunch before. We've always felt welcome and enjoyed ourselves - until tonight.

As is customary, we seated ourselves. After several minutes, the waiter came over, brought us menus and took our took our drink order. The bar was busy but the wait for drinks was reasonable. That was it. That was the last time the waiter bothered to come to our table. Several times we called him as he passed. We tried to get his attention so we could order dinner but he pointedly ignored us. Pointedly? Yes. The one time he even looked at our table he made eye-contact with me. I signaled him that we would like to order. He turned his back on us and walked away. He never came back to our table or in any way acknowledged us again.

We then decided we'd had enough. I went to the bar, paid for our drinks and we left.

But we still needed dinner. Our friends suggested a new-ish (new to us anyway) restaurant they'd heard about - El Anzuelo (The Fishhook) in Villa Pesquera. Villa Pesquera, a"fishermen's village" mostly consisting of kiosks selling beer and empanadas, has a sketchy reputation. For a long time it was considered unsafe - especially for gringos - to go there. The municipio has done a lot to clean it up. There really are fishermen there. Not at many as at Crashboat but you can actually get fresh fish there.

Our reception at El Anzuelo in this supposedly "sketchy" area could not have been more different than the "nice" place up the hill. Ari, the owner was welcoming and friendly asking if we preferred to sit inside or outside. She explained the menu and specials to us. Although she speaks primarily Spanish and we primarily English, there was never a moment's hesitation or sense of conflict.

The food was marvelous! Elaine had grilled tuna - "maybe the best tuna I've ever had" - with her favorite, tostones de pana (tostones made with breadfruit instead of plantains). Ralph had an amazing curry. Maree and I had grilled kingfish. It's the first time I've had kingfish. It's a firm white fish, a little drier and stronger flavored than mahi-mahi (dorado). Very good, very tasty.

So we now have a new great little restaurant. We're taking the Ola Lola team there for lunch on Wednesday. Can't wait to go back!