Good eats discovered in Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica

Once you arrive to Playas Del Coco and get situated you will end up back on main street for one reason or another. It is the center of everything you will need whether it’s the beach, food, information, transportation, bank, doctor or whatever. The photo above shows the main street looking east. You’ll have a couple blocks until you are at the end looking this direction. The other direction in the above photo will send you towards the beach and a few more blocks of interesting places like more shops, quick eats, sports bars, etc.

Housing was at a place found on Airbnb called ‘Maria and Marios’ and I was very happy to have stayed there. They couldn’t have been nicer people and treated me like family. The walk from their home to the main road would take me past 2 stores and a fruit stand. Whether needing a refreshing coconut water straight from a coconut soaking in ice water or a cold beer on the walk I had options.

There are many fun looking places to enjoy around town and unfortunately I didn’t get to experience all of the ones that appealed to me but the following spots are a couple of the cool places I discovered as I wandered around Playas del Coco.

In the morning I would ride my rented bicycle the few blocks to the beach and get a coffee at a cool place called Cafe Corazon. They are located close to the water (50 meters) and provide good coffee in a cool zen atmosphere. The guy behind the counter was always a welcoming host. https://www.instagram.com/cafe.corazon/?hl=en

Sal y Fuego can be found off the main road up the street from the sports bar and is a terrific find. If you love grilled meats and fish presented by a local trained in Argentina then you’ll love this place. The staff is friendly. I gave them a Venice Brand sticker. It’s worth the quick walk up the slight hill. https://www.instagram.com/salyfuegocr/?hl=en

At the corner where the sports bar and Mexican restaurant meet (the street you’ll walk up to find Sal y Fuego) is another new restaurant called Nakapasi. They are really new and I couldn’t find their social media but the man behind the bar, Abraham, was super cool. I gave him a Venice Brand sticker too. We tried to get the NHL Stanley Cup finals on which didn’t work but they did offer cold beers and really good ceviche. This would also be a good place to bring a date for dinner.

The Dude of Food really enjoyed the time chilling out around Playas Del Coco and thanks all the nice folks that shared with me and made this Costa Rican experience extra special. Thank you all. Pura Vida.

More info can be found at the following sites:

https://news.co.cr/a-guide-to-enjoying-playas-del-coco-beach-in-guanacaste-costa-rica/22448/

The Dude of Food continues his Best Pizza in LA search.

It seems, as the Dude of Food continues to gain weight driving around Los Angeles eating at various pizza places in search of the ‘Greatest LA Pizza’. The list has room to grow. If you make pizza and think it’s good enough to be on a top 10 Pizza’s in LA list then please hit me up and let me know when to come in.

Instagram @p3_stuff – look for the blue party cup

The Dude of Food makes Obatzda just like a Munich beer garden, kind of.

The 1st Obatzda the Dude of Food ever made in his Westside kitchen was fairly decent. It wasn’t just like Munich Obatzda but I have to say it sure helped ease the longing I have to be back in Munich with my friends at one of its many beautiful beer gardens. The Obatzda made by the Dude of Food wasn’t exactly the right color and was lumpier. It also wasn’t mixed as well as the Obatzda you find in Munchen and probably had something to do with the Gruyere cheese I used.

What mine did do for my spirit though, was remind me of all my Bavarian friends und the gut times we’ve spent together eating obatzda, stecklefisch, pizza, chicken, goulasch, knudel, donors or pretzels while drinking Augustiner Brau Helles beer and enjoying nature.

The Obatzda the Dude of Food made was pretty darned good and my mind happily filled in the blanks. I love brotziet und look forward to having more on my next visit back in Minga, Bavaria. Danke schon und prost.

The Dude of Food enjoyed Habana Cafe, ROME

One of the things that happens to the Dude of Food when he walks all over Rome is he begins to work up an appetite.

On my way to the Pantheon I stopped at the Habana Cafe and had a delicious and very affordable lunch.

Located on Via del Pastini 120, around the corner from the Pantheon, you can get a great lunch, served by a cool staff for less than $15 euros. I sat outside and enjoyed the historical ambiance as I ate anti pasta, spaghetti carbonara and sipped a beer.

www.habanaroma.com

There are other options in the immediate area but this place is certainly worth checking. Bon Appetit. Grazie Habana Roma.

Try Aldo Restaurant – Vatican City, Italy

The first place to eat that the Dude of Food came across after exiting the Vatican City museum is this sidewalk cafe called ALDO.

After much walking, I was ready to sit down and have some nutritious authentic Italian lunch and the Aldo Restaurant provided it for me. The thoughtful staff, cool service and really good food left me feeling blessed and content and the meal was very reasonably priced. It was awesome to sit under the shadow of the Vatican and enjoy the grace of the Lord and be blessed with a deliciously preparred meal.

“I would eat here all the time, if I was the Pope” exclaimed the Dude of Food.

Motto grazie Aldo.

The Dude of Food lunches at McGraw’s Tucson Cantina

Sadly McGraw’s announces they are temporarily closed. Reach out and support them if possible.

The Dude of Food went to visit Tucson, AZ. After mom’s haircut we went to lunch at this cool place on a bluff. As you can see be the accompanying photo above, the view from McGraw’s Cantina is amazing. The tables on the outside patio look south over the east Tucson valley. If a gang of old west outlaws was riding up from Mexico, you would see their dust trail way before they would see you from here.

McGraw’s opened at 11a and they had a Tucson blonde ale on tap. The McGraw’s Cantina menu is full of good things to choose from and the two girls working there were very nice. It turns out McGraw’s hosts a steak night special on Tuesdays. This place really is a party waiting to happen.

Mom ordered a burger that looked awesome and a coke the waitress was happy to refill. The Dude of Food asked for the BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich and another Tucson blonde ale. The food was really good.

There are many restaurants in Tucson but McGraw’s Cantina may be host to one of the best. They have tons of party space plus plenty of parking and would make an awesome place to do an Arizona Octoberfest rager, BBQ challenge, wedding party, anniversary party, birthday party or any other celebration.

Check it out.

The Dude of Food likes Loveless Cafe Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce.

Off of Highway 100 in Nashville is a place called the Loveless Cafe. You may not be close enough to walk in but you can go to their web page and check out the stuff they make.

http://store.lovelesscafe.com/product/hot-sauce/sauce-seasoning

The Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce is one of the secret ingredients the Dude of Food adds to his homemade michelada recipe. It adds the perfect amount of spice. Truth be told, the Dude of Food also likes Red Rooster, Frank’s, Texas Pete’s and Crystal from Louisiana. They all go great in a michelada, on grits, greens, smothered chicken, gravy, stuffing, waffles, wings, eggs and much more.

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Bon appetit!

La Taberna Gallega in Barcelona makes great paella.

La Taberna Gallega located in the marina in Barcelona, Spain is incredible. The room gets full but the vibe is energetic and upbeat. The staff is super cool and fun. If you are in the Barcelona marina area come on over. There are many places to eat in the marina but I chose this one and was completely satisfied. Best paella and sangria of my life. Take the time and go here. Muchas gracias La Taberna Gallega staff.

http://www.latabernagallega.com

The Dude of Food likes Company 77 Fire Truck Pizza

What could be better than great homemade pizza delivered on a fire truck that has beer on tap? These folks have a really good thing going.

The Dude of Food had this truck come to our Christmas party last year and it was well worth it. If you live in the southern California area then you need to experience this party on wheels.

The staff is super cool. The truck is fun and includes a photo booth and beer taps. The pizza is hand crafted, refined and excellent. This is an awesome food truck and would be a huge hit at any tailgate party.

http://www.company77.com