Vay Kay

We're going on a little vacation south of the border. Be back soon.

Lunch exploration

We were hungry and could not agree on what we wanted to eat. A compromise was reached and we popped into a hideaway restaurant we had not been to in a long time, Mama Mia. It looked the same but the name had changed to Perugina. The old Italian/Pizza menu was still available but the family that purchased the place had decided to add a menu offering dishes from their homeland Peru.

It was time for a little exploration. At the suggestion of the waiter I tried Inca Kola, a popular Peruvian soft drink. The neon color was startling at first but the taste was similar to creme soda and very refreshing.

For my entree I choose Lomo Saltado because it came with rice and fries. I love a double starch hit at lunch. The menu description did not do justice to this stir fry of seasoned beef, tomatoes and onions. When I was a teen we would get french fries with gravy at the drive inn. This dish brought back memories as the pan gravy coated the fries and created vehicle for sopping up all the juices. The fries become prized possessions and I had to fend off my wife's fast fork.

My wife chose Pollo Asado, a roasted half chicken with salad and fried plantains. I traded fries for bites of the fantastic plantains, a fair exchange.

The bill for two including drinks was under $22 with plenty leftover for the doggie bag. As I mentioned, the pizza is still available and they have killer Monday through Friday lunch deal of a 12 inch two topping pizza and a small soda for $5 bucks.

Perugina

1553 Novato Blvd, suite J

Novato, Ca. 94947

Farmers Market Mania

Each time I go to the farmers market it is a unique experience. Some days I revel in the beauty of the nature's bounty and other times I feel like strapping on a Kevlar helmet and getting ready for some crowd control. I take my camera along and it helps me detach myself from the madness than goes on at the market. I observe and record.

It's almost opening time at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and merchants scramble to get set up before the onslaught. Chefs look exhausted from the previous night's service as they assemble and prep for breakfast and lunch. The light is magnificent.

signs of spring

Porchetta on the spit

rainbow of taters

sweet carrots

You never know who you''ll run into at the market. Over in Marin, Chef Curtis Aikens is doing a video shoot promoting his book Curtis Aikens' Guide to the Harvest. Aikens has been on the Food Network and tons of TV shows. He is a local and writes a column for the Novato Advance. Who better than he to advise us on how to use all this produce?

Farmers market or photo opportunity? Both work for me.