Pedro and Lola for Ladies Lunch

 

Yesterday we were off downtown to Centro and the Plazuela Machado and restaurant Pedro and Lola.  As a group we have not eaten there before although some of the ladies may have.  We ended up being 11 and we didn't have a reservation.

Six of us waiting at the bus stop.

Well....actually seven. 

After the bus left the malecon along the ocean it took a slightly different route.  This time we were in front of the "Shrimp ladies!"  A popular place to get your shrimp.... cleaned or not. 

Lots for sale. 

Linda's up ahead as we arrive.  We all got off the bus on Constitucion and it was about a 3 block walk to the square.

We all sat at different tables ...2 tables of 4 and one of 3.

That's Sandi, Marilyn, Carol (Marilyn and Mar's friend) and Mar leaning back. 

Cathy in pink,Liz in the hat,Mary and Marion. 

I sat with Linda and Helene.  So nice to see Helene.  She's had the nasty cold that's going around and had a hard time kicking it.  As I was down with health issues ( arythmia and acid reflux) for almost a month we shared our sad stories!😁

We were sitting right on the road across from the square.  Lots of pulmonias going by so a bit of exhaust.

Mar judges a restaurant by their Margaritas....this one got a thumbs up!

Coconut shrimp with grilled carrots and saffron rice. 

Shrimp empanadas...very good.

Cathy had the empanadas. 

A Pedro and Lola signature dish.  Shrimp in an orange sauce....served in an orange.  Rave reviews for this one.

Carol had coconut shrimp. 

Mar had the Pedro and Lola salad with pears, goat cheese etc.

Looks yummy.

Always small children selling something and the cuter the better.  Helene gave her some change but didn't buy anything.  

I was going to have the short rib sandwich but they didn't have it so I ordered the catch of the day which was supposed to be Sea bass.  Well I've eaten lots of  Sea Bass and it wasn't that.  It was so tough and rubbery I could hardly cut it.  I didn't eat it all.  And now for the rice...it had Mexican butter all over it and I hate the taste.  It just tastes rancid to me.  So not a good meal.  Good news is everyone else's was good.  

Looks good but.....not!

Helene is just getting her appetite back and she had the empanadas and took one home.  

Linda had the orange shrimp and she didn't hate the rice!

Marion opted for a classic burger which she enjoyed. 

Lunch is done and we are finally heading out.  

When we arrived the waiter told us he was the only one on and he really didn't want to do individual checks.  We insisted.  Not our problem if they don't have enough staff on.  This is a very popular restaurant that is always busy.  The drinks came and my glass of ice had a beer cap in it!  The food was very slow to come out and it took forever to get the checks when we were done.  So...food was good except for mine and the service was lousy.  Not a place I'd return to.  

Linda came with me and I went to check to see if my Blundstone boots were ready to pick up.  I'm having them resoled for 400 pesos or about $30 Canadian.  The soles just disintegrated.  $100 dollars plus shipping in Canada. They'll be ready on Saturday. Then off to Waldo's which is across the street from the back of the market.  Like a "Buck or two" store.  I was looking for AAA batteries as Walmart wanted 200 pesos or $16 Canadian for 6.  Waldo's had four packs for 30 pesos or about $2.50 Canadian.  Eric checked the charge and they are good.  Then onto the bus and heading home.  

Along the malecon the Carnival statues are starting to be put up.  Carnival is in mid February.  About half way along the traffic backed up and the bus driver took an alternate route.  I guess if you wanted off farther along the malecon you were out of luck. 🤣 Long ride home and Linda and I needed a nap!

Good grief! Out for dinner two nights in a row 😁

 Dinner at Frank and Sandi's last night but first a little history.  We met Frank and Sandi along with Dennis and Marilyn back when we were all RVing.  In 2000 when Covid hit we three couples continued to come to Mazatlan but there was nothing to do socially...no eating out, no bingo and no ladies lunch either.  Frank decided we should have rotating dinners at each couples place and what a good idea that was!  We became even better friends.  When Covid was done with us we carried on but not quite as frequently.  Frank and Sandi are only here for two months this season so we had to get going. I'd been unwell and Marilyn and Dennis  had  the terrible cold that's going around and then Marilyn had arthroscopic surgery on her knee and couldn't walk for 10 days.  Now...we're all good to go!

The back palapa in our complex had a little kids birthday party going on as we left.  Very grandiose...I wonder if the birthday child will even remember!  When we got home just after 8 all that was left was cleanup and exhausted crying small children😁

Now why does Eric have a bucket😁  Well...to pick up gravel from a pile beside the sidewalk.  We've been "rescuing" plants that need repotting.  I'll save that story for another time🤣

Eric, Frank, Dennis,  Sandi and Marilyn.

Selfie of sorts!

Marilyn and Dennis are from Whitecourt Alberta and they are a very happy couple. 

Way back there is our cook Sandi!

The spaghetti is ready😂

Time to dish up.

No room for six so Frank and Sandi sit at the kids table.  Frank and Sandi are from Panora, Iowa...we're a diverse group!

Doesn't that look good?  Scrumptious ice cream chocolate bars for dessert.  The package said six and there were only four so Frank and Sandi didn't get one.  Poor packaging or did someone take two out. 

We finished up with funny stories about children and grandchildren.  Our granddaughter Abby provided a few chuckles about when she was little.

A good time was had by all...my turn next!

A lovely evening with Ian and Linda.

 

Ian and Linda arrived about 10 days ago and yesterday afternoon we went for happy hour and dinner. They have a lovely rooftop seating area in Cerritos Resort.  The afternoons and evenings are still very warm so it was lovely.

You can see the very architectural Riu which is a pleasant backdrop.  In the distance the ocean.

Guess who😁

We were treated to a pretty sunset as there was lots of cloud cover.

Here Eric and Ian were figuring out Firestick apps.  Ian and Linda's landlord had neglected to tell them he'd changed internet carriers so they just finally got their internet straightened out!😁

A nice dinner and home just after 8pm.

The return of ladies lunch and we're at Zasshi a Japanese bistro!

for  

Happy New Year all!  You will have noticed that Ladies Lunch has been missing for the last 3 weeks and that's because I had a health blip.  Things are mostly sorted out now and I'm feeling well enough for Ladies Lunch.  I decided to start with Zasshi as we all liked it so much last year and it's pretty close to home. Located on the north end of the Golden Zone almost across from Los Arcos which is next to the Fresh Market mall.  

I hadn't seen some of the ladies like Cathy in the middle,and Mary on the right just arrived.  Sandi on the left and I play cards and I go to bingo with her.  Nice to get out and about again!

Zashi is relatively new and has become a favorite with some of the ladies who pop in to eat on a regular basis. 

We started out with 12 coming and ended up with 9.  On the left Cathy, Liz, Mary hidden, on the right Diane's friend Terry, Diane, Ruth, Sandi and at the end Linda.  All happy to be there. 

We had a very nice young waiter who spoke good English and he didn't balk when I said individual bills!  As we ordered he asked if we wanted Miso soup which is on the house.  Of course we do!

There's Mary next to her friend Liz. 

Linda with her Miso soup.  She and Eric's brother Ian arrived last week for a 3 month stay in Cerritos Resort.  We are really happy they have arrived.

Ruth, Linda and I decided to share three dishes.  This is tempura vegetables and shrimp.  The lightest batter and really, really good.  Very affordable at 150 pesos.  Most of the entrees were under 200 pesos which makes this restaurant one of the most reasonable in Mazatlan. 

Next for us tuna tostadas which comes with two on the menu but they added one more for an extra charge so we could share three ways.  The tuna is raw, marinated and a bit spicy...excellent!

Sandi ordered shrimp teriyaki and she said it was delicious.  A man sized portion so she took half home. 

Mary ordered Kung Pao chicken....again very good.

Doesn't that look good!  Mongolian beef for Terry and Diane.  I asked Diane if the beef was tough and she said no and very flavorful.

Terry had her eyes shut!

Diane and her Mongolian beef....look at all the nice brocolli. 

Liz and Cathy shared a couple of different rolls.  Very good. 

Ruth ordered rolls for us She always asks the waiter what his favorite is as she can never make up her mind.  He said this one...Tampico I think and it was a very good choice. So three things for Ruth, Linda and I and boy were we full at the end of the meal.  I had planned to look for a key cutter but I needed to go home and have a nap instead!

Every one is full and chatting.  When the waiter brought the bills I told him we were a ladies lunch group that goes to a different restaurant every week.  I said we'd been to Zasshi last season and we liked it so much we came back.  He asked if we all lived in Mazatlan and I said no but we all stayed between three and six months.  I also noted we were a mix of Canadians and Americans.  He was quite interested.  I also said we came back for the the very good food, at a very reasonable price and the excellent service.  He was very pleased and said thank-you so much. 

A good time was had by all.  

Stay tuned for next week.