Ladies Lunch at Angelina's Kitchen

Yesterday we were off to Centro and Angelina's Kitchen which is a favorite.  As it's quite a long walk for some from where the bus drops us off it was decided to take an auriga or red truck.  Ruth ordered the truck and he was at the park promptly...actually early.  We explained our destination and that we had to stop and pick up Georgia along the way.  We'd hoped he'd take an alternate route because traffic has been backed up in the Golden Zone due to paving in front of the Inn at Mazatlan but nope...

Susie, Georgia, Jeannette and Sandi.  We all chipped in 60 pesos so the driver got a generous tip.  

Marion and Ruth. 

With me added. 

Traffic was very slow through the Golden Zone but we'd allotted lots of time so no worries. 

Heading south on the malecon on the left rear you can see Valentino's.

A beautiful balmy day even though there was a chill to the wind.  No complaints with the weather especially with whats going on in Canada and the USA

Looking south.  You can see the bike and walking path on the right. 

We arrived in lots of time.  They open at noon but they'd suggested 12:30 would be good so the kitchen would be prepared.  

It is a lovely restaurant!

Marilyn, Marilyn and Marilyn's Michelle and Melissa came shortly as they travelled by bus. Wow that's a lot of M's!!

Drinks have been served and Ruth was madly trying to get her glasses off before I snapped the photo.  I told her not to worry as long as she wasn't picking her nose!  Hence the laughter. 

The photo as Ruth wished it to be. 

This waiter has been here for 8 years and he is not young...just like us.  Speaks good English and is very efficient although he wanted us to put the bill on one tab!  Not likely.  He really reminds me of Manuel from Fawlty Towers. 

The food took a bit of time because just before we ordered a young Christmas travel group of kids came in to order take out which is a strange thing in a restaurant like this one.  First up was Susie's pepperoni Pizza.  Good put a little light on pepperoni. 

This is an interesting pizza with apple, pear and caramelized onion....very good.  Michelle had this. 

Jeannette's hamburger.

Marion had the portebello burger but the mushroom looks a little toasted.  Good but a bit overdone. 

Chicken fettucine for Melissa.  

Sandi had shrimp tacos and...

....I had fish tacos. Very good with the onions, radish and cabbage.  Served with guacamole and salsa.

Pear salad for Marilyn. 

Ruth and Jeannette shared a couple of appetizers....this is a tomato and avocado

 tower I think.

The kitchen is full steam ahead!

Manzanero salad with apple. 

Yes...I am there!  Michelle, Susie, me, Sandi and Jeannette.  

Angelina's octopus for Georgia and Ruth. 

It was just before 2pm when we were done and some had places to go.  I was off to the box office at the Angela Peralta Theater to buy tickets for some of this winter's Camerata Campbell performances. 

It's Christmas and there are lots of people about. 

The gazebo decorated with poinsettias. 

Lots of vendors selling crafts and souvenirs.

 In the end my trip to get tickets was a bust!  Box office open from 9am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm.  It didn't say that on the web site!!  I walked over to the Mercado to see if I could pick up some vegetables that I need for Christmas dinner but they didn't have beets or regular yams so I'll have to try Walmart or the vegetable truck tomorrow morning.  By this time I was tired and ready to head home.  The ride home took an hour as once again it was very slow through the Golden Zone due to paving.  Who paves a street at the busiest time of the year...well Mazatlan does!

It was an excellent lunch and I think everyone had a good time.  We'll stay closer to home for next weeks lunch while the Christmas traffic is bad. 

The round-a-bout way to La Noria!

 Last Friday Eric and I along with Frank and Sandi were off on another road trip.  We'd decided to have lunch at the hotel in La Noria but as it's only a hop and a skip away so we decided to head south on the bypass and circle around back to La Noria. 

There's a little piece missing at the end but we did get home!

You can see that gas prices are way up in Mexico too!  Close to $6.50 a metric gallon for regular and higher for diesel.

After we left the bypass heading to El Recodo there are many small villages along the way.

Disc's for the fields..we gave some at home that Eric still uses.

I wonder what they sell in this boutique?

Huge chicken barns.  Chicken is the main staple in Sinaloa.

Not sure what's growing but it's nice and green.

Here umbrellas are used for sun as well.

More farming equipment.

The open two lane highway...very quiet!

We should have turned left just before El Recodo so in we went.

A very pretty little town.

As soon as we stopped we were quickly greeted by a very nice Mexican man.  When he realized we didn't speak Spanish he came back a man who did. Very friendly and welcoming.

Frank and Sandi had been here years ago and so had Eric on his motorcycle.

Just ahead on the right they were cooking pork for carnitas. They wouldn't br ready until later in the afternoon.

Frank and Sandi went down the street to turn around.

I had some issues with my camera taking movies instead of photos so here we are in La Noria.  Nice green hay..probably alfalfa.

Just a colorful building.

El Aureliano hotel and restaurant.

Everyone should have a muscovy duck in their fountain and a few chickens running around!

Up the long stairs to the roof.

A decent menu and very reasonable prices.  Eric was having stomache issues so he just nibbled off my plate of shrimp with rice and salad.

While we were eating a huge group of what looked like high school students came in.  It's a very large three floor building with rooms on the second floor and restaurant on the first and third floor.  Those young people had a great time. 

 It's hot inland so we were tired when we got home.

 

Ladies lunch at Mr. Lionso

 Today we were a small group for lunch.  Off on the bus just before noon to Cerritos and Playa Bruja on the north end of the beach.  

This is a lovely open air restaurant with a beautiful south view.  Time to peruse the menu.

Marion joined us for lunch today as she and Fred are staying in the Luna Palace for three weeks.  Many of us were neighbors in the RV park for years.

Lovely day but there is a cold wind blowing from the north.

Marion and I both had a Pina colada!

Pam started with tortilla soup which was good.

And then..a green salad.

Marion ordered fish tacos which should have been good but were not.  Instead of grilled or breaded fish there were little pieces that looked and smelled like canned tuna.  She questioned the waiter and he insisted it was Mahi Mahi.  I tasted and I don't think so.

Chantal's anemic looking chicken nachos. Bland chicken and white cheese on tortilla chips.  She was a bit shocked.

There was a north American singer playing country music and Pam and Sandi got up to line dance!

Marilyn had shrimp chimichangas which she said were good but a bit greasy.

Delicious grilled shrimp for Sandi.

And her friend Gina  had the same. Gina is staying at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay.

Some how I missed a picture of my three chicken enchiladas in tomato cream sauce. That's okay because they weren't good either.  The same bland chicken as Chantal had on her nachos and very little sauce.  A bit dry and tasteless.

So Mr. Lionso gets a thumbs down as three of the seven meals were poor.  The prices are average, the service is excellent and the view is lovely.  The lunch company was good! Not a restaurant we will return to.

Next week we are off downtown to Centro and Angelina's Kitchen where we have always had good meals...fingers crossed!