45053 Tue Apr 11 11:44:43 -0700 2006 4 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 222381 I've been passing by this place for years, and now 4 of us are finally going for dinner tonight. Which dishes do you recommend? Tue Apr 11 11:44:43 -0700 2006 0 Barb S 1 222389 I can only say that I ate there once for lunch and based on the food have never gone back. I can't remember any details though as it was over a year ago. Tue Apr 11 13:07:25 -0700 2006 222381 0 SLRossi 2 222482 Yes. Please report back. About a year ago Cafe de la Paz took a steep downhill tack. My chowfriends and I would go there somewhat regularly for South American snacks and dinner along with margaritas. About a year ago we found the magaritas to be watered down. When we mentioned that they did not seem up their regular standards the server retorted with: "They are always made same way." In retrospect, perhaps others had complained as well, but it was still an unprofessional response. We found the food had become... uninspiring. We did press the issue and our server had the downstairs bartender make new margaritas to order and they were much better. So hope is not lost! -geoff Tue Apr 11 18:47:22 -0700 2006 222389 0 Geoff Galitz 1 222445 First of all, please, please report back. There have only been passing mentions on Chowhound. The things not to miss is seems are the cornbread and/or the Venezuelan corn pancakes. The East Bay Express voted the corn bread the best in the Bay Area in 2004: "This "Gourmet Ghetto" restaurant's cornbread can truly be all things to all cornbread lovers: forthright corniness via fresh corn kernels, a hint of heat courtesy of jalapeño shards, and just enough sweetness to make the palate yearn for more.: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/issues/2004-05-05/bestbars/bestrestaurants24.html A few enthusiastic posts about the Venezuelan corn pancakes - "These corn pancakes that are out of this world - very filling but impossible to stop eating." "a second hearty recommendation for those corn cakes - they are very good and I think they do a potato cake, also. these two items would be reason enough to go there." This old post has some more ideas http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/sanfrancisco11/messages/49958.html I've read a few positive mentions of the fish of the day - Pumpkin seed crusted, served with fried plantains, mango salsa & mashed potatoes. Those plantains are supposed to be good too. Like you, I've been passing by. I seem to be on some sort of Brazilian food thing lately and Cafe de La Paz has a few Brazilian dishes on the menu. They are haveing a special Easter brunch, so maybe I might go Brazilian after all for Easter. My church actually has special Brazilian Easter services. So anyway, I'd really really appreciate a report back if you go to make that decision. Here's an old SF Chronicle review ... again ... corn pancakes. The one thing that gets mentioned alot everywhere is the service can be sloooow. So I guess go in prepared for that. The upstairs is supposed to have a nice view of the Berkeley hills. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/05/10/EB244723.DTL Some interesting things I read is that they have/had a happy hour, Monday night caters to families with children and they are very vegan/vegetarian friendly. Really, this stretch of Shattuck has to be a vegetariean's dream with cafe Gratitue, Epicurious Garden, and Cafe de La Paz. Maybe this will jog some people's memories about meals there and we'll get more reports. Here's the link to the actual website so you can look over the current menu: http://www.cafedelapaz.net/ However, some of the menu with pictures is on this website. Link: http://www.themenupage.com/cafedelapaz.html Tue Apr 11 16:09:31 -0700 2006 222381 0 rworange 1 222495 We have enjoyed D la P for quite a while- and our last dinner there 2 weeks ago was one of the best ever- possibly due to a new chef or a menu update. Favorites are the Brazilian barbeque, sea cakes, and quesedilla. The salad is great- orange and lime juice dressing is so refreshing, and much appreciated on a nasty rainy night. Tue Apr 11 20:05:13 -0700 2006 222381 0 merrybee