86807 Thu Jan 27 20:38:20 -0800 2005 6 3 California 0 479064 Heading west tomorrow afternoon, plan on stopping for dinner at Fiesta Tepa-Sahuayo in W'ville, and Sat. night at Oswald for a special BD dinner. My wife loves good fish tacos, I've searched the posts back over the past year with no luck. Is it futile? Also, is there a decent wine market that carries a good selection of central coast wines, 41st St. Liquor? Finally, has Cafe Brazil reopened? TIA to all the SC hounds. Thu Jan 27 20:38:20 -0800 2005 0 PolarBear 1 479065 Cafe Brazil has reopened. I don't go to 41st ave. liquors (I'm on the westside) but I would think Shoppers Corner would have a decent selection of local wines. There are no specific fish taco places that I know of but I would guess that your best bet would be El Palomar's taco bar downtown. I doubt they would have the fried version if that is what you are looking for but they do make their own tortillas and their food is decent. Please post back on your meals at Oswalds and Tepa. Nathan Thu Jan 27 23:41:55 -0800 2005 479064 0 Nathan P. 2 479066 Yes, did notice that Cafe Brazil is open for business. Heard it's good for breakfast, is that right? PB and Nathan: what's good there? Agree on Shopper's for wine. They have an extensive selection of wines, including many local vineyards like Bonny Doon, etc. Prices are reasonable. Nathan mentioned that Shopper's has a wine clerk that can be called upon to help direct your choice, if you'd like. Soif, a wine bar and restaurant in downtown, has a smaller but decent selection (not sure about local wines). Check them out at soif.com; good place to go for a glass of wine and small nosh. In terms of fish tacos, the only place that I've eaten a fish taco in town is Taqueria Vallarta, a favorite of the locals. Three locations in town (see link), but have heard from some that the original location (on Soquel Ave.) is the best. Downtown location may be more convenient and fun though. Fish tacos had deep-fried chunks of white fish encased in a soft corn tortilla w/ a few fresh, light condiments. Decent-tasting but no strong desire to return for them. Many other items like burritos, menudo, etc. I personally like tacos at Tacos Moreno (1053 Water St.), but they don't have fish and instead offer pork, beef, chicken, lengua. They also have another location near the Boardwalk. Posted a report a while ago if you can find it; Eric Eto mentioned that the burritos and quesadillas are great too. Enjoy your visit and bring your umbrella! Hope Tepa and Oswald treat you well. Look forward to your follow up. Link: http://taqueria-vallarta.9601068566010.worldpages-ads.com/ Fri Jan 28 01:34:35 -0800 2005 479065 0 Carb Lover 3 479067 Noticed that neither of us provided an address for Shopper's Corner, although I'm sure you're resourceful enough to look it up. Below is the website w/ their info. Also have some great cheeses (I rec the Humboldt Fog), picholine olives, oils, and vinegars. Taqueria Vallarta is just a few paces to the west of the store so you could plan accordingly. Link: http://www.shopperscorner.com/ Fri Jan 28 01:41:20 -0800 2005 479066 0 Carb Lover 3 479077 Thanks for the Shopper's Corner link CL, I know they get mentioned often on this board but had no idea about their location. I thought I had posted about Cafe Brazil and Omei about a year ago but couldn't find anything searching back, it may have been in response to someone. Sorry, can't recall what we had at Brazil, seems that we went once for breakfast and a second time for lunch. Just remember there being some unique dishes and everything quite tasty. I'll be sure and provide some details if we get by there this time. Fri Jan 28 12:59:43 -0800 2005 479066 0 PolarBear 3 479083 I'm not much of a breakfast person so put that with a general avoidance of UCSC hangouts and I have never been to Cafe Brazil. On the Vallarta front, I have not noticed any differences between the 41st, Soquel, and downtown locations but downtown is always crowded with people battling for empty tables and parking at Soquel is significantly easier than downtown! Also, interesting sounding wine tasting at Soif this weekend for those with an interest in Italy. Copied from the Soif newsletter: Beccy has a great and intriguing lineup of wines for this coming Saturday, a journey of sorts, to discover the outsider wine varieties that are to be found in Italy. This is an opportunity to sample: 1.) wines that are a deal - the fruity, Beaujolais-like Lacrima di Moro d'Alba - $10.80 with the tasting discount. 2.) wines that are unusual - like Sagrantino, found only in Umbria with about 250 acres planted in total (and the Cesanese, too). and 3.) wines that are wild - like the Aglianico del Vulture, a variety that has been described as dark and feral, like wolves, but in a good way.. 1/29/05 Obscure Italian Reds: 2003 Marotti Campi, "Rubico" Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, Marches -$13.50 2001 Donna di Rango, Primitivo/Sangiovese, Puglia -$16.00 2001 Pervini, Primitivo di Manduria -$12.25 1998 Galli & Brocatelli, Sagrantino di Montefalco, Umbria -$19.25 2001 Massimi Berucci, Cesanese del Piglio, Piglio -$48.00 2002 Cantina del Notaio, Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata -$24.00 Sounds like a good way to spend $6 to me. Nathan Fri Jan 28 16:24:46 -0800 2005 479066 0 Nathan P. 2 479079 Thanks Nathan, actually Lady PB prefers grilled fish tacos so El Palomar might be just the place. Will definitely report back. Fri Jan 28 13:04:15 -0800 2005 479065 0 PolarBear