I is for...La Isla (La is "the" in Spanish so it doesn't count) ;)

Dressed in my brightest orange shirt with wooden bracelets I was ready to see what this Puerto Rican restaurant was all about. Before even driving to La Isla I was told "such great food" and "hot bartender" by a few co-workers. I was happy to find out both comments were spot on!
Lindsay text me before finding me in this two room restaurant "this place is abdorbs" and I agree! The ambiance is relaxed, a place you meet friends for a drink and dinner, or a place you could take a first date for a fun atmosphere yet nice enough that you don't seem like a cheap date!

We decided to share a few plates again as last time we did this and it was the best way to get a full smattering of what the place has to offer. The plates ordered were as follows:

• Wine (yes this is a food group to Lindsay and myself)
• Great recommendations from the bartender - recommend the Malbec
• Appetizer: Camarones - 7 jumbo butterfly prawns sautéed in olive oil, white wine, and butter served with your choice of three sauces - we choose Isla de Fuego
• No joke about this being their spicy sauce. Light, fresh, but hot, hot, hot! Be sure to have your water full and/or wine to continue to eat this.
• Entrees: Pernil Special - pork shoulder, marinated for days and slow-roasted until it falls apart. complimented with our homemade mojito flamboyan (a roasted red pepper, garlic and rice vinegar sauce) MUY DELICIOSO!!!
• Fabulous! Full plate of food with rice and mini fried smashed plantains.
• Ropa Veija - shredded skirt steak, julienned peppers and onions, red wine, and adobo. oh, it means "old clothes"
• Again - fabulous! If I had to choose though I would go with the pork, obviously a speciality.

Ratings:

• Food: 4 - Great food and would bring friends here again!
• Service: 3
• Atmosphere: 4
• Price: 3 - Around $50 a piece (includes drinks)
• Recommended: 4
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican Cuisine

Be sure to check out La Isla for dinner or for their rum club the last Tuesday of the month. Until "J" cheers!

H is for...Hunger (that certainly makes sense for this blog)

Christen and I had a great time at Hunger. I really enjoyed walking into a tiny but stylish restaurant that reminded me of something in a busy city, not the quiet neighborhood of north Fremont.

The first thing that caught my attention was the bar (surprise, right?). The bartender was dressed like a pro, and as you know from my post in "F is for...", a bartender who crafts a delicious cocktail and takes their job seriously is something that stands out to me when I go out to dinner.

We started with the Miho Frito appetizer, which was delicious.

Then Christen and I shared the Beef Tagine and the Muruno Pork - which were both so savory.

Ratings:

• Food: 5 - Great food and drink, and I think the value was very good.
• Service: 4 - Nothing very out of the ordinary, except that our waitress was a spitting image of Taylor Swift.
• Atmosphere: 5 - I loved the dark, warm feel of the place. It was pretty small (so reservations are recommended), but it was cozy and comfortable - and super stylish.
• Price: $40 for each of us.
• Recommended: Yes! I will be back here soon.
  
• Cuisine: American

Cheers! Until next time...