Rice 2 revisited

Sometimes Asiatique is not properly open when you want it to be, thus forcing you to have lunch at Rice 2 across the street. It wasn't bad, just not as good as Asiatique. We hadn't eaten in this space - with its numerous incarnations - in a long time.

Cajé capp

Just around the corner from Paradise Pantry, although one P.P. customer had never heard of it.

P.P. grilled cheese

Please add the grilled cheese sandwich at Paradise Pantry to the list of "local likeable grilled cheese sandwiches", especially when it has caramelized onions. 

new gas valve

Gateau Breton

The mysterious treat that the waitress at Bell's gave us turned out to be "Gateau Breton". I don't remember exactly how I figured that out, since she didn't say what it was, except that I did some skillful googling. A look at their menu confirms that the French-themed restaurant serves Gateau Breton. 

Bell's

Another "fine dining" venue in Los Alamos that we had not been to is Bell's (note: "Bell" is the main street in town, and this used to be a bank). We had a light lunch consisting of salad and an artisanal egg salad sandwich. At the end, upon hearing that it was someone's birthday, the waitress presented us with a mysterious treat that we were not to try till we got home.

Los Alamos Gallery

The big gallery across the road from Plenty on Bell that used to have "T & T" written on it now bears the name "Los Alamos Gallery". It's still a great space and I was impressed by these paintings of field workers by an artist named Bobby Williams.

Los Alamos Depot

The picturesque scene seen across the road from Bob's Well Bread.

Bob's Well Bread

I believe this was the second time we've eaten at this very popular venue. The French toast and avocado toast made for a delicious breakfast. The coffees also worked.

Art Night

On Wednesday nights Bar Alamo has an "Art Night" wherein one is encouraged to produce art. They supply the materials and you supply the creativity. We may have been the only participants but the results were fun.

dusk in Los Alamos

A nice view of the Los Alamos Motel at dusk from across the street as we emerged from the restaurant known as Pico.

Pico, part 3

The grand finale involved dessert, coffee, tea and a special birthday presentation complete with candle and wish. One hopes that Mrs. had a nice birthday and that her wishes come true.

Pico, part 2

Our main entree at Pico was agnolotti (above), which was sort of like rectangular ravioli in a mushroom sauce. The little gem salad (below) had tangerine, fennel and pistachio dust. For an appetizer we tried the crispy cauliflower (bottom photo).

Pico

Across the street from the Alamo Motel, in a creatively remodeled historic building (evidently the old general store), was Pico - a "fine dining" restaurant we had never been to where we had made reservations for dinner. I loved this old photo on the wall and assumed it was the same building back in the day, except that the address doesn't match up and it looks more like a bar than a general store.

Bar Alamo

I don't usually drink rosé out of a can, but when I do it's at Bar Alamo, the funny little building in the courtyard of the Alamo Motel. The birthday girl had one of their sake cocktails. Sitting in the garden-like courtyard was very pleasant.

Queen & Clawfoot Tub room

A delightful room - fit for a queen!

Alamo Motel

We had passed by the Alamo Motel in Los Alamos many times, so it was appropriate that for the birthday of the Mrs. that we finally stay there. I must say that it worked out nicely for a mellow midweek night with no crowds and decent amenities. The experience surpassed my expectations - the property is pleasant and the location can't be beat.

Plenty on Bell for coffee

We have been to Plenty on Bell plenty of times and to me it never gets old. It was a great place to go for afternoon coffee and as a lagniappe they had the best peanut butter cookies we've had in a long time. Sitting outside under a red umbrella created the interesting effect below.

Pani Puri

Probably the most adventurous food out there is what they call "street food". This was definitely the case with Pani Puri. Imagine a line of shot glasses full of peculiar spices ("Tangy Water")  with which you fill crispy balls full of chopped vegetables and stick in your mouth with your fingers. It sounds interesting, it looks interesting, but for me the whole business crosses the line into weirdness, and the taste causes me to make funny faces. At Masala Spice in Santa Barbara.

 

Masala Spice revisited

Our second visit and always a culinary adventure!

Shoreline Park

As part of the birthday festivities we stopped at Santa Barbara's Shoreline Park, where both owls and cormorants were nesting in different trees.