Saturday Bar Crawl

[freeeye]

Last Saturday, a friend and I went on an all day bar crawl on the beach. I won't mention his name.

We started at Canto del mar and spent about 2 hours there. Lots of drinks. They probably have the best food actually on the beach (but it is 10 or 20 pesos more than you will pay at other beach restaurants). This is the only place where I've seen my friend call back the waiter and tell him that his drink (vodka y cranberry) was too strong. I thought he was crazy, but he's kind of normal in a strange kind of way.

Then we went over to Sea Monkey as kind of joke because Troy, the owner, hates me now. My buddy wanted to see what the problem was between me and the owner. I have often said that $1 cervezas are great but that the food there was kind of bad. I'll have to revise that opinion in this review. I ordered the shrimp cocktail because I always order these, kind of as a test at new restaurants. It's an easy, cheap dish for them to go big on or cheap on. The shrimp cocktail here surprised the hell out of me. I've never seen anyone sell for 80 pesos a glass of tomato sauce with 3 small size shrimp cut lengthwise in half (so they look like 6). I was amazed that any place would stoop so low. I have a lot to learn, obviously. We almost got kicked out of the place because my buddy was constantly yelling, to old and young alike, "Show me your tits." Not as bad as when I went there with Bruce of Teatro Limon, but close.

Next we went to Langostino's, owned by a good friend, so I won't say too much that is bad.... My buddy tried to get rid of the local free crooner who was at the mike, singing old rock with an old voice, but to no avail. The drinks were good but the music was too much for my buddy. We left after 2 drinks (happy hour is 2x1).

One of the scores of the crawl was Karen's Crazy Beaches. I know I've had problems with her posting that it was a Canadian only bar, but we sneaked in. Or, I sneaked in since my buddy was Canadian. Anyhow, Karen has one of the friendliest bars on the beach. Not really on the beach but within spitting distance. I love her place. If you need comfort food and friendship, this is THE place to go.

We walked down the beach and talked to the underwater welders on the pier. Nice guys. They said their job would be finished in about a month and then the finishing work on the pier would take probably another 2 months. We just walked into the fenced off area and started talking to them. They spoke English.

As we walked up Olas Altas, the street was dead. Lots of regulars at Apaches but nowhere else. We walked around to Nacho daddy and ran into Carol of chocolate fame and had more than a few drinks with her. She is fun to drink with. Went next door to her and Charlotte's new ice cream place to see how Charlotte was doing and checked out the scene. She sure is organized. I can see why she fired me from working on the farmers market website. I have the opposite work ethic.

At this point, I lost my buddy and I assumed that he dumped me for a couple of dykes (not true in reality in case his wife is reading this) so I walked home after a 10 hour bar crawl. I may be too old for this.

[GeckoS]

The Cuban band pulled us into Canto Del Mar one Sunday. We had already had a huge meal, so we didn't eat, but the food looked great.

[mizzoujack]

Karen's Crazy Beaches is a hidden little "gem" of a place that I, too, have gotten hooked on. She's one of the nicest people you'll meet and one of the hardest working. Does all the cooking herself, and it's reasonable and good. I'm glad she's makin' it in a tough restaurant/bar market. Live music often at night as well.

[Cathy]

Karen not only has the friendliest place but she has the biggest heart and easy to call friend...She makes one helluva good Bloody Ceasar to boot. Never found a bar I was more relaxed and comfortable in. Miss her and the gang!