New comfort foods
Whenever I return to a place I know well, I always want to immediately eat some of my favorite foods at my favorite places. Not more than an hour back in Costa Rica, my friend suggested running out to get a typical Costa Rican casado, “casar” means to “marry.” Casado is often translated as “wives’ plate,” as it is best described as a mix of just about anything you can find in the fridge with a little rice and beans.
We walked a few blocks from our house to a tiny, three-tabled restaurant called La Fonda. It’s the kind of place that if you arrive after 1 p.m., the especial del día is gone. I guess that’s when you can really get the most authentic casado since you will pretty much be served leftovers.
La Fonda restaurant sits exposed to the street.
La Fonda’s owner is chatty (and quite handsome) which makes this place the perfect in-the-know spot.
The following day, I visited another one of my favorite spots, the Hoja al Aire. You could easily pass by it on the beer stained streets outside. (It is a small refuge at the edge of the bustling university area.) I love heading straight for the covered patio in the back. The walls are decorated with bromeliads and dried bunches of thistle. The six tables attract a hip crowd appreciative of great food. The best part is the menu which is scratched in black pen on two sheets of green and orange paper. I like that there are only a few choices and that the menu changes daily. I can be sure that everything is fresh and seasonal.
Hoja al Aire Restaurante, San Pedro, San JoséI’ve only been back for a few days, but it seems like weeks. Someone said that this is a sign of feeling at home. Food is one thing that connects us to a place. Favorites are something you miss when you’re away, and delight in while you’re home. Right now, I’m delighting.
