Review on the Fly: Tamarindo's Crispy Shrimp Tacos

 Tamarindo has a shiny silver ceiling and a bright, open space leaves you feeling you are hanging out with the family. An air of femininity adds an extra bit of charm to the decor.

Drawn in by the crispy prawn taco on the menu, I got a seat in the sunlit dining room.  It may seem odd that at that exact moment one might be struck with the urge to have a taco, however, these aren't any ordinary tacos. 

Prawns, creamy avocado, chopped lettuce & sprinkling of cheese make for a more elegant eat. This is not a taco to be wolfed down in haste. Washed down with a pineapple aqua fresca on a less than beautiful day served to brighten it.

This would be a perfect spot to lunch or happy hour with friends and I look forward to doing so.

+ great food, lovely atmospshere
- service friendly but distant

Shrimp and Salmon Salad

Some nights we just need something light, cool and refreshing. When you get home early from work and need to eat something delicious, so I whipped up this fantastic salad.

Shrimp and Salmon Salad (serves 2)

Baby Greens (you can determine serving)
Sunflower Seeds
8 Cooked Shrimp
1 package smoked salmon (4 oz)
Cherry Tomatoes (only if in season where you are)
Lime Juice
Salt (Coarse, that way you don't use as much)
Hot Sauce to taste

Set up plates with baby greens, seeds and tomatoes. Heat Lime juice, salt and hot sauce in pan. Add shrimp and heat until cooked and season. Set aside to cool. Break up salmon evenly between the two plates. Once the shrimp is cooled, add to the plates, drizzle lime sauce over as a spicy dressing, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage and enjoy!

Brown Sugar Kitchen-Review

The best breakfasts are the ones you don't anticipate. The ones where you wake up to a phone call and a friend asking if you'd like to get up and go grub.

Wednesday I received such a call from my new friend Erin, who is charming at the best of times & makes a lovely dining companion.

Brown Sugar Kitchen, owned by the famed Tanya Holland, is set in the middle of nowhere in West Oakland, but don't worry, cause its not lonely.

The service is good, and the food is good too. I was though, very disappointed with my chicken. While the inside was moist, the outside was burnt, and the chicken itself was pretty bland. I was however, delighted with the lightest and crispiest cornmeal waffle I have ever had, accompanied by apple cider syrup, which was incredible.

Erin and I had Mimosas and then some Limosas (with Lemonade in place of the Orange Juice) then, she was nice enough to share he shrimp & grits with me. I have never had grits and actually enjoyed them. The BSK crew has succeeded where others have failed. Shrimp, grits, some greens & a spicy gravy make for the most delicious combo you could imagine!

The whole exerience was friendly and entertaining, so its worth a trip therem, and worth a trip there again just for the grits! Its unlikely that I will ever order the friend chicken in the future, as it was such a disappointment. On the other hand, one disappointment among so many yummy eats, I can handle.

Brown Sugar Kitchen
3 1/2 out of 5 cupcakes


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