Tag Archives: tortilla

California Pizza Kitchen, South Shore Plaza, Braintree

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After a productive evening of shopping and gift hunting, it was time for a break. It has been some time since we last dined at CPK, but fondly remember enjoying California Pizza Kitchen’s honey wheat pizza crusts. The menu has since evolved including more salad variations and global tapas or individual serving plates.

We started with a glass of mango limeade ($3.00), which was tangy, sweet and very refreshing. We definitely indulged in the complimentary refills.

Upon our request, we noshed on some fluffy bread and packaged butter.

My friend seemed to really enjoy the Korean BBQ steak tacos with marinated steak, crunchy napa cabbage and romaine. The onions, scallions, cilantro, spicy chili sauce and sesame seeds provided an additional layer of flavor to the corn tortilla tacos ($5.50).

She also tried the Mediterranean plate which was a individual portion of creamy Tuscan white bean hummus, feta topped with extra virgin olive oil and a Greek salad, served with traditional pizza-pita bread ($4.75). Half way through the hummus and salad, we ran out of pita and upon our request our server brought out more pita.

One of our favorites of the evening was CPK’s classic mac and cheese fried with panko and served on creamy cheese sauce ($4.00).

According to our server, the Original chopped salad is very popular and was served with salami, turkey breast, basil, tomatoes and mozzarella topped with scallions and served with mustard-parmesan vinaigrette for $9.75.

The other favorite salad at the restaurant, the Original BBQ chicken chopped salad with sweet corn, black beans, jicama, cilantro, basil, tortilla strips and monterey jack tossed in homemade herb ranch dressing. The tender bbq chicken was topped with chopped tomatoes scallions and the generous half size portion was $10.

Our other favorite of the evening as white corn guacamole and chips. The guacamole was really special and was filled with creamy avocado, sweet white corn, black beans, jicama, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro and serrano peppers ($4.00). We would have been happy ordering another portion.

Throughout the evening we had extra wait time to ask for refills and ask questions of our server. CPK seemed understaffed because there were several times in which the kitchen staff, dressed in their whites brought out our plates versus our own server.

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the new menu and if we were shopping at the SSP Braintree again, we would stop by.

California Pizza Kitchen on Urbanspoon

Quekas de la Diez, Playa del Carmen

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Open 24 hours, Quekas de la Diez is located at 10th Avenue between Calle 8 and Calle 10. The restaurant is an authentic hole-in-the wall serving fresh hand-made tortillas and mouth-watering quesadillas.

Quekas serves smoothies, tacos, but specializes in quesadillas filled with Oaxaca cheese. What made Quekas even more meaningful to me is the store name the nickname ofa friend from Ecuador.

Store front, menu board and quesadilla fillings

The metal tortilla maker, the grill and the cactus (nopale) being cooked

The chorizo, potato and cheese quesadilla had a nice spicy and salty flavor from the sausage.

The tender pork quesadilla had great flavor and it was clear that the was marinated for quite some time.The nopale y queso (cactus and cheese) open-faced quesadilla was my favorite. The freshly grilled nopale was tender and the cheese made the aloe vera like green taste amazing.

La Habichuela – Centro, Cancun

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La Habichuela (bean) is a Mayan themed restaurant in Cancun center. The restaurant’s outdoor garden area had plant life, wrought iron seating, Mayan sculptures and live jazz.

Initially, there was a recording of jazz standards and for some time I thought my ear was tricking me as if there was a saxophone playing. After a few measure, the musician unveiled himself. My favorite jazz standard rendition was his version of Misty.

Softened butter and bread and pan de aqua

Smooth and flavorful Black bean soup with a side of tortilla chips

The ceviche, classic fisherman’s fresh mixed seafood cocktail, had bits of avocado, calamari, shrimp and fish. It was fresh and a very generous serving.

After our starters, our waiter kept  checking if we wanted any alcoholic beverages. Initially water was fine, however it was clear he was putting the pressure on to increase our total ticket. We caved in and ordered a glass of refreshing Superior beer and a mango smoothie.

This was the piece de resistance of the meal. I would go back to La Habicheula for this dish alone. The special of the day was Amarynth crusted fish with mango sauce and various fresh fruits. The sweetness of the fruit sauces was refreshing and the texture of the amarynth was unlike anything I have ever eaten. It was a truly special dish.I loved the fish so much, however I was already full from our starters. Our waiter was again persistent asking if we wanted to order a dessert or Mayan coffee. La Habichuela claims created since their opening in 1977, made with Xtabentun Brandy, ice cream and ground cinnamon.

The restaurant serves many desserts flambe and if I was not full, I would have ordered the Crêpes Suchard, stuffed crêpes with bananas and Grand Marnier and chocolate sauce.