Freaky Friday, Internos, and Sol Food (yes, Sol)

The last supper before the first day of school had to be easy and really soothing because we had been out and about all day, and two of us (me and my son) had such a bad case of Back to School Blues Aretha herself couldn't describe it. We would probably have defaulted to ordering from Bombay Indian had we not just been treated to it at Freaky Friday over at our friends' house. Now that was a crazy fun night - the kids politely watching Star Trek episodes in the Living Room whilst we "grownups" tried to best one another's song choice downstairs for hours. Whenever the opportunity to carry on like we are 23 arises we seize it with both hands, and that night there was no shaking us off the pursuit of happiness. Bombay was great (it was clearly the good chef's shift) and ordering in gave our hosts more time to fuss over us, which we liked especially well.

But then no one wanted Indian the Night Before School. Luckily, we were up in San Rafael with a friend who had a plan for the last supper and she decided to help us all out. Who knew the best Puerto Rican food in the area is just an exit away from the Ann Curtis School of Swimming? Did I mention that my friend is from Puerto Rico so you know it's a legit "the best". She pulled the menu up on her iphone and guided us through it, called in our orders to Sol Food, and even picked it up on the way home. The kids and I were the luckiest of all because having ridden up with her, we got to see the place and enjoy our Tostones Con Mojo hot on the ride home. All I can say is that I have never had plantains like this before - mashed with garlic and fried into a to a firm patty that is salted and tossed in more garlic. SO good. I had ordered 2 complete dinners and it was enough for 4 that night, and 4 lunches the next day - with one side of pink beans to spare. Everything comes with this vinegar based hot sauce that might be better than mine and I really like mine a lot. We all agree we'd go back and try eating at the other restaurant (they have 2, we went to the one for takeout that only has a couple seats).

The Mr. and I had planned last Saturday as date night, but after reliving our youth on Friday at you-know-who-you-are's house, we decided to make it low key. We wanted to go out close to home, watch the Giants game somewhere, and have a cozy time of it all. Boy did we ever have a cozy time, not so low key after all though. We ended up watching the game at The Bitter End which is the same Irish Pub to which we accompanied the Vegetarian, still in her gown, and the Firefighter, still in his tux, immediately following their wedding reception five years ago. It wasn't very busy so we got great seats at the bar. It was a lovely time - the Mr. generously providing background information on the players and explaining details in such a way to make it actually fun to watch baseball on TV - our only mistake was ordering nachos. If there is a prize for creating a dish almost entirely composed of canned vegetation this one wins the blue ribbon. "Washing them down" an absolute necessity which might explain it. Yuck, but we did eat them, and the bar tender was warm and welcoming, and if you're on your way home from your wedding and you wouldn't mind a clutch of Irish girls buying you "sex on the beach" or "purple woo-hoo" shots this is the place

Internos Wine cafe is owned and operated by a couple that until Saturday we only knew half of, and since it is near us on Geary at Parker, we went over there after the game. Internos means "between us" and it is such a beautiful bar I can hardly believe that the lovebirds built it all themselves. I mean built it, the tables and the bar with hammer and nails, they built all of it. Rustic elegance would describe it best. They have lots of reasonably priced and interesting wines by the glass, a simple, well done menu ( we loved the brussel sprouts and the hummus), but the best thing about the place is the people who hang out there - what a nice crowd! The neighborhood (Jordan Park - ish) didn't really have any bars without billiards, bikers or bums before Internos, and they are obviously so happy to have a nice place to meet! We are thrilled (but not at all surprised) that our young friend has created such a comfortable and happy place for others, it is in her nature. Now we know that her boyfriend/partner is also a truly charming host, and between them they've created a place that attracts really friendly, kind, interesting people. Congratulations lovebirds!