Silicon Valley Culinary Adventures - Cascal's in Mountain View, CA

My journey continues of Happy Hours, Lunches, and Dinners in Silicon Valley. Last week's visit was a fave restaurant, Cascal's, in Mountain View, CA for Happy Hour. (By the way, you may follow more culinary adventures our Silicon Valley Secrets on Pinterest ~ it is free. See the right side of this page.)

Did you know Cascal's Restaurant was nominated as "Best Ethnic Restaurant" by the Silicon Valley Concierge Association for their Annual Hospitality Event, celebrating 15 year anniversary of the association this year.

The SVCA Hospitality Awards 2010 Event will be held  at the Golf Club at Boulder Ridge.  

"Mojito Madness & Sangrias"

Delicious!  Appetizers were tasty as well!  I recommend the tapas at Cascals for Lunch/Dinner.  And best of all, parking is free and easy to find in downtown Mountain View.

Thank you with stopping by ~ and please comment about your fave place!  And stop by for more suggestions soon.  

Follow me online or on at trip! ~ The Fun Tour Guru

Why Ask a Tour Professional?

Sometimes you have to return to favorite regions to verify if there are any changes. Local tour professionals are wonderful resources who may know about changes or they may even visit for you.

One place I recommend along the coast, and you will find this is in many guidebooks, is to stop at Gayle's Bakery in Capitola-by-the-sea (5-10 minutes south of Santa Cruz).  

I stop to get a small snack-to-go of delicious items from desserts to breads (a fave is the Garlic Cheese Stick). You may also pick from yummy entrees, salads, and sandwiches. On weekends, it is crowded, they work quickly to assist everyone.  I enjoy browsing their daily specials and desserts if there is a wait. There is a sunny patio available to eat or you may take the food with you for munchies while you are relaxing next to the beach, watching the surfers, or on picnic during hikes.  I always take some home with me to enjoy later (or back to my hotel).  It is definitely a great stop and still really delicious food. Remember to explore Capitola too.

I always stop and buy saltwater taffy on the Santa Cruz Wharf next to Santa Cruz Boardwalk.  The restaurants have delicious fried artichokes which are great with a cold mug of beer. 

If you have minimum time, one "show" I recommend is to park your car along West Cliff Drive by the Lighthouse - Surf Museum and watch the surfers.  There are usually surfers everyday and sometimes you catch some great views.

It is free to watch these experts.

Lighthouse Surf Museum & surfers


I had fun getting acquainted with couple traveling from the east coast who were in town (San Francisco) for their daughter's sporting activity and exploring Northern California. I love to hear the stories of their days trips and experiences! And, I shared tips and stories with them which validated their own great experience on their journey. More new friends!




We sometimes take for granted the fabulous surroundings around us, while we get so focused on our daily activities. 

 

 
Take time out & explore! You never know who you will meet or what you will see! ~ The Funtourguru, Follow me online or on a trip 

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Ed. Note: Pictures belong to the FunTourGuru

Aqui Cali-Mex, Silicon Valley Lunch Restaurants

Sometimes you go out for adventure and don't always get the expected results.  Yet the adventure is successful. Why is this?

I went to a casual lunch yesterday with an group of Work from Home Consultants (of assorted professions) to a great restaurant in Campbell.  It is not a new restaurant, as the restaurant story started in 1994 (as stated on their website).
 And, the restaurant has different locations in Willow Glen, Blossom Valley and with Cupertino opening this month (March 2010).  When I browsed their menu online, many of their creations are unique, organic, and cater to diets like the 'gluten-free'. 

The restaurant is very accessible in downtown Campbell, with good amount of seating, and with the Saddle Bar (with Margaritas and Sangria) connected to it. Check their website for the awesome personal story behind opening the Saddle Bar.  It is a self-service restaurant where you order your own choice. They do have the daily special entrees available to pick from.  A variety of different salsas and sauces to choose is near where you pick up your entree. The special entrees are more expensive, there are affordable smaller choices - depending on your tastes.  

A couple of us ordered the Monday special,  Spinach & Artichokes Enchilada with Polenta, and neither of us had the particular taste for it. We agreed that it must have been the spice used in it.  We do (very much) want to return and try the many other menu items.  The burrito and tacos were very tasty.  The environment was casual and active - although you could linger at your table after lunch if you wanted too.  

Additionally, this was a successful lunch adventure, and fun to try new taste items.   During the warmer weather, there is seating at outside tables.  And, the Aqui Cali-Mex is open on weekends - I look forward to try some of their weekend menu tastes.  

Try it!  Aqui Cali-Mex, Downtown Campbell, on the main street, 201 E. Campbell Ave, (408) 374-2784  A great bistro - for something a little different.

Look for adventures by turning the corner, 
The Funtourguru


Have you been here?

New on my Expanding Horizons

 

Baseball season is soon arriving - Ask me about ~

Spring Training Hotel Packages,  FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale

and this favorite stop on Private Tours in San Francisco

"It is never too late --  in fiction or in life -- to revise."  Nancy Thayer, novelist

Yes, I have been absent recently. Is it a writer’s block? Or am I active? Sometimes I don’t realize how active I have become with new discoveries everyday (And keep up with my established connections).  It is important as a writer to get away from your favorite place, meet new people, and find new ways. Does this sound like familiar words by now?  I have to schedule time to do this myself. It is great to share with people – and it does increase your own creativity and business ideas.

I went to a workshop sponsored by the Santa Clara County (yep, research for writing) this past week where one of the presenters, Marcia Stein, of Stein Consulting mentioned after hearing questions from attendees, "I am always looking for a job."  I wonder, will the connecting with people really continue after the recession?

I don't announce new year resolutions to anyone - I just quietly find new opportunities to include in my established paths.

New with my own expanding horizons 2010 ...

I found a Silicon Valley Consultants Working from Home Meet Up group which is a new way to connect. Everyone is busy, whether they are employees and work for large companies or building their own business adding clients – it is fun to step away for one hour for a social coffee chat during the day.  There is no marketing/selling, no leads to maintain, no membership dues to pay, just old fashion way of getting acquainted with other business people.  There is always a different conversation every week that is started and new consultants to meet. 4-5 consultants show up every week - no agenda - it is non-stop conversation.

There is the Bootstrapper Breakfast for S/W Entrepreneurs – for business people.  Why would I be interested?  It is a transition from employee to a business person which is very different and I search for other like-minded people during this.  This has a meeting design that includes a structure around a table for people to engage with others business people.  There is not any direct selling/marketing. It is a serious place to bring challenges and discuss these with other professionals. It is interesting and helps me to keep my business focus.  

I am reading a new book this year, Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan.  It was (a different) Nancy, my Shopping Spree Tour Guide in Scottsdale, AZ which first told me about this book.  Yep, right after I went to see Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright).  When another new friend mentioned this same book to me (the week between Christmas and New Year’s), it seemed to me I had better see what it is about.  (Please share comments about it)

Oh, add to this list a very different an interesting 6 week online class that I found to add a new dimension. 

And, I met another Tour Professional from the New York region for lunch during their visit to Silicon Valley. It is great to meet these new friends - whether you are on the trip or they visit you. We share a common bond of "Tour Pros" from the Travel Industry. 

Hey, if you are in Silicon Valley, come join in with these activities.  If you in another region, let's join up with you. Tell your new horizons either here or on Facebook.

It is a fun journey to be able to revise your life and find new discoveries along the way.  No matter what your profession is – how you work -  where you live – remember to increase your awareness – people do change with you. 

Find solutions the easy way ~ The FunTourGuru

 

Remember America Online 

History in Silicon Valley, not that long ago

A Travel Blog or Writing Blog ... Which came First?

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us." ~ John Steinbeck

I want to forward a huge thank you to my followers on Suite101.com this past year - all 28,000 of you. One does not realize the impact when writing and publishing weekly articles. It is amazing to see the accumulative statistics.  

There are many discussions of online writing vs print media - for myself - what a fantastic opportunity to be able to share!  

Remember, I am either traveling or writing about travel.  
Follow me online or on a trip!  ~ Have Fun! The FunTourGuru