I had the most cheerful lunch in a brightly colored mosiaced setting yesterday. It had been a few years since my last visit to Picante in San Rafael, but the greeting was just as pleasant, the service prompt and friendly and it just felt happy to be there.

I couldn't resist starting with the aguas frescas of strawberry and pineapple. As delicious as it is refreshing!

I'm not a fan of to-go, so when a restaurant is ONLY to-go, it takes me a long time to get around to trying it. Any number of people said that I should try Lucinda's Mexican Food To Go, which is very close to my home, and so I made it a point when I needed a quick lunch last week to try it. It's very close to Strawberry Village in Mill Valley.

A favorite spot in Tiburon has been Guaymas, especially their deck, once the weather makes it not-too-hot and not-too-cold/windy. Last week there was such a day, and I was excited to get reacquainted with the deck.

Once you've placed your order, a fat stack of housemade corn tortillas arrive with three tasty sauces.

After tasting a couple, I settled in to enjoy the view.

Marine theme for Marin. I always enjoy stopping by Anchorage 5 Restaurant for the friendly service and cozy interior that has a marine theme that reminds me of home (Seattle). I've been wanting to try out their breakfast, and was given a nice opportunity a couple days ago.

The locals know it. I arrived after 7 p.m., and right after me came a steady stream of locals, including a couple policemen. Policemen often know the best values around. Puentez Taqueria is a good value. My meal was $10.36 + tip, and the food was in generous portion. And the high speed wireless internet is free, although I didn't bring my mac. This is a family run business, and I had an enjoyable conversation with the young man at the counter who told me he enjoys 'street basketball'. I'd never heard of it, and asked him what that meant. Apparently it's quite anarchistic in that there is no real organization. The players just show up - or not, there are no teams, and it seems as though it's as much about showing off great tricks and plays as actually playing. Sounds like a young man's fun!

Mexico and points south, as represented in Marin. On those Marin rainy days, there is nothing better than to spice it up with some colorful eating originating south-of-the-border. The restaurants listed here are either indisputably Mexican in origin, Caribbean, Cuban, Puerto Rican, or I've noticed a significant emphasis of on dishes from the region on the menu. Please feel free to suggest places I've missed.

Where I've been

Fairfax