La Penca Azul - 1440 Park Street Alameda CA 94501 (510) 769-9110

October 14, 2012 – Today, we had planned to go to Ark Chinese Restaurant, but they were unexpectedly closed. Since we were in the mood for Mexican food, we went to La Penca Azul or for our purposes (since we are supposed to go in alphabetical order) Azul, La Penca. We love the food at La Penca Azul, so we will probably be back when we get to the “Ls.”

Since our last post, we got an “unofficial” sponsor! Our friend Betsey Meyer of Dragonfly Environmental Advisors sent Greta and Vera some funding for our project. Thanks Betsey!! [If you ever need environmental advice, please contact Betsey meyer.betsey “at” gmail.com.]

We have been to La Penca Azul many times and have always enjoyed it! They have an extensive menu and a famous margarita bar.

Here’s what we had:

• Whole fried fish – Greta says, “I liked the fish! I particularly like to eat the eyeballs. It was a little dry, so I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.” Kevin (G&V's dad) says, “The fish was cooked really well. It was very moist and came with a nice garlic butter sauce. I should have asked for some lemons, because I only had some limes which were not very juicy.” Vera says, “Usually, I like the eyeball, but this one didn’t agree with me.”
• Cheese enchilada – Vera says, “I love it and I give it a billion out of five stars. I really liked the cheese and my dad had to cut it because it was really big.”
• Chicken mole enchilada – Jen (G&V's mom) says, “It was good. It was a little light on the mole, so we asked for some extra mole (which they gladly gave us). I would say that the mole tends more on the cinnamon-y side than on the chocolate-y side. And it was very good.” Greta says, “I think that the chicken mole tasted good, but it tasted a little bit too much like a gingerbread cookie.”
• Street tacos – Fred (G&V's uncle) and Linnea (G&V's cousin) had el pastor (marinated pork) and fish tacos, which they liked very much (and order all the time).
• Carne asada taco dinner – Ruth says, “This is the only thing I ever order because it is great!”
• Margaritas – Ruth and Jen had the top shelf margaritas (which are consistently good – 5+ out of 5). Fred says that the tequila is very smooth. Greta and Vera had the sugar cane stalks that come with them.

Takeout Container Report – In Alameda, we have a Styrofoam ban for takeout packaging at restaurants (yay!). Restaurants in Alameda typically provide recyclable plastic or compostable paper as a substitute.

http://www.cityofalamedaca.gov/Go-Green/Styrofoam-Ban

However, we recommend that you bring your own containers when dining out. Jen says, “I like to bring my own Tupperware-type container, especially to Mexican restaurants where they serve generous portions. That way I can order what I like, create no waste, and have a nice lunch the next day.” Here is a link to a true Zero Waste family. They may be a bit over-the-top, but we can all do our part.

http://www.zerowastehome.blogspot.com 

Compost Report—We knew that Jessica (Miss Alameda) has been working to get La Penca Azul on the compost program. They are always really busy and it is hard to track down the manager. We checked out the back alley before we came in and saw that they are doing a lot of recycling, but no composting yet. We gave them a Miss Alameda Says “Compost!” brochure and will check back in with Jessica about the status.

Next time you visit La Penca Azul have the wonderful margaritas and street tacos and ask them if they are composting.

Angel Fish Japanese Cuisine - 883 C-2 Island Drive (Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center) Alameda, CA 94502 (510) 749-0460

October 6, 2012 – We skipped last week because Greta and Vera were up in Yosemite. [Yosemite Village had recycling and composting, by the way.] Today we covered the “angels.” Greta and Vera went with their Girl Scout troop to Angel Island and saw the Blue Angels (because it was Fleet Week). Then we all ended up at Angel Fish on Bay Farm Island. It was an angelic day.

Angel Fish is in the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center. It is an upscale Japanese restaurant and it is very popular with a line of people out the door. We made a reservation for eight (but then only six of us showed up). They were happy to give the extra seats away. Some of us had been to Angel Fish before and really liked it. They have a good happy hour on weeknights (with appetizer specials). The restaurant is decorated with cool retro Japanese decor, including a beautiful embroidered kimono.

Here’s what we had:

• Cucumber Roll – Vera says “it was awesome and I give it a hundred and ten out of five stars.”
• Raiders Roll – This roll came with yellow fin tuna and black caviar on top and eel and avocado on the inside. Greta says, “I liked the black caviar and tuna (5 out of 5 stars)”
• Tuna Salad – We ordered the large salad and it came with lots of lettuce, tuna, roe and cheese.  
• Seared Tuna – Mmmmm…this was one of our favorite things. 12 pieces of tuna came on top of a salad. They were peppery on the outside and rare on the inside. Greta says, “I would give it 5 out of 5 stars because it is “flubbery” and it had fish eggs on top and a lime in the middle.”'

• Lobster Tempura – Greta says, “This was really yummy in my tummy (5 out of 5 stars).” It was light and delicious and not greasy.
• Baked Eggplant with Miso – Some of us were suspicious of this dish, because it looked like goo. However, it was delicious. Greta says, “It tasted like apple pie.” Vera says, “the eggplant came with five strawberry slices and Fred ate one and Greta ate two and I ate two because five was an odd number.”



After Trying Eggplant



Before Trying Eggplant

• Fried Calamari Legs – This dish did not get high marks on Yelp, but we liked it. Greta says, “It was hard to chew, but I liked the flavor (4 out of 5 stars).” Vera says, “They were really curly at the end of their feet and I liked the crunchy part.”
• Miso Soup and Rice – Greta says, “I loved the rice. I think it was good because it didn’t stick to my clothes. I liked the soup because they had noodles in it. I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars.”

• Saba Shioyaki – Uncle Fred ordered this. It is grilled mackerel marinated with sake, salt & ginger. Greta tried it and said it was “flobbery.”

Compost Report—Angel Fish is a tenant in the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center. We talked to Crystal Amos, the awesome commercial recycling coordinator at ACI and she told us that the shopping center does not currently have compost service. However, she thought it would be a good idea to approach all of the restaurants together, including La Penca Azul, La Val’s Pizza, Harbor View Chinese Restaurant, and Subway (!). Angel Fish was very busy when we visited, but we gave them a Miss Alameda Says “Compost!” brochure. We will keep you updated!