My friends & family know of my general distain for Massachusetts - the noise, the traffic, the grime, the drivers (!!!!) & their complete disregard for traffic laws... However on the way home from an event in Westfield yesterday, we made a stop in Northampton. We knew we were going to be heading home around lunch time, so rather than eating lunch on the road too (the husband & I had been up since 4:30 am, the kids since 5 am, & we all ate a homemade breakfast in the car) we decided to treat ourselves to a lunch out. With two kids & hectic schedules, this is not a common event.
I have to hand it to my husband - he is BRILLIANT when it comes to finding locally-owned, fun, little quirky places. Our daughter wanted Mexican so he took us to La Veracruzana (http://www.laveracruzana.com/) on Main Street. But back to the restaurant in a minute. Driving in to Northampton, first of all, I was in awe. So many beautiful stone buildings, brick buildings, wrought iron fences, sculptures, & I only spotted one chain store (CVS). Plenty of working cross walks with many, many walking people using them. Lots of bikes chained up on the side walks. All marks of a great down town. :)
Finding a parking spot on Main Street on a Sunday around lunch time was not difficult, although I can see it being an issue. There were parking spots lining both side of the street & on side streets, although the only lots we saw were permit only.
Back to the restaurant, La Veracruzana was a sweet little places to get lunch. The decor was colorful & fresh, bright paint colors, lively patterned tiles, boldly colored masks, & - my favorite piece - an oil painting of the virgin Mary hanging on a wall surrounded by blinking colored Christmas lights. :)
Most items are the menu are priced $5-10, very reasonable. I ordered the fish tacos. They were, by far, the best fish tacos I've ever had. The sauce was not too fancy, as I've had with fish tacos at other establishments. These were light, flavorful, & just the perfect portion of food for lunch. We ordered a basket of chips ($3) & tried several salsas from the salsa bar. The salsas were great, each one unique in it's flavor. We enjoyed them all except the beer salsa - we weren't a fan. It tasted like someone poured light beer into salsa & was watery & weak. My husband ordered a steak burrito, a meal he has ordered at other Mexican restaurants. He found his meal as I found mine - simple yet flavorful, with no over-bearing heavy, cheesy, runny sauces that hide the good, simple flavors of the ingredients. I only wish we lived closer to La Veracruzana so that we could try everything on the menu! http://www.laveracruzana.com/docs/menu2010.pdf The menu at the restaurant is written on several large chalkboards, so I can't be certain that this menu is exact, however this will give you an idea of items & prices.
(Right)
"First Church"
Northampton, MA
Lens: Tejas
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: none
Our son is 2 1/2 & he is, well, he is 2 1/2 & all that that brings. He's been known to sit through a meal but not on this day. When I was done with my meal I took him outside for a walk. Or, as he likes do do, spin, drag his feet, & jump. ;)
(Left)
"Roost"
Northampton, MA
Lens: Tejas
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: none
The weather was beautiful, perfectly comfortable sweatshirt weather if not a tad bit windy. Blue skies & sunshine. Odd for January but it did make for nice walking weather. :)
(Right)
"Shadow Play"
Northampton, MA
Lens: Tejas
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: none
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