Phil's Fish Market & Other Seaside Stories

We have been on the hunt for good, fresh fish.  Being from a country that has an abundance of a cheap and incredibly fresh supply, my husband has been craving it. 

Enjoying a plate of fish and some pineapple juice this past March.

When I say fresh, I mean one day we actually pulled our boat up right next to another boat in Brazil one day and bought the fish straight from their nets.  That's FRESH.

Fishing boats in Ubatuba, Brazil

But our quest has kind of been a bust.  Everywhere we go, we get directed to a "great place" and then we are left with a big bill and an unsatisfied tongue.  San Diego, Santa Barbara, it doesn't matter... it just has not been RIGHT.

The other day I woke up and something hit me: Phil's Fish Market!  How could I be looking everywhere when what I was looking for was right here, all along?!

It has been years since I last stepped foot in there, but I knew that was where we needed to go. 

Apparently, so did everybody else.  The ling was out the door and almost to the street.

Oh well.  When you are looking for good fish, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Waiting and waiting and waiting in line...

Finally we got our food... fish and chips for me, salmon marsala for him.

We both agreed -- the salmon was good.  The marsala was good.  But salmon and marsala together is not our favorite combination.  But finally!  A fish place that has GOOD fish. 

Thank you, Phil's, you redeemed our view of Californian fish joints!

And now, a couple of shots I got wandering around on the perimeter of the beach as my husband went surfing.  I call this a photo-scavenger-hunt.  What could I find other than the iconic pictures of the beach (you know -- the beach ball/sunscreen/toes in the sand)? 

(This beach, as you might be able to tell, is more of a local beach and not so much a touristy hot-spot.  Excellent for surfing and chilling, despite the morning fog.)

Burritos, Sunshine, and Victory!

If you haven't figured it out by now, let me give it to you straight: we love the beach.

It doesn't really matter if we are on a tropical beach in Brazil or a NorCal one with slightly lower temps.  Ethier way, that is where we are the happiest.  What it does dictate is the type of clothes you wear while you are in the water.

Or out of the water...


 (These girls are slightly overdressed compared to what we see on Brazilian beaches, huh?)

But if there is sunshine and sand along with the sound of crashing waves, we are there.

You know where else we might be?  Eating Mexican food. 

See that smile on his face?  A smile as he has a burrito in right hand and horchata in his left?!  A few years ago the corners of his mouth would have been pointed in the other direction, but today he holds that Mexican food in his hands and smiles about it.  In fact, he was the one who suggested Taqueria Vallarta II this time, although he says it was just because he knows I like it. 

Oh well, that really doesn't matter.  We were eating it and he was smiling.  You know what this means?  I do not need to live a Mexican-food-free marriage anymore. 

You know what that means?

Victory!

Foodbuzz 24x24: A Food Lover's Guide to Brazilian Beaches

Oi Amigos!

I am sitting here in an internet cafe' in Rio de Janeiro, writing to you on a keyboard with funny letters.  It is taking me quite some time to get this typed out, but the food I have to share with you is too good to be missed.  I am so happy Foodbuzz liked my idea of doing a progressive food party on the beach here in Brazil!

See that handsome man?  The sad news for you is that he is taken.  But the good news is that he is going to take us on a tour of his favorite foods to eat on the beach!  One of the many advantages of being married to a Brazilian man (and a hot one, I think)...

First stop:  Quejinho

This salty grilled cheese stick is my favorite.  Brazilians have a different kind of cheese they often use... one that doesn't melt easily, almost like a hunk of feta or something.  Put a stick through it, grill it, and enjoy.

Second stop: Agua de Coco

Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting on the beach in Copacabana.  You get thirsty so you reach out to get something refreshing to drink.  What is in your hand?  If you said a fresh coconut, you are right!

You have probably already read all about my love of coconut water and its many health attributes, but let me say it again: this stuff is wonderful.  The taste may take a little getting used to, but once you do, well... you will be hooked.  And nature can't be wrong, right?

Third stop: Churros (pronounced like shoe-hose)

I know that you know churros.  But do you know Brazilian Churros?

This nice man was not only kind enough to pose for me, but he gave us a discount.  I guess he knew we love his product.

Here is the thing that makes these churros so darn good: they are prepared right then, batter -- deep-fry -- roll in cinnamon, and then they are filled with yumminess.  In my case that yumminess is chocolate.  But you can get doce de leite or coconut, too.  All three are great.  Which would be why we had to go back for more...

Fourth Stop: Açai na Tigela

 
You saw this one earlier this week.  No wait, you saw the healthy version of this earlier this week.  But I found something slightly different on the beach... açai with something akin to cocoa pebbles and with sugar and powdered milk and all kinds of sweet stuff.

I am not going to lie.  It was pretty amazing.  Clearly my husband thought so, too :)

Fifth and Final Stop: Peixe Frita com Suco de Abacaxi

Doesn't that look good?!  It is, trust me.  Fresh from the ocean (as our table was right there in the sand, the waves crashing at our feet), battered and fried.  Squeeze some lime on top and you are in fish heaven.  The only thing that could make it better is a nice cold glass of pineapple juice...

Put them together, add the soundtrack that comes along with beach life, and you have the perfect meal.

And that, my friends, is what Brazilian beaches are really all about.  Some may say it is a place to see beautiful women or hunk-a-hunky men (which can be true, but not always); others might think it is about the sand and the surf.  But I am here to tell you that the food is where it is at.  Don't believe?  Go try it yourself.  Brazil is waiting for you!