The Quakes end the day with another 3 points and are moving right up the western division standings. Darren Huckerby could have easily scored a hat trick tonight, but only came up with one goal as the Quakes held on for a 2-1 victory. Next Sat. - Houston comes to town!
Shea - Seventeen Magazine?
Well, we shared section 108 row 11 with a group of young gals that were ga ga for Shea Salinas. I guess it is good that he has some fans in the seats - since he hasn't played much since the arrival of Huckerby, Alvarez, Lima, and Sealy. Keep your chin up Shea - the chicks dig you!
It's ok - my wife is not here today so drum away!
The female person that did not appreciate our drumming was not in attendance today so her husband said, "don't worry, my wife isn't here tonight". We were able to lower our systems to defcom 1 for the night. Whew.
Celebratory Meal at the Chalatecho!
H and I celebrated the Quakes victory by heading over to the Chalatecho (across from Santa Clara University on the Alameda). We each ordered a mojarras fritas plate (deep-fried whole tilapia). I never had it before and can tell you right now it definitely won't be my last!
Here is an article about the place from the Santa Clara University student newspaper:
Delicious meals from bright yellow Chalateco Don't be scared by the exterior -- it's what's inside that counts
By
Tasia EndoIssue date: 5/25/06
Yellow is to Chalateco what its food is to fresh, tasty and fun. Chalateco is more than that bright yellow eyesore on The Alameda; it is a Mexican restaurant that offers a delectable alternative to Henry's Fresh Mexican Grill. "It is like that in restaurants in Mexico City," said Erica Solis, a waitress at Chalateco, referring to the brightly colored décor. "For catching the attention, (the colors are) really flashy for that."The walls are striped yellow, orange and brown. The ceiling is covered with neon pink lighting that competes with hanging mounted television screens, all of which are playing Spanish-language pop music videos. Although the crazed yellow paint extends into the interior décor of the establishment, the casual yet quality Mexican food is most apparent. All meals at Chalateco begin with a complimentary bowl of corn tortilla chips and salsa. Simple enough, but it is a service that sets an agreeable tone for the rest of the meal. The menu might be overwhelming at first, since it is written entirely in Spanish.For those not fluent in Spanish, recommendations can be found through the tasty looking photos, such as the cheese and loroco pupusa and the chorizo sope. The pupusa is thick tortilla bread stuffed with cheese and loroco, a leafy green that looks like spinach but is really from pumpkins. Though it is small and insufficient for a meal in itself, the pupusa is a great appetizer before the main entrée, the chorizo sope. The sope is a thick tortilla with meat, lettuce, sour cream and cheese piled on top. It is also possible to add a side of guacamole to the meal, which, at Chalateco, tastes extraordinarily fresh. The only disappointment at this restaurant may be the limited variety of desserts. For those who have an insatiable sweet tooth or don't like bananas, Chalateco is not the best after-dinner option. The only desserts offered are fried bananas drizzled with a sugary cream sauce or banana empanadas, which are fried pastries also covered with the same sweet sauce. However, both are atypical choices, just like the restaurant's salient setting, and do offer a satisfying end to the dining adventure. According to Solis, since the hookah lounge is a nearby neighbor, many younger people also stop at the restaurant for late-night tacos, burritos and Mexico City-style sandwiches: the giant tortas. By August, there will also be a full bar and outdoor deck dining available upstairs. In time for the coming school year, Chalateco will be another spot for Santa Clarans to get Mexican beer and mixed drinks.With the bar and added seating to come, the potentially increased crowd could harm the restaurant's current appeal of being the less-known Mexican alternative within walking distance of Santa Clara."I like how (Chalateco) wasn't as crowded as Henry's is," said Anna Grudsky, a sophomore. "And the service was good. There was music, and it was spacious, too. It's comfortable." Should you choose to visit Chalateco for yourself, don't rush the experience. Savor the food, the colors and the catchy music, and bring your wallet with real money because they unfortunately don't accept Flex. Financial hassle aside, it's worth the visit. This restaurant takes you out of the Santa Clara experience and puts you into one of the pop music videos playing on the TVs -- yet you are truly less than a block away. Contact Tasia Endo at (408) 551-1918 or tendo@scu.edu
Just before I left the office today, I received a telephone call from a Quakes fan relations specialist. I really can't capture the entire conversation here. I appreciated the professionalism of this staff person, but I think this is the only response I will be getting from the Quakes (I sent my letter to the President and the Owner of the club - but have not heard a peep from them.)
