We have friends who now live down there and they buy all their food, beer and wine at either Wal-Mart or Mega – both are a 6 block walk from the condo. I know how that might sound, but down there both are great stores with the greatest fresh food. We buy watermelons and fresh breakfast pastries (that are unbelievable), bananas, cheese and Camarones and the best cakes you’ve ever had.

I do like to buy the best coffee around and although there are a couple of Starbucks on 5th Ave., I prefer to buy coffee at Shasta which is right by one of the Starbucks, about 3 blocks south on 5th Ave. They also had wonderful pastries and it’s fun to sit outside, have a latte and watch the traffic walk by.

We typically go to Mega or Walmart the second day (in the morning before it gets too hot), and buy fresh fruit, wine and snacks. We then have breakfast on our balcony. Before dinner we open up a bottle of wine and have drinks and snacks on the balcony.

If you like to cook, you will find a terrific selection of seafood at both Walmart and Mega (see map below)  . We love the Camarones – large shrimp that taste more like lobster than shrimp. You can get a pound for $6. We take them home and cook them with a little olive oil, garlic, chili pepper and oregano. You won’t believe how good it is.

Eveann came up with the Camarone recipe and Laura has learned to duplicate it.

There are several upscale wine shops in the area.  Our favorite is about 2 blocks north of Constituyentes on 1st Ave.  They also have a wine tasting dinner on Thursday evenings that’s really nice.  It’s about $60.