A new find in Newmarket.

Allie and the boys are camping on Piha Beach. She has pictures up on facebook to prove it. Meanwhile...back at the ranch...Jeanne and I are unsupervised. So what do we do?  We hop a train and go try a new cafe for lunch. Well, it's new to us anyway.  We spotted it on our last trip to Newmarket, but then had just eaten lunch at No. 1 Chicken. I'm pleased to say, after having lunch at Tasca today, that it surpassed our expectations. 

Tasca is a beautiful place. It's located half way down the shady side of a block of other restaurants and shops. Maybe it was just shady because of the big tree in front of it. At any rate, It looks comfortable and it is.  Let me show you...

Jeanne and I love the memories of our trips to Madrid, so we are suckers when it comes to any place that claims to be 'Spanish.'  We've tried several...

...and we've usually been disappointed when it turns out that the claim of 'Spanish Cuisine' is spanish in name only.  

 This place feels authentic. And we met the owner, a woman from Uruguay.

I had a Spanish omelet and Jeanne had a tapas tray for lunch. Both could have been served to us in Madrid.  I'm kicking myself that I forgot to take pictures of the food. I guess we just wanted to dig in...

Yeah, anyone can hang a bull on the wall and a poster. But look at these tiles too. Nicely done.

Looking toward the counter/bar. Sorry about the quality of this one. 

I don't know quite what it is, it's more than just the decor. This place has a feeling of friendliness to it. We were instantly comfortable here.  

 Whether you come in with a group for a meal, or you just want to sit around on a sofa with a glass of vino tinto in your hand, this place can accommodate you. 

I love the cushion-covered bench against the wall.  

 And here's another one. What fun it would be to sit around this table with a bunch of friends. 

And just in case you can't possibly find a table inside, here's a cozy little spot under that big shady tree just outside that will work.  

Dianne, we may have to make two trips into Newmarket while you're here to show you all the cool places. We'll definitely have lunch at Tasca...

...about half an hour after leaving Tasca, a shop owner told us about a tiny French cafe that was located off the main street (Khyber Pass Road). Although we didn't want to eat anything, I had to find it. What a gem it turned out to be. A cafe yes, but a deli and wine cellar too. We would so like to take you there too Dianne.  Dozens of cheeses, pates, olive tapenades, even snails. All kinds of French goodies. And the wine cellar is unique, it's upstairs here. Lots to browse through.

Uh, make that three trips into Newmarket. btw, we have your rail card all loaded for travel. 

I couldn't help notice the shop across the street, Stolen Girlfriends Club. Odd name I thought. They sell clothes apparently. I looked them up on-line and found that they sell t-shirts for $99.00 and a men's leather biker jacket...for $1,099.00. Yipes.   -djf