WALKING MY WAYS

WALKING MY WAYS. Sometimes, I should call WALKING MY WAYS…DRIVING MY WAYS. Which happened recently. With a wonderful drive. To Santa Cruz. When two of us drove, parallel to perfectly cultivated fields, each row more precious and precise than the next. And then down Water and Front Streets in Santa Cruz. To its lovely Museum of Art, where a good friend was showing her engrossing and detailed mural. Which took six weeks to paint. And right across the street, there was parking, and the largest TRADER JOE’S, I have ever seen.

But even driving wasn’t bad. Even though it was the commuter rush. But that afternoon, it seemed OK. And, on the way back, it was dinner time. And so we stopped at Phil’s. Formerly, Moss Landing’s ESTABLISHED restaurant and fish market, but now Castroville’s. Where Phil had decided to move, as his lease had expired. But finding his new location, wasn’t easy. Except for the aid of some of Castroville’s citizens, who helped.

Castroville is going through some major remodeling, with cyclone fence throughout its main street. And every restaurant, bar and store almost hidden from view. With dust, tacos trucks and construction debris all over. Including Phil’s.

Surely, there are all kinds of institutions. But when it comes to fish restaurants, none is more genuine and recognizable than Phil’s. With over 100 items on its menu, its own pond of crabs, and its devoted customers, it stands out. And when you examine its menu, you will know why. As you will find everything from calamari, mussels and crab to its superb cioppino. Served in a multitude of different ways. And so, after eating at Phil’s, with the memory of his restaurant, agricultural fields and Santa Cruz behind me, and the thought of a good night’s sleep ahead of me, I finally made it home. With just enough time, to begin looking for a new tenant for my Carmel studio, which recently became vacant. But as of today, is still not rented. Sadly. Finis.