A Great Restaurant Find in Leucadia

I really enjoy finding new restaurants in the San Diego area, especially when I have a recommendation from a friend or colleague. I tried one last night that I think you would enjoy. Don't know why it took so long...I have been driving by for a year and a half along the Coast Highway but didn't stop in until I was told it was worth a visit. I'm sorry I didn't discover this before last night.

Le Papagayo (it may already be on your list if you know Leucadia/Encinitas) was a great find. This smallish, funky, local hangout on the Coast Highway, about 1 mile south of La Costa Avenue, offers a terrific mix of seafood, pasta, vegetarian and other dishes with influences from around the world (Cuban, Hawaiian, Thai, Mexican.) in 2 rooms decorated with large original paintings, and surfing videos on the 2 TV screens. The food was excellent (great prices, too) and the service friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The crab cake appetizer (they call them appeteasers) with the Ahi tuna was really flavorful and a meal in itself.

This restaurant, formerly Le Petit Calypso (same owners, same food) also offers music 6 nights a week (every night in the summer) including their well-known Cuban Thursdays, plus jazz, blues, rock and more. Tuesday night is Happy Hour all night (other nights it's 5:30 - 6:30) so you can really feast on their great food at amazing prices. They also offer breakfast and lunch, including weekend brunch, and you can dine outdoors when it's warmer.

I really like the atmosphere here - the music last night was excellent, the food as well, and it feels like a neat place to just hang, without any pretension. This could become my next favorite place out here. They have a full bar too, and a pretty good wine list with reasonable prices (J. Lohr chard was $25). And they take reservations (a good idea, especially on weekends as it gets crowded. Check it out!