As we walked to and from Chika’s Mexican Restaurant, we heard The Jinx Jones Trio performing to a large crowd. Jones who once played with Chuck Berry and other greats, is one of the top rock-ability guitarists on the music scene today. People were up and dancing outdoors en masse in front of the main stage and the American Bar (photos). For those not from around here, Santana Row is closed off to car traffic and is reminiscent of a European community.
Jason and I were on a mission to grab a drink and dinner at Chika, a restaurant that bills itself as a gourmet Mexican Rosticeria and doubles as a sports bar. Chika, in Spanish means close female friend. It was a windy and cool evening so we elected to eat indoors.
As we walked in, we saw a neon sign with the words Taco Love, teal tile flooring and a huge bar with well lit hanging basket lamps. Jason and I ordered a Chika-Rita, made up of Cazadores Blanca, Mama Pomegranate Liquor, Agave, Fresh Lime, and Fresh Orange Juice. For dinner Jason ordered Steak Fajitas with bell peppers and onions with cilantro rice, beans, warm corn tortillas and tomato salsa. I had a Chika Chicken Burrito. We’ll need to come back sometime for some of their more gourmet offerings.
There was unusual activity at Santana Row. About forty people were walking their dogs. It had to be a planned event and it caught everyone’s eye (Photo). After leaving the European setting and heading back to Cecile and my townhome, we also spotted about fifty bicyclists riding on Campbell Avenue (Photo). Again, it had to be a planned event, and seeing more than 10 biking enthusiasts riding together is also rare.
