You may be familiar with El patio for the great line up of musicians that play there regularly or the equally Happy Hour food and drink specials. But do you ever think of El Patio for those special celebrations while on Isla? We did.

I was husbandless on Valentine’s Day because my Valentine through forty years of marriage was still working back home. In addition, my usual cohort in crime-Sister #3 aka Sister Sue was busy with another commitment. But undaunted, I invited my Sister-in-Law Lorraine and her husband Kelly to join me for a sweetheart dinner. At the last minute a friend and neighbour with no plans for the evening, also joined us.

Happy Hour had just ended and the place was hopping! We asked for a table away from the crowd and were wonderfully accommodated by a corner table at the rear of the second floor. New friends were made over pre-dinner drinks. Lorraine and I both imbibed in frozen mojitos. I had to curb my enthusiasm as I would have slurped it down in one long gulp.

We asked our server Oscar for some popular items on their full dinner menu and he successfully guided us to the Grilled Black Grouper and Grilled Octopus. We had fun choosing 2 sides from an extensive list and Lorraine was happy with the baked potatoes and fresh veggies that accompanied the grouper whereas I was equally delighted by my rice and Greek salad.

Both seafood selections are tricky to manage on the grill. Grouper is delicate and requires equally delicate attention. It came off the open flame at just the right time and was still moist and full of flavour. The garlic and butter moistened it even more and it was a luxurious choice.

Octopus too can be tricky because if cooked to much, it can result in what feels like chewing rubber erasers. This delicacy maintained a lovely char while still being tender and flavourful. I didn’t taste the garlic that I requested but that was for the best as the lovely briny seafood taste came shining through.

I have indulged in octopus all through the Mediterranean countries and it was never served with the body attached. So I was a little sheepish when two bulbous sacks were attached to the legs. I must confess: I talked my self into being full after I feasted on the legs. I left the bulbous remains staring at me from the plate. I think I am a pretty brave eater but maybe you might decide that I am squeamish.

During the course of the evening we enjoyed the strains of live music from afar. At one point Kelly stated: “I hear Javie singing!” Sure enough, our friend of many years made a cameo appearance for one song.

We finished our wonderful Valentine evening with a stroll along Hidalgo. In my humble opinion, Valentine’s Day is not just a celebration for sweethearts but for everyone that we are blessed to love in our lives.

Kath’s quote: “The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable“. –Henry Ward Beecher

Love never fails.

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