New love in a lovely month

A few weekends ago, Ryan and I decided to eat dinner at "Pike Pizza," a tiny Bolivian dive with loud, pipe-heavy music and what looks like old Subway restaurant seating. You, of course, do not order pizza there. You order large, meaty dishes like the one my husband got: a thin, plate-size piece of deep-fried beef with a sunny side up egg on top. He said it was what people fed him in Paraguay, so he was happy. I thought it tasted alright. I ordered saltenas (my friend told me to get them) and was disappointed when told they were all out for the night. I got an empanada that was spicy and delicious but I left the restaurant wanting more.I love a good hole-in-the-wall. I hate being left out of a good secret. So yesterday, as I was approaching George Mason Dr. on Columbia Pike, I felt my fingers tighten around the steering wheel and I knew that I had to stop to try the saltenas. I walked into the Pan American Bakery - a pastry shop adjoining the restaurant - and got three saltenas and one empanada.

I dug in.
Every bite of the saltenas felt new and intense and delicious. The crust was crisp and sweet. The filling, which included chicken, potatoes, raisins and peas - among other things - was moist and hot and amazing.

I am in love.