Photo from Pica Pica.
Visitors to the Oxbow Public Market in Napa may have tried the tasty arepas and other Venezuelan street food bites at ~PICA PICA MAIZE KITCHEN~. In early April, Pica Pica is launching a second restaurant in the former Mi Lindo Yucatan Space on Valencia here in the city. Owner-executive chef Adriana Lopez Vermut is collaborating with her father on the menu of arepas ($7.99); cachapas (imagine a corn pancake quesadilla; $8.99), and maize’wiches ($7.99), grilled corn breads stuffed or layered with meat, cheese, and vegetable fillings. There will also be empanadas, yucca fries, and sweet plantains (all $3.99), plus soups ($3.99 small, $5.75 large) and salads ($3.75). Quench your thirst with their coconut lemonade, and more “adult beverages” will be available when their beer and wine license kicks in. The 30-seat space is currently being renovated, and will feature a predominantly glass storefront facing both streets, plus orange tiles, and wood benches of dark-stained elm. Hours will be 10am-10pm daily. 401 Valencia St. at 15th St.
