I chose Cafe Rocio on my first night in Antigua because my guidebook said this place was 'more than highly recommended', and I was after a good, hot meal after an overnight flight into Antigua from Northern California. It wasn't busy, which surprised me, and so I was seated alone at a small table near a courtyard where a caged canary sang: very tranquilo. At first, I was disappointed that I was at an Asian restaurant in Guatemala, but when my Thai noodles with tofu and veggies arrived (Q53 with a beverage), I immediately agreed with the recommendation and gobbled up as much as my stomach would allow. The noodles were served with zucchini, green onion, carrots and green beans in a barely spicy and very rich peanut sauce.

The best part, I think, was Carlos the waiter, who delivered excellent service and who actually sat with me to teach me about Antigua and to give me advice, along with a nice map of the town. Not only that, but Carlos waved to me every day as I passed by and remembered me by name. I plan to return there for a scrumptious meal when I go back to Antigua in March 2005, and maybe I'll even see Carlos again!

Update March 2005: On my latest trip in Guatemala, I went back to Cafe Rocio. Carlos was working and remembered me from two years ago! I ordered the delicious Thai noodles again. My father ordered a mouth-watering plate of Honey Ginger Chicken for Q48 that was served with rice and a Thai salad. The iced tea I ordered was a delightful sweetened canela (cinnamon) tea, and my father had a licuado (like a smoothie). For Q15, you can order a licuado with almost any fruit and choose whether you want it blended with milk, water, yogurt or orange juice. They're delicious! We finished with a fabulous Mora Crisp desert for Q15: hot blackberries over cold vanilla ice cream. A perfect finale! And even though we were eating there on busy Palm Sunday, we were given the same attention and good service that I experienced two years ago.