Commercial space for rent is getting more expensive in Casco Viejo and we figured it fair to give a shout out to our favorite friends who run great small businesses that don't get the attention they deserve, so that perhaps you'll go there and spend your money.

Café Per Due: Nook-like Italian café on Avenida A as you pull into town: great for beers and coffee, fresh salads and pizzas, neat patio out back, and open all hours of the day.

Super Gourmet: Finally, the neighborhood's first gourmet grocery store, and alas we don't have to buy dirtied cans at the chinito any more: Avenida A now has soups, sandwiches, salads, and an array of imported goods that  you'd find in your local gourmet shop at home.

La Casona: Artsy bar/club/lounge off Plaza Herrera serving reasonably priced drinks, in a unreasonably unique environment: the hollowed out shell of a Casco gem, live music often, and neat art gallery as the entrance.

Buzios: Brazilian outdoor café next to French Embassy: emits great vibes, serves great ceviche, and makes spectacular drinks like the Maracuya Mojito.

Platea: Long-run jazz bar which secretly fills up in the evenings across from old Club Union: old calicante exposed brick, exciting live music, and all the waiters have cool hats.

Rene Café: Similar business model to the renowned Manolo Caracol on famed Plaza Catedral: prefixe menu, elegant-and-rustic dining environment, friendly servers, and a few outdoor tables (the only ones available on the entire plaza).

Hometown Cooking: This one isn't really called Hometown Cooking, but it's a local woman named Sra. Echiva (I probably butchered the spelling of that one) who cooks every day for lunch for the government workers. It's a terrific down home meal on Calle 4 and costs around $2.