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While shopping in the central market we noticed these unique looking "bowls". Wondering what they are we asked the young man looking after this "store". He told us that they were a scale, used to measure dry goods like beans and rice. He then proceeded to demonstrate how to use them.

Holding onto one of the strings you pour your product into the bowl. When the wooden lever sits perfectly horizontal you have reached the proper weight. Each string corresponds to a difference amount. The amounts are 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 lb. and 1/2 lb. Very simple and yet quite ingenious.  I doubt if they are or were used for selling product as it would be hard to be that exact but for home use they would be great.

On the recommendation of our friends at Shawarma Leon, we decided to try out a new restaurant in Leon called Porky's House. We had heard that it specializes in pork dishes and that they were very good.

Our choice was a smoked pork loin dish, and it was very flavourful - having a unique woody taste that reminded us in some ways of drinking fine red wine that has been aged in oak barrels. While waiting for our meal, we walked over to the counter to view a full pig cooking on top of the open wood embers. That was an experience worth visiting. The atmosphere and view from the corner with open doors was relaxing and the waiters very friendly and considerate.

An elderly man, introduced himself as the grandfather of the man that owns the restaurant. He went on to tell us how his daughter's son owns a farm that raises the pigs (cerdo) and each day that the restaurant is open, they bring in between 1 and 3 freshly slaughtered pigs to be cooked that day depending on demand. As orders come in, the cuts are taken from the cooked pig as needed.

Hopefully when we come back in the fall, we will be able to provide a complete article on this restaurant along with photos. Being there is such an interesting family background and process involving raising the pigs to preparing them for the restaurant clients - it would be really nice if we were able to also visit the farm as well, so that we can include that part of the interesting story.

From our first experience, we highly recommend Porky's House. You get there by heading 1 block west from San Juan Church in the city of Leon, Nicaragua. The restaurant is on the north east corner of the second block. Hours are Thursday to Sunday from 10AM.

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/porkys.leon
Twitter Page - https://twitter.com/Porkys_House

A taste of Italy in Nicaragua. We have been craving a nice pasta dish, and came across Pizza Roma today while walking the streets north of downtown.

At first we weren't too sure if it was a full service restaurant or not as the front entrance is small but don't pass by, take a look inside. The decor is very nice, soft music playing in the background. It is quite large with brightly coloured table clothes and chairs adding to the charm.

It has a full menu of pastas and pizzas along with various appetizers but to be honest I was focusing on pasta and really didn't look too much at the rest of the items that they offer. The waiter was extremely friendly and professional. Rob and I both decided to order a pasta dish and neither of us were disappointed.

One thing we both noticed was the attention to details. Once we ordered pasta, the appropriate spoons were added to our place setting along with freshly grated cheese complete with separate spoon. Drinks were served in ice cold glasses, napkins wrapped around them for cleanliness.  Rob had Florentina, fettuccine noodles tossed with mushrooms, onions, bacon, chicken, tomatoes and green peppers. I chose Shrimp with White Sauce. It was a perfect combination of shrimp, noodles and sauce.  Garlic bread on the side was the perfect final touch.