Pura Vida was an absolutely wonderful Latino restaurant that we went to a couple of weeks ago. "Pura Vida" is apaprently the most oft' used phrase in Costa Rica. Literally translated, it means "Life is Great" or "Living it Up". That's exactly what this little restaurant in the heart of Virginia Highlands embodies - the constant belting of Salsa numbers, the impromptu dancing and cha-chas and the loud chatter of guests amid the din and clang of glasses and silverware; just my kind of place.This is a tapas only place. SK had a special sugar-cane Mojito while I had a very potent sangria. We sampled an assortment that included the sizzling mushroom, the salmon which was the day's special, the garlic shrimp and the chicken empanadas. Everything except the shrimp was great. Somehow I always go wrong with shrimp - a tad bit too undone for me. For dessert we had a home-made coffee ice-cream. I would love to go back to Pura Vida, perhaps with a big bunch of friends. Until then, 'Live it Up!
