Cascal is a lively tapas and Latin American restaurant that has anchored the northern end of Castro Street for years. The food draws from Spain and Latin America — patatas bravas, empanadas, grilled seafood, good sangria — and the kitchen executes it well without pretension. The outdoor patio fills up quickly on warm evenings, and the atmosphere is reliably convivial.
It's the kind of place that works for most occasions: a quick dinner before a show at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, a group meal with friends, or a long evening over wine and small plates. Prices are moderate, the staff know the menu well, and the noise level suggests people are having a good time. Reservations recommended for weekend evenings.