Do burritos trump stocks, 401Ks and CDs? This year they do. Rosamaria's Cafe owner Mike Nova has been eyeing investment advisor Tom McGowan's space ever since Nova's line of lunch goers started spilling onto the sidewalk. On one of the rare days late last year when McGowan actually sat in his big black chair, Nova stripped off his apron and walked over to talk. The suit-and-tied McGowan said no thanks to moving and added, "I'll be here after you're gone." That was that until yesterday.

Just like the mother of all booms that ended so fast, McGowan's boom may have ended too. Yesterday he gave formal notice he was vacating the space.

Is he leaving the Point? If he is, perhaps the allure of Tahoe skiing proved too strong. Perhaps his roots in the Point had withered. If he's pulling out altogether, the Point will miss this charismatic figure that beamed of money and confidence.

Nova's starting work immediately on Rosamaria's conditional-use permit. With that in, he'll start construction. Then in go tables, beer on tap and a couch. In the crystal ball, I also see live radio streaming from Oaxaca into good speakers. He thinks he can be in this summer.

By the way, don't miss Rosamaria's first anniversary party, starting this Monday at 11 a.m. and going until 3. Corner of Washington and Park Place, across from Hotel Mac. Food, a live band, fun and a brightly grinning Nova.