www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Last sunday after my obligatory noontime visit to zb I decided to take an excursion from the gulch to Escazu for sunday brunch. I'm from vegas & always work on sundays so I wanted to indulge in an opulent american style buffet brunch. I took a cab from the amon plaza to the Intercontinental Hotel, approx. $8 rt, for their brunch which is served from 12noon-4pm for $28us. Arriving early on a semi-sunny day I explored the hotel & the grounds & soaked up some sun at their immense pool before the brunch. This is a posh hotel, rates are $200 & up per nite-the kind of place heads of state would stay if they were in san jose for the nite. The brunch was an incredible feast & a great way to while away a few hours on a lazy sunday afternoon away from the gulch. It began with a large variety of salads, fruits, a soup, breads etc. I started off with hearts of palm & artichoke hearts along with some tasty Chilean champage-all u can drink included, named Urabban or something like that which was the only beverage included with the meal. Water was $3 extra. After that it was on to the chilled seafood- 4 types of cerviche, & jumbo shrimp & langostinos on ice served with a tangy blend of horseradish & cocktail sauce. From there, on to the main meal. For you meat lovers there was carved prime rib, filet mignon with mushroom sauce, pork skewers & chicken in tomato broth. Fish-wise they offered salmon, sea bass, & others along with various side dishes of beans, rice,mushrooms, pasta, & potatoes. To top it all off I hit the dessert bar & tried 8 different desserts-various pastries in flavors of chocolate, key lime, banana, mango etc. Muy deliciosa! The staff did a fine job keeping the buffet fresh & keeping my champagne glass filled. The brunch is served in a split-level dining room with floor to ceiling windows looking out toward the gounds & the pool. Also, tables were located outside for veranda dining. If you go, get there no later than 3pm or so because the food is picked up by the staff a little before 4pm. A great place to go for a feast with the boys or a romantic brunch with the chica of your choosing. I noticed the multipaza mall across the street & went there after the brunch. A large american-style mall with many shops, movie theatres etc. I picked up a few grocery items at the automercado & then hopped in a cab for the ride back to the amon plaza. All in all a nice lazy sunday afternoon with a great, highly reccommended feast included.

bon appetit,

shemp