www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Let me also put in a plug for Breakfasts at the Colonial - however, instead of the American Breakfast I can recommend the Desayuno Tico (Tico Breakfast) which includes a couple of eggs, ham, and a really excellent rice and beans combo and either toast or tortillas - 1200 colones or less than $3.

While I like the ambience and eating in the courtyard of the Gran Hotel I have to say that breakfast at the Colonial is the best tasting and best deal that I have experienced in San Jose. I have generally found the service at the Colonial to range from OK to excellent.

I agree with the reviews.
Good breakfast choices but slow service and they forget the silverware and butter and so on.
Service upstairs is very slow and inefficient. I had to get up and start to walk out to get my bill paid one time.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

During my trip two weeks ago, I walked in during the early afternoon and tried to order the american breakfast. The waiter told me they were not serving breakfast. bummer.

Then the next morning, I walked in to feast on the american style breakfast but nobody would seat me and there were no patrons, so I walked out and went to Mcdonalds which was depressing to say the least.

I think next time I will just belly up to bar and demand breakfast and eat at the bar.

My last trip, I went to the Colonial twice. The first time was for a late lunch. I didn't know any better, so I was seated in the downstairs area. I ordered some kind of steak. It was fair at best and quite expensive. The steak looked more like a pork chop than a steak. Well, I ate, paid the check and figured that the people who rave about this place just have very different tastes in food than I do.
After discussing my dining experience with a couple other mongers, they said I should have just walked upstairs and ignore the downstairs. The next morning was a Sunday and about 10 am, I went upstairs for the American breakfast. I knew that the service would be slow, but on a Sunday morning I was not in any kind of hurry anyway. I had about 3 cups of good coffee, a very good breakfast and a couple of Bloody Marys while I waited for the bill. I sat in the nice cushy chairs and watched the NFL pre-game shows and generally had a very nice relaxing time. I don't remember what the bill came out to, but with everything I had, I thought it was fair enough. I think I will make it a point to have breakfast there every time I am in San Jose on a Sunday.

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Tunaman