www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Cafe Barcelona is nice place for a very romantic birthday for your Chica.

There's a new (5 months) steakhouse near the hospital across the tracks from the Amistad. It's called El Churrasco. Steaks are American styled, service and atmosphere are great. Good place to take a date or go with your crew. They even have a private room for parties and more privacy. I actually enjoyed it more than La Esquina or Mundo which I have both enjoyed over the last few years. Just my personal opinion. Best directions I can give is if you are facing the hospital walk to its left side and take the street on that side and walk in the direction away from the Amistad for a block or 2 (there's a church there somewhere) and then take a left and it's a block over on the corner. There's a pizza place diagonally across from it. I have the phone number but am not sure if rules allow me to post it. Meals are in the $20-$25 range for a great steak. Good selection of beers and wines too. It's run by a couple of Tico brothers who are great guys and speak English.

I have some additional info on the place. My directions are off somewhat so don't try to find them based on them. You can also see their reviews at Trip Advisor.
Parrillada El Churrasco
San Jose , Barrio Escalante | De la iglesia Santa teresita 400 este , 100 norte, San Jose 000-0000,
Costa Rica
+(506)2524-2759
There's also a nice place that opened around May of this year even with the Sportsmens and on the same street as the Castillo. It is a Garden Restaurant and affiliated with the Hotel Balcon.

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Have you ever been to Electric Ladyland?

Maybe I caught Don Carlos on a bad night, I ate my very first meal ever in CR there and to this day it stands as the worst food I have ever eaten there.

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Not banned yet...

Don't know if it is still open and I'm a little late on my post but no one mentioned Le Monestare in Escazu.

Very nice ambiance, outdoor available, good French cuisine, nice wine list and good service. Pricey but worth while. Good selection of different types of fair, lobster through sea food and veggie dishes. Lobster bisque is excellent so is the onion soup.

Again it is pricey but if you appreciate fine food, wine and dining experience it is worth while. Expect to pay around 100 to 200 bucks depending on wine selected and drinks before hand.

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Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

It is 50% off with Credomatic Amex. Still pricey at 50% off but great food. Couldn't imagine paying full price!