www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm bringing a group of guys down in March that have high expectations and cash to match.

I'll be their tour guide for the trip and have sold them on a trip based on the best of CR. I've got a great itinerary planned for them, but the restaurants change monthly... Bakea for example. It was one of my favorites and now I read it's gone!

Anyway.. I'm looking for the best food in SJ in the following categories:

French
Italian
Mexican (think texmex)
local
Chinese
Indian
Continental
Seafood

Any others available would be appreciated. I'm looking for places where the food and drink are not just good, but outstanding. Must have great atmosphere for guys to enjoy an after dinner cigar and some good conversation. Chica friendly... sure why not.. I'm sure they will not be dining alone.

The restaurant guides are crap... I trust you guys much more than the books. Your 2 cents worth is greatly appreciated.

Post or PM.. doesn't matter.

joecmp

Cafe Mundo, one block from SL has great pizza, pasta and a nice front porch ambience.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

Il Ritorno,(Italian) in my mind is the single best restaurant in CR. review with directions is listed here.

For an upscale continental reataurant,I recommend the Grand d Oro restaurant in the Hotel of the same name in Paseo Colon.

The best Chinese is probably The Villa Rey in Escazu. I also like Wong's which is inexpensive and very good.It's located downtown near the Mas/manos on central.

Le Chandalier in Los Yoses, just south of San Pedro mall is reported to be excellent but a little spendy. It is an upscale Swiss restaurant with great ambiance. I have not personally eaten there but enjoyed a cocktail and every report I have heard has been great.

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"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

A good place to start is by reading the reviews of the CRT Gourmet

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/se ... RT+Gourmet

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Greengo why the heck you had to tell them about that one , let them go to Tin Jo or what have you

You do know your comida chino well amigo.

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- must not waste chalk.

Very good grub!

As far as Cafe Mundo- I found it a bit overrated myself.Food was ok, but not a lot better that that, IMHO.

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

Cafe mundo is mostly atmospheres,but there are very few 4/5 star coices in CR. A good meal with nice ambiance is good enough.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

[quote="Joecmp"]I'm bringing a group of guys down in March that have high expectations and cash to match.
I'm looking for places where the food and drink are not just good, but outstanding.

joecmp[/quote]

Respectfully, have you considered New York City or London? I think CR is awesome but (and I could be mistaken) the thought of finding outstanding Indian or French restaurants in the gulch seems as likely as Mucho Gusto drinking a cosmo standing in line opening night for "Sex and the City."
Good luck, partner.

Yep.. I'm here for the food! That may seem stupid, but consider this... man does not monger on bread and water alone!

Thanks for everyones input. The guys I bring down are looking for an adventure.. both in and out of the gulch. To them no adventure would be complete without a good meal, a great smoke, a smooth drink, and a soft squeeze. Price isn't their main concern although I do coach them that "Cien" is bullshit #1.

I do find great places to eat everytime I'm down... last trip it was Bakea... too sad it closed. Since restaurants close as fast as they open, I appreciate the opinion of those in town more often than I. The fun part for me is the 3 days I spend in advance of my guests showing up sampling your suggestions.

Again.. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. CRT is an awesome resource and you guys are the best.

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Counting down to retirement.. 1/16/25

italian di bartolo, chinese (and im really letting the secret out here) golden dragon, and and indian taj mahal

Capital Grill at the WHite House is a fine dining experience. And although not as good as its US namesake, still excellent. And for that fine experience you can charter their chopper to Jaco or anywhere else. Very fine Sunday brunch at Inter-Continental. Both are in Escazu.

There are some hotties at the Casino. Too pricey for me at $200 a pop but they're there.

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

Oh, 1 more, great Italian on Paseo Colon at a place named Il Piazzo. No, it is not a pizza joint. It remonds of the kind of place you'd see the Sopranos at. Every order is handmade and an extensive wine list.

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

Speak for yourself, LOL! I have to force myself to eat when I'm in San Jose. The first few trips to SJ my daily meal consisted of whatever happened to be on the mini-bar before I collapsed on my bed from exhaustion. If a chica completely cleaned out the mini-bar earlier that day I would be screwed until the next day when it was time to crash. But I hear ya - I've since trained myself to eat like a normal human and enjoy some of SJ's non-mongering delights (unless, of course, taking a chica with you to dinner constitutes a mongering activity).

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One-eyed and peg-legged is how I like 'em, ARRRRR!

Captain, are sure of the name. There is a very good Italian restaurant on Paseo Colon y Calle 40 that sounds like the one you describe. It is LA Piazzetta, they use to be a CRT sponsor, not cheap but very good.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine