El C,
I have eaten at La Monasterio 4-5 times over the last couple of years. I do it mostly when I have business associates traveling CR with me, or when I entertain clients that are from the San Jose area.
The reason for this choice has been ambience/scenery and not food value/quality.
On one occasion my partner and I took suppliers from S. Korea up to La Monestario for dinner. One of the gentlemen (Koreans are known for eating seafood I wouldn't touch) turned quite pale about 3/4 the way through his lobster. He had to excuse himself to the bano for a while. After he returned, a complaint went to the manager. The manager's response was "Why did he eat 3/4 of the meal before turning white and complaining?". I guess it was a good question and I have to say the whole thing was humorous from where I was sitting (BTW, I think my suppliers enjoyed the after dinner smorgasborg at the Blue Marlin much better!).
My experiences in terms of $ versus food quality value at La Monasterio are mediocre at best. (I would mention that you can eat downstairs in the more casual bar area and still get the view).
So having said all of this, the ambience/view is the main attraction of La Monasterio for me. However, even though I haven't taken a chica up for dinner, my experience with the chicas I would be normally hanging with in San Jose (gulch gals), would be that it would be a waste of time/$.
I think El Chicote in San Jose is a great value and great quality and great presentation. However, when I took a date there, the chica didn't even know how to appreciate what was taking place.
My business partner tried to take a chica he was seeing as a somewhat regular out for a nice evening out on the town and all she wanted to eat was KFC. WTF!!!
So, El C- I think your rating is accurate. Ambience inside, view outside, and presentation of staff = A. Quality of food versus cost = C. Total rating from me = B (leaning on the B- side).
Addendum: My rating above is versus other restaurants in CR. If I were to rate La Monasterio to restaurants int he US that are catering to the same market, I would have to give it a "C" at best.
Then again, let's me not forget that an ***** epicurean experience is not a high priority on my personal list of reasons for taking the flight!!! BTW, I will be there by 12:45 thursday afternoon - already drooling.
