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Balcon Europa
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=17547		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Shadowman [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Balcon Europa
Well, since my last trip Chef Jean Pierre appears to have had heart problems and has given up the place. In his stead a new French chef has taken over and we subjected ourselves to his culinary whims.

the result was very good, and of the places I went to last week (Fogo's, JR's, Donde Carlos, Tin Jo were the others) this was easily the best meal that I had. I'm often surprised by how this restaurant can be so close to the DR and so often be overlooked. I've never had a bad meal there, and Diablito also said that the best meat he got all week was from there.

The meat there kicked the shit out of what I had at Donde Carlos 2 nights later, and was cheaper. And people rave about Donde Carlos. I just don't get it.
Author:  PacoLoco [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just down the hill from the NYB, do we still get a CRT discount there?
Author:  Irish Drifter [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Balcon Europa
Shadowman wrote:
I'm often surprised by how this restaurant can be so close to the DR and so often be overlooked.


The restaurant is supposedly the oldest restaurant in San Jose. I must have walked by it hundreds of times since 1992 but have to admit have not tried it. Will have to change that based on the info from Shadowman.

El Silencioso, maybe we should consider giving it a try after HH on July 5.
Author:  Latinoheat69 [ Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
I eat there every trip and I am always greeted like one of the family. Very polite staff. They have always honored the discount when I have presented my card. Just make sure you give them your card before ordering the meal.

I cannot recall ever having a bad meal in that restaurant, so it is worth a try if someone doesn't want to go too far from ground zero. :wink:
Author:  Shadowman [ Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:25 am ]
Post subject: 
LH, it was much the same for me going in there to visit before. I was terribly disappointed that Jean was forced to give up the restaurant, as I had always enjoyed jawing with him and his wife, but the food was still very good.
Author:  Bhynes007 [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Balcon Europa
Irish Drifter wrote:
Shadowman wrote:
I'm often surprised by how this restaurant can be so close to the DR and so often be overlooked.


The restaurant is supposedly the oldest restaurant in San Jose. I must have walked by it hundreds of times since 1992 but have to admit have not tried it. Will have to change that based on the info from Shadowman.

El Silencioso, maybe we should consider giving it a try after HH on July 5.



I second giving it a try! I do enjoy my food :) and this sounds like a good choice. BHynes007
Author:  PacoLoco [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Latinoheat69 wrote:
I cannot recall ever having a bad meal in that restaurant,
Hey you forgot to mention this place LH when you were bitching about never having a decent meal anyplace in CR. :lol: Still planning to bring your own food next trip?
Author:  Latinoheat69 [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
PacoLoco wrote:
Latinoheat69 wrote:
I cannot recall ever having a bad meal in that restaurant,
Hey you forgot to mention this place LH when you were bitching about never having a decent meal anyplace in CR. :lol: Still planning to bring your own food next trip?


As usual you have shit in your ears. :roll: I said a meal that I "crave" or I find "a must do" when in CR. This restaurant is decent if you are looking for something near ground zero and the staff is friendly.

And I still stand by my comment of never experiencing an "EXCELLENT" meal in CR.
Author:  Orange [ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Balcon Europa
Irish Drifter wrote:
El Silencioso, maybe we should consider giving it a try after HH on July 5.


Good idea. I'm down to try something different.
Author:  TimBones [ Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:35 am ]
Post subject: 
I think it was probably the first decent resturant I hit in SJ way back in 89 or so, if memory serves and usually stop to eat there anytime I am downtown. Truly an SJ institution that I highly recommend. :wink:
Author:  Gringobill [ Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Made the walk on my last trip, The food was excellent, service was also excellent, and prices are very good.
Author:  Herman [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:07 am ]
Post subject: 
Very nice place. Question -- say your bill is $ 12.00 or $ 30.00 for the whole table , Why is saving $1.20 - $ 3.00 that big of a deal ? Is a discount more important than a good meal. Not fussing just a question.
Author:  Zebra [ Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:53 am ]
Post subject: 
I've passed this place hundreds of times. It's beautiful inside.....almost seems a little "out of place" where it's located. One thing I've noticed is that I rarely see any customers inside eating. :?

Zebra
Author:  BigD6765 [ Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I ate there this past week. I thought it was quite good. There weren't many people there when I ate...but the food was good and service was too. I'd definitely go back again.
Author:  El Tranquilo [ Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
I may have to give this place a second try based on the comments here, but I ate there this afternoon and was really disappointed.

To begin with, my novia and I sat at a table where the board listing the five daily specials was not visible. The waiter informed us of only one of the specialties of the day (the most expensive by about $10). I also showed him my CRT card and told him I'd be paying in cash (10% discount). We were the only customers in the restaurant.

She ordered lomito con salsa de hongos and I ordered the Chateaubriand con salsa pimiento. The waiter brought us what was probably pretty good bread (yesterday-it was a little bit old today). He also got one of our drinks wrong.

The food arrived shortly thereafter. Both cuts of meat were tough as shoe leather. To be honest, you could probably buy the same tenderness at Supermercado Pali.

Being disappointed with our entrees, we passed on desert and asked for the bill. It came without any CRT discount. I asked to have it redone and it took two additional tries to get the correct 10% off. (Herman, you're right a good meal is more important than a discount, but I like to get both and didn't get either).

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon and perhaps that had something to do with the crappy service and food. But if that's the case, they should close up and take Sunday off. Based on the place's reputation, I may try it again. Or maybe not.
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