www.CostaRicaTicas.com

La Cava del Duende Restaurant and B&B

After writing about all the restaurants I visited this trip, I realized why I gained 5 lbs when I stepped on the scale yesterday.

I treated "Novia #1" to a meal at La Cava del Duende (Cave of the Dwarves) in San Isidro d' Coronado located about 40 minutes northeast of San Jose. One of the frequent flyers at the Castillo highly recommended this place, so I decided to check it out.

The details:

La Cava is a unique restaurant/Bed and Breakfast that offers a variety of beef, pork and chicken dishes including lomitos, steaks, parrilladas as well as pastas, pizza and tapas. A team of chefs work an open grille and brick oven to produce a menu that is varied and interesting. Imported wines, liquors, freshly-made refrescos and tico beer are available for the thirsty. La Cava caters mostly to upper class ticos (I was the only gringo present). The place was full when we arrived around 6:00 pm on a weekday evening. The restaurant/B&B is located about 6 km north of Coronado nestled in the mountains. The setting is rustic, but quaint...and the B&B makes it an excellent hideout for undisclosed lovers. There are three dining areas under wooden shelters that surround the large brick oven and open-flame grille. No doubt about it...this place exudes warmth and romance.

My first impression upon smelling the fragrance of fresh steak and ribs sizzling on the grille was that this would be an unforgettable meal. Although all the right methods and processes seemed to be in place, the final product was disappointing. My parrillida and Novia #1's rib-eye were tasty, but tough as shoe leather. (I almost had to perform the Heimlich maneuver when she started choking.) I don't know what when wrong over the grille, but this truly was an unforgettable meal in the most negative sense. Maybe Team La Cava had an off day. On the positive side, the staff was friendly and courteous. IMHO, the food did not live up to the 28,000 cuenta. La Cava is certainly a neat little place, but it may be a while before I get the nerve to try another meal here. Of course, YMMV.

Hours:

Monday- Terrace Bar only- 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday- 12:00 noon until 12:00 am
Friday and Saturday- 11:00 am until 2:00 am
Sunday- 11:00 am until 6:00 pm

Contact:

Telephone: 529-0662
FAX: 529-0725
E-mail: info@cavadelduende.com
Website: http://cavadelduende.com/home.html

Driving Directions:

Make a left at Iglesia de Coronado and head west then make a right at Hacia de Nubes and head north, take the left fork at Iglesia de San Rafael and continue north. La Cava del Duende is on the right side of the road (about 6 km from the Iglesia de Coronado).

Bus service to Coronado is available from San Jose. Once at the park in front of Iglesia de Coronado, you can take a taxi for the last 6 km. There is limited parking (about 10 spaces) in front of the restaurant.

Conclusions:

An interesting, charming little place with "so-so" cuisine. Give it a try...your luck may be better than mine. At least there are some nice vistas along the way.

Peace, out...

_________________
Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Sr. Diablo Azul

You are right, this is really an excellent place particularly if you enjoy eating lots of good meat. Once, we ordered a combination sampler plate and there was so much food we took the doggy bag home and had three more meals out of it.

Don't see many Gringos in that area but you will feel welcome if you make it out that far.

DC

Grilling is a method to sear in the juices and preserve the juicy and tender nature of an already tender cut of meat with high heat and short duration. If you start with mountain grown beef instead of feed-lot or pasture beef you won't get a good steak for the grill, if tender is your goal.

BBQ, v. "grilling" was invented to make range cattle edible. It works by slow cooking over low heat. I found the CR beef to be quite flavorful. I think it is more representative of what beef actually tastes like than the average US steak (which is bland but tender). Given about 14 hours at about 225-245 degrees and I think it might be pretty good stuff with a little rub and maybe a judicious mopping.

_________________
"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

Pacifica55 wrote:




I agree and she also smelled like caviar.

_________________
"You will never run out of good things because there is more than enough to go around. Life is meant to be abundant"
____________________________________________________________________