www.CostaRicaTicas.com

From a locals perspective, I would like to offer the following restaurants as my top picks in greater San Jose...not necessarily in order of preference:

(all these within 5 minutes of Gringo Gulch)
Lukas (continental) and Papa Pez (seafood) in El Pueblo
La Bohemian (peruvian) and Churrascos (steaks) in Barrio Escalante
Jurgens (expensive side) for fine dining near San Pedro Mall
La Solera in Los Yoses
Tin Jo's for asian fare (50 mtrs from IDEMs)
Cafe Mundo...great garden spot dining just up the street from New Fantasy

Further out:
Invernadero in Escazu (my best overall dining experience in CR)
Hotel Tara above Escazu (best view of the city...and great duck ala orange)
Ram Luna - Up the mountains south of the city...another great view and romantic destination
Piazettis...great Italian near Sabana Park

Cheap and fast:
Quiznos subs
Monkey Bar Buffet (across from Delrey, owned by Delrey, food of the Delrey for only 1000 colones ($2.50), not to mention served by all female staff)
Gordy's Grill kitty corner from the Morazan (oK, they changed name that I cant remember)...1000 colone executive lunch from 12-3PM

I'll add to this list over time...but this is a good weeks worth of dining experiences:)

My ATF without question is Le Monastere, www.monastere-restaurant.com

It is about a 25 min. cab ride from the gulch, and the view is perhaps the finest I have seen all over the world. It is a converted monastere, the waiters dress in trappest monk garb, the menu is continental, very good, with an excellent wine list.

The ladies love it, and once you go, you will return.

Great list, TMan and D-Man

Agree with D Man re La Monastere , even if a bit far .

Closer in , recommend 'El Chicote' in Sabana Norte, great food and service. Even took my Nr Una there for special St Valentine's Day treat, with romantic Spanish music and red roses gift to the lady.

Must not forget Princesa Marina Restaurants for great seafood at very reasonable prices. Best atmosphere in Moravia, but the one in Sabana nice and close.

La Palma , near New Fantasy, also great food and setting. Close to the Gulch!

Pura Vida,
Cygnus

Tman Great list... Though I´ve still never found Jergens.......
My personal favorite is still
Restaurant Churasco in barrio escalante about a 5 minute taxi from the gulch. Great steaks and argentinan fare at a reasonable price.. parties of 6 or more request the private room in the liabrary.. great place for a small group with your favorite Tica....

Also just got back from Jaco and we went to the beach in Hemadura I think that is how it is spelled anyway one of the finest restaruants in Costa Rica I have been to is right the Ocean a dont miss..
El Pelicano

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"Success isn't having $$ it is knowing how to Spend It"

Good additions guys...Monastere is of course a great option...just a bit more pricey than most of the others. La Palma would have made my list if their service was a little more on top of the game. I love the "cheers bar" feel of La Palma's bar though. For that neighborhood I still prefer the Cafe Mundo for food and value.

Churascos made my list thanks to the nice party we had with Gamblingman there. The library room for 6-8 persons is an excellent atmosphere for a nice private dinner party.

We'll keep searching the best of CR food and drinnk here:)

Guys;
agree on La Palma but never had a servie problem there.
One addition to TMAS quick eats would have to be any Rosti Pollo. Good food (if you like chicken).
In closing, did anyone mention La Princesa? Great seafood. 3 locations - one up north of Sabana Norte on the way to Roshamoor. (I know, spelling is off but you get the idea).
tuteman
PS: One more; The new shusi place accross from the Marazan.

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Machu Pichu has very good Peruvian seafood at good prices. As an added plus, it is directly across the street from Oasis for dessert!!!

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Tunaman

T Man,

There is a bigger and better 'Machu Pichu' Peruvian restaurant on the way to San Pedro, believe on Calle 32, Ave 1-3.. North of KFC. Always packed with locals who know great food at very affordable prices. Not a romantic setting, but a fun ambience , especially after enjoying a few Peruvian house drinks :'Pisco sours'

And Club D'pelufo is not far from there for some reallly tantalizing entertainment with one's after dinner drinks

Pura Vida,
Cygnus

Princessa Marina.. was ok and the portions and the quality was very good for the price.. I still feel like I was eating at Denny's... It had more of a family / Diner type envoirnment during dinner...

I agree G-man regarding Churasco's and La Palma was very good one trip back, but we had a large party and the service was a bit sub-standard...

Enjoyed Costa Del Sol for lunch... quick Italian with Pizza that wasn't bad.. Still like Mariscars. . the Chicken joint two doors down from the Prez.. and you can never go wrong at the News Cafe...

TMAN.. Still looking for Jergens...

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Living life on the beach in Brazil Life could be worse
Duardo

Cygnus,
That is the same one. That is the only one that I know about.

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Tunaman

Tunaman,

my mistake . I did give the wrong location on Calle 32 off Paseo Colon, near Sabana for the smaller Machu Pichu rest. The larger , better one is towards San Pedro around Calle 31, within walking distance of the Scotland Apts and Hotel La Amistad .

Cygnus

Balcon de Europa for great homemade pasta, a block from Del Rey

Pollo Campesino about 5 blocks from Presidente for bbq/smoked chicken cooked over CR hardwood!! cheap and wonderful

Le Bergerac for great, but pricey, french food. As good as any I've had in LA, SF, Boston or NY but only about 10-15% off US prices!!

Inka Grill is good, a chain but good and decent prices for peruvian food.

migrant

I am also a big fan of Pollo Campesino. It is 100m west of where Arte's used to be. How is that for CR style directions? For those of you that are newbies and don't know Arte's, I believe that is either Calle 5 or 7 just south of Avenida 2. The chicken is actually supposed to be roasted over coffee roots, which helps impart its special flavor. You can buy a whole chicken for less than what it would cost you to buy a Big Mac back home.

Would someone kindly review these restaurants for me.. one or all or
some? Thank you! And what's your favorite dish there too? Desserts
as well! Plus if any of these are good pick up spots.. or have
heavenly waitresses -- please detail!

Café Parisiénne
French and continental kitchen.
Beautiful, open restaurant in the Gran Hotel Costa Rica.
San Jose-Avenida2 / Calle1-C3.
Phone 221 4000

BALCÓN DE EUROPA
This nice Italian restaurant has been serving guests since 1909.
Homemade Italian Pasta (Ravioli, Lasagne, Tortellini)
San José-Avenida Central and Calle 9
Phone 221-4841

Tiquicia
Tasty Costa Rican meals with marvelous view of San José.
This restaurant is in San Rafael de Escazú.
Phonel 289 5839

El Fogoncito
Popular restaurant with exquisite Mexican kitchen. Try out the "Churrasco Brasileño". (An All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian BBQ)
Located diagonally across from the Plaza Mayor in Rohrmoser
Phone (290-0910 und 232-0393

Machu Picchu
Both exotic Peruvian cuisine along with good international fare is available at the Machu Picchu.

Samurai Sushi Restaurant
This Oriental restaurant serves fine Japanese meals in an exotic Far Eastern atmosphere.

JR Ribs
House of ribs and many other grilled specialties.

Tin Jo
In of a city with many Chinese, the Tin Jo takes a high place among the area’s ethnic restaurants. Besides offering a large selection of Szechuan and Cantonese classics, Japanese, Thai, Indian and Malaysian meals are prepared.
Tin Jo offers the most adventurous selection of asian meals in Costa Rica.
Tel. 221-7605) Calle 11 Av. 6 and 8

Le Bilboquet
It may be too soon to tell, but this could quickly become one of the premier restaurants in San José. Le Bilboquet serves up refined nouveau French cuisine with world fusion flourishes in a relaxed, yet lively, bistro environment.
Tel. 221-2302)

Bar-B-Q El Chicote
Come and enjoy what we believe are better meals prepared on our traditional grill. For over 57 years we serving quality and excelence.

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CostaKid

Just wanted to give my find to the group. Excellent Italian chow. Small, 10 to 12 table rest. Old style Moma & Popa run place. muy romantico. if going prime time (8 to 10pm) call for a resv.

Restaurante il Ponte Vecchio Telephone: (506) 283-0095 Fax: (506) 234-8203

Restaurante il Ponte Vecchio is renown as one of San José's best legitimate Italian restaurants. Located 75m east and 10m north of San Pedro's skating rink, "Salon de Patines Music".


Also, across the street is a Tapa bar, just like in Spain. Lots of small snack/appetizer dishes and drinks. just in case you can't get into Ponte Vecchio.

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Don't tell my Mom I'm a Pilot. She thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Brothel.