www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The Atomic Cafe just opened up Wednesday and Sluthog and I were one of the first to eat there. It is owned by some very nice K*ds and has a very youthful atmosphere which is a cross between 50's/counter culture/swing. When you walk in your eyes are drawn to these very interesting murals on the wall. One in particular depicts 5 icons of rock & roll. 2 of the portraits on the right are hard ones to guess. Ask them to see the other murals in the diner and they will give you a little tour. If you are very observant you'll even find a painting with Marlin Brando and some other Hollywood legends. We asked the about the murals and one of the owners friends painted everything.

The Cafe is very clean and the K*ds that run it are very friendly. I was shocked when we went there the first time. They asked if we wanted smoking or nonsmoking seating.

The food is very good as well. Sluthog was craving beans and rice for breakfast and since the chef at the Sportsmen’s lodge has a phobia to cooking beans and rice, Bill the SL owner sent us up the street. When we got close to the Amsted Hotel we found the Atomic Cafe.

They have a fairly good variety on their menu and for those of you who are vegetarian mongers they also have tofu as an option for all of the menu items.

My first visit I ordered the Atomic lunch with a grill/broil chicken, very tasty. It came with beans and rice,grean beans, salad and fresh fruit juice. This days juice choices was berry or papaya. The lunch also comes with a dessert. I had a very good homemade tapioca (just like grandma made). When the beans and rice came for Sluthog he was a very happy monger. One of the others guys ordered a sandwich that was prepared panini style that he said was very good as well.

So if you are ever in the neighborhood of the Sportsmen’s or are staying there stop by the Atomic café for a nice dining alternative. ChicaGoGuy took pictures of the dinner and will post them soon.

Thanks for the info. It's always nice to know of new places in that general area. One question...they don't by any chance play old rock & roll music do they?
I guess that would be too much to hope for. If they did, most of the Ticos probably wouldn't like it.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Well they were playing a variety of music. One day in particular they were playing quite a bit of Jazz, Lou Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. Yesterday at breakfast was rock & roll. There are a couple of Latino men working/running the place that are into rock & roll and swing big band stuff. Can't vouch that they are ticos. The one girl that works/owns the place, she is causians and grew up in Japan.

The place is kind of decorated like a lava lounge(the 2 rooms off the main room. I was thinking about bringing them some lava lounge music the next time I am there.

Did they have enough tabasco sauce there?

Seriously, though, good review.

ST, since I'm always "In the Mood", a little swing music would be just what the DR ordered after a hard night out on one of those bar hopping tours that Tman organizes.
Will give them a try in Sept. Thanks for the infro. SB

The music is all on her computer.
She will let you create a playlist while your eating.

The lunch specials are intro prices at 1400 right now.

They expect to have beer and liquor in the next few weeks.

Real nice owner who may offer a discount to CRT VIPS in the future.

Socal's review is right on the money, as he showed me the place once as well.....

Great food, atmosphere, friendly staff, can you ask for more....


CG

As anyone been here since this thread stopped...Coming back in July and looking forward to heading over there.

Red

Yes Dila is a very nice person, I look forward to seeing her again on my upcoming trip. Just a little stragnge though huh...I know she was raised in Japan...But that piercing in her upper GUM line has gottta hurt....

CG

Guys,

Since I sometimes become a little "anal" I have to correct some mistakes on this thread :
The name of this great little joint is The Atomic Diner. Dilia (correct sp) wanted it to resemble the little diners scattered across the states in the first half of the 20th century, (some of us older guys remember them well with the mini-jukeboxes in each booth etc.).
She is half Panamian and half gringa. Her father worked for the Canal and I think she later moved to Japan with her family. She is a very interesting gal to talk to and goes out of her way to make sure your meal is A OK. I sure hope her little enterprise stays the distance; so by all means make a stop there if you can.
Socaltraveler and myself took some menus of hers to the SL and Ray said he would keep them on hand. You can call the Atomic and order carryout also. The food is excellent and very inexpensive and yes she has beans and rice!! Getting hungry writing this

Pax,
Sluthog

The Atomic Diner is doing well.

I ate there twice you cant beat the lunch special at 1800col

The fish was awsome.

I'll give it a try, since I like new places in the neighborhood, but 1800c for an ejecutivo or plato del dia would make it a little high for the area. As of 6 months ago, 1200-1300c was more typical. Hopefully it is delightful and is worth the extra few cents.

Had late lunch there 7/21, burrito carne, very tasty with coca cola. 2100 colones. Restaurant empty because of the time. Cool little tiki bar in side room.

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Eu gosto de brasileiras...

From what people have told me down here this time, the Atomic Cafe is now closed. I didn't walk by to confirm this.

Atomic Cafe is closed. I walked past it in July and there was a lot of construction going on.

Zebra