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| Meridiano al Este-high prices, small portions, no discount https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8808 |
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| Author: | Don Giovanni [ Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Meridiano al Este-high prices, small portions, no discount |
Meridiano al Este: high prices, small portions, and no discount. I have read about this place on the VIP DISCOUNTS web page for a long time and wanted to try it out: Argentine steak, live music, and a 10% CRT discount. Last March, I tried to make a same-night reservation and was turned down. This trip, I told a girlfriend to call in advance and make reservations for the next night (10/26/05) at 7 PM. When we arrived, there were no more than a half-dozen customers so the reservation was not necessary at 7 o’clock, but they did check my name off a reservations list. We were seated at a small cocktail table in front of a stage area. There were four musicians on stage setting up and tuning their instruments: bass and rhythm guitarists, keyboard man, and a drummer. The waitress came over and asked if we would like something to drink. I told her to bring a bottle of chardonnay. She returned with two bottles of Chilean wines from which to select. I can’t remember what brand they were. I pointed to one and she uncorked it. I presented my CRT/VIP card, and told the waitress I was paying in cash and would like the 10% discount. She took the card up front, then returned to inform me that they had no affiliation with CRT. I said, “There must be some mistake. I have read about this offer for months on the internet. Please check again with the manager.†She returned shortly and said, “We do not now, and have never had any relationship with your organization.†I knew this had to be a mistake, but what could I do at this point? I wished I had printed out the web page, or at least made a note of the name of the CRT contact person (which I now know to be ‘Fabian’). We ordered two house salads for ¢1550 ($3.17) each and two lomita steak plates at ¢4800 ($9.84) each. We sat back, drank wine, and watched the band setting up. These musicians were Ticos in their mid-to-late 20s. Their warm-ups indicated they might be able to play some good music. The house salad arrived: iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions already covered with oil and vinegar. I asked the waitress to bring us some salt and pepper. (Learn to say ‘pimiento negro’ if you desire black pepper in CR.) It was simple, but fresh and good. When we finished the salad, the waitress took away our plates and the salt and pepper. Soon she returned with our dinner plates consisting of papas fritas, steak, grilled tomatoes, onions and zucchini. I asked her to please bring back the salt and pepper. All the food was very good. The steak was tender and tasty, but too small—about 10 ounces. I ate every morsel on my plate, but did not feel satisfied. I could have easily handled another steak. (In fact I did eat a large carne chalupa a few hours later at the Fiesta Casino—for free!) We finished our meal, and waited for the band to stop fooling around and start playing some real music. At about 8:30, they walked off the stage and left the room. I asked the waitress when the music would begin. She said, “About 9:30.†We had finished the bottle of wine. I didn’t want to wait around another hour, so I asked for ‘la cuenta.’ When the check arrived, I discovered the bottle of chardonnay cost ¢17,500 ($35.86). The total bill was over ¢37,000 ($75). I remembered how the night before at Princessa Marina we had 2 orders of ceviche, 2 full-course lobster dinners, and a whole bottle of Casillero del Diablo wine for only ¢18,000 ($37). I put down ¢38,000 and walked out. Needless to say, this was not my most pleasant dining experience in CR. However, I have to admit that my own negligence facilitated all of the disappointing surprises. If I had been a savvy traveler (which I should be by now, but apparently am not), I would have asked about the discount and the music when making reservations, and looked at a wine price list before ordering. I stumbled into this like a first-time tourist. I may even go back to Meridiano al Este just to hear some good live music in a gringo-safe environment. If I do, I will inquire ahead about the band starting time and make appropriate reservations, and I will drink cheap beer—very slowly. |
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| Author: | Admin 1 [ Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Don Giovanni: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. A few months ago the original owner Fabio sold out to new ownership. We were told at that time that they would continue to honor our VIP discount. As usual in CR nothing goes smoothly with personal or ownership and we will follow up with this and if need be REMOVE them from any CRT affiliation. Again I do apologize & owe you and your young lady a round of drinks or whatever you prefer on CRT for any inconvienience. |
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