www.CostaRicaTicas.com

My GF and I were invited to the 2nd Anniversary celebration of Donde Carlos last night. What a classy job...they took out most of the tables and chairs, had 2 winebars down and 3 upstairs with free glasses of about everything they have on their wine list, plus a few new ones I hadnt noticed before...such as one of my favorite Napa Valley Cabernets...Beringer Reserve 2001. I forgot how good that wine was. They had great recorded music just right for the occasion and crowd. And talk about hot BABES!. He had 2 stunning hostesses greeting at the door in sexy formal black dresses as only these Latinas can wear them...serving up the first glass of wine as you came in. The crowd was very upper scale with some very attractive young couples in attendence...and Carlos and his wife Ana really put out the wines and appetizers.

I know some of our CRT steak Connoisseurs have had mixed reviews at this place...but with some new menu items and ordering my regular favorites like the Churrasco Lomito and the new rolled Sirloin full of garlic and other seasonings...I have never had a bad steak here. I sent one back a couple times ago only because it was too done (i need mine with some blood oozing out)...but no attitude was present and the steak was quickly corrected to my taste. For combined atmosphere, service and quality wine and steak...this is STILL my favorite steak place in Costa Rica for quality and value. And I say that AFTER my first dinner Friday night at the new Brazilian Fogo Rotisserie at Sabana. It was a great meal...but...the meat in my opinion was no better...and I prefer the intimate atmosphere of Donde Carlos. 4 minutes from the gulch on Avenida 10 in Los Yoses. You cant miss it.

Tman . if you like Napa Valley Cabs, I am bringing one or two down and I will share.

From there, we can go to Le Grillon and K'mur! Ahhh chicas perfectamentos!

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

TMAN you are right about upper scale, they would not let me and my date in i also like things that the blood ozzes out of thanks for the update, do we still get the discount there HAVE A GREAT KITTEN

Florida...you should have told your girl she had to change out of her lingerie . They do have a lot of dressed up people there though I'm surprised you didnt get in. Yes, the CRT discount is still in tact. Better luck next time.

Tman;
Allthough I don't live in the hood anymore, I still make the trip to Donde Carlos for a good steak now and then. Couldn't agree more with your review.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

Was at Donde Carlos a few days ago, my first, and I must report that everything was super fine.

Food first. I had the green pepper tenderloin so I could compare with La Esquina. Bigger portion than Esquina, meat quality very good, I had it medium rare.
Pepper sauce was less spicy than Esquina's ( not a bad or good thing ) anyway didn't matter to me. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Others tried stuffed tenderloin, which was very tastey. Filet Mignon was equally good.

Wine list. It is not as extensive ( correct me if I am wrong ) as La Esquina's, Esquina seemed to have more Argentinian red, but the Navarro Correas gran reserva Cab was great for it's price.
Ultra Premium is on my to do list, next time.

Service. Excellent. We sat upstairs in the non smoking area, and have nothing to complain whatsoever about the service other than praise. Very attentive and lacked that usual latino macho feel , which was a good thing.

Interior/exterior. Modern , as per pics at the web site. Not a large place but quite roomy inside. Bano modern and spacious enough.

Price, on par with Esquina. My tica loved that place, so that's one more reason for me to go back, and next time I shall try the mixed grill.

Nice area, relatively safe. And big thanks to T and other members who pointed this place out. I didn't use my CRT card so no feedback on that.

http://www.dondecarlos.com

thanks for the update danny...you have now made me homesick for my favorite restaurant in San Jose. The ambience and service are truly best of class in Costa Rica on a consistant basis. Glad to hear they are keeping with the tradition. Should have used the CRT card. They never have flinched about honoring the discount to my knowledge...and sounds like the 10% could have been significant with your tastes ...

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

Compared to the price in States and Canada, and considering the quality, their price is very reasonable.

Main course ( meat ) starts from 5000 something colon to about 7900 colon tax inclusive. I believe their " Donde carlos lomito " is above the 10000 colon mark, but then that's for 2 person.

Wine goes from about 15 usd to about 50- 60 usd for the ultra premium red by Navarro Correas. May be they have more expensive French on the list , I didn't bother to look though.

As mentioned , pricing is similar to the other Argentinian steak house.

Then, there is also the CRT discount.

I'll be down Friday for a week. I am going to check them out. Thanks.

Berk....

Hey T, from Panama you can always make a quick trip back to SJO for a quick bite and and a few drinks ..... sin novia




Seriously, I had a great time there that evening, good company, my tica didn't bitch - that helped - I too miss the place already.

Excellent review and thanks for the link to the place. I arrive in SJO on 11/9 and am staying at The Hotel M. It appears this place is close-by from the map.

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OK, I Admit It....I have an Asian Obsession. But I also have a Latina Obsession, too! Perhaps I just have a Pu**y Obsession? -----------------------------------------------------
Next Trip: SJO - April or May??????


Someone PLEASE STOP Me.................LOL

Just thought I'd pipe in with a Donde Carlos review as not much has been posted here recently about this excellent restaurant.

Went there last night with three amigos.

The four of us enjoyed various cuts of beef - one guy had the NY Strip. Monkey and I enjoyed the large tenderloin for two, and I believe BangBang57 had a filet. The steaks were all high quality and portions were LARGE. Appetizers, side items and veggies were all very good, and I especially liked the selection of pickels and condiments they bring out with the bread. We ate and ate. Had to move the belt up a notch afterwards.

The place was very quiet, and we had the upstairs to ourselves. Service was very attentive. And the bill.....39,000 colones! We didn't drink, but still...20 bucks a head for that meal? Easily triple that at a Ruth Chris in the US.

Didn't even bother to pull out the CRT VIP cards for la discuenta.

Great food, Great staff, Great value. Don't know why it is not more popular.

PHX

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

39,000 for three hombres sounds like a good deal.I'm glad there are options for a steak in CR.

Even better for four!

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?