www.CostaRicaTicas.com

What happened to the very cute petite bartender Alexandra? What a doll!

No idea....haven't seen her.

The new owners, Tom and Jim, are making good progress with renovations to the new Gardens Lounge and Restaurant, and should be ready for Grand Opening on February 1st. Tom is seeking permission from the property owner to open the outside bar to Hotel Castillo guests before the first of the month.

With respect to staffing, Alejandra and Johanna (from Bar Sonny) and two other barmaids have been hired. The new chef is Freddy (from the Dunn Inn) and Xavier (from the former Faros) shall run the bar.

The outside ”garden bar” will be open 7 days a week, but will close at 10 pm to ensure peace and quiet for Castillo guests staying in the new wing. The inside bar will remain open daily until 2 am.

The dining area will occupy the 2nd Floor as well as the balcony extension from Hotel Castillo. In the past, this floor space was rarely used for dining or anything else. Initially, the restaurant will offer a standard (American) menu that includes steak and seafood with a few international items thrown in to keep things exciting.

Chicas will always be welcome at this establishment. CRT management may want to consider reaching out to the new owners to see if they would be interest in floating a VIP discount.

That´s about all for now.

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Blue Devil

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

I will be there February 3rd and will post a review

I was just told by a member of the management team that the outside "Garden Bar" will be open to Hotel Castillo guests (and their guests) at 11 am tomorrow (Saturday, 1/20/07).

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Blue Devil

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

I'm glad to see it's back up. Hopefully it will still be going strong when I make it back. Is Paola still there?

The patio bar was indeed open to hotel guests Friday evening 1/19. They had a fairly decent group of customers. The improvements look nice.

Zebra

what are they calling it now

Sonny's sign has been removed. No new sign has been put up yet, but I was told by one of the owners that it will be called The Gardens Bar and Restaurant.

I met the patio bartender last evening.......a blonde, charming young lady by the name of Alexandra [sp?].

Zebra

If she is the samec cute short spinner, from Sonny's bar I am pleased that she will be re employed. she is a sweeheart and is still learning English.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

does anyone know the new owners

Excellent advise Bilko... I've owned two night clubs and now have a sports bar.... The only person you can trust is you... And even then it's a toss up if you also like to drink there..... Your employees will make or break you and speaking the language is imperative... I wish the new owners buena suerte....

From what I understand, the only time that place ever made money was when the new manager (I think his name was Dave) was working there. But he either got fired and/or had some immigration problems. Definately my favorite all time bar (then again I generally hate bars). It was actually a big reason why I stay at the Castillo. The new owners, were they regulars at the bar?

Counte,

I think the info you posted is indeed, correct. As for the new owners, yes, Tom was a regular here, though I don't know about Jim. I had personally never seen him here prior to this trip. They seem to be doing well and have some good ideas. I ate there the other evening, and the meal was very good. I think the name of the new chef is Fred [??].

Zebra

Zebra,

Is Tom the smaller guy who has been living down there for a while? Thats the only Tom I remember. Although remembering names in a bar, with all the alchohol flowing can be difficult .

Count Dante