www.CostaRicaTicas.com

"The Gardens" Restaurant & Bar launched its maiden voyage on February 1st. The new owners, Tom and Jim, as well as the rest of their crew, have been busy preparing for the big day.

"Dancing Don" and I had the pleasure of dining there the night before (during the restaurant's shakedown cruise). I was pleased with my filet mignon smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce. Chef Freddie prepared the beef to perfection...it was so tender that I was able to cut it with my fork. The meal was complemented by two glasses of excellent Chilean red wine.

The indoor and outdoor bars at "The Gardens", under the direction of El Jefe Javier, are staffed by two beautiful barmaids...Alejandra (aka Alajuela) and Christina (formerly of Dos Gringos).

The only downside to this meal...our "desserts" (selected at the "postre platter" of the world-renowned Sportsmens Lodge) proved to be less delicious than the initial presentation. Oh well, win some..lose some!

I'm looking forward to trying out Chef Freddie's newest creation... Sea Bass stuffed with shrimp.

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Blue Devil

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

Stopped by tonight to take a look... had the seafood salad at the bar.. well worth the 3K .... Bartender Christina a hoot to talk with... One of the owners, Tim, was there.. tlaked about plans for future...which included a soon to be announced CRT discount!!!! seem very interested in feedback to make the place comfortable.... will return

PIDD

No doubt about it...Christina is a lot of fun. The other barmaid, Alejandra (affectionately known as "Alajuela"), will definitely turn a few heads. Check out her picture (#5513) in the VIP gallery.

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Blue Devil

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

Blue,

Alejandra is no longer there.....she quit several days after you left the Castillo.

Zebra

Zebra,

Darn...I knew I should have stayed...maybe she would still be working there...

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Blue Devil

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

Blue,

My thoughts exactly.

Zebra

Was there 3-4 times last week.Had the seafood soup, very good.Friendly little bar, wish the outside bar had been open.One night there were 3-4 girls, pretty scary looking. I had seen several of them working the street earlier.One problem, Tom appears to be his own best customer. We were there morning, afternoon & nightime & he was blitzed every time.

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its the land of hoodoo , voodoo & all kinds of wierd shit.

One of the workplace hazards of owning a bar... Maybe, he needs to find a few other healthy outlets for dealing with the stress of owning a small business. I wish him well!

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Blue Devil

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

As do I. This could be a cool place to hang.

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its the land of hoodoo , voodoo & all kinds of wierd shit.

Did chef Freddie ever work at the Dunn Inn? There used to be a Freddie there a couple years ago, the food was excellent.

I stopped in sunday after coming in from jaco. Brought back some mahi-mahi fillets caught that morning. They cooked them up jut right, excellent meal. I did get to meet both tom and jim and they are both friendly guys, along with several other americans in the bar. There were some local talent in the bar also, several very doable. Its a cool place to get away from the dr to get a couple drinks and bs with some friendly people.


bamajeff

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"I rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"

the food is so good i had the grill steak ....so good may my mouth melt......

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costa rica is best place for fishing for the pink snapper, you can fish for so manny pink snapper in all size and colors , there is all a keep and if you do not like throw it back and fish for new one

Yes, he did.

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Blue Devil

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

Good food, small menu, and little pricey. Good atmosphere starting to attracted some Girls but bar New York type. Great stop when you are coming back from ZB – NF ½ way up the hill if staying at the SL.

Blue Devil: Thanks for the update on Freddie, I remember him well. Great guy, alot of fun. Seems like I remember he has a son living in Texas. We spoke to Tom or Jim as they were getting ready to open around Jan. 16 or 17 I believe. They had opened for one night but then closed, waiting for some work to complete or permits, I don't remember exactly. We stopped by but they were closed so went over to the Sportsman's and had a very good dinner with our dates. Will definately stop in next trip.