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La Piazzetta Restaurant
San Jose, Costa Rica
Paseo Colon, frente al Banco de Costa Rica
506-386-5788
It is always good to See G-Man, even though I know he hates my wife, though I know she is just jealous of that little # he floats around with. It is always nice to have the opportunity to review a new restaurant for the CRT Members. We were joined by Capo, who for the better part of 2 hours had me rolling on the floor with his stories of NYC/NJ and he could give Tony Soprano a run for the money. His Novia was very polished and the six of us had quite a dining experience.
1st Off, place is right on Paseo Colon, and 5-7 mins from the Downtown. It has very elegant decor with your typical Italian layout. Nice full bar, fine linens, waiters in tuxedos and a nice ambiance with the live music. The owner Pietro was there, and we were served by Carols our English speaking waiter, and very good formal type service waiter. We had a few before dinner cocktails, and then ordered a very moderately priced Argentinean cabernet that was truly outstanding. I forgot to grab the name of it but dam was it good.
The menu is quite extensive, with a good amount of appetizers but a large selection of entrees. I have found living in Costa Rica that the test of a good Italian restaurant is not the meets, as you can only fine certain qualities, so you must judge it on its sauces, red and especially the cream sauces. Our waiter recommended a few starters but we had a tableside Caesar salad for 4 of the six that was shared by all of us, and we also ordered the mozzarella and caprese salad and mixed mushroom salad sautéed and drizzled in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and shaved parmagina cheese. The salads were fantastic and it was probably the most authentic and finest Caesar salad I have ever had in my life. After the salads and the delicious garlic bread we took a break and enjoyed some chitchat and some wine.
Finally go around to Dinner, which I was lucky to taste everything. My wife had the veal saltamboca even though Carlos our waiter said its only OK. WTF would she listen GRINGA UGH! It was good but again quality of the veal was fair. Her side dish of Penne Quatro Formaggio, which was 4-cheese sauce, was mouth watering. I had on G-Mans recommendation after he saw it the other night the Risotto with the mixed shellfish, one word Outstanding. G-man had the Rigatoni Speck, which was a cream sauce, and the pasta was covered with smoked prosuitto, grilled eggplant and vegetables, easily one of the best dishes on the table. His Date had the Lomito with peppercorn sauce and for a fairly inexpensive cut of meet the sauce was a killer. (GOOD STUFF) Capo had salmon stuffed ravioli with the sauce they make it in, my god who is cooking back there??? Finally Capo’s lady had basic Ravioli in meat sauce, which is basic, but a good test of the place as the red sauce had nice flavor and texture.
We split two deserts a chocolate thing with ice cream that was really to friggin good, but I couldn’t eat any more. Some Espresso’s and Sambucas and dam if Capo didn’t pick up the tab when he went to the bathroom. Thank you my friend it was greatly appreciated but not necessary. All in all, it is now my new favorite restaurant in Costa Rica for Italian food, with Ancora 2nd. Pietro after some chitchat we find is good friends with Chino who owns Ancora and would like to someway offer some discounts to CRT as well. I’m sure they we work it out but in the interim, you obviously are in a good quality place so expect to pay more than Costa Rica Prices, but the food, service, ambiance and quality were of such a level that I don’t care. TOP 5 Lists of places to eat as far as I’m concerned. GIVE IT A TRY YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
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also THANKS to CRT GOURMET for his excellent reviews . pura vida
pura vida
