www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If you read my original post , I was a fan of what Tom was trying to do. He had made excellant changes. However as I said on my post, the last trip was very disapointing. If the reason was that Tom was out of the country then he should make some changes to people he can trust to keep the quality.

I apoligize for insinuating that yours was a paid ad. however much it sounded like it.I believe that you should report good & bad so that hpoefully the bad can be corrected.

On a personal level I like Tom and hope that his endevor with the Gardens is hugely sucessful.

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

I had some of my best ...and worst meals... at "Bar/Restaurante Next to Hotel Castillo." It all depends at what point in its business cycle I choose to eat there.

I've seen at least 3 iterations of owner/managers in the last 2 years. Even with the current staff of competent, dedicated employees, the restaurant is in desperate need of ownership that is:

1. Able to provide vision and direction for the business operation; and

2. Willing to invest sufficient capital and TLC to make it work.

IMHO, this has yet to happen. It's a shame...the restaurant reminds me of a rudderless ship...yet, it has so much business potential in the right hands.

Being a successful restauranteur-entrepreneur requires more than being a nice guy, colorful character and/or CRT sponsor. A willingness to accept risks, a sense of vision, time in the trenches and a little luck just may get the new owner to first base.

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Blue Devil

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

Hey I know the gardens needs a little help to make it a great place.
But thats just minor little things is all that is needed to make it a hot spot for everyone. Tom&Richard have been taking ideas if any one has anything worthy to give. I have also offered some little ideas that should help them get the gardens rockin & help maybe bring in more customers. But now it is a small cafe so don't expect a large menu of foods . And being a small cafe & bar this is a very romantic little place to bring a special lady for that cosy dinner & drinks . I should know as it worked wonders with some of the ladies I met up town at other restaruants . And others I have met who have come to dine or have a drink also think its a fantastic little place. Oh sure some nights its not too busy and yet other nights it is packed . So never pass this little place with out checking it out any time. Some nights while I was staying next door this little place was better then the sportman for finding sexy ladies at . And you don't need to believe me about this but those who met me and saw me now I seemed to always have a sexy lady with me even if I stayed just at this little cafe!LOL
I will say this to all >>Never under estimate these little small cafes!!

The quality I found at The Gardens Restaurant when I visited last March, just was not there this past August. They must have changed chefs. I did not eat in the restaurant, but had food sent to my room at Hotel Castillo several times.

One night, I ordered the pork specialty, and it was burnt so much on the underside that I could not cut through it. I called the restaurant and told them to come take it back. A young man showed up at my room, who I assume was the cook --- a short, stocky guy with buzzed black hair. I showed him the meat and asked him if he could eat it. He said no, and returned 20 minutes later with an undercooked replacement.

A few nights later, I had hamburgers set to my room. The meat was charred-black on the outside and raw on the inside. I should have sent them back too, but didn't bother.

On the upside, they had great quesadillas. If you are staying at Hotel Castillo and need room service, order the quesadillas. They are very good.

good news they did not limit my napkin usage

Well now might I inform those who ordered food in the evenings.
If I am not mistaken the kitchen is not open I don't think after 9pm . So if you happend to order food after 9pm it might have been prepared by someone else other then the regular kitchen staff. So yeah you might have gotten over cooked or wrongly cooked food after 9pm .
As for me I have never had bad food yet and I would eat there any time .
But if your expecting something special then you should be ordering during proper hours of operations . But I also will say theres always someone who will complain about something even if they can't attack the food . I wonder if any of you complain about the sex you get from the girls you guys bring back !LOL I bet you never complain about that !

Some people will always find fault with something, They are just complainers, not taking into account their own limitations.

I had bad food at the SL, therefore all the food at the SL is bad? I think not, all of these establishments go thru changes from time to time, or maybe the cook is just having a bad day, or maybe the kitchen is closed and someone did you a favor and tried to cook you some food, who knows.

If I posted a bad review of the SL based on one meal, I would bring down the rath of CRT, as it is everyones favorite place. I just chose not to eat there again, I dont have to make out like I am a NY Times resteraunt critic and lambast it.

I'm gonna make the statement that U S resturants are much higher quality than the average CR resturant. So if you can bring U S standards to CR you could probably have a successfull resturant

Spent a week at the Castillo and ate frequently at the Gardens. Most of the time the food was good, especially the daily special and Tom and Rich are working hard to make it the best it can be. I did have a time or two that it was overcooked but since I ate something there at least once each day, I will not complain. The Sea Bass was always great and they will tell you if something is not fresh before you order so that is a big plus!



On top of that, The Tica's there are great (mmmm ... Evania & Juliet) - Firmbear can attest to my preference for fine women as he was there while I was - BTW - Don't forget to PM your information so I can contact you again you Canadian bastard!



All in all, the Castillo is great - Love that Billiards room and the Garden is a diamond in the rough with a super location that is more than acceptable to eat at and if unhappy they will fix it - They really appreciate the CRT's there. Hats off to Marjorie the bartender in the back, I can't wait to see you again in November when I am back in SJO.

Rock on ...

Oh you mean me the candian bastard !LOL HAHAHA.
Yes evania is a sexy lady which I will deffinately say so.
And you should spend all night with her if you get the chance .
Oh yes I did get to spend alot of time with Evania & plan on doing alot more next time I see her too.
And as for the sea bass dinner that was fantastic and I had that a few times while I was staying at the castillo.
I also liked the pasta dinner they served even though I had a hard time trying to get red chilli peppers for the pasta. I hear Tom & Rich were gonna be starting serving pizza soon . And I'll have too try that next year when I get time to comew down again.
For those who met me make sure your around next summer when I am down there and I'll be showing you all how to rock the Gardens . As I plan on inviting every lady I meet during my walk up town to gringo gulch next summer . And I am learning some spanish to help me get these sexy ladies to come . Any one wishing to contact me can email me at firmbear8@msn.com

I stayed at the Castillo and had several meals in the Garden. The food was decent.....enjoyed the hamburger and club. We all had dinner one night with poor service but good food.
I met tom several times but do not believe there is anyone else around. My amigos said there was more action last March then now. However, there were a few jewels to be found.

Evania & Juliet, are these girls at the bar area? What times usually? What do they charge?

Hey guys while I was in san jose and staying at the castillo .
I found some nights there was quite a few jewels in the Gardens bar around 9pm - 11pm. Some evens I found better jewels there then at the sportsman or the del ray.
Ask Manny from florida or even Tom or Richard who own the gardens !LOL
Heck I got more jewels while I was just sitting & having a beer at either the patio bar at the back or at the front bar inside !.
I am still bumed out I missed my college girl date I had for that friday at 8pm !
But theres always next year and I know my buddy up in gringo gulch will find me another 18 yr old virgin for an all nighter.
Firmbear8