www.CostaRicaTicas.com

On the Travelocity web site the reviews of the
Presidente are very good but every one mentions that the News Cafe food is subpar

I realize people have different tastes, for one, I enjoy the breakfest buffet at the Presidente. You get a good selection of foods both hot and cold. The fruit is always great, nice juice, toast, the usual and great rice and beans, and yes eggs. Granted I have had better eggs but at least they try.

I enjoy greatly sitting in the Cafe watching people go by and drinking coffee and talking to my fellow gringos. I usually make that my big meal of the day.

I try to stay away from the Clarion. The exaust smell in the morning from all the traffic ruins my taster. Also most of the time I have been there no one is making eggs. You have to hunt them down. I also will never eat at the Clarion for dinner again. The food was good but they tried to rip me off on the bill. Steak diner for 2 for bill was an even $100 US.

I don't find the 80% figure difficult to believe at all... Most the times I've been there there's been a decent amount of gringos, but definitely not the majority, and I've been going 2-3 times a month all year round for the last 2 years. Maybe the perceived gringo majority is a seasonal thing?

As for service, you are still stuck with tico waiters at a tico restaurant, no matter how nice the restaurant looks and how much english is in the menu. Some things just can't be expected in costa rica

Isn't the cafe closed? I was there until Nov1 and there was major renovation going on.

[quote="Terminator"]Isn't the cafe closed? I was there until Nov1 and there was major renovation going on.[/quote

I just left the Prez yesterday and they re-opened the newly remodeled News Cafe on Sunday, November 11. Nice job, It looks great.

As far as food goes I usually only eat their breakfast and an occasional snack with drinks in the afternoon.

Only 7 days behind schedule, not bad for Tico time wish I was there.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

So does the cafe look any different after the remodeling? Please tell me they didn't mess with my tables at the RAIL!!!!!!!

sincity

The seats are in the same locations, the highly desired corner seat had a tarp over it so I am not sure what became of it. For the occassional visitor it will look about the same, for the frequent visitor you will notice everything is new and the decor is a little different.

There are fewer tables on the rail, and they are going for a
white-linen look in the restaurant, even behind the bar. Personally
I don't like the looks of it. It's not a News Cafe any longer. The prices
are higher than the Del Mar, but the food is better at the Del Mar.

They used to do a good business. Now they have spent a lot of money
on reservation ,and the place was almost empty today.

_________________
Same river, new water

It was late 10pm on Tuesday, and our choices were limited so my girl and I decided to eat at News Cafe. We didn't want anything heavy so we both ordered a smoked ham and cheese sandwich. (I love a good H&C sandwich) I didn't see the chicken fingers I once had there which were pretty good and reasonably priced.

The sandwich was... a buttered hero-type roll, 2 slices of "smoked" ham, about 3 slices of "yellow" cheese, only 1 half-inch thick slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce. Other than the Del Mar, the sorriest goddamn H&C sandwich I ever eaten in my life.

It took about 10 minutes to get a menu, they didn't bring any ketchup, mustard, or mayo, and nobody checked if we needed anything else.

Almost $8 for a sandwich with 2 slices of ham. And this was one of the cheaper items on the menu. I guess somebody has to pay for the remodeling. Total bill was $20 for 2 sandwiches, and a Fresca soft drink and a coffee. Horrible food, horrible service, and outrageous prices.

NEVER AGAIN!!!

Orange think Medellin

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If you desire it, buy it.

Next time go to Chelles. Same block as the News cafe except one block east. Tico food, good prices and open 24 hours. One of the oldest sodas in Costa Rica.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

We almost did, but then I remembered somebody writing they were throwing up all weekend after eating there. I know, I know, it can happen anywhere.

Is the place clean/sanitary?

Define clean/sanitary

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Lifes already too short, Enjoy it while you can!!

Yes it can happen anywhere. I first ate in Chelles in 1992 and have eaten there many times since. Have never had a problem getting sick. Have eaten at Costa Del Sol, hardly the cleanest place in San Jose, many times and never gotten sick. Have eaten at a top tier restaurant in the states and been sick as a dog. So who can say.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine