www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Help me out. I went to an italian restaurant about a year ago that the front desk at the SL recommended. It was kind of outdoor seating (under a roof) in the front and a really great restaurant. They had a mariachi band there (yes at an italian restaurant). Anyone know the name- I had a great spagetti with white clam suace and my buddy had a putanesca. They had really nice veal too. It was a pretty big place as I remember it, although I have eaten at 25 restaurants in SJ since and it is all running together. If you don't know the one I am talking about, how about recommending one that has great food and a good red wine llist, that isn't too pricey.

Thanks Amigos-headed back down for visit number 110

Antonio's used to be excellent! It was located on the road to the airport, between the Hotel Herradura and the Cariari. I haven't been there in years. Does anyone know if they are still open? Great food, but rather expensive.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Travalot,
Il Ritorno is a good bet, had a meal there last week and it was very enjoyable, of course YMMV and you didn't have to watch Cracker mouth phucking his favorita/amiganovia thru the whole meal, other than that pretty good food, the antipasto was muy bueno!!
Regards, 911 Driver

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

Cafe Mundo- Leave Sportsmans turn left end of calle 9 turn left again at the top of the hill restaurant to your right.
50

cafe dibartolo in guachepelin.......extremely expensive but easilyu best italian in san jose.......second best in costa behind la pecora nera in puerto viejo.....imported veal from italy, great wines and wild mushroom and truffle ravioli

IL PIAZZETA, on Paseo Colon....Reminds of the kind of place you'd see the Soprano's eating at. If they ever made a show/movie of wiseguys heading down to CR(by the way, I have a great idea for one), they'd eat in this place.

Rather extensive wine list also, fo CR that is.

Il Rotorno is on my list.


PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

Probably where MuchoGusto and his crew hang out.

Il Rotorno was one of the best meals I've had in CR.

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

I'm going to get pegged as a negative person in this forum for posting this, but I was there last year and it was by far the worst Italian food I have ever had. My family was in shock eating there on the last day of their trip, and yes it was also super expensive.

I heard stories of it being really great by a lot of my buddies and was sad by its reality. We ate alone, with fly's, bad food and horrible decor.

A couple of things that might factor into the change. No one eats there anymore unless you like nursing home food. I heard the owner is not interested in the restaurant.

Anyway, many good Italian spots in CR.

Casa Italia-the old chef from Antonio's-good bread, ok food-San Pedro
Bacchus-Love this place in Santa Ana, great wine list, excellent food, great atmosphere.

Going to check out Cerutti (pass it everyday) and Cafe Dibartolo's. Where is it exactly?

That's a difficult one.

Personally, I loved Di Bartolo in Escazu, but it's now closed.

My next choice would be Bacchus in Santa Ana. Excellent service and beautiful setting in an old historic mansion.

Another one I like is Cerutti in Escazu, but mainly for pasta.

I don't see Cafe Mundo as an Italian restaurant at all. It's an American's view of what an Italian restaurant should be, at best. I find the food and the service there mediocre.

Since when is DiBartalo's closed? I was just there not that long ago.

There are a billion "Authentic" Italian restaurants in San Jose. They're on virtually every street corner. Sometimes it's nice to have "American" ethnic food... What I wouldn't give for *AMERICAN* Pizza... everywhere serves Italian Pizza...

Thanks for the update. I guess I won't go back there any time soon. That's a shame...the last time I was there, about six years ago, it was excellant. Also, I believe ADMIN1 recommended it several years ago. Oh well, just proves the adage that nothing stays the same in CR.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

If you're out in Escazu try La Taverna, it's on the old Escazu-Sabana road, directly adjacent to the Shell station (after the Shell is the Saretto's supermarket). The place is owned and run by a fellow originally from Venice, Italy. He's got a lunch special for 3900 colone; a great chicken parm., does a nice job on his pizzas. Authentic Italian food.

not a big italian food fan, but i really enjoyed il anchora and its a ten minute cab from amistad

LaDiablo is right, they have excellent veal there and you also get the CRT discount over there.