www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've read a number of complaints about the lack of availability of certain foods in C.R., notably complaints about the taste of the beef and dairy.

This question is more for the guys who live there, or who have traveled there so often that they now have sources for a variety of foods.

Where does one find:

* Really good bakery/pastries a la those fabulous Italian bakeries on the East Coast of the U.S.?

* High-quality snack crackers. I've only so far encountered Ritz and saltines.

* Good wine? I've noticed a few restaurangts have decent wine lists, but where can one buy a good bottle of wine "off-sale?"

* Meat: I know that the beef has a different flavor in C.R., probably because it's mostly grass-fed and not dry aged (due to the tropical climate). Tell me this: Is real veal even available? I have ordered tenera that tastes more like Salsbury steak.

* Other than lobster, shrimp, mussels and crab, are any other shellfish (clams, oysters) available? Where?

* Other than Heineken (ubiquitous) and the local beers, where can one buy American premium beers?

TIA for all informed replies!

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

I can answer the following, except thte pastries part I cant because they actually think their pastries that they make are good so their isnt much else.
* High-quality snack crackers. I've only so far encountered Ritz and saltines.

* Good wine? I've noticed a few restaurangts have decent wine lists, but where can one buy a good bottle of wine "off-sale?"

* Meat: I know that the beef has a different flavor in C.R., probably because it's mostly grass-fed and not dry aged (due to the tropical climate). Tell me this: Is real veal even available? I have ordered tenera that tastes more like Salsbury steak. Sad


* Other than Heineken (ubiquitous) and the local beers, where can one buy American premium beers?

You can find these all in one place..........Price Mart

Price Mart will have American premium beers some times, also they have good crackers, meat and wine. Its very much like a costco they do change their line up once in a while though

Best bakery.....Chez Franchaise in Escazu across from multi centro Paco.

Best meat....retail would be Pricemart (as previously posted) or Don Fernando. Both in Escazu


Real veal.... Il Ritorno restaurant in Los Yoses He prepares it pounded thin and in several dishes.

the only area that has the decent stuff, that I've noticed, is Escazu...

I have had to go there several times to buy decent meat. I can't stand the stuff they have in Mas x menos...

I had a butcher that used to get me good quality cuts, and really good meat, his place is in Azzeri, and he got me good tenderloin and even filet mignon...

However, it has been 8 months since I've been there. I could show you where he is, but directions.... yeesh...

As far as good crackers, pricemart... and cheese...

Good premium american beers??? IS THERE SUCH A THING?

I HAVE gotten a hold of a belgian beer or two at the mas x menos in desamparados, next to McDonalds and Rostipollo...

I've found several good wines at that mas x menos as well...

bakery items??? don't know, don't like them...

El See,

On the wine front, part of the CAFTA agreement called for a reduction on tariffs of U.S. made wines. While shopping at the Jumbo Market in Guadalupe Commercial Central I noticed a few new California wines on the shelf, most of these would be considered "House Wines" in U.S. restaurants but there is hope as the demand for CA., Oregon and Washington state wines increase in CR. Doubt we'll be seeing any Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot there soon.

Beef, somebody is getting U.S beef. Friedmans Meat Purveyors out of Houston. They are the largest distributor here in Tx., and I noticed a couple of their trucks on the road during my July & Jan. trips. I will make some calls Monday and see who they are selling to down there and report back.

there is a bar in Zapote called Stans which has about 50 types of beer

His website is: http://www.irishpubcostarica.com/galeria.html

10% discount to American Legion members.*

Must present 2009 membership card

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

Believe it or not - you can go to the Automercado in Escazu and get all of that - with one exception - Oysters. Good luck in that department. After working in Seattle and Vancouver, I'm a big fan. If you find them, they are not fresh. The are frozen, shipped and steamed. Taste like expensive rubber.

BTW... I was watching a local news channel that did a story on a fresh Oyster farm in Guancaste. The farmers, were popping them out of the shell and slurping them up. The look on their faces, made you think, they must be decent.

In San Jose, the closest thing to a fresh oyster, might be $100 per hour, a come with a neatly shaven beard, with a metalic after taste. You will need to search the west coast.

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Thanks gentlemen for the replies.

I was actually asking on behalf of an acquaintance from my town who is building a casa near P. Viejo.
He will be relieved to know that some American-style commisables are available.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Most of the answers you received mentioned availability in the San Jose/ Escazu area where there is a substantial gringo population with a fair amount of disposable income. He may not find much "gringo" food outside of the central valley.

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

Right you are Brother ID--which provides a great excuse for bi-weekly or monthly trips to Sin City--though I imagine that long bus trip would get taxing over time. If that huge Marina ever gets built (I hope not--I'm just saying...), maybe he can get with the provisioners for it or even special items "drop shipped" there for himself.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED