www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi Gents, I went by the place last Tuesday and it was closed. I myself have not had a meal at the Balcon in a while. When I went I always got Pasta . I am very careful to order a steak in C. R. It has been said here before the beef is not the same as USA. If a person lives in C.R. they should know this . If you want a steak go to a steak house and you are still rolling the dice. I save money all the time with coupons and discounts and try to help others do the same. Saving money to me is a game and I like to play. I deal in airplanes , property, and horses so a savings is in 100's or 1000's not dimes but I do love a free Chic- fil- A or save a few bucks on a Carwash or something . Saving money is why I am where I am. You have got to be careful with your money and get the most value for it. The world turns on percentage. Here is an example : The reason I stay at the Morazon and go to NF is I get the best bang for my buck. They do not give me a special discount or give a CRT discount because they have a fair price to begin with. SL and Zona Blue are great places the reason they give a 10 % discount is because they have marked the price up 15 % or so. When you think you are saving guess what you are still paying more than you should. All of this is only my opinion you can take it as you wish it is not gospel. I am sorry you did not enjoy your meal. Take Care and have a great day. H.

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Always nice to wake up and see what will happen today

I really like the old photos of San Jose on the wall of that restaurant. The food is really old-fashioned and the way it was service in Europe just after World War II.

El Tranquilo – you wrote: “I also showed him my CRT card and told him I'd be paying in cash (10% discount).”

I assume the CRT discount was honored. I just want to make sure that you received the CRT 10 percent discount without any issue or problem.

DiegoC,

Thanks for concern. My post is almost two years old. I don't remember whether I got the discount or not. But re-reading my post, that must have been some tough steak.

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It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner

Thanks.

Pastas are great along with the bread and cheese selection. I think just about every CR president has eaten there. A tradition of sort from what I hear.

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Go Dolphins!!!

I think I have eaten in Balcon ten ore more times. I have always loved it. Great service, very well prepared food, and there is never any bs about being there with a working girl. The Beef Burgonon is excellent, the steaks are good, and other country French dishes are very nice.

Wish I was there right now with young tica pretending that I am far more dashing than I really am

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

I second Psychman's post. Not the part where says "he thinks he's more dashing than he really is..." The reality is, he's very dashing...he dashes from one chica to another as fast as his wallet permits...

As for the Balcon, I've had the best steaks there over the years. It's a consistently good restaurant.

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"Working is not as much fun as mongering", anonymous

I like the lapine provencale (that is rabbit, baby).
I like the creme brulee.
I like the caprese salad (I wonder where they get that buffalo mozzarella in Cost Rica).
I'm not a big fan of their table wine, and other wine is good but pricey. Still, along with La Esquina de Buenos Aires, it is my fav restaurant, and I go there on every trip. Hi to Bennett, the waiter with a smile.
The CRT discount works for me.

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Same river, new water

Just heard that the menu will be all French cuisine in the future. I hope this is not the case. Why change what has worked for them for so long?

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Go Dolphins!!!

It HAS been country French for a long time, with some pastas and other items thrown in....The French dishes are of the country variety, hearty, simple and yum..

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

When you say a long time, do you mean to say more than a year? That was the last time I ate there roughly and I was just fixated on some pasta, did not even look at the menu. I like simple French cuisine, I just hope they don't lose some of the pasta dishes I've come to enjoy there.

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Go Dolphins!!!

Its had a very similar menu, more of less, for over four years at least. I know others who did not spend he time to check out the "other" side of the menu. All the French dishes are hearty, large portioned, and excellent. I never understood why others done go there as much...I think it may be its perception as a pasta place- try the Beef Bourgonon (sp)- outstanding..

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

I will try some of the other side of the menu items for sure. I agree it is a place that more of us should give a try. I was told more than once that every CR President has been there since it opened back in the early 1900's. I've taken some of my favoritas there over the years since my first trip in 1991 and always enjoyed it. I am there next week and will give a post back after I return.

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Go Dolphins!!!