Hotel La Amistad Bar & Restaurant Opening!

J0sie · **Posted:** Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:47 pm

Did the bar open on June 15? Any reviews?

1Quickpilot · **Posted:** Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:26 am

The bar was open the night of the 16th when I stopped by to see Asta and wish her well in the new endeavor.

It is a beautiful facility with an upscale feel, similar to the mansion at SL, but open to anyone. They said they hope to have the kitchen open by July 1, but it is CR so who knows. This looks like it will be a nice quiet place to have a drink. It was slow as you would expect for a newly open place with only 3 single guys, all guests of the hotel, me and my lady.

Asta was as always charming and welcoming, the gringo manager running around shouting was a little distracting but he faded out after a few minutes. This looks to me like a good quiet place to take a favorite lady, or for 2 or more couples to have drinks before or a nightcap after dinner.

It definitely has an out of the gulch feel, more like date night, than party time. I'm sure as with any new place it will take a little time for its unique personality and clientele to develop and establish.

For me it was nice, for one drink, to wish an old friend well, then back to SL for the rest of the party. I will be back in a few weeks when the kitchen is open, to try the food and see how things are developing.

YMMV,
Ken

Admin 1 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:26 pm

Gentlemen: Matt would like to let you all know that the Restaurant is now open for Breakfast and Lunch as well as dinner for outside Guests.

Please stop by and give us a review.

Cujo's · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:29 pm

I'll be sure to give the restaurant a try. I need to finally meet Matt anyway. I'll be sure to report back..

Btw, does the menue have a "light" section?

Cujo

Lookingtoswing4 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:06 pm

For some reason, mostly chica related, I missed getting over there last weekend. But I will be sure to give the place a try when I am there for Labor Day.

J0sie · **Posted:** Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:20 pm

Can Matt or someone give us the Restaurant as well as the Bar hours of service?

Mkink · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:48 pm **Posts:** 455

J0sie wrote:

Can Matt or someone give us the Restaurant as well as the Bar hours of service?

Restaurant opens for breakfast at 7 AM and Last order is 9:30 pm.

Bar Opens at 11:00 AM and closes around 11:00PM depending on the number of hotel clients. Absolute latest is 12:00AM.

JazzboCR · **Posted:** Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:52 am

Brother Srilm said the bar/ restaurant had a jazz-lounge feel, which warms me. Tell me, did it also have jazz-lounge music (Latin jazz natch)?
The Gulch is the Gulch, and that's fine; La Amistad/SL/El Castillo I think of and propose we call "The Neighborhood". Suburban as I am, I'm really a neighborhood kinda guy--aren't you? Comfort zone, all amenities close, great companions and all.

1Quickpilot · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 4:12 pm

I was in for lunch on Thursday July 9.

Really small menu only 3 items all the same price. Soup of the day (Cream of Asparagus) and choice of Ceasar Salad, Ham Sandwich, or Chicken Sandwich. I chose the soup and salad, it was very good served with fresh toasted ciabatta bread which was the best part. With 2 Imperial total was 6,000 C.

I was in about 12:30 and was the only diner for most of my stay, there were a couple of drinkers in the bar. Service was good, to be expected when the place is empty. The food quality was very good, fresh and well presented. The quantity was adequate but not generous.

On a personal note Matt needs to get himself an office and do business there. I have been to Amistad twice, have never met the man, but know way more about his business, his expansion plans and his business problems than I really care too. Both times I have been there he has been doing business and chewing people out in the dining room or at the front desk, in a style that I could not avoid hearing even though I was at least 20 feet away. Some people may find that homey, but I find it distracting and unprofessional. Perhaps if I was staying there, or a regular I would have a different view of this operation.

I am sure many will say he is a nice guy, and he will eventually figure out this new business. For now I find him a distraction I don't care for in my relaxation time. He really comes across as not a very pleasant guy, I am surprised he is in the hospitality business. I will be back but not for several trips until I hear from others that the place is getting on its feet.

I hope the place succeeds, as Asta is an old friend and I wish her well.

JazzboCR · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:25 pm

"Praise in public, condemn in private" is a cardinal people-management rule.

Almond · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:31 pm

JazzboCR wrote:

"Praise in public, condemn in private" is a cardinal people-management rule.

In the USAF I was told "Praise in public, punish in private". Almost the same. Hehe

JazzboCR · **Posted:** Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:24 pm

As of last week, their menu has expanded, the service and food were excellent, Sistah Asta is the same wonderful person...and at least at cena, Matt was nowhere in sight. If you bring them a music request (your CD or Batanga.com), I've no doubt they'll help you set the mood--changing off the soccer game on TV might be a stretch. Couple of decorous ladies at the bar--guests?
In sum: A great place for Brothers to get together for dinner (a big shout-out to Brother J0sie!) or for dinner/convo with a Chica/ favorita.

Jdd · **Joined:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:42 pm **Posts:** 600

Did the Sushi Bar ever open here upstairs?

JazzboCR · **Posted:** Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:59 pm

As of 3 weeks ago it hadn't. Perhaps a PM to Brother Mkink on the projected opening date?

Jdd · **Joined:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:42 pm **Posts:** 600

Thanks, looking forward to it when it does happen.

www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hotel La Amistad Bar & Restaurant Opening!

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