www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Somewhat surprised that Don Fernando's hasn't been mentioned here--it's been mentioned enough and they are the beef supplier to the SL plus have their butcher shop next door (?) to the restaurant:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37290&hilit=fernando
http://www.carnesdonfernando.com/main.cfm

For the best pork chops, try Donde Alcides, though it's a bit of a trek from the Gulch:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=30890&hilit=alcides
http://dondealcides.desamparados.info/

_________________
"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

To the best of my knowledge Don Fernando uses local beef that they raise and age not U.S. beef so they would not be mentioned in a thread about U.S. beef.

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

Not impressed with the Don Fernando's steaks at SL. The steak was pre-spiced. Not sure if SL spices the meat or not themselves. Also I heard that the meat in Costa Rica is not aged. Killed one day and served the next. A Don Fernando steak doesn't even come close to the quality as a La Esquina de Buenos Aries steak imo. If Bill got Buenos Aries quality meat at SL. I would eat it every night I stayed there. Not sure if Bill uses or has an actual BBQ grill in SL kitchen.

Can not speak of the Don Fernando steak that is served at the SL. However having eaten at both La Esquina and Don Fernando's restaurant in Escau as well as many other of the well know steak houses in Costa Rica I would IMO rank Fernando's right up there with the others. That simply would not be possible if they did not age their beef. Most places in CR do not age the beef but that does not mean none of then do.

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

Caught me out on that, yessir, but figured since there'd been conversation about, say, milk, I figured I'd slip that one in, and it did provoke convo on Don F's. OK, so doing what I do best (couple of stumbles today to the contrary), here's more on Senior Brother Admin1's mention--first, the hotel it's in/associated with, then, the restaurant itself: http://www.hotelboutiquejade.com/ and http://www.hotelboutiquejade.com/restaurant.php

_________________
"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

No problem. Based on the news reports concerning the finances of the United States Postal Service and remembering that you are a USPS retiree I am sure your thoughts are a bit discombobulated at the moment.

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

There is definitely no US beef embargo. That is false. In fact you can buy US Select (one grade below prime) at Price Mart (great ribeyes) and Walmart and I'm sure other places. Jimmy Ts in Los Suenos sells flash frozen Buckhead Beef from the US.

I have never had anything good from Don Fernandos in multiple visits.

Doris has good local beef.

Eat pig! The best steak in CR is a mediocre Sizzler meal in the States!

That is a misconception. If you know where you are going there is plenty of great steak places, US and Argentinian. Even local at Doris.

I'll admit I've eaten decent. Just nothing that rocks my world...

There is currently no embargo of U.S. beef in Costa Rica however there was one a few years back based on a mad cows disease outbreak in the U.S. One of the victims of that was the all beef U.S. hot dogs that Pricesmart use to sell at their food counter. Was without a doubt the best hot dog you could get in Costa Rica and it did not return when the embargo was lifted.

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

Yes, and its now terrible at Price Mart. But they do sell all beef Hebrew Nats for 2k for 7.

Saw one of the famous SL steaks yesterday. Now, seeing isn't tasting, but I have to say that it looked very good. And was fairly good size, which is something I like... Not into 6 ounce steaks... Will definitely give it a try one of these weekends.

Actually, one grade below choice.

From a beef website:

Grades are based on the amount of marbling in the meat and the age of the animal. Marbling is the flecks and streaks of white fat you find distributed throughout the meat. In general, the higher the degree of marbling, the more tender, juicy, and flavorable the meat will be. Consequently, higher grade meats come at a higher cost. Age also plays in an important part. Beef is best in flavor and texture when cattle is between 18 and 24 months old, so the grading favors younger animals. There are eight distinct grades of beef recognized by the USDA. In order of descending quality they are:

â—¦Prime
â—¦Choice
â—¦Select
â—¦Standard
â—¦Commercial
â—¦Utility
â—¦Cutter
â—¦Canner
Studies suggest that beef graded at least USDA Select are likely to acceptable in eating quality for most consumers, so this is usually the lowest grade you’ll ever hear mentioned by name in the supermarket***

*** Except in Costa Rica, where "Select" is advertised as holding a place of honor