www.CostaRicaTicas.com

OK, so some other poster told everyone that the above named restuant was the place to go as an alterative to La Esquina de BA and that it is a sponsor therefore there is a discount. ReadytoParty, Maximus62, 1stRangerBatBoy and I, your humble correspondent, decided to try it out and it frankly SUCKED!!! The menu they presented us with had Gringo pricing, like the kind you would find in New York, such as an imported steak for $40.00 USD and local beef for about $26-36 dollars, which would be OK, if the beef was tasty and we were in NY. Since neither was the case, the place is simply a clip joint and should be avoided. Ranger-Bat had Calimari and he was presented with a small plate of what looked like Onion rings for about 10 bucks, again, Gringo pricing. The Baby Beef I had was not tender and pretty much flavorless. For 4 meals, one that consisted of 2 appetizers, the bill came to approximately 140 USDs when everything was said and done. RangerBat asked to speak to the manager, but when he came to the table and asked if everything was alright, I stepped in and told the guy the food was overpriced, the meat was tough and tasteless and that we basically had a lousy meal. I would like to call out the guy who said it was such a great place and to inquire as to whether he has an alterior motive in trying to get CRT members to frequent the place.

On the other hand, they guys have been frequenting La Esquina on this trip and can't say enough good things about the place, regardless of the fact that there is no longer a CRT discount.

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Yeah, discounts to garbage are no bargain! Thanks for the honest report TimBones. As for calamari, don't know what is the problem. I have never had any here that wasn't like frozen food. BTW, let them tell you all they want about imported beer, special beef blah, blah, blah. Costa Rica isn't known for great beef but I have had decent steaks at REASONABLE prices in this country. And while not spectacular, I have bought decent, tasty steaks at AutoMercado for really good prices.

I have recommended El Chicote and will continue to do so and have absolutely no ulterior motivate for doing so. Quite frankly I find that suggestion insulting to not only myself but to others who have posted about their positive experience there.

Not everyone will agree on the merits or demerits of any restaurant but considering the fact that El Chicote is one of the longest surviving restaurants in San Jose, I first went there in 1992, and continues to draw a large following they must be pleasing a majority of those who have dined there.

I do not believe anyone has ever posted that El Chicote was inexpensive and I have no idea where you got the idea that they are a CRT sponsor and offer a discount as to my knowledge they have never been a CRT sponsor.

It is regrettable that you did not either enjoy your meal or feel that you received adequate value for the dollars spent and I am glad you shared your experience with the CRT community. I would suggest that those who are interested in a quality dining experience, at a price, in one of longer standing San Jose restaurants give El Chicote a try.

As to La Esquina de Buenos Aires I have dined there on a number of occasions and have always enjoyed my meal.

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

slightly confused here...

In most restaurants I frequent...in fact all, the prices are on the menu...if I think it's to expensive ...I leave....

Hey TB,

You might want to checkout this thread viewtopic.php?f=14&t=21177 evidently so many CRT guys are getting a "cut" or some other ulterior motive they had to raise prices and downgrade the quality of the food just in time for your visit.

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

Most likely have to go to Panama to get a decent meal. Send Greengo a PM and he can tell you where his "buds" who fled Costa Rica in droves dine.

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

Gentlemen,

When we dine either in USA or B F Egypt it is up to us to let the owner know his food
is or is not up to par. That doesn't mean be an ass or wait till all but two bits are left.
I have had only one or two times in my life and travels were a well place word with the
owner or manager didn't bring a much improved dining experience. I might note
that quite often the results were free dessert or a free meal that was corrected.

Just a thought from a brother from another mother.

_________________
May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

ID has always had ulterior motives here. Sorry that you had to waste $140 finding out.

CVcap is absolutely correct. I have a hidden 95% interest in El Chicote. My function is to sit in a hidden room observing the front door through a two way mirror. When I spot a group of gringos come in I press a button that alerts the wait staff to make sure they get the gringo menu and the kitchen to ensure they get the worst cut of meat and the smallest portion.

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

I am amazed at how a review of a restaurant is spun into a flame war.

The OP, no doubt, set the tone for this thread in the opening paragraph:

BlueDevil +1.

+2... it seems to always turn into a flame war when ID is involved.

Yeah, since you originally posted the glowing review, I find it interesting that you cite my opening sentence as the reason for the "flame war" instead of the fact that other posters agree the place is of dubious value.

Bottom-line is that 4 CTRers ate there the other night, all four hated it for reasons already stated and would not go back. I asked them if they wanted to leave after being shocked by the prices and they all decided to stick it out, even if only to write and present an accurate review of the restaurant to CRTers, and we have met that requirement. As always, YMMV or you may be getting a discount on the Baby Beef. (J/K)

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Not sure of your point ID , but basically as I said, the place provided poor quality food at a very high cost. I reviewed all the posts to the link you provided and I remember that all the menus seemed to be well worn, yet the prices had been labeled over several times indicating several price changes and perhaps even a gringo menu. BD's original glowing review dated back over 2 years. As I said, none of the guys who ate there the other night had a good experience and since I was one of them and offered a 1st person review I have to believe my own senses, that of some old posts or attribute it to some other factor, such as change in ownership, Gringo Pricing, someone beating the drum for perceived personal gain (as was the case for the various Shills for Chubbs), change in business strategy or some other factor.

The three other guys dined at La Esquina de BA during the visit and favorably contrasted the quality and price with the horsemeat we were served at El Chicote. Since I have also eaten there and agree that they offer tasty fare at good prices, we are good judges of the quality of the offerings.

My belief is that between 2008 and 2011, there have been significant changes to the menu, quality of the meats, business strategy etc. But, please feel free to go there again and find out for yourselves.

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Amigo please tell me any restaurant in CR that has the not had a dramatic increase in prices over the last 3 years. From the humblest of local sodas to the high end 5 star restaurants they all have felt the dramatic increase of food prices as well as the semi-yearly government mandated wage increases.

I have no argument with your review as it was an honest picture of what you felt. My argument with you is that you said those who had posted positive reviews of the restaurant had an ulterior motive. I find that insulting and it added no legitimate value to your review.

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