www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Isn't la Monestere a French resturant? I don't know about you, but I don't like eating wierd organs with some fancy sauce on it. Do they have anything besides French food?

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Tunaman

Tuna,
You may be out of luck. They actually specialize in French-Belgian cuisine which is particularly "rich". Here's a clip from their menu selection:

Roquefort Style Caesar Salad
Eden's Garden Salad
Fried Camembert Cheese in Apple Sauce
Goat Cheese Gift with Nuts
Our Chef's Cheese Selection
French Onion Soup
Lobster Bisque with Croutons
Le Monastere Cream Soup
Smoked Salmon Petals and its Caviar
Duck Foie Gras with Toast
Homemade Duck Pate with Cognac and Hazelnuts
Carpaccio & Sashiml Symphony, with two Dressings
Vol Au Vent with Escargos in Garlic Cream
Frog Legs in Vincent Cream

If none of that turns you on you could go for more "traditional costa rican fare" such as the grilled caiman appetizer. Here is one review/ad I saw: The view from here is one of Escazú's best - a 270-degree panorama of ominous volcanoes. The interior, that of a former chapel dressed up with antiques, is equally impressive, but Le Monastère would be popular even without its physical charm: the Belgian owner prepares outstanding classic French dishes and some original Costa Rican items, such as a grilled-caiman appetizer. If in doubt, try the grilled corvina smothered in a Provençal herb sauce. The restaurant only serves dinner, from 7 to 11 PM - and reservations are recommended.

Here was another ad from the same website: Another eye-popping view – at a lower cost – is from Tiquicia (289-5839), a rustic restaurant perched on the edge of the mountain overlooking the valley. We enjoyed a long evening here, eating typical Tico fare and watching a thousand points of light twinkle below. Take a taxi or follow the many signs on the road up through San Antonio.. I never heard of that place before, but it does sound interesting.

The problem with relying on such glowing reviews is many times they are really just paid ads on some website (we all know about the glowing NF reviews on the old CRS website and the glowing Soprano/Morazon reviews. I always have more faith in reviews that talk about the good and the bad.

I'll close with what Frommers has to say about Dining with a View: The food at most of these establishments is not usually spectacular, but the views often are, particularly at night, when the whole wide valley sparkles in a wash of lights. The town of Aserri, 10km (6 1/4 miles) south of downtown San José, is the king of miradores, and Mirador Ram Luna (tel. 230-3060; closed Mon) is the king of Aserri. Grab a window seat and, if you've got the fortitude, order a plate of chicharrones (fried pork rinds). There's often live music. You can hire a cab for around $9, or take the Aserri bus at Avenida 6 between calles Central and 2. Just ask the driver where to get off.

There are also miradores in the hills above Escazú and in San Ramón de Tres Ríos and Heredia. One of the best of this bunch is Le Monestère (tel. 289-4404; closed Sun), an elegant converted church serving somewhat overrated French and Belgian cuisine in a spectacular setting above the hills of Escazú. I recommend coming here just for the less formal La Cava Grill, which often features live music.

Gringotim you are right its the same company http://www.cafetal.com
Thier Inn is located in atenes the place i ate at was just a little souviner shop and restruant. I really liked my little chicken dish there for 2.50 My friend absolutly loved his burrito. Its a cool little place to stop take a look and drink a beer. Richard from pardise hotel in Jaco told us to check it out so we did. They also have those great homemade chips with black beans, salsa, and guacamole. the place is pretty spotless.

Surfdog

Prolijo wrote:



Have been to Tiquica a few times, never ate there, went for the show. The view is good, the Tico typical dancer show fun to watch and in general a nice place to have a few drinks

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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

Ram Luna last night, and Prolijo as usual is right. Nail down taxi prices BEFORE it all starts, and make sure you've priced that wine they plonk down in front of you. Oh, yes, my free-spending laddies...

Lulled by the reasonable menu prices, and no credit card with me, I stood in the bano stall counting my colones to be sure we'd be OK. Didn't figure on the wine though (gotta look that one up -- it was good) and she had to run out to borrow 10k or so from Sr. Taxista... was good for a laugh all the way from that point on...

Ram Luna was great in general. The night I went they had some sort of festive dance in the middle of the restaurant with giant size paper marche puppets. Didn't know wtf was that about but overall ambience was good, in addition to the view.

Monastere closes on Sunday FYI. I learned it the hard way.

MACDONALDS ave central and mariscar great views HAVE A GREAT SPINNER

Danny,
You must have been there for their special Wednesday night "Tierra Tica" all-you-can-eat buffet $28/pp. Reservations are required for the buffet and try to get there a little early (show starts at 7PM) so you can get a seat near the window with the best views of the city lights (unless you'd prefer to be next to the dance floor). I don't know if the open bar extends to the wine list but theres plenty of other interesting things to drink. Try a horchata. The costumed dancers and marimba band were kinda cool. The giant heads were the "Payasos". Don't bother staying for the fireworks display as that was really lame and you can beat the crowds outta there. I thought I had posted on this before, but maybe I hadn't. Here is a link with tons of info on it http://www.toenjoynature.com//COSTA_RICA/RESTAURANT/07.HTML

Last night took a friend to the "White House Costa Rica" and restaurant "Capitol Grill". http://www.whitehousecostarica.com/

Restaurant basically like the Capitol Grill in Miami and elsewhere...with similar prices. This is the highest end "Mirador" you will find in CR for that special occasion or business meeting. Fastest way to get there is by helocopter to their landing pad in front of the restaurant...but actually...it IS closer than Ram Luna and other mountain miradors, especially from Escazu area. Even Circus will like the steaks here...though the cheapest on the menu is the New York Strip for $24.95. For my money, it is a better and fancier experience than "The Manestere" and has a much higher panoramic view. They also have a brand new Hummer of there to take guest around securely, and have 10+ Harleys available to rent for tours. COOL.

The rooms here are spectacular also...all suites named after various presidents that run from $150-$350 per night. We toured some of the rooms and this is definitely a place to pamper yourself or someone special. Only down side may it's isolation from everything in the valley. Definitely a destination. They said their casino will open in 2 weeks also. We'll see.

Tman...you didn't mention that it is actually the former Tara Hotel/Resort.
As I was reading your post, I was thinking 'I've never heard of that resort', then I started to think 'that sounds like it could be the old Tara'.
They must have done a lot of renovations. Judging from the photos, it
looks quite impressive now. I knew it was for sale several years ago.
Why don't they mention anywhere on the website that it's the old Tara? Just curious.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

I have 2 questions:

1) Where do you go to catch the helicopter ride to the Whitehouse? I don't think it could land on the roof of the HDR and there are too many trees and other structures in Morazon Park.

2) When can we expect a CRT VIP discount?

Hey Prolijo , thanks for the info and the link.

That night I was there, I was with a tica ( non sp ) and couple of her friends. Don't think they knew what was going on either when the masks thing was happening .

Yes, sorry I overlooked mentioning it was the old Tara. Reports have it that they put almost $2MM in the renovations. It is a whole other animal now.

Prolijo...I actually talked to the owner that night about some promotions and will try and get back to arrange a CRT discount.

Monastere and Ram Luna have the best views of the city. Monastere as has been pointed out is pricey, though I would try their grill area. It's not quite as expensive as the formal restaurant and still has a great view (feels a bit like a German pub). They have live music on certain nights, or at least they use to.
I've never eaten at Pico Blanco but I've been there for drinks and banging; it always a great place to close the night (the rooms weren't too expensive and some--not all--had good views).

Prolijo -- I'm catching up with your list -- on the way to Arenal, got out of the buckets of rain at "El Mirador" in October, but because of clouds there was no view except the chica across the table from me. Miradors are peligroso for me, I tend to say foolish things to her that I ought not to. Oh well, just indulging the last vestiges of romanticism in me, eh?

So, four days later, she stands me up for Monastere. Think of all I saved! I had enough time to repair to our favorite take-out joint for some fine dining. Indeed, as it was my last night in town, I went back for seconds 4 hours before flight time, and found the menu even more to my liking. Too bad I couldn't bring the unfinished entree home on the plane with me...