www.CostaRicaTicas.com

will be back in san jose in three weeks, i like to visit sonny's as i stay just around the corner, just wondering how the food and service is now as they were new and not very organized in january, anybody been lately

I was there in march and as much as I enjoyed my stay at the castillo , I wasn't impressed with Sonny's at all.


The total " bar area" is approximately only 20' long and 10' wide, the TV's are small and fuzzy. As far as the food goes , well it was ok at best in my opinion.

It really depends on what your looking for, if you just want somewhere to relax " by yourself" and grab an imperial for 700 colones and enjoy a nice brezze then you may like it.

There may be a busy time but I didn't see it during my stay but to be fair I never stuck around for happy hour either.

I can't imagine it being a " chica " hangout at anytime during the day or year for that matter.

They also have a very limited supply of liquor, they looked at me like I was from a different country when I asked for Jager , all in all the people at sonny's are pleasant and everything was clean, the service was good, but atmosphere and selection is awful . But thats just my opinion and I've only been to SJ once so take it for what its worth.

How do they arrange hours for the two bars in this incarnation? Previous management usually kept the back bar open from 4 or 5 until about 9 and then moved in to the bar in the restaurant until about midnight. What kind of food did they have?

Veelee,

When I stayed at the Castillo last January/February, it seemed both bars opened at about noon, with the rear patio bar going until about 9:00 or 9:30 pm, and the front inside bar going till about midnight. There were some daily specials being served.....the soup was good. They had what appeared to be a nice Superbowl party in the rear patio bar area while I was there, though I wasn't in attendance, as I am not much of a sports fan. They had someone preparing bar-b-qued meats and other things which smelled wonderful......appeared everyone was having a good time. It seemed there were some chicas in attendance.

Zebra

Has the bar in the back changed any from the previous ownership. Still have a hot chica working it in the afternoon and some of the hotel customers having beers ?

When I was there last January/February it was still Sonny's, and yes, the bartender at the rear patio bar was still a charming young lady by the name of Karen.

When you say "previous ownership," I assume you are referring to the time the bar was being run by "A FOREIGN AFFAIR." Karen also was the bartender at the rear patio bar during that administration as well. The front bar at that time was tended by another charming young lady by the name of Maria, who was the wife of the man who ran A FOREIGN AFFAIR.

To answer your other question, yes, the hotel patrons do still frequent both of these bars, unless of course, something has changed since my last trip.

Zebra

Did they cook outside or inside? I liked the brochettes that were available a while ago. Steve spoke fondly about the steaks they used to do outside before I started staying there. That might have been while the restaurant was open, but not yet the hotel.

Hey Veelee.......How ya doin?

When I was there during the Superbowl party, they were grilling barbque outside on the grill. On regular business days, they did all the cooking inside, in the kitchen.

Zebra

Zebra

From what I understood from Darren and Art, the outside BBQ was a sepdcial occassion for the super bowl party that not may attended. Normally they cook inside.

I ate my first and last meal (a meatloaf sandwich) at Sonny's last week. I have heard mostly negative reviews about this place, and wanted to try it out for myself. My meatloaf sandwich consisted of a small, cold meatball sliced up and inserted between a soft roll...not very appetizing. I did see a gringo at the bar one night who was enjoying a tasty pasta dish. Perhaps, I should have ordered the same.

The bar area is very small. I have walked by Sonny's on numerous occasions, and the place does not appear to attract many patrons. If my meatball sandwich is indicative of food quality there, then I understand why.

IMHO, with some TLC, I believe this establishment (combined with the outside bar and the Hotel Castillo) has the potential to become a great experience for visitors like us. I am not sure of the ownership for each of these components, but an enterprising mind, with some vision and capital, could turn this place around and make it a success.

_________________
Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Blue Devil was dead on. I checked in to Castillo in mid May after a long flight with only a snack on board and immediately went to Sonny's for a quick lunch before a nap. I also ordered the beatball sub which has the distinction of being the most mediocre meatball sub I've ever had. The sub roll was soft and untoasted. The small amount of sliced meatball was barely painted with tomato/ marinara sauce. Would not go there again, although they has an interesting Sunday Brunch menu. But, after the first experience I did not go back.

Every other meal I has in CR after that was wonderful, especially the food, service and ambiance at SL (ceviche and pargo entero.yum!). Also has some good seafod at small kiosks near and on the calle central for $4-$6 per meal.

They are aware of your comments and are working on it. The bar is often quite busy, though there are slow times. They are looking for ways to enlarge the bar space, though there are some legal limitations since the building is some sort of landmark. I've eaten about 4 meals here so far and expect that I'll have several more and I drink entirely too much here. The food is fairly typical CR fare with a few Sonny additions like the stuffed peppers and stuffed cabage.

The back bar is open Thursday or Friday through Sunday and closes pretty early. The front bar is often nearly full for a few hours a night. It is so easy to just walk out of the room to get to the bar.

Helen, formerly of Key Largo, is now a bartender here.

Kamala, I remember you from your first trip. I'm impressed that you remember anything at all, except for when the door locked behind you, naked in the hotel hall. That was special! Take care Bro!
Don Papi, I knew you had a handle on the bartender. Always aware.
kenj8

Bartenders also include Paola and Maria. Over all they are a good bunch.