Showing 1-17 of 17 results
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Baan Thai
For a change of pace, try the flavorful and spicy concoctions at this upscale Thai restaurant. Dishes like tom kha ghai soup, fish wrapped in banana leaf, and the catch of the day prepared in lemon black-bean sauce are all assiduously prepared.
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D' Pancake House
This is the place for breakfast in San José. Huge portions, reasonable prices and over fifty items to choose from (including waffles, egg dishes, fruit, granola and, of course, pancakes) make it a sure shot. At press time, the owner was firing up a new dinner feature: a buffet featuring sushi, salads and Mexican food.
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Damiana
Popular Damiana occupies a restored 18th-century house with wood-beam ceilings and traditional decorations. At night the courtyard, canopied with bougainvillea, is especially romantic. Reservations are recommended.
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El Chimichurri
This small Argentine-owned meat importer sells fresh empanadas (baked turnovers stuffed with meat, cheese or veggies). Delivery offered.
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El Comal
Boasting some of the best patio seating in town, El Comal serves classic mainland Mexican dishes with a gourmet twist. Plates include beef medallions in mole (a rich sauce seasoned with chocolate and spices), cochinita pibil (a traditional pork dish from the Yucatán; around US$16 ) and arrachera en su jugo (flanksteak served in its juice). Prices are reasonable by San José standards, and locals say it's good.
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El Mesón del Ahorcado
It's hard to beat a name like El Mesón del Ahorcado, which means 'the hanged man's restaurant' or, as its called locally in English, the Hangman. And, indeed, the easiest way to spot the place is by the cowboy effigy dangling by its neck from the gallows out front. Even harder to beat than the name is the Hangman's food. This is the one restaurant in San José you shouldn't miss. The best part: it's cheap. Choices include quesadillas made with huitlacoche (a black fungus that grows on corn).
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French Riviera
This French-owned bakery whips out superb croissants, baguettes and pastries fresh daily. Salads, crepes and other sit-down dishes make for a pricier meal than ordering morsels like mini-quiches, ham-and-cheese croissants and personal pizzas to go from the pastry counter. Excellent.
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Jazmín's
Jazmín's serves Mexican, seafood and vegetarian meals in a peaceful setting with unobtrusive service and, incongruously, a paperback book exchange. Breakfasts are excellent. Unfortunately, prices have recently climbed.
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La Panga Antigua
With dishes like yellow fin tuna in a merlot reduction, pan fried jumbo shrimp over fettuccini with organic vegetables, and rack of lamb in annatto rub and pineapple salsa, La Panga Antigua sits squarely within the mold of San José haute cuisine. It's beautifully decorated and highly regarded.
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Mercado Municipal
The numerous loncherías (lunch stalls) alongside San José's municipal market offer simple, inexpensive and good meals. A bowl of menudo (tripe and hominy stew) or a plate of enchiladas will set you back only about US$3 .
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Morgan's Encore
Set in a beautifully remodeled heritage building, Morgan's specializes in gourmet Mexican and international food. Follow the staircase to the open-air terrace upstairs for a fabulous setting. For those of you who really want to splash out, try the US$42 rib-eye.
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Pan del Triunfo
Pan del Triunfo is an excellent bakery with delicious pastries, baguettes and whole-grain loaves of bread. For a sugar fix, nothing beats it. All its lip-smacking breads, cookies, pastries and doughnuts are made right on the premises.
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Super Pollo
This local branch of the Super Pollo chain is the place to go for roast bird. It's just off of Paseo de los Pescadores, west of the Transpeninsular.
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Taquería El Fogón
Taquería El Fogón serves outstanding tacos al pastor (rotisserie pork tacos) and several other variations on the tortilla-packed-with-goodies concept. Vegetarians can dig into quesadillas or stuffed potatoes.
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Taquería Erica
Taquería Erica is one of several cheap taquerías on this strip. The tacos come at you all night at this very popular and inexpensive eatery.
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Taquería México
Open-air Taquería México has plastic tables and fabric tablecloths and serves up delicious tacos, stuffed potatoes and reasonably priced seafood to a mostly local clientele. The fish filets are particularly good. On Thursday and Sunday, try the pozole (pork and hominy stew). Full bar.
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Tequila
The big draws for this classy favorite are the beautiful patio and the 90 varieties of Tequila's namesake swill. The food has morphed from Mexican and Mediterranean-inspired over the years to more strictly Californian, prices have skyrocketed and quality has remained about the same (great, but astoundingly overpriced).
Showing 1-17 of 17 results
