Howlers Dining Guide

An Unforgettable Experience Awaits

JULY 2018

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by Karl Kahler

Sentido norte: Smoking Hot Food and a Swimming Pool on Fire

It's a view that transports you to another world.”

We knew we had to get busy when Erick, the acting manager at Sentido Norte, asked my girlfriend to strike the gong three times as the sun hit the ocean so they could light the three flame jets in the infinity pool at Casa Chameleon.

Guiselle stepped up and banged on the gong like she was batting in the World Series. The three flames in the swimming pool burst to life, to the shock and awe of the assembled guests, who oohed and ahead and took pictures.

“That’s something we give away,” said Warner Ortega, the chef at Sentido Norte.

“We don’t just give provide good food or a good drink, we provide an experience.”

The first thing you should know about Sentido Norte is that the location is perfect. Perched on a hill above the Mediterraneanstyle village of Las Catalinas, the restaurant and bar have a sweeping view of a stunning seascape, with Playa Danta on the right, Playa Pan de Azúcar on the left and an array of picturesque islets in front.

“It’s a view that transports you to another world,” said Magdalena, one of our party of four.

The romantic setting makes this the perfect place for a special event like celebrating a birthday or anniversary even better if you spend the night in one of the stunning villas at the swanky Casa Chameleon.

The bar is a beauty, all teak with cane ceilings, decorated with Moroccan light fixtures and Indonesian touches. A larger-than-life Hindu goddess is seated cross-legged by the pool, her back to the elements, embodying the serenity of this place.

We sat in the bar facing the sea and ordered a sangria, a mojito, a Casarita and a Rosey Rikki, which were all really good. We had some ceviche with homemade potato chips.

About the time it got dark, we were escorted from the bar to the dining room and seated at a table that looked too pretty to be disturbed.

The plates alone were more beautiful than anything I own. There were cloth napkins in the middle of them, weighted by gorgeous brass chameleons.

Our server was a sweet young lady named Ema who explained all the specials and answered all our questions. The special was an appetizer of red snapper carpaccio and a main course of braised short rib and mushroom risotto.

I called dibs on the special. Guiselle ordered the “rondón,” a Caribbean seafood stew that gets its name from Jamaican cooks who made soup out of whatever they could “run down.” Magdalena ordered the ribeye and potatoes, and Marty wanted the tuna poke bowl.

For a warm-up we munched on fried squid, which arrived on top of a cream cheese sauce that was almost too good to be true.

Comic relief was supplied by a tourist who screamed at the top of her lungs upon spotting a gecko, which got the entire restaurant laughing.

The food arrived and we all got busy making it disappear. Guiselle gave me a shrimp boiled in tasty coconut milk. Magdalena devoured her ribeye, Marty plunged into his poke bowl and I savored the richness of my risotto.

“The idea of our food is fusion,” said Warner. “It’s putting organic products, locally sourced products from this region, and using them to create all kinds of dishes for discriminating tastes.”

Dessert was a chocolate brownie with a red berry sorbet.

By the way, if you spend the night here breakfast is included, and it’s sublime. Try the French toast with sweet plantains, coconuts, cashews and macadamia, or the bacon and potato omelette with Swiss cheese.

At Casa Chameleon, 4km north of the Potrero soccer field

Hours

Daily, 7am-10pm No children under 12 years

Phone: 2103-1200

concierge@ casachameleonhotels.com

Specialties

Fresh fish, sunset cocktails, "boquitas" menu

Sentido Norte - Fine Dining

Sentido Norte, a restaurant and bar at Casa Chameleon, proudly offers an adult fine-dining experience that celebrates the best of Costa Rican cuisine. Your drive through winding roads above the quaint beach town of Las Catalinas is rewarded by an unforgettable but affordable taste of luxury.

Just a few steps uphill from the bright and welcoming entrance, your table awaits in a gorgeous, open-air perch framed by a panoramic view of the Pacific. A design motif incorporating responsibly sourced teak adds a sense of warmth and well-being to the romantically lit atmosphere. All food and drinks are inspired by the country’s bountiful abundance, combining uniquely local and native ingredients in the glass and on the plate.

MENU SELECTIONS

Overnight Oats $18

With almond milk, yogurt, fruit, cashews, local honey or tapa dulce

French Toast $12

With sweet plantains and coconut milk cream

Knife & Fork Tortillas $14

Chicharrón or vegan huevos rancheros

Vegan Omelettes $6

With asparagus, mushrooms and caramelized onion

Casa Chameleon Burger $19

Angus burger with arugula, Swiss or goat cheese and aioli

Ceviche $14

Fresh fish ceviche, leche de tigre, homemade "chilero"

Grilled Chicken Wrap $12

With greens, avocado & tomato, spicy aioli

Vegan Bowl $19

Quinoa, mushroom and squash picadillo salad, spicy garbanzo beans

Guacamole and Salsa $10

Hearts of palm ceviche, avocado & tomato

Octopus & Mussels $29

Octopus and mussels wok-sauteed in garlic butter and white wine

Grilled Skirt Steak $30

Skirt steak, chimichurri sauce, salad, french fries

Fresh Tuna Poke $24

Raw tuna, mango, avocado

Prices shown include 13% tax and 10% service / Prices subject to change