Howler Dining Guide June 2019

Three Restaurants at W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal are Open to the Public

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Come On In … We’re Open!

by Rachel Cherry White

W

e love Costa Rica: the weather, the beaches, the people and the food. Now, by opening three new restaurants in Reserva Conchal, the W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal has significantly enhanced our foodie scene in Guanacaste, adding new variety to tempt our tastebuds while putting a fresh twist on the Tico cuisine we know and love.

Head chef Julio Cesar Valdivia oversees all of the restaurants and was integral in creating the concept for each.

His philosophy is simple, but fun. “I always try to use local ingredients,” he says. “I simply use the best products and try to

surprise the guest.”

His innovative menus feature “elevated Costa Rican dishes”, and you may be surprised at what he can do with our humble gallo pinto.

While Valdivia hails from and studied the culinary arts in Peru, he’s worked all over the world including Dubai, Colombia and India.

The three restaurants are open to the public and each features different foods for whatever your mood. All of the menus are seasonal and will be changed periodically to freshen things up, while keeping signature dishes in place.

ZO NA A ZUL B E AC H C LU B

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Cocina de Mercado

With an open kitchen allowing guests to interact with the chef, this market-inspired restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a casual place to mix and mingle, with both an air-conditioned indoor space and outdoor seating. Breakfast is international with a local flair, featuring café chorreado, a juice bar, pancake stations and more. Lunch and dinner items include salads, brick-oven pizzas and other comfort foods.

Must-try: Lamb shank cooked 18 hours and served with coriander risotto, with warm apple pie for dessert, topped with cerveza ice cream (a nod to the hotel owners who also own Imperial) and caramel sauce.

WHATEVER WHENEVER®

/

How to get in on the action Contact the Whatever / Whenever team to make your reservations, 24/7.

Call: 2654-3600 WhatsApp: 8489-7458

Latitud 10° Norte

Explore a labyrinth of exotic flavors in this boutique bistro, serving more sophisticated fare. Both Costa Rica and Thailand fall on the same latitudinal lines, and the dining room takes full advantage, serving traditional Latin American cuisine with Thai inspiration.

“Costa Rica is home to 4 percent of the world's biodiversity, which means we have 4 percent of the ingredients right at our fingertips,” says Hector Ladeveze, general manager of the W. Must-try: Slow-cooked short ribs or shrimp chorreada (the chef ’s reinvention of a classic Latin American breakfast food is the breading for the shrimp). Then for dessert, take your tastebuds to indescribable heights of delight with la degustación del cacao, a multi-layered fusion of cacao tastes and textures.

Zona Azul

At this vibrant adult playground, the food is beach club but better. The irreverent menu serves up big portions and even bigger flavor. The food is relaxed, unfussy and easy-to-eat poolside.

Must try: Boss burger, followed by pecan pie for dessert.

We haven’t even talked about the mixologists and the wide array of cocktails served up at these new W Hotel dining spots. Check out our Dining Guide in future Howler issues for more information. In the coming months, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at each restaurant, including interviews with the chefs. In the meantime, go taste for yourself how they’re breaking new ground in Costa Rican cuisine.

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cool things to do every day Monday 3 to 4pm MASTERS OF MIX Cocktail tasting and mixing lessons at the Living Room Bar so you can be a Mixmaster too. $25 Tuesday 11:30am to 12:30pm HANDS ON Hang out with the chefs and learn some new cooking tips for your fave meal. $45 includes welcome cocktail and ceviche bar with four recipes.

Wednesday 7 to 9pm UNPLUGGED Chill in the Living Room with some live music.

Thursday 8pm to Midnight FUNK SESSIONS Get dressed in your funkiest outfits and enjoy classic cocktails while grooving to the oldies.

Hours Breakfast: Mon-Fri, 6:30-10:30am

Sat, Sun 6:30-11am Lunch: Noon-3pm Dinner: 6-10pm

Friday 8pm to 1am FRIDAY NIGHT OUT It’s just what it sounds like. Get down to the Zona Azul Beach Club for the party.

Saturday 1pm to Sunset FIESTA NO SIESTA The cool kids are having a pool party and you’re invited. Dive into Veuve Clicquot specials while the DJ plays your favorite songs.

Sunday Noon to 5pm DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT. It’s bottomless brunch at the beach club. $55

Hours Dinner:

6-10pm

ZO NA A ZUL B E AC H C LU B

Hours Lunch: Dinner:

Noon-3pm 6-10pm

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HUACAS

New York Pizzeria 200m west of the Brasilito/ Huacas crossroads, Huacas www.nypizzeriahuacas.com @nypizzeriahuacas Hours Daily, 5pm-10:30pm Tues-Sun 3pm-11pm Phone: 2653-6296 8729-5640

Pizzeria

New York Pizzeria is your go-to pizza spot in Guanacaste, for an authentic New York style pizza.

Dine-in or take-out available.

Enjoy!

Specialties Authentic New York style pizza Freshly made breadsticks

MENU SELECTIONS

Huacas - Main road, north side halfway between Super Compro and intersection to Brasilito Hours Daily, 6am - 9pm Phone: 2653-6273

Soda Guaymy

Typical Costa Rican Food If you want great quality typical Costa Rican food and an ice-cold beer, Soda Guaymy's delivers! And its as economical as it gets!

jimemurillo98@hotmail.com

MENU SELECTIONS

Meat Lover's Pizza

Casados

House Special Pizza

Rice with shrimp or chicken

Pepperoni, ham, salami, bacon, and ground beef

Pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, and sweet peppers

HUACAS 3km south of Huacas, road to Tamarindo Hours Daily, 7am-9pm Breakfast 7am-10am

Fish, chicken and beef served with rice, beans and whatever is fresh A traditional favorite: Arroz con camerones o pollo

La Playita: Poolside Dining Located at the Seis Playas Hotel, La Playita Restaurant & Bar is open to hotel guests and the public and is known for its friendly and inviting environment. It is the ideal setting for sharing good food and drinks with family and friends, or a romantic dinner poolside while enjoying the convenient distance to our six local beaches.

MENU SELECTIONS

Phone: 2653-6818 info@seisplayashotel.com

Broken Yolk Sandwich

$12

Pasta

Specialties Food cooked to your taste! — con mucho gusto Friday Night Texas Barbecue

Breakfast Quesadilla

$12

Open Grill

BLT La Playita

$10

Fried egg, bacon or ham and cheese on toast, served with seasonal fruit Eggs, tomato, onion, sweet pepper and cheese, served with seasonal fruit Always a favorite for a light bite to eat: bacon, lettuce and tomato

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$14

Build your own pasta bowl, with a mixed salad

From $16

Pork tenderloin, chicken breast, ribeye, New York strip, beef tenderloin & catch of the day

Pineapple FlambĂŠ

$4

Our most popular dessert served hot with vanilla ice cream

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HUACAS

DINING GUIDE

Hours Fri - Sun, 4pm-10pm Phone: 2249-6166, 8496-2221

El Oasis Chill Out

and Lodge

Pots & Bowls:

Authentic Asian Food

Main road to Playa Grande

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese and Thai cuisine in a tropical garden setting.

Hours Daily, 8am - 5pm

Specialties Smiles and good vibes private Asian chef cervice, pho, Free delivery to Playa Grande and Matapalo

Phone: 4701-2394 potsandbowls@gmail.com

Spring rolls, rainbow salad and nems

Entrees Pad Thai, bun nems bowl, Cantonese rice, stir-fried wok

PLAYA GRANDE

Playa Grande proper Hours Daily, 8am - 9:30pm Breakfast, 8-11am Lunch, 11am-5pm Dinner, 5-9pm Happy-Hour 4-6pm Sunday Brunch 8am-2pm Phone: 2653-0480 ripjackinn.com

Rip Jack Inn Tree Top Dining

A diverse menu that includes fresh local seafood as well as tasty treats from the land, crisp salads, veggie bowls, local dishes and options for kids!

Specialties Smoothie bar, fresh and frozen cocktails, bocas menu, vegetarian menu available, gluten-free options, full service for retreats and weddings.

MENU SELECTIONS

Fresh, healthy and fun. Focus on homemade ingredients. Different dietary options: gluten-free, lactose-free vegan.

Specialties Coffee, plants and pots Costa Rican boutique Workshops

MENU SELECTIONS

MENU SELECTIONS Appetizers

Coffee Shop and Plants

Choco-Banana NiceCream

Peanut butter, cacao, almond milk, granola, bee pollen, nibs

$9

Tuna Poke $14 Sushi rice, avocado, edamame, wakame, mango

8 min. drive from Tamarindo, 2km south Villarreal Hours By reservation Phone: 8869-9765 Specialties Zipline and BBQ buffet for only $85.

Black Stallion:

Rustic Outdoor BBQ

Dine with the stars of Guanacaste on a private ranch. Enjoy a delicious BBQ buffet with sides. Wine, beer and sangria included! Call for reservations.

Available for private parties and events.

MENU SELECTIONS

Grilled Mahi

Mixed BBQ Buffet

$45

Greek Chicken

Seafood Buffet

$45

Served with a yogurt cilantro lime sauce, mixed veggies and grilled polenta Grilled chicken breast with a creamy caper sauce served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables & cauliflower rice

Baby back ribs, chorizo and chicken, sides included A delicious array of seafood and sides dishes

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VILLARREAL

PLAYA GRANDE

Main road to Playa Grande, 20m after Wil-Mart

PLAYA GRANDE

DINING GUIDE

DINING GUIDE

TAMARINDO/LANGOSTA

Hotel Capitán Suizo, Playa Tamarindo Hours Daily, noon to 9:30pm Mon, 7-9pm, Live Marimba Wed, 7-9pm, Avellino Fri, 7-9pm, Live Marimba Phone: 2653-0075 restaurante @hotelcapitansuizo.com Specialties Healthy dishes made from scratch with local and fresh products All taxes included in price

El Barco Del Capitán: European-Tico Fusion, Beachfront Restaurant

El Barco del Capitán is nestled in a beautiful tropical garden within the Hotel Capitán Suizo and offers a modern, healthy and fresh cuisine. Our chef, Jujo Molina, has created the dishes inspired by his European heritage and the incredible products available in Costa Rica. Using our homegrown ingredients from our organic garden, we strive to offer an environmentally friendly menu and an authentic experience to our guests.

Tacos Carne (Lunch)

MENU SELECTIONS $15

Tartar Capitan (Dinner)

$13

$15

Linguini (Dinner)

$23

Lomito (Dinner)

$28

Beef in tortillas with mixed cabbage salad, guacamole and tamarindo sauce

The Veggie (Lunch)

Tuna and mango tartar with capers and a cilantro, ginger and soy dressing

Grilled portobello, tomato, zucchini, chilealmonds-garlic sauce, homemade bun

Calamari, jumbo shrimps, mussels, Spanish chorizo, cherry tomatoes, white wine

Calamari Crujientes (Snack) $13

Crispy calamari with homemade green pesto and a honey, red onion escabèche

200g of tenderloin with a tamarind sauce over Swiss Roësti and vegetables

PLAYA FLAMINGO

SIMPLY SPANISH Going to a Restaurant el comedor (m) — dining room

Flamingo - 100m south of road to Potrero Hours Daily, 5:30pm-10:30pm Closed Wednesday Phone: 8532-8613 Specialties Perfectly grilled ribeye, fish, pizza and, of course, pastas

los cubiertos (m) — cutlery

Vaca Loka:

el cuchillo (m) — knife

Italian Restaurant True Italian cuisine. Pasta like you are in Roma! Fresh bruschetta served when you arrive. We've been told countless times, we have the best grilled ribeye in Costa Rica. Buon appetito!

la cuchara (f ) — spoon la entrada (m) — first course el menu del dia (m) — fixedprice menu la mesa (f ) — table

el plato principal (m) — main course los platos (m) — courses el postre (m) — dessert una propina (f ) — a tip la sal (f ) — salt la silla (f ) — chair el tenedor (m) — fork

la pimienta (f ) — pepper Useful phrases Permiso. — Excuse me. (to attract the waiter's attention) Quisiéramos pedir. — We'd like to order.

Bien hecho/en su punto/poco hecho — well done/medium/rare ¿Qué hay de postre? -— What is there for dessert? ¿Hay mesas libres? — Are there any free tables? ¿Dónde están los servicios? — Where are the toilets?

MENU SELECTIONS House Lasagna

c6.500

Ribeye c6.500 32

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¿Hay ...? — Do you have any … ? ¿La cuenta, por favor? — Can I have the bill, please?

spanishforexpats23@gmail.com spanishforexpatscr.com (506) 8729 4857 howlermag.com

PLAYA FLAMINGO

DINING GUIDE

SOMEWHERE OMEWHERE BAR AR Margaritaville Beach Resort, Playa Flamingo Hours Daily from 4pm - 11pm Happy hour: 4:30-6:30 Phone: 2654-4444, ext. 3264 Specialties Nachos, tacos, burgers, salads and sandwiches

World Famous Margaritas!

5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill: Drinks and Casual Dining Best place on the Gold Coast to take in panoramic oceanfront views and multi-screen sports TV while enjoying hand-crafted cocktails and a delicious casual dining menu. You will want to return again and again for juicy cheeseburgers and mouthwatering tacos, not to mention the perfect margaritas and other specialty cocktails. Enjoy a beautiful sunset view during the daily Happy Hour 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday nights feature live entertainment with the best of the area's local bands and musical talent.

Sat. June 1 - Joss Araya, 8-10 Fri. June 7 - Charly Lopez, 8-10 Sat. June 8 - José Vega, 8-10 Fri. June 14- Charly Lopez, 8-10 Sat. June 15 - Joss Araya, 8-10 Fri. June 21 - Charly Lopez, 8-10 Sat. June 22 - José Vega, 8-10 Fri. June 28 - José Vega, 8-10 Sat. June 29 - Joss Araya, 8-10

More to come

A perfect blend of Costa Rican and international cuisine that includes freshly caught local fish and grass-fed beef. Enjoy the oceanfront sea breeze on the outdoor patio or dine inside in air-conditioned comfort.

An Italian bistro with a tropical view.

Choose from a selection of pizzas, pastas and paninis, or build your own dish with a variety of fresh, delicious ingredients.

Hours Daily 6:30am to 9:30pm breakfast, lunch, dinner

Hours Daily 5pm to 11:30pm Pizza only from 9:30pm

Phone: 2654-4444 ext. 3269

Phone: 2654-4444 ext. 3268

Specialties Fresh fish, grass-fed beef, international buffets, kids menu

Specialties Specialty artisanal pizza oven; design your own pizzas and pastas

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DINING GUIDE

SURFSIDE / POTRERO

1 km east of Banco Nacional in Flamingo Hours Daily, 6:30am-9:30pm Phone: 2654-4671, 2654-5340 Specialties Fresh seafood and pasta

NASU: Creative Tropical Cuisine Welcome to Nasu Restaurant, tropical creative cuisine. Join us oceanside, where the freshest catch is prepared every day by our acclaimed chef. Enjoy the culinary treasures of Costa Rica, where tradition and innovation meet.

MENU SELECTIONS NASU Salad

Shrimp Spicy Tacos

SURFSIDE / POTRERO

Potrero, 800m north of Banco Nacional Hours Breakfast, 8-11am Lunch and Dinner, 11am -10pm Kitchen closes 9pm Phone: 2654-6203 Specialties Fresh seafood Epic sunset view Call for reservations

Now Serving Breakfast 34

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Grilled Octopus

$14

$16

Cheesecake

$8

Flour tortilla, breaded shrimp, mango coleslaw and spicy mayonnaise

Pacific Lobster All taxes included in price

$10

Lettuce mix, avocado, hearts of palm, blackberries, orange and passion fruit dressing

$25

Grilled lobster, garlic buttered baby-potatoes with with rosemary and mixed vegetables

Served with garlic buttered baby-potatoes and carrots Homemade cheesecake with blueberry topping

Keylime Pie

Special dessert of the chef

$8

The Beach House: Beachfront Dining Renowned for its fresh seafood, this quaint restaurant and bar was transformed from a private residence. Come and enjoy incredible food with awesome sunsets and views of the Pacific Ocean.

MENU SELECTIONS Grilled Scallops

c10000

Shrimp Ceviche

c10500

Catch of the Day

c19000

Bang Bang Shrimp

c10000

Seafood Platter

c19000

Grilled Lobster Tails - Market Price

Grilled in a bath of Cacique liquor, lime and garlic With tropical salsa, grilled vegetables & potatoes or rice

Fresh mahi mahi, grilled jumbo shrimp, sautĂŠed calamari, with rice pilaf and grilled vegetables

Peruvian style marinated shrimp, red pepper and onion, tomato and cilantro with plantain chips Crispy, creamy, sweet, and spicy shrimp in cornmeal breading with tangy Thai chili sauce

Two roasted lobster tails in wine-garlic butter sauce with grilled vegetables and rosemary potatoes

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LAS CATALINAS

DINING GUIDE

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

$8

Casa Chameleon Burger $19

Guacamole and Salsa

$12

French Toast

$12

Ceviche $14

Moules Frities

$26

Knife & Fork Tortillas

$14

Grilled Chicken Wrap

$17

Grilled Skirt Steak

$32

Chicharrón or vegan huevos rancheros

With greens, avocado & tomato, spicy aioli

Vegan Omelettes

$14

Vegan Bowl

$19

Mushroom Lamb Risotto $33

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

With sweet plantains and coconut milk cream

With asparagus, mushrooms and caramelized onion

Angus burger with arugula, Swiss or goat cheese and aioli Fresh fish ceviche, leche de tigre, homemade "chilero"

Quinoa, mushroom and squash picadillo salad, spicy garbanzo beans

Hearts of palm ceviche, avocado & tomato Wok sautéed with garlic butter and chardonnay broth

Skirt steak, chimichurri sauce, salad, french fries

Slowly braised with porcini, portobello and crimini mushrooms

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

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