Howler Dining Guide July/August 2019

HOWLER

DINING GUIDE

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

#howlermag #SearchFindHowl howlermag.com/diningguide HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 21

W COSTA RICA - RESERVA CONCHAL

A

Meet the Chefs

by Rachel Cherry White

t the newly opened W Costa Rica — Reserva Conchal, the details are everything, and nothing has been overlooked. The ambiance is laid-back cool, with a curated music list and haute decor.

The views are unbeatable, the rooms and pools are playfully luxurious. The food is some of the best in the area, and the hotel restaurants are truly doing something unique: they are elevating Costa Rican cuisine.

The Howler will be featuring each of these restaurants in our upcoming issues. No matter what flavors you crave, the restaurants of the W have you covered. Before you go, here’s your chance to meet the ultra-talented men and women bringing you this amazing food.

HEARTY Julio César Valdivia The esteemed head chef at the W hails from Peru — arguably the foodie capital of the world — but says that Tico flavors are influencing his kitchen a lot. Valdivia has loved cooking since childhood, preferring cooking shows to cartoons for entertainment.

After studying in Peru, he cooked in fine dining establishments all over the world.

Overseeing all of the restaurants and menus at the W, the chef stays humble and credits his staff for helping him learn Costa Rican customs, techniques, and supplies.

“I am proud of the team I have, grateful to have come to this beautiful country,” he says. “Day by day my team teaches me new things and always give me their 100 percent best.”

FRESH Franco Bueno The chef at Cocina de Mercado is also from Lima, Peru, and takes pride in mixing the best from both Peruvian and Costa Rican cuisine. But the integrity of the flavors of the food always shine through, and this is foremost in the chef ’s mind when creating his dishes.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Bueno gets satisfaction from cooking, saying, “I love how I can make our guests feel with the presentation and flavors of my food.”

22

| #searchfindhowl | online

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

Sat, Sun 6:30-11am Lunch: Noon-3pm Dinner: 6-10pm Special Event - W Brunch When: First Sunday of each month 1-4pm howlermag.com

SAVORY Erick Agüero Zúñiga The most upscale dining option at the W, Latitud 10° Norte, serves up an amalgam of Costa Rican and Thai foods — both countries are located on the same latitudinal lines.

Chef Agüero studied culinary arts right here in Costa Rica, training under Asian chefs to also learn their techniques.

His love of Costa Rica and its food is evident.

“I’m proud to be a Tico head chef at one of the best restaurants in Costa Rica,” he says.

Hours Dinner:

6-10pm

Specialty: “Mixology Dining Experience” includes 4 signature cocktails paired with 4 L10N dishes

AL FRESCO Roy Trejos Solano Chef Trejos of Zona Azul grew up in the Central Valley, but his menu is from all over the world … well, the places in the world where people live the longest. He and his team were inspired by the world’s “Blue Zones” (apropos the restaurant name, Zona Azul), so the cuisine boasts flavors of Greece, California, Italy, Japan, and of course, Costa Rica. This chef ’s secret ingredient, though, is that Tico kindness. When I find him in his kitchen he is writing down a recipe for a guest.

Trejos’ resume reads like a list of the top hotels in Costa Rica, but the W is his favorite.

“I get to use my imagination,” he says, “creating combinations of flavors from around the world.”

ZO NA A ZUL B E AC H C LU B

Hours Lunch: Dinner:

Noon-6pm 6-10pm

Special Events Detox Retox Repeat What: A bottomless brunch at the beach club When: Sundays, noon - 5pm

SWEET Carla Reategui The pastry chef for the W is in charge of crafting recipes and making desserts for all of the restaurants.

Carla Reategui originally went to culinary school in her hometown of Lima, Peru, but when she moved to Switzerland she started working as a pastry chef.

“I love to cook, but when I bake, I feel like a fish in the water,” she says with a smile.

The W managed to recruit Carla after she had spent years teaching at a pastry school.

In true playful W style, she says, “I like playing with textures, temperatures and flavors. It’s so fun to create, change and try new things.”

WHATEVER /WHENEVER® Now you know who’s cooking, so stop in for some incredible food, fun, and flavors.

Reservations for every restaurant (or anything else you need at the W) are available at Whatever/Whenever.

Call: 2654-3600

WhatsApp: 8489-7458

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 23

HUACAS

New York Pizzeria 200m west of the Brasilito/ Huacas crossroads, Huacas www.nypizzeriahuacas.com @nypizzeriahuacas Hours Daily, 5pm-10:30pm 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

24

| #searchfindhowl | online

$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

howlermag.com

HUACAS

DINING GUIDE

Solan Victoria:

Costa Rican Cuisine

Hours Wed-Mon, 11am-midnight Tue, 4-midnight

Lively locals' bar and restaurant.

Come and enjoy great food and good times.

Phone: 8567-2493

Specialties Great cocktails Amazingly delicious menu options with locals’ pricing

Whole Fried Red Snapper

c4000

Shrimp ceviche

c2500

Arroz con pollo

c1800

PLAYA GRANDE

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

Main road to Playa Grande Hours Daily, 8am - 5pm Phone: 4701-2394 potsandbowls@gmail.com

Coffee Shop and Plants

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

Playa Grande proper

Pots & Bowls:

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

Choco-Banana NiceCream

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

$9

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

El Oasis Chill Out

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

and Lodge

Hours Fri - Sun, 4pm-10pm

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

Phone: 2249-6166, 8496-2221

Authentic Asian Food

Specialties Smiles and good vibes Private Asian chef service, pho, Free delivery to Playa Grande and Matapalo

MENU SELECTIONS

Grilled Mahi

Appetizers

Greek Chicken

Entrees

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

Spring rolls, rainbow salad and nems

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

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 25

PLAYA GRANDE

MATAPALO

Matapalo: Main square on the way to Playa Grande

PLAYA GRANDE

DINING GUIDE

DINING GUIDE

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

VILLARREAL

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

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

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

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

Flamingo: At the curve en route to Flamingo Hours Tue - Sun, 11am -9pm Closed Mondays Phone: 8373 2833 Specialties Local fresh seafood Beautiful beach sunsets

Pleamar:

Tipico CR Restaurant Come enjoy a truly local fresh seafood experience that offers reasonably priced selections prepared and presented to please the most demanding appetites. Located on the beach so enjoy the beautiful sunsets!

MENU SELECTIONS

Mixed BBQ Buffet

$45

Seafood Platter

Seafood Buffet

$45

Shrimp Pasta

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

26

| #searchfindhowl | online

Fresh seafood combination sauteed with light local seasonings Creamy fresh shrimp pasta dish that's prepared when you order

howlermag.com

PLAYA FLAMINGO

TAMARINDO/LANGOSTA

Hotel Capitán Suizo, Playa Tamarindo

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.

Live Music

Regularly Scheduled Check Schedule and updates at 5 o ´clock somewhere facebook page

@ 5oCSBG

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

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 27

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

$14

$16

Cheesecake

$8

$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

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

Shrimp Ceviche

Specialties Fresh seafood Epic sunset view Call for reservations

Catch of the Day

Bang Bang Shrimp

Seafood Platter

Grilled Lobster Tails

| #searchfindhowl | online

The Beach House: Beachfront Dining

Phone: 2654-6203

Now serving breakfast 28

Grilled Octopus

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

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 howlermag.com

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

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 29

HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 59