September 2011 Update

This truncated blog is being posted as Joan and I are returning from vacation in BC, the Yukon and Southeastern Alaska where we spent the last three weeks watching grizzlies and black bears eat salmon, stone sheep descend from the mountains to look for food from passing motorists, moose stare blankly from marshes and caribou cross our path in large numbers. Add sightings of wolves, foxes, beavers, porcupines, three kinds of deer, eagles, owls, bison, porpoises and orcas and we were happy travelers despite about five hours in the car each day.  Tomorrow it will be warm weather and gallo pinto time. Pura vida!

Susan lived in Mexico and is always on the lookout for good Mexican food and friendly Mexicanos. She told us about Mexico Lindo in San Isidro de General and their delicious mole while we were enjoying Norman’s charm and good food at Jalapeños Central in Alajuela.

Another small restaurant with some decent Mexican selections is Takitos Y Picantitos in La Guacima Centro across the street from Ferreteria Materiales Los Principes. It is a family run business with bright young Allison who runs the cash register while her mom cooks.  Their limited menu offers some samples of Mexican street and snack food mixed with a few Chinese offerings and Tico standards.

Only a few miles east, the road from La Guacima enters San Rafael de Alajuela. At a T intersection there is an ATM and a small Mexican Restaurant run by two people from different parts of Mexico. The food at Fonda Cielito Lindo is simply prepared, authentic and inexpensive. Choices include sopa Azteca, tacos, tortas, burritos, flautas, gringas, churrasco, alambres, quesadillas, nachos, chilaquiles and more. I like having simple huevos rancheros there in the morning. A grilled pair of tortillas topped with a pair of fried eggs and warm green chili sauce comes with refritos on the side. Nothing fancy – simple and tasty. Most of the menu items cost C1800 and all the others except for the steak cost only a little more.  They open at 8 am and close at 7 pm Monday thru Thursday, and at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They are closed on Sunday. 2438-3723. They are located about halfway from the La Guacima exit on the new pista and the Panasonic corner where the Santa Ana Radial reaches Belen.

For another Mexican option, try Puriscal. As you enter the town on the main road from Ciudad Colon look for the street that runs in front of the old earthquake-damaged church. It is a one way. Where it crosses the main road, turn right. El Burrito Enchilao is down the hill a block and a half on the left side. The prices are about a third more than Fonda Cielito Lindo, but the portions are large and the seasoning is very nice and spicier than most places in Costa Rica. 2416-0201

Turnabout is fair play. Vickie Skinner has often posted parts or all of my blogs on her site, with my blessings. This piece of news is from her Facebook post. The prime rib dinners at the White House atop Escazu are back, but the hotel is now completely remodeled, its new name is the Tara Grand and roast beef night is still a bargain but it is now on Friday night rather than Tuesday.

 

Comments

[Lenny Karpman]

Thanks Marco. As always, I trust your epicurean judgement completely.
Lenhny

[Marco Gonzalez]

Hi Lenny! Talking about Mexican food, we just had some very good and reasonably priced Mexican fare at María Bonita near Playas del Coco in the Ladera del Mar Development in Guanacaste. Delicious, well spiced and well priced with a nice atmosphere. The best chimichangas in this country by far, along with a delicious trio of fresh chipotle, jalapeño and habanero dips + well made margaritas at a bargain price.