www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Le Monastère

http://www.monastere-restaurant.com/about.html


On the Santa Ana road from Escazú,
turn left at Multicentro Paco
and follow the green crosses.


Telephone: (506) 289-4404 / 228-8515
Fax: (506) 228-6370

reservations@monastere-restaurant.com


Set a few thousand meters in the Escazú Mountains, this unique and classy restaurant really is in a converted Monastere. From the moment you arrive, after dark guided by the huge bright green neon cross, you know you are not in Kansas anymore.

Upon entering, you are greeted by staff dressed in Trappist garb. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. However, the best thing about this restaurant is the breathtaking view overlooking the central valley and the greater San Jose area.

A unique drink to try is the Original Sin: An apple, hollowed out with the top cut off, and inside a blend of heavenly liquors. Something not to be missed.

The menu is continental fare, and French and in the past year, their beef has improved to US standards.

The appetizer menu is unique and very good. The salads are excellent, one of the best Caesar Salads that I have ever had prepared tableside and authentic. Hope you like anchovies, though they did ask if I wanted them. The variety of entrees is astounding. The dessert menu is very nice, and better than it actually looked.

The wine list is impressive, though a bit pricey for any standards.

The menu is on par with a moderate priced large city restaurant.

I have been four different times and have never been disappointed, except the first time the beef was typical Costa Rica leather.

If you are looking for a romantic place to take a lady, and trust me they love this place, I would highly recommend Le Monastere.





Sample of menu

Roquefort Style Caesar Salad


Goat Cheese Gift with Nuts


Eden's Garden Salad


Our Chef's Cheese Selection


Smoked Salmon Petals
and its Caviar

Duck Foie Gras with Toast

Carpaccio & Sashimi Symphony,
with two Dressings
Vol Au Vent with Escargots
in Garlic Cream

Fried Camembert Cheese
in Apple Sauce

Frog Legs in Vincent Cream

Homemade Duck Pate with
Cognac and Hazelnuts

French Onion Soup

Lobster Bisque with Croutons

Le Monastere Cream Soup

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What would be the average price for two people...full meal, including appetizers, (no desserts) , a couple of drinks each, and a 5% tip. $60? $80?
I'd like to know so I can compare the overall price to other fine eating
establishments such as Lukas, Antonios's, etc. Thanks!

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Gringotim,

I have had the pleasure of going there several times. Each time it was with four people, a couple bottles of wine, a couple of people had appetizers, a couple of people had desserts.

Each time it was around $150.00- 170.00 or so, with the 10% service charge added in to the bill.

It is one of those places that is hard to describe until you see it. It is well run, excellent service, and the view is unreal. The food is very good as well. The ladies just love this place, and it is very romantic.

It is about a 25 min cab ride form the delRey, you can never get a great deal outside the hotel, it usually runs around fifteen dollars there, ten to twelve back.

I will be back in February, one of my favorite places.

_________________
I'm a heterosexual, but I love lesbians.

Dallasman...thanks for the additional info! I must check it out on my
next visit. I usually have a rental car, so the taxi fare would not be a
concern. I was thinking that someone once said, perhaps on the 'old'
board, that it was overrated. It may have been Castlestormer, when
he was there with the Russians.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

No, I took CastleStormer for his first time a year and a half a go, we celebrated Natasha's(Russian) 23rd birthday. He fell in love with that place and has been back several times.

I know there are a few who do think it is overrated. I am sure there are better places to eat in the greater San Jose area, but the charm of a converted monastere, the ambiance, the service, and damn, what a view.

Pura vida my friend

Dman

_________________
I'm a heterosexual, but I love lesbians.