RESTAURANTS
This page will be updated over time but I wanted one place
for restaurant recommendations since delicious food and cocktails is one of the
wonderful aspects about travel whether abroad or in your own backyard. Food is often shared with friends amidst
laughter and conversation and is one of the experiences that enhances
life.
This page is broken down into sections. Simply click on a Country or State/Region
listed below to go to that section. More
will be added in the near future.
o QUEPOS
John Ash & Co. Vintners Inn – Santa Rosa, CA
This is absolutely one of my favourite restaurants in Sonoma County. It is a little more on the expensive side but every sip and bite is well worth it! Whether going for a glass of wine or cocktail in their lounge, appetizers, lunch, or dinner, every time I have been here has been truly outstanding. An extensive wine list is a wine lover’s delight and the outdoor terrace offers serene and romantic vineyard views. This is a perfect place for special occasions or special people in your life. Do not miss out on the desserts – no matter how full you *think* you are! If you are in a decent sized group of people (4 or more), I highly recommend getting one of every dessert (yes, really!) and asking for recommendations on dessert wine pairings. You will not be disappointed.
http://www.vintnersinn.com/dining.asp
Willi’s Seafood
& Raw Bar – Healdsburg, CA
Located in downtown Healdsburg near the Plaza, Willi’s is
the perfect choice for any lover of seafood.
The interior booths in the dining area offer a cozy and intimate
environment to share an evening of amazing food. This is also a great place to go for a
cocktail or glass of wine and enjoy appetizers from their raw bar.Jhanthong Banbua – Santa Rosa, CA
Don’t let being unable to pronounce the name or the funky purple exterior of this restaurant deter you from visiting! It is one of the better Thai food places and is very affordable. If you have a craving for Thai food and are in Sonoma County, this is the place to go.
Taqueria El
Sombrero – Healdsburg, CA
Pretty much everyone I know agrees this is the best
Mexican food restaurant in Healdsburg although there are some other good ones.
Personally I think this is the best one out of anywhere in California and
perhaps the world. If you are craving good Mexican food or are on a budget, check
out “El Som”, as we “Healdsburgers” call it.Located in Upstate New York about 20 minutes from Cornell University, The Benn Conger Inn is an idyllic place to stay or to visit for a fabulous dinner. The outside grounds are picturesque, the Inn itself rich with history, and the interior dining areas offer intimate, cozy settings that make you feel at home while enjoying one of their delicious menu options. Guest chef Diego is impressive with his culinary artistry and owners Peter and Doug will show you the meaning of the term “gracious hosts”.
http://www.benncongerinn.com
The French really do know how to cook! Simple sounding dishes like the pasta with mushroom sauce will send you into mushroom euphoria and enlighten you to the fact that not all mushroom sauces are created equal. Joelle’s culinary talents, quest for perfection, and love for food are uniquely expressed with every savory bite. The outdoor terrace offers pretty views and is excellent for a pre-dinner cocktail while the interior ambiance is friendly and warm with a touch of French romance.
http://www.joellesfrenchbistro.com/
Set on the shores of Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York, the Aurora Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a fine place to have brunch or dinner with a view of the lake.
This is a fabulous place to have one of their many excellent cocktails, appetizers, or tapas with a great sunset view from their open air lounge, which combines the perfect combination of luxury, comfort, and natural beauty in sweeping views. Their Caribbean Blackened Tuna appetizer is exquisite and nothing is more wonderful than sipping on their Mango-tini while the sun sets. It is also a lovely place for dinner whether celebrating with friends or enjoying an intimate meal with a loved one. Their Gaia House Salad raises the bar on all house salads and their Ginger and Panko Crusted Tuna is as great as it sounds. The menu is extensive with a variety of equally delicious options so be sure to treat yourself. This is also a hotel so if you are looking for a luxury or romantic hotel for your Costa Rica stay, look no further.
Kappi Kappi –
Manuel Antonio
Kappi Kappi is a wonderful restaurant with delicious
food, wines and cocktails. It is a bit
pricier but worth the splurge. One of my
favourite dishes is the Lobster Ravioli and it is as rich and savory as it sounds. Since it is within walking distance of many
other restaurants, it can be nice to go for sunset cocktails and appetizers
elsewhere as Kappi Kappi is set back without the sunset view other places have,
and enjoy your main meal there.
Dragonfly Thai –
Manuel Antonio
Good food, excellent decorating taste that creates a
wonderful atmosphere, and one of the best cocktails I’ve had in Manuel
Antonio. It is the one with the
mamochino in it (sorry, but I’m forgetting the name at the moment). It is close
to the beach and the National Park and an excellent way to end a gorgeous day.
Mar Luna – Manuel Antonio
Not many people go here and I don’t understand why
because they have some of the most fabulous fish dishes on their menu for
reasonable prices! From the front it may
not look like much but there is ample seating area in the back facing the
ocean.
Agua Azul – Manuel
Antonio
This is a fantastic place to watch the sunset and their
prices for food are very reasonable especially considering the large portions you
get. If you are wanting a big burger, their
Big Ass Burger will surprise and satisfy (I think they have one even larger
than that!) One of my favourites was the Asian Skewers
with bacon wrapped banana and I have had countless wonderful meals here with
their variety of tasty options.
Barba Roja –
Manuel Antonio
While ownership has changed over the years along with the
menu, this still is one of the great places to go for a cocktail and watch the
sunset. The menu is usually internationally
inspired and is one place you can go for good sushi.
Salsa Puedes –
Manuel Antonio
Located across from a bank and car rental place, it is
easily identified by its swinging sign out front. It is a great place to go for tapas.
El Sol – Manuel Antonio
Located above the Super Joseth near Manuel Antonio beach,
this is one of my favourite places to “end up” after a day at the beach for
happy hour and to watch the sunset before catching the bus right out front back
for the evening. The friendly staff always
welcome me and their food is very good.
One of my favourite dishes (and I’ve had many) is the chicken with
mushroom sauce – DELISH!
Sanchos – Manuel Antonio
Sanchos is a Mexican food joint that actually has
delicious tacos and is very affordable.
Having carnitas is one of my personal menu requirements for any Mexican
food place. I’ve been spoiled by the
best Mexican food places in Healdsburg and Sonoma County, California! Their fish tacos are excellent and they
deliver, which is a bonus for any weary traveler who arrives and wants food to
be delivered while they are freshening up and settling into paradise.
El Gato Pescador –
Manuel Antonio
I consider myself a fish and chips expert having worked
in one of the best fish and chip restaurants/delis in Sonoma County. El Gator Pescador gets fish and chips right
and one of their specialties to not miss out on are their fish balls – Que Rico! They also do delivery.
La Mariposa –
Manuel Antonio
This is a nice place to have dinner for a special
occasion. It is pricier and while their
food is not outstanding (especially in light of the prices and the prestige of
the place), it does boast wonderful sweeping view of Manuel Antonio.
Emilios – Manuel Antonio
Just up the road from La Mariposa is Emilios, which used
to be located near the Super Joseth.
While they don’t have an extensive menu, the dishes are wonderful and
there are nice views to enjoy while sipping on a mojito.
El Avion – Manuel Antonio
One of the draws to El Avion is the airplane in the front
(you can go inside and snap photos).
They have good food and is a definite tourist attraction.
Rafael’s – Manuel Antonio
Another great sunset spot, this is a nice place to have
sunset cocktails or dinner.
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Dos Locos – Quepos
Dos Locos is right across from the Quepos bus station and
is a nice place to have beer and appetizers or their arroz con pollo. They also often have live music and weekly
trivia nights for those looking for additional entertainment.
Bahia Azul –
Quepos
This expansive place has more of a local feel to it and
is set near the marina just across the bridge leading out of town. It is a great place to go for sunset cocktails
in Quepos and they have an assortment of food there as well. Expect loud music and a fiesta vibe
especially if it is a Friday or Saturday night or there is a game and sometimes
it can get quite crowded with locals (which is why I like it!) Across the street is a Discothèque which
usually doesn’t get started until late hours.
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