The valley's best lunch stop is on a coffee plantation overlooking the Cachí Reservoir. It's firmly on the beaten path, which means frequent visits from tour groups. The spacious brick building has a high barrel-tile roof, with tables indoors and on a tiled portico on the lake side. Casados and other Costa Rican staples acommpany inventive dishes such as arroz tucurrique (baked rice with cheese and heart of palm) and corvina guarumos (bass stuffed with mushrooms). After lunch, take a stroll down to the lake. The gift shop sells similar sculptures to those fashioned at Casa del Soñador. But unless you'll be at the restaurant anyway, go directly to the latter shop for crafts-it's far superior.
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