The restaurants where you have the best view are Tara Hotel this is a little up scale and Tiquicia this is more tipical and were we went it's call
Muy or Sueno Azul.

Terri and anyone else interested, I copied this directly from Orlando's email to me. These are the two places I mentioned for the wonderful views of the city lights.

ttt

There are great views of Escazu from El Monastere, too.

Suzie2: Thanks so much for getting back to me with this info. We'd like to spend our last dinner .someplace new with a view. I prefer more typical over upscale, so will definitely check out the last two.

BTW, at your suggestion, we'll be spending 2 nights at La Quinta de Sarapiqui. I'm going to post a question about our proposed itinerary under a separate post. Would love your feedback.

Terri

I posted on your other question. Looks like a good trip. Lots of moving around but you are experienced enough with that by now to know what you will be looking at. Always a possibililty of rain on the Caribbean side but still a great place.

Fluffnfold, still enjoying your web site. Did you get to go to El Monastere? Have been hearing about it for years but it sounded like it was a little too "french restaurant" for us. We are more the good food, little fuss, kind of people. El Novillo near Arenal is the perfect place for us.
Would love to hear what you thought of it if you did go.

Suzie2:

We did eat at El Monastere. Yes, the food was French, and it could have been a little involved if you ordered it that way (lots of food prepared tableside). It was somewhat formal with lots of table settings, etc., but not stuffy. The service was excellent--all male servers, mostly older, who seem to make a career of waitering. The view was great. La Cava (located in the "basement&quot still has views of the city, and is much less expensive and informal. But be warned that on weekend nights, there is live music and it turns into a hot spot for the younger ticos. It was a mob scene on the Friday night we were there. I think we spent about $75 on dinner for two (appetizers, entrees, and dessert), with just a few drinks for my husband. Well worth it, and much less than we would have paid for a similar dinner in the US.

Thank you fluffnfold. As I mentioned, I have been hearing about it for years and it sounded really nice. There have been a lot of people talking about it but no real experiences have been posted recently that I know of. Doesn't sound as stuffy as I was afraid of. Thank you again for taking the time to tell all of us about this place.