Lunch - Behind Closed Doors

Yesterday - Saturday - was our day for eating lunch at a new-to-us restaurant.

It was my turn to select a restaurant and my choice was Los Jardines Vivero y Café. This restaurant is next door to Super Rosvil El Liceo where I would be able to pick up a few groceries after lunch.

As is quite typical in Costa Rica, you cannot judge a “book by its cover”. This is what the entranceway to the restaurant looks like when it is closed (from their menu cover):

It’s just an unassuming brown wooden gate. You wouldn’t give it much more then a passing glance driving by. Once the gates are open, it is the most charming place.

Whoever designed and executed this restaurant is very creative. Tables are set out in nooks and crannies all over the place, mostly outdoors and with rain coverage such as umbrellas. Everywhere I looked I saw something whimsical and unexpected.

The staff are very friendly, welcoming and attentive. The restaurant opens at 11:30 am and I suggest getting there at that time, which is what we did. It started filling up fast closer to noon. 

We started with sangria:

We both ordered paninis. Lance chose ham and cheese:

And I chose mushrooms and pesto:

The yellow sauce is mustard and mayo and it’s for dipping the chips in which, by the way, are really good. Before our main courses arrived, we were presented with a plate of plantain chips with a warm bean dip on the side - gratis.

Neither of us could finish our paninis so we asked for para llevar (take away) and that will be our dinner tonight with a salad.

I know that Grecia expats meet here most Wednesdays for lunch. 

Highly recommend this restaurant. They require Covid-19 compliance - temperature measurement, hand washing and mask wearing. Masks can be removed when you sit down.

Click on images to enlarge.