Tag: SAN JOSE RESTAURANT

Nightlife near Hostel Bekuo

Tin Jo - One of the city's most famous restaurants.

San José has hundreds of Chinese restaurants, but most simply serve up tired takes on chop suey, chow mein, and fried rice. In contrast, Tin Jo has a wide and varied menu, with an assortment of Cantonese and Szechuan staples, as well as a range of Thai, Japanese, and Malaysian dishes, and even some Indian food. This is San José’s only true Pan-Asian restaurant. In the Thai room an 11-meter (39-foot) mural depicts a Buddhist temple. You can select from all of the above cuisines, with menus to match the varied dining areas. It’s also a restaurant that pays attention to the details. Some of the dishes are served in edible rice-noodle bowls, and the pineapple shrimp in coconut-milk curry is served in the hollowed-out half of a fresh pineapple. Dishes not to miss include the salt-and-pepper shrimp, beef teriyaki, and Thai curries. For dessert, try the sticky rice with mango, or banana tempura. The waiters here are some of the most attentive in Costa Rica. The decor features artwork and textiles from across Asia, and you’ll have real tablecloths and cloth napkins. Tin Jo is also a great option for vegetarians, and even vegans.

Tin Jo stands out with always exceptional food, attention to detail, and attentive service that make it, hands down, the country’s top Asian restaurant.

Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm and 5:30-10pm (Fri-Sat kitchen open ’til 11pm); Sun 11:30am-10pm
Calle 11, between avs. 6 and 8
Phone: 2221-7605, 2257-3622

Olio - Deliciousness a few blocks from Hostel Bekuo

Set in a century old red brick house on the corner of a small street and Costa Rica’s recently revived rail system, Olio has been pleasing loyal patrons for years. Olio draws a diverse crowd in part because of its location; not too far from the University, not too far from downtown, not too far from the host of businesses located in and around San Pedro.

Inside you’ll find a restaurant divided into several small but comfortable and well decorated rooms. There is a small bar area in the back where you’ll find patrons bellied up to the bar enjoying tapas, and a small adjacent alcove for bar overflow. There are two good sized front rooms and a slightly smaller space for dining, as well as occasionally some tables set up outside on the railroad track side of the building (although not during rush hour, as the train is running during that time) for people that don’t want to deal with any smoke. One side of the restaurant is non-smoking already, and the government is even moving forward with legislation to ban smoking inside of public places, joining their North American brethren in legislating second hand smoke.

On the menu you’ll find an amazing selection of dishes; amazing tapas like bruschetta and stuffed mushrooms, followed by a lengthy and mouthwatering list of pasta’s, local meats, and fresh fish. The extensive wine list features wines for every budget from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Chile, Greece, South Africa and Australia. You will find the staff to be attentive and well trained. A small perk for foreigners is that their credit card machine charges in dollars, which won’t leave you pondering the exchange rate or seeing extra charges for currency conversions on your bank statement. As far as prices go, Olio is one of the best bang for your buck restaurants in the entire city. Considering the atmosphere, quality of food and service, and portion size it’s one of the best deals around.

Olio is located in Barrio Escalante 200 meters north of Bagelmans. Open Monday through Friday 11:30 A.M. to 1 A.M., and Saturday 4 P.M. to midnight.