Surprisingly great dishes but not so great service: Restaurant Observatory @ Arenal Observatory Lodge (17. – 18. April 2017)
There are just some things, I do not understand! We were sitting close to the window at a regular table while having our ‘happy hour drinks’ and decided on the spot to eat something. So, I asked for the menu which I was brought, but I was informed that I cannot place my order while sitting at this table but have to move back two tables to the ‘dining area’ (note: it is an open room, so there is really no ‘dining area’) to place my order.
Well, given, there are no other options and I was starving, I moved back and ordered te “Jalapeño Beef Tenderloin (julienned jalapeño peppers and onions in a béchamel sauce over a tender beef tenderloin medallion)” (12’000 CRC) – quite a hefty price one might say and I tend to agree but then again I saw the road on how things have to be transported there, so fine for me. Luckily, the dish was actually surprisingly delicious. The meat was cooked medium as requested, and the julienned jalapeño peppers and onions were really making for a great combination. Loved it!
The place itself – besides the view – is rather standard but then again you are not here for the atmosphere (of the restaurant) but for the view, the surroundings, and the lack of options when it comes to dining.
Furthermore, breakfast is served in the same room and the selection is decent ranging from various fresh fruit …
… to your choice of sweets and cheese …
… as well as banana bread, pancakes, fried cheese, pico de gallo, sausages, and eggs …
… a selection of hot sauces …
… and last but not least some kind of ‘cereal stand’. So, you get everything you need but it is not really the place where you get to pick everything you can imagine. Not necessary for the purpose of the location but still, it could be slightly more extensive.
Overall, the place is nice – especially for the view – and you get decent dishes. The service could ‘friendly up’ a notch but else, nothing to complain. And for the fact that you don’t really have a choice when you reside at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, the food is quite good.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Observatory @ Arenal Observatory Lodge
La Fortuna – El Castillo
Provincia de Alajuela
21007 La Fortuna (CR)
Tel.: +506 22 90 70 11
Homepage: http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
