San José - Costa Rica - page 183

( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2253-3771; www.facebook.com/ravicostarica ; cnr Calle 33 & Av 5; mains
US$9-18; 11:30am-noon Tue-Sat)
New in 2013, this cool corner pub in Barrio Escalante is awash in bright murals, with seat-
ing in funky red booths, intimate back rooms or at the convivial bar stools up front. A
menu of bocas , sandwiches, pizzas and more is served with craft brew on tap or
homemade tropical-fruit sodas served in cute little Bell jars.
At lunchtime, pick from the rotating menu of nine appetizers and nine main dishes and
throw in a homemade soda, all for US$10.
Olio MEDITERRANEAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2281-0541; www.facebook.com/Restaurante.olio ; cnr Calle 33 & Av 3;
tapas from US$5, dishes US$10-20; noon-midnight Mon-Fri, from 6pm Sat; )
This cozy, Mediterranean-flavored gastropub in a century-old brick building in Barrio Es-
calante serves a long list of tempting tapas, including divine hongos madrileños (stuffed
mushrooms) , goat-cheese croquettes, house-made pastas and garlic shrimp. The enticing
drinks list includes homemade sangría and a decent selection of beers and wines. It's a ro-
mantic spot for a date, with imaginative, conversation-worthy quirks of decor and beauti-
ful patrons.
Lolo's PIZZA
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2283-9627; pizzas US$12-22; 6pm-midnight Mon-Sat)
Fans of bohemian chic will appreciate this quirky pizzeria, hidden in a mustard yellow
house (No 3396) along the railroad tracks north of Av Central in Barrio Escalante. The vi-
brantly colorful, low-lit interior, hung with an eclectic collection of plates and other knick-
knacks, creates an artsy, romantic setting for sangria and pizzas fired up in the bright red
oven out back.
Mantras VEGETARIAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2253-6715; www.facebook.com/mantrasveggiecafe ; Calle 35 btwn Avs 11 &
13; mains US$8-15; 9am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Widely recognized as the best vegetarian restaurant in San José (if not all of Costa Rica),
Mantras draws rave reviews from across the foodie spectrum for meatless main dishes,