Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best Soda
LA SODA COME BIEN
NAZARETH GOMEZ PINEDA
Cooking is like love - it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.
Harriet Van Horne
In Costa Rica, sodas are small, family-run restaurants that commonly serve “comida tipica,”
typical Costa Rican cuisine. They're the best, most affordable way to dine like a local. La
Soda Come Bien is located in the Municipal Market next to the downtown bus station in the
core of Quepos.
The origin of the term “Soda” originates from Chile's “fuente de soda” where pastries,
sandwiches and soft drinks are served. Its American counterpart, the “soda fountain” flour-
ished in pharmacies, dime stores and train stations in the 1920's where carbonated drinks,
ice cream and candies were served.
“The Soda has been in the Municipal Market for twenty-five years,” explains Nazareth
Gomez Pineda of La Soda Come Bien“ (Eat Well), since the time that the Market has been
operating.” It is such an institution in the Market that some people still come by asking for
Mrs. Grace, the original proprietor. Nazareth herself has owned it for the last five years, al-
though it wasn't something she had planned to do.
“I'm a public accountant; I don't know a lot about cooking,” Nazareth explains. “A cli-
ent offered for me to buy the business, and I dared myself to do it. To be honest it was a
big challenge but despite that, I said, 'Why not?'” New challenges are something Nazareth
relishes. “I didn't just want to sit at a desk in front of a computer; I've always liked to do dif-
ferent things; innovate, be a person of good character and a decision maker. I never thought
I would have a restaurant; the kitchen was never my forte; however, I saw it as a challenge,
an opportunity to act, show character and to be successful.”
