LA ANTIGUA GUATEMALA - Guatemala - page 152

Pache, and its sophisticated European ambience. The mostly French cuisine is heavy on
meat and fish dishes. The wine list is impressive, as are the desserts. A Sunday brunch is
served 10 A.M.-1 P.M. You can enjoy your meal in the main dining room surrounded by
fine art under a vaulted ceiling or al fresco in La Cueva, a covered patio beneath baroque
arches beside a fountain. Chacun à son goût.
On par with the exclusive digs in this landmark Antigua hotel, the restaurant at Casa
Santo Domingo (3a Calle Oriente #28, tel. [phone], www.casasantodomingo.com . gt,
$15-25) serves delicious Guatemalan and international fare in the restored ruins of an old
monastery. It makes a great spot for a romantic candlelit dinner, though I've heard the ser-
vice can be spotty. The town's most authentic hotel restaurant can be found at Hotel
Posada de Don Rodrigo (5a Avenida Norte #17, tel. [phone], all meals daily), which is
popular with Guatemalans who come here for its stellar service, wonderful ambience over-
looking the hotel gardens and consistently delicious Guatemalan and international cuisine.
The tortillas are made fresh on the premises and you can watch the dough being patted and
placed on the comal, where they are cooked over a fire. There is sometimes live marimba
music to complete the authentic Guatemalan feel.
Nicolas (4a Calle Oriente #20, tel. [phone], www.nicolas.com.gt , 12:30-3 P.M. Fri.-
Sun., 7-10 P.M. daily except Wed.) is a relative newcomer to Antigua's fine-dining scene,
but it has already made a name for itself with its Norwegian chef. The atmosphere is
modern and the menu includes an interesting array of Asian fusion dishes, seafood, and
meats. A longtime favorite is El Sereno (4a Avenida Norte #16, tel. [phone],
www.elsereno.com.gt , lunch and dinner daily). The restaurant dates to 1980, but the won-
derfully old colonial building in which it's housed dates to the 16th century and once
housed the Spanish priests who built La Merced church. You can dine on gourmet interna-
tional dishes in the elegant main dining room, in a romantic cavelike candlelit room, or al
fresco either in a delightful covered garden patio or on the rooftop terrace.
A wonderful addition to Antigua's restaurant scene is Tartines (4a Calle Oriente #1C,
tel.[phone],11A.M.-7P.M.Tues.-Wed.,11A.M.-10P.M.Thurs.-Sat,11A.M.-4P.M.
Sun., $5-20). On the menu you'll find crepes, paninis, pasta, and a very tasty duck. Enjoy
your meal from the rooftop patio overlooking the ruins of the Catedral de Santiago.
Last but certainly not least of the fine dining options is Bistrot Cinq (4a Calle Ori-
ente #7, tel. [phone], www.bistrotcinq.com , 6-10:30 P.M. Mon.-Fri., noon-11 P.M. Sat.-
Sun., $5-15). The emphasis is on French cuisine; dishes include chicken scaloppine and
trout Armandine, but with take-out or delivery items such as scrumptious half-pound bur-
gers and steak frites also on the menu. The bar is top-notch.
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