Bottega Privée • Alajuela — Restaurant in Alajuela

If I could give this restaurant zero stars, I would. My experience here was beyond disappointing—it was outright dreadful. Every dish we tried was worse than the last, and we did not enjoy a single one. The pasta, in particular, was atrocious. All the noodles were undercooked, tasting like raw flour, and were worse than frozen food. The puttanesca, a simple dish that’s hard to mess up, was bland and starchy, while the limone pasta tasted like lime juice squeezed over undercooked noodles—completely inedible. Even the pizza was a disaster: the dough was dense and tasteless, the cheese wasn’t melted, and instead of prosciutto, they used cheap ham.

The asparagus dish was no better. The asparagus wasn’t cooked at all, leaving it raw and unpleasantly crunchy, and the cheese on top was burnt to a bitter crisp with what appeared to be a blowtorch. Honestly, the food across the board felt rushed, cheap, and completely lacking in care or quality. Adding to the disaster, the restaurant was completely empty, which should have been a clear warning sign from the start. They did not even take the time to carefully describe dishes, with many descriptions being mixed up with others.

The only redeeming part of the evening was our server, who was kind and attentive despite the overwhelming failure of the food. However, even great service couldn’t save this place from being an absolute disaster. NEVER COME HERE. You’re far better off going to literally any other restaurant nearby. Save your time, money, and appetite—this place is...

Had the pleasure of stopping by this Italian inspired restaurant during my quick stay in Alajuero. I was looking at the menu and was greeted by my lovely waiter Jorge who was very kind and although he spoke little English and I spoke little Spanish, we were able to converse and learn from one another. When Jorge was unsure of what I was asking, he then called on his waiting partner Manuel whom spoke perfect English. After giving me a run down of the menu, I decided to give it a try. Manuel from the very beginning was very tentative and helpful with answering my questions. I don’t eat pork and rarely any red meat so these are questions I always have when ordering. Manuel made a great recommendation for the Red Snapper paired with an Italian Cabernet to accompany the pallet! When I tell you not only was the food and wine delicious, but the service was even more wonderful! From both waiters to the chefs, everyone was very welcoming and accommodating. Highly recommend if you’re looking for more of a fine dining feel without breaking the bank. Thank you Jorge and Manuel for the great service! I look forward to coming back for dessert (I was too stuffed to add that to...

I don't usually write reviews, but after my experience at Bottega Privee, I feel it's necessary to warn others. Unfortunately, the food was a major disappointment. I ordered the puttanesca, which is a dish I love, but it was bland and watery—definitely not the rich, flavorful sauce I was hoping for. The pasta itself was undercooked, with a strange floury taste that made it unpleasant to eat. It felt like a dish that had been thrown together without much care or attention to detail.

The pizza was equally disappointing. The dough was dense and chewy, with little flavor, and the cheese was barely melted. Instead of the prosciutto I was expecting, they used cheap ham, which was a huge letdown. The overall taste was just off, and the pizza didn’t feel fresh or authentic at all.

Overall, the food left much to be desired. It felt rushed, with no real attention to quality or flavor. Even though the service was decent, the food couldn’t make up for the lack of effort in the kitchen. I won’t be returning and would suggest you explore other options nearby. Don’t come here. This place just...