Il Padrino • Lindora — Restaurant in Pozos

The location is great, being right across the street from the Quality Hotel where I often have to stay to work. The food - particularly many of the pasta dishes - is overpriced. I've had better, more authentic italian food in Costa Rica for sure (for less money), so if you are making a dining decision based on the quality and value, you can find better. I have the impression in trying to create a chain restaurant, they have resorted to hiring amateur 'cooks' to prepare their meals, because while the food is certainly palatable and satisfying, it just doesn't have that professionally-prepared feel to it. Some of the dishes were particularly salty, cream sauces were sometimes too thick. However, I may be making it sound worse than it is. If you are in the mood for italian, and are in this area of town, and don't feel like driving around / fighting traffic, this is still a great option.

Despite its shortcomings I still plan to dine here regularly, so I actually purchased their "Gold Membership" for $150/year, which gives you a 40% discount on all food items Sunday (or is it Monday?) through Thursday, and 40% off alcoholic drinks on Friday and Saturday. The prices with the membership are more what I would expect to pay for the food served here (but without a 'membership'), but still worth considering if you see yourself dining here or at one of their other locations regularly.

Finally, the service was fantastic...

Thank you so much for great experiences on many occasions during our stay in Santa Ana from 4-9 September 2024. We love your restaurant for its calm and elegant ambiance, the food variety and most of all the exceptional waitresses Veronica and Pamela. Both have been amazingly helpful and courteous. They give such a great impression about the restaurant. We already told many people about you and will tell more. For sure we will come back to your restaurant every time we are in Costa Rica! Thank you Veronica and Pamela! ...

We were invited out for drinks and dinner by friends to Il Padrino. This Italian restaurant is in Santa Ana just off Rta 27 on Lindora. We found out this is the fourth Il Padrino restaurant and most recently opened with other locations in Rohrmoser, Pavas and San Pedro. The family who owns them are of Sicilian descent. We enjoyed an authentic Italian dinner and exceptional service. The lasagna and thin crust pizzas were highlights. Since this is so close to us, we will certainly be back. Check it out if you are...