El Lagarto — Restaurant in Quepos

Food was terrible. Guacamole and chips tasted as bad as those I would eat after they sat in my fridge for a few days after being bought from a convenience store.. Mussels did not seem fresh, otherwise just a bad dish for appetizer. We ordered steaks for entrees. Tenderloin ordered medium yet was cooked medium rare. Spouse and daughter ordered ribeye medium rare and it was so rare that it bordered raw past a mild top sear. Refiring of these came back with proper cooking observation of what medium and medium rare usually look like. All the steaks did not seem seasoned at all. There was no taste. Sides were a bland seemingly unseasoned slice of zucchini and half tomato, with potato and some butter/cheese substance like topping that did not look appetizing. Staff seemed friendly at first, yet that changed quickly when we made it clear that the quality of the food was bad. The answer we got was that this is the first time they heard this. Management, from our experience, not pro customer service. Whoever came up to us, maybe the manager ?, seemed unhappy with us for our comments rather than concerned that the quality of the food was off. Would never go back nor recommend to anyone. Exorbitantly expensive for some of the worst food I have personally tasted at any restaurant I have been to. For me, the restaurant deserves zero stars. Just a terrible...

Wow, what can I say, we enjoyed El Lagarto so much that we had dinner there two of the four nights that we were in Manuel Antonio! The first time we went was Friday night, my birthday. We picked El Lagarto because we were in the mood for barbeque and the online reviews were good. It turned out to be an amazing choice. First, the service was spectacular. Daylin, Johanna and Wendolyn treated my partner and I like family. We were a little embarrassed that we didn't speak Spanish, but they made us very comfortable and spoke with us in flawless English. The food the best grilled food we've had in a long while. We enjoyed the whole fish (snapper) and a ribeye. Both were cooked to perfection! The sides were mouth-watering. Neither of us are big fans of baked-potatoes, but El Lagarto's baked potato was delicious and a perfect compliment to our fish and steak. By the time we left that Friday night, it was as if we were leaving a dear family member's home. We told them we'd be back, but we were sure they believed us. When we appeared Sunday evening dinner, we were greeted with soooo much love. That night, we enjoyed the grilled chicken and the baby back ribs and both were very very tasty...and, of course we had the...

El Lagarto is a first class restaurant with one of the best sunset views in Manuel Antonio. The sunsets are phenomenal but the service and food are the stars here. The food is prepared in one of the most unique open fire grills I have ever seen. The meats are insanely flavorful and the vegetables on the open fire are more than memorable; they are crave worthy. I had the baby back ribs and my better half had the St. Louis style pork ribs. The rub on the pork ribs was spectacular. The baby backs were meaty and very good. Others in our party had the surf and turf and the stuffed chicken breast (which was incredibly delicious). I will have that next time. So I have written before that if a restaurant is going to make mixed drinks, make them memorable. El Lagarto knocked it out of the park with their jalapeno margaritas. Best yet!!! I had three. Thankfully, I wasn't driving. This is a top notch restaurant with food you will go back for and ambiance that makes you stay. The service was excellent and please tip them well. The staff are very professional...