Caffè Negroni — Restaurant in San Rafael

My wife and I went here for lunch. The decor is charming. Regrettably, their food was generally dismal. My wife had a Greek salad , which she claimed to enjoy, but I suspect she was just trying to redirect my dissatisfaction.

I ordered some tuna appetizer that was made with raw tuna , and described to me by the waiter being like ceviche. What arrived was raw tuna in a curry mayonnaise mixture. It was foul. The whole point of ceviche is that the lime juice cooks the fish. If you’re skipping that step, then what you are left with is sashimi. If you’re feeding me sashimi , call it that, drop the mayo and bring me wasabi and soy sauce.

We also shared a pizza with prosciutto. This was ok. Their wood fired oven is not heated up enough , so the lovely thin crust , which should have been slightly crispy and brown on the bottom, was a soggy mess, and so it goes.

The last item we had was a cup of their seafood soup. This was made with coconut milk and was a bad interpretation of the classic Thai Tom Ka Gar soup. But this one lacked lemon grass , and was littered with very small , and likely old clams which didn’t taste great, and left me with a sense of dread.

It’s sad when I see a restaurant like this which could be truly great with a better chef and menu. What you have here is a very expensive bar...

Escazu’s Hidden Gem: Cafe Negroni

Tonight , I stepped into Cafe Negroni, and wow, what a vibe! The place is like a cozy hideaway with a dash of chic. The decor? Totally Instagram-worthy. 📸

Now, let's talk service. Sarah and the crew were on point. They dropped some killer recommendations, and that perfectly cooked skirt steak on a fluffy risotto cloud. 🤤 And the cocktails? Mind-blowing. 🍹

Whether you're catching up with pals or sparking a convo with your date, Cafe Negroni's got you covered. The friendly staff makes you feel like you're hanging out at a friend's place. 🙌

Oh, and the Carajillo? A sweet little surprise to end the night. 🌙

So, if you're in Escazu and just need a break and enjoy yourself swing by Cafe Negroni...

The place/ambiance: Currently one of the most popular restaurants in the Escazu area. Very nicely designed with large, airy, open areas at the front, a central bar area with large windows and some outdoor seating. Good for groups/families. Food: The menu is mostly Italian inspired, well executed and presented, but not very adventurous or original, quality is pretty average. There is an extensive selection of cocktails and the place indeed is a good choice for drinks at night. The place is actually a good choice for breakfast. Service: Overall very good and attentive service. Other details: Reservations are highly recommended. If possible, ask for seating in the bar or patio areas. Good...