We went to dinner last night with our good friends Jeanne & Bob who are down here in Atenas from Ohio on their annual winter visit (in case you can't guess, that's them in the middle photo). Together we went last night to a place called "The Retreat" which is a spa, hotel, yoga retreat and restaurant all rolled into one. It's been under new management for the past 11 months and this is the first time we've gone -- why we waited so long is a mystery!
The view, obviously, was magnificent. That's the sunset over the Pacific Ocean in the top, with the
sun reflection in the pool creating a fascinating vista. At the bottom is the same view about 20 minutes later after they had thrown 3 glowing, floating balls into the pool to create more wah. We have GOT to get us some of those for the house!
Dinner lived up to the vista. The food is all organic and all "healthy," though not aggressively so. No dairy; no real fat; etc. We started with some bocas (which is Costa Rican for tapas) that included a great lentil ceviche. After that, we went on to the soups -- Paul had
a tomato & rosemary (!) soup, while Katy had a pureed broccoli. The main course was sea bass with a great coconut sauce accompanied by freshly cooked chard. Desert was a very small chocolate mousse that just was perfect -- all of it accompanied by a nice Argentine malbec.
To eat well in Costa Rica we usually have to go down to San Jose or Escazu. Atenas, where we live, is not renowned for "fine dining" but the Retreat is different and special -- a very good restaurant less than 15 minutes from the house. We'll be back (and Katy plans to try the spa for a facial soon too!).
