La NENA
Costa Rica
Reviews
A full house at 3:30PM on a Sunday. If that doesn't say something about how legit this place is, I don't know what will. Oxtail is hard to come by in the US in restaurants and I was happy to find it here. My first proper meal in the Caribe did not disappoint. Heaping plate of goodness. Their house hot sauce is sooooo good. They have a great team working there and they work hard. Very kind and prompt. here are a ton of great options in the PV area and this one is top of my list.
Small restaurant along the main road. There was 2 options for vegans/vegetarians: a burrito with fries or Rice & Beans. I got the latter. I was looking forward to trying their food because it seemed popular from outside but I was quite disappointed in the vegetarian rice & beans; the veggies consisted of only carrots and zucchini, and both tasted bland. The sauce in the small cup wasn’t tasty either. The portion of rice & beans could be more generous so the meal would be more filling. I wouldn’t order it again or recommend it. I’d be open to trying the burrito instead. Just in case you don’t notice from the menu, they add 23% on top of your bill at the end.
This is the 4th I’ve ate here and I can say hands down, no questions asked this place deserves a Michelin star (not that I’ve ate at any of those). But the food is utter perfection! From the moment you crest the open air fence you can smell the flavors and love from the kitchen. The staff has always been amazing and will guide you to what you are looking for. Honestly the most basic, chicken with rice Caribbean style is what they do best, get the thighs and leg. The hot sauce they serve with it is flavorful and spicy! This is the first time I’ve had something outside of Imperial beer and my server brought me a passion fruit caipirina which is amazing too! Don’t be scared, don’t be intimidated, go! This would be my death row meal hands down! Pura Vida!!
La NENA was a great experience from start to finish. The food was excellent, fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you hope for when looking for quality local cuisine. What really stood out to me was the service. Getting our drinks was faster than I’ve ever experienced anywhere. Super attentive and efficient. If you’re looking for authentic, high-quality local food, this is an excellent choice. Just be aware that the pricing is more in line with American dollar expectations rather than typical local pricing. Still, the overall experience made it worth it.
Had the jumbo shrimps and the burrito. Generally it was quite plain food, especially the potato sides which came with the shrimp tasting of old oil. Nice place and staff though
