Restaurants in towns and cities serve a variety of foods including Chinese, French, Italian, Mexican and North American. Food is satisfactory, from the most expensive to the cheapest eating places (which are generally found west of the city center). Food
sodas (small restaurants) serve local food.
National specialties:
• Casado (rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage).
• Olla de carne (soup of beef, plantain, corn, yuca, nampi and chayote).
• Sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg).
• Picadillo
(meat and vegetable stew).
• Gallos (filled tortillas).
• Tortas (containing meat and vegetables).
National drinks:There are many types of cold drinks made from fresh fruit, milk or cereal flour, for example:
• Cebada (barley flour).
• Pinolillo (roasted corn).
• Horchata (corn meal with cinnamon).
Imported alcoholic and soft drinks are widely available. Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavor.
Tipping: Tipping is not necessary but is acceptable if the service was particularly outstanding. Restaurants add a 23 per cent service charge to the bill.
NightlifeSan José especially has many nightclubs, venues with folk music and dance, theaters and cinemas.
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