Costa Rica Welcomes Margaritaville

HOWLER DINING GUIDE

Costa Rica WELCOMES

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FEATURED RESTAURANT

SOMEWHERE

is always a good time here

by Rachel Cherry White

Flamingo Welcomes Margaritaville Beach Resort

It’s five o’clock somewhere, and if that

somewhere is Costa Rica, that means it’s just about sunset. If it’s sunset, that means you should be at 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Confused yet? Let me break it down for you.

Margaritaville Beach Resort is the newest resort in the Flamingo area, located in what used to be the Flamingo Beach Resort. 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar is the beach bar, open to the public, that has the best margaritas in town. Also, killer sunset views.

Pro tip: diagonally across from the door is a special bar set up facing the ocean. This spot — if you can nab it — offers the best views of the magnificent sunset.

At this resort, barefoot luxury abounds, or maybe flip-flop luxury? After all, this is Margaritaville, a resort brand inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation.

Margaritaville delivers a tropical experience where anyone can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of their favorite destination regardless of their current latitude.

Pedro D’oñas, General Manager, is a Tico with experience in resorts all over the world. “This place is all about relaxation,” he says. “It’s authentic Pura Vida. People feel like they have no worries here.”

Speaking of flip-flops, don’t forget to get your picture taken by the giant flipflop statue at the entrance. It’s a perfect souvenir for Parrot Heads (Buffett fans) or anyone living the flip-flop lifestyle.

There are three restaurants on the property, but luckily for us locals they’re not just for resort guests The focus for all of the resort's restaurants is on fresh flavors. Banana Wind serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A must-try is the Poke Bowl. Set on a bed of watercress, it combines tuna straight from the ocean, mango straight from the trees, and flavors so good that I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink what was left when I was done eating. The only things stopping me were

Photos: Cortesy of Margaritaville

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my good manners and the burger that arrived. The imported beef, topped with sautéed mushrooms, cheese and bacon and served on a freshly baked brioche bun, was … well, truly a cheeseburger in paradise. If you’d rather enjoy your food on the sand, they have beach service on Playa Flamingo from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Just upstairs from Banana Wind is the aforementioned 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill. With live music

‘He’s been to every Margaritaville property. He comes unannounced.’

three times per week, it is poised to be a local hotspot. The upgraded bar fare is a mixture of signature Margaritaville dishes and classic Costa Rican cuisine. The chifrijo is divine and the Nachos Don Carlos are made with braised beef that’s slow cooked all day. Don’t forget the drinks. Try their signature cocktail, 5 o’Clock Somewhere: rum, tequila, Guaro Cacique, passion fruit puree, orange and pineapple juices mixed with the house sweet and sour and finished with a splash of grenadine.

For another option, there’s a restaurant inside the hotel with views of the resort. Capriccios Pizza Bistro & Cafe, features Italian favorites like gourmet pizza, pasta and panna cotta.

The resort itself is gorgeous. There is a huge kid-friendly pool and an adultfriendly swim-up bar, aptly named License to Chill Bar. Totally freshened

up, the rooms are beach themed and beautiful. Margaritaville has something for everyone. From the honeymoon suite with jacuzzi tub to the bunk bed suite for a family of six, your hosts accommodate you with authentic and eco-friendly Costa Rican comfort. Not up for staying the night? You can get a day pass and let the kids play in the pool and enjoy the game room upstairs, complete with a minicinema showing scheduledfamily movies.

For a limited time, the resort is featuring a local’s discount. For just $35 per adult, half price for kids, you can enjoy all of the hotel amenities all day, including the swim-up pool bar. Your admission price includes one draft beer, soda or juice, and one food item from the License to Chill Pool Bar & Grill menu per person.

The biggest question on everyone’s mind: Is Jimmy Buffett coming to visit our cheeseburger in paradise? D’oñas makes no guarantees, but…”He’s been to every Margaritaville property. He comes unannounced.”

D’oñas looks around, surveying the white sand beach, impressive suites and enormous pool. “I think this will be his favorite.”

This writer agrees. Pura Vida Margaritaville. It doesn’t get any better than that.

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DINING GUIDE

PLAYA FLAMINGO

SOMEWHERE BAR

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

Hours Daily from 4pm to 11pm Happy hour: 4:30-6:30

Phone: 2654-4444, ext. 3264

Specialties Nachos, tacos, burgers, salads and sandwiches

World Famous Margaritas!

January Evening Music Schedule

Wed. Jan 2 - Trio Bayen, 8-10 Thur. Jan 3 - Karen Andrade, 8-10 Fri. Jan 4 - Jose Vega, 8-10 Sat. Jan 5 - Groobeach C., 8-10

Tues. Jan 8 - at Capriccios

Curcho López, 7-9 Wed. Jan 9 - Karen, 5-7 Thur. Jan 10 - Jose Vega, 5-7

Charly López, 8-10 Fri. Jan 11 - Groobeach C., 8-10 Sat. Jan 12 - Mystic Regae Trio, 8-10

Wed. Jan 23 - Karen Andrade, 5-7 Thur. Jan 24 - Trio Bayen, 8-10

- Capriccios- Chucho López, 7-9 Fri. Jan 25 - Jose Vega, 5-7

Groobeach C., 8-10 Sat. Jan 26 - Mystic Regae Trio, 8-10

5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill: Drinks and Casual Dining Best place on the Gold Coast to take in panoramic oceanfront views and multi-screen sports TV while enjoying hand-crafted cocktails and a delicious casual dining menu. You will want to return again and again for juicy cheeseburgers and mouthwatering tacos, not to mention the perfect margaritas and other specialty cocktails. Enjoy a beautiful sunset view during the daily Happy Hour 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday nights feature live entertainment with the best of the area's local bands and musical talent.

5 o'Clock Ceviche

Fresh local fish, shrimp, lime juice, mango, avocado, jalapeno, onions, cilantro

Nachos Don Carlos

Corn tortillas topped with braised beef, cheese, pico de gallo, cilantro

Patacones Pollo

Fried plantains, black bean spread, grilled chicken, pico de gallo, queso fresco

MENU SELECTIONS

Papaya Salad

Fresh greens, papaya, mango, red onion, shrimp or chicken, honey-citrus dressing

Fish/Shrimp Tacos

Grilled fish or shrimp, cabbage, tomatillo, pineapple, pico de gallo

Pork Tacos

Carnitas in salsa criolla, fresh cheese, pineapple, pico de gallo, cilantro

Fins Up Margarita

Gold tequila, triple sec and our special house margarita blend

Last Mango in Paradise

Gold tequila, Cointreau, mango puree, special margarita blend, cranberry juice

Incommunicado

Gold tequila, rum, vodka, triple sec, sweet 'n sour mix, cranberry, pineapple

Wed. Jan 30 - Trio Cafe Soul, 8-10 Thur. Jan 31 - Karen Andrade, 5-7

Charly López, 8-10 @margaritavilleCR Check for updates

Flamingo Burger

Grade A beef, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, tomato

Fish Sandwich

Fresh local fish grilled or fried, chipotle-lime aioli, lettuce, tomato

Beer & Wine

Bavaria, Imperial, Pilsen, Corona, Heineken; Perdices Reserve variety

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DINING GUIDE

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

Hours Daily 6:30am to 9:30pm breakfast, lunch, dinner

Phone: 2654-4444 ext. 3269

Specialties Fresh fish, grass-fed beef, International buffets, kids menu

Banana Wind Cafe: Casual Fine Dining

A perfect blend of Costa Rican, North American and International Cuisine, to please the entire family. Freshly caught local fish and grass-fed steak are the specialties. Enjoy the oceanfront sea breeze on the outdoor patio or enjoy the view in air-conditioned comfort.

Costa Rican Casado

Grilled steak, rice and beans, plantains, fried cheese, potato, salad, tortillas

Ropa Vieja

Spicy shredded beef on a bed or white rice, stuffed plantains

MENU SELECTIONS

Whole Fish

Grilled or fried, gallo pinto and stuffed plantains

Corvina a la Plancha

Grilled seabass, gallo pinto, potatoes

PLAYA FLAMINGO

Lomito

Tender beef filet with caramelized onions, mushroom sauce, stuffed plantains

Poke Bowl

Fresh tuna, seasoned rice, mango, cucumber, avocado, citrus ponzu

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

Hours Daily 5pm to 11:30pm Pizza only from 9:30pm

Phone: 2654-4444 ext. 3268

Specialties Specialty artisanal pizza oven; design your own pizzas and pastas

Capriccios Italian Bistro: Pizza, Pasta & Paninis; Dessert

An Italian bistro with a tropical view in a friendly, fun, family atmosphere. Start with a salad or appetizer, choose from the selection of pizzas, pastas and paninis, or build your own dish with a variety of fresh, delicious ingredients. Add wine and a delicious dessert for a meal to remember!

Prosciutto y Melon

Fresh cantaloupe slices wrapped in prosciutto, roasted tomatoes, basil pesto

Pizza Capriccios

Pomodoro sauce, mozarella, prosciutto, gran padano cheese, capers, arugula

MENU SELECTIONS

Fettucine Alfredo

Delicate fettucine noodles topped with a creamy cheese sauce and lightly seasoned

Panini Caprese

Pressed sandwich of tomato, mozzarella, basil pesto on grilled artisanal bread

Penne Puttanesca

Homemade tomato sauce with red pepper flakes, garlic and basil over penne

Calzone Italiana

Crepe-like sweet calzone filled with Nutella, with choice of house gelato

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