Even though there are only two restaurants at El Mangroove they provide a wide variety of delicious meals with hours that fit any schedule. Makoko serves breakfast and dinner while Matisse serves lunch, snacks and dinner. Makoko has a breakfast, dinner, dessert and appetizer menu while Matisse has a lunch, dinner, dessert and drink menu. They boast authentic Costa Rican cuisine which is made on site daily from locally sourced ingredients and organic produce. Both restaurants also have their own bar and create the most amazing drinks!
Starting at 6:00 am you can get your coffee, drinks or breakfast. Since we were coming from the East coast I was up early and got my cappuccino poolside delivered by one of the waiters. Anytime someone was sitting in a pool or beach chair the staff would ensure the guest had anything they could want-food or drink! I traveled with my daughter, who is not an early riser, so we would eat breakfast at Makoko around 9:00. Our reservation included breakfast so we ordered off the specific menu however there were many other options available on the full breakfast menu. Every morning there was the choice of orange juice and other fresh options such as blackberry, passion fruit, or watermelon. Fresh fruit, yogurt, bacon and eggs, pinto Gallo, bread options including croissants, danish and toast made for a hearty breakfast to get us powered up for the day. Oh, and as much coffee as we wanted.
We enjoyed lunch either poolside or at a table at Matisse. The servers are wonderfully accommodating and are happy to serve you no matter where you are sitting! On our first day we sat poolside and ordered patacones and a Cubano for a late afternoon lunch-a lot of food and all delicious. On day two I ordered the Pura Vida pizza; I would not have come up with that combination but it was a definite win-grilled heart of palm, grilled corn, avocado, cilantro, pineapple and shrimp. Our lunch on day three eaten at a table at Matisse was a salmon poke bowl with a side of patacones. The poke bowl was fresh and incredible-all the ingredients were so flavorful and delicious. We were served a starter of focaccia bread with infused olive oil with a peppery kick leaving me inspired to create similar food. By the time we left Costa Rica patacones became my new favorite side dish and I can’t wait to make them at home!!
Dinner at Makoko was always wonderful-the atmosphere of eating outside, the lighting around the resort, the warm service and fresh delicious cuisine. Our first dinner we both had fish entrees-Mahi-Mahi and Grouper. The rolls they serve before dinner are full of flavor as they are baked with fresh herbs. Our second night we ordered the pipa ceviche, crispy rice noodle soup, risotto and finished with Parrot & Tree Chocolate-all absolutely amazing!!!
The bar service is great and the drinks were fresh, delicious and unique using local ingredients and beautifully garnished!
In room dining is available for all suites for a nominal delivery fee and the standard 13% local taxes. When planning your stay at El Mangroove you may want to consider choosing the all-inclusive option which includes three daily meals, snacks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The menus have lots of choices so even if you are staying for a week you are sure not to run out of fresh new options!
standbyfortravel.com 