By Ivo Henfling

Great service, delicious food and easy to find location

When you plan to do your Multiplaza or Pricemart shopping around lunchtime, you need to take the time to stop by Sole Mío, an Italian Restaurant located 500 meters south of Multi Plaza in Escazu (that means going toward the Paco, or my office).

Dany, my wife went several times with her group of girlfriends, so I asked her to invite me the other day and she did.....

Since I'm not such a big eater, I ordered fried Calamari Fritti, fried Calamari rings, for starters, that came with a delicious tomato sauce. The cost is ¢6,900 plus service and tax. Dany ordered Polipo a la mediterranea, grilled octopus with lemon, baked potatoes and a salad. Cost ¢7,500 plus service and tax. Of course we, abnormal small eaters that we are, were full after that. Great service for the waiters and waitress. I love the idea of eating and not having a waiter breathing down my neck all the time. These guys (and gal) know how to hover at a distance.

The Sole Mio restaurant offers these glass size bottles of Chilean wine, which is a good idea. I've been back there a couple of times now and everyone loves these little bottles of wine. I stick to my usual Centenario made in Costa Rica champion rum with coke and no lime. That's the best rum in the world.

After that visit with Dany, I've been back a couple of times and all who joined me were very happy with the quality of the food and as usual, an outstanding service. Once, I had a Calzone Napoletano (¢6,900 plus tax), which is like a folded Pizza and that was also very good. My company had a Gnocci al pesto (¢5,900 plus tax) and made me try, though I don't like Gnocci at all. I will try that one next time I go though I had alreadyy planned to get the Fettuccini Alfredo next time......I guess I'll have to throw the dice on it. Others had a Pumpkin Ravioli (¢6,000 plus tax), I think with Bolognese, of which I had never heard before but I tried a bit and my God, now I really have to go three times. I sound like I'm one of those fat guys who doesn't do anything else but eat all the time and I must admit that since I quit smoking, I feel and look like it, but I still eat very little. So I'll have to go back soon. Maybe this week even......

This time I put the prices there because I've had some people complain that the Spanish restaurant I recommended was kind of pricey. So now you can take a decision before you go. Remember, price plus 10% service plus 13% sales tax. Don't overtip, tip is included and only when the service is outstanding you should tip extra.

For those who get lost all the time, if you go from Multiplaza towards downtown Escazu (or my office) you first go past the Volvo dealer and then you get to the BMW dealer. Its right across the street. Most of the time there is a blue amulance parked up front (when there s no emergency anywhere). Located in Golden Plaza stripmall.

They also have a website, with up to date prices on the full menu. I don't like the music on it, because you feel you need to go sit with your wife in some gondola going through the channels of Venice. Oh, I've heard severeal people say the Pizza is the best in town. My wife cooks incredibly well, so we don't go out for food that often. You want to order on the phone: 2288-1400

Bon Appetit

Ivo Henfling, your Italian food experts who know a bit about real estate too.