A CULINARY JEWEL AT LAKE ARENAL
In 2003 an Israeli chef named Eyal Ben-Menachem came to Costa Rica and fell in love. All the way from the cold north in Chicago where he had studied at the Kendall Culinary School, via travels and study in France, England Japan and Thailand. Upon arrival here he helped open the first Kosher Restaurant in Escazu and later worked at restaurants on the beach and in Monteverde. But he had a dream, and that was to open his own restaurant somewhere in a beautiful peaceful place in the country.
Thus were planted the seeds for Gingerbread. After leaving a restaurant owned by a friend in Monteverde Eyal traveled to Lake Arenal were his dream blossomed when he met an investor that was just completing a boutique hotel and restaurant and looking for a partner to run the operation.
When asked what type of food the restaurant specializes in he says it is a fusion of all his combined knowledge he has gleaned in his schooling and world travels as well as what is fresh that day. The menu is posted on a board and changes daily. Aside from the terrific food, Gingerbread includes one of the best wine selections you will find in Costa Rica.
In the less than 2 years since a quiet opening many of the local and foreign clients that crave gourmet food have unanimously said it is one of the top five restaurants in all of Costa Rica. The person who heads up the real estate office for International Living and constantly travels Central America says it is the best restaurant in all of Central America.
It is common for clients to drive 2 hours each way from the Pacific coast just to eat in the restaurant.
Aside from the restaurant, the boutique hotel has also gotten rave reviews. Each room is decorated differently with a separate theme with murals painted on the walls by famous artists, such as the “Jungle Room”, The Cupid Room” and “The Butterfly Room”. All rooms are air conditioned and have satellite TV. A fresh breakfast of fruit, gourmet coffee and fresh baked scones is included in the fare.
Gingerbread has already been written up in such publications as Conde Naste Traveler, Trip Advisor, International Living, Tico Times, Luxury Backpackers, Rough Guides and in the next edition of Delta Airlines in-flight magazine.
Existing plans call for more rooms, 2 more under construction right now, a jungle pool and waterfall and a Jacuzzi.
If you are looking for a treat either as a tourist or resident and are a connoisseur of great food it is well worth your while to come eat and spend a night at this gastronomic utopia at Lake Arenal. You will be hearing more and more about Gingerbread as the reputation grows through word of mouth.
You can see more about Eyal, and Gingerbread Restaurant and Boutique
Hotel by going to their web site at gingerbreadarenal.com.
Bon Appetit
In 2003 an Israeli chef named Eyal Ben-Menachem came to Costa Rica and fell in love. All the way from the cold north in Chicago where he had studied at the Kendall Culinary School, via travels and study in France, England Japan and Thailand. Upon arrival here he helped open the first Kosher Restaurant in Escazu and later worked at restaurants on the beach and in Monteverde. But he had a dream, and that was to open his own restaurant somewhere in a beautiful peaceful place in the country.
Thus were planted the seeds for Gingerbread. After leaving a restaurant owned by a friend in Monteverde Eyal traveled to Lake Arenal were his dream blossomed when he met an investor that was just completing a boutique hotel and restaurant and looking for a partner to run the operation.
When asked what type of food the restaurant specializes in he says it is a fusion of all his combined knowledge he has gleaned in his schooling and world travels as well as what is fresh that day. The menu is posted on a board and changes daily. Aside from the terrific food, Gingerbread includes one of the best wine selections you will find in Costa Rica.
In the less than 2 years since a quiet opening many of the local and foreign clients that crave gourmet food have unanimously said it is one of the top five restaurants in all of Costa Rica. The person who heads up the real estate office for International Living and constantly travels Central America says it is the best restaurant in all of Central America.
It is common for clients to drive 2 hours each way from the Pacific coast just to eat in the restaurant.
Aside from the restaurant, the boutique hotel has also gotten rave reviews. Each room is decorated differently with a separate theme with murals painted on the walls by famous artists, such as the “Jungle Room”, The Cupid Room” and “The Butterfly Room”. All rooms are air conditioned and have satellite TV. A fresh breakfast of fruit, gourmet coffee and fresh baked scones is included in the fare.
Gingerbread has already been written up in such publications as Conde Naste Traveler, Trip Advisor, International Living, Tico Times, Luxury Backpackers, Rough Guides and in the next edition of Delta Airlines in-flight magazine.
Existing plans call for more rooms, 2 more under construction right now, a jungle pool and waterfall and a Jacuzzi.
If you are looking for a treat either as a tourist or resident and are a connoisseur of great food it is well worth your while to come eat and spend a night at this gastronomic utopia at Lake Arenal. You will be hearing more and more about Gingerbread as the reputation grows through word of mouth.
You can see more about Eyal, and Gingerbread Restaurant and Boutique
Hotel by going to their web site at gingerbreadarenal.com.
Bon Appetit
1 comment:
It is spelled culinary, not cullinary, and it is spelled bon appetit, not bon appetite...
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