Restaurante Silvestre

My friends and I got the eight course tasting menu and it was delicious. It was the right amount of food and the water courses were our favorites. The vibe inside is classy and private, perfect for conversation. If you’re traveling and speak little Spanish, they speak perfect English. The desserts were great and the cocktails were good as well. I also recommend the hot herbal tea, it was excellent.

The food was the highlight of this restaurant, as it was creative and we enjoyed hearing the story behind each cuisine. We loved how authentic Costa Rica ingredients were used. On the downside, this restaurant is located in a sketchy neighborhood, so highly recommend taking a taxi instead of parking and walking especially in the evening. Furthermore, it was odd how customers were segregated inside the restaurant based on race and color of your skin. We sat in the back section and assumed it was a coincidence that only Asian customers were placed in the back. As we were leaving the restaurant and passed the main dining area, we realized it was no coincidence.

I recently dined at Silvestre, a restaurant in Costa Rica that promises a refined dining experience. The ambiance is okay, but the decoration isn’t the best—it’s rather gloomy, set in an old house that feels a bit dreary. It could benefit from incorporating modern art to create a striking contrast with the vintage elements, which might brighten things up and add more appeal. The food itself leans towards a minimalist style, which I appreciated for its simplicity and focus on quality ingredients. The flavors were well-balanced and demonstrated good taste in preparation. Portions were okay—not overly generous, but sufficient for a lighter meal. However, there were some notable drawbacks. The wine selection, while available, comes at exorbitant prices, and the options aren’t necessarily the best quality for what you’re paying. Service was a mixed bag; one waiter in particular was extremely intense, constantly chatting and offering what felt like subtle, implied observations that bordered on unsolicited advice. It made the experience feel a bit overwhelming rather than enjoyable. Value-wise, Silvestre is positioned as a mid-range.