Lake Arenal – Home to one of Costa Rica’s best restaurants – Gingerbread

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 where 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 two 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, some say it is one of the best restaurants in all of Central America. And since many people drive two hours each way from the Pacific coast just to eat in the restaurant, clearly there’s a few people here that would agree.

Aside from the restaurant, the boutique hotel has also received 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, Tico Times, Luxury Backpackers, Rough Guides and in the next edition of Delta Airlines in-flight magazine.

Existing plans call for more rooms with two 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 here. Bon Appetite!

Please note that this is not a paid advertisement, this was written by VIP Member Terry Moran at Lake Arenal.

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Lake Arenal – Home to one of Costa Rica’s best restaurants – Gingerbread.

Article/Property ID Number 1709

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.