With a terrace view of towering trees and the occasional monkey, Ambrosia is a new restaurant in Manuel Antonio (since early 2005).
The variety of sandwiches and fruit smoothies at this new restaurant present a tasty lunch time alternative to dining on pizza or roast chicken.
Sandwiches range from The Cuban (roast pork marinated in mojo) to Philly Cheesesteaks and a Chicken Caesar Wrap. (You can have any sandwich prepared as a wrap or on a pressed baguette.)
All ingredients and condiments are fresh and flavorful: shaved purple onions, for example, and horseradish mayo on some selections. Same for the salads, in particular the Wilted Spinach, served with goat cheese and bacon vinaigrette. There are plenty of vegetarian offerings on the menu, and the fries and onion rings are practically grease-free; (Fries or fruit salad accompanies each sandwich.)
But the tropical fruit smoothies alone are worth a stop at Ambrosia, which features Strawberry-Banana, Pineapple-Mango-Banana and others. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the Key Lime pie, made with the real thing; Prices run from $4-$6; smoothies, $3.
It is also a convenient place for breakfast, situated midway between the beaches and downtown Quepos. You can go Gringo for breakfast, or try the local gallo pinto (lightly fried rice and beans) with eggs.
Run by two American brothers who know the food game, Ambrosia is also a good place to pick up sandwiches for a day trip or drive through the rain forest.
It is on the second floor of the Plaza Yara, also an excellent place to shop for souvenirs and work by local artisans. Closed Tuesday.
