La Isla Bonita Restaurant is decorated in such a way as to make you feel you are outdoors. We were attracted by the lights, and went inside to have a look; it's a beautiful setting, with long, flowing drapes which have been scalloped on the ceiling! Lovely music pervaded the atmosphere, and the seating recreated one of nature; bamboo/cane chairs and tables with plenty of potted palms and other green plants. Tiny lights had been wound around just about everything and as your eye is drawn to the neon above the bar in the rear section, you see the name La Isla Bonita seemingly floating in the air. The menu was displayed near the entrance, so you can make your decision without entering the physical area of seating.
We were able to take a corner table near the front as there was only one other couple dining. A bit later, an American family of 4 arrived and sat adjacently to us. The servers were less than experienced and not terribly forthcoming. When I asked for bread, I was told, after a quick check in the kitchen, that they ran out of bread after lunch. Well, mujer* , go out and get some then!
Chuck opened with the house Merlot which apparently wasn't bad. For the appetizer I chose the queso frito (fried cheese) and a traditional salad. Chuck let his guard down and agreed that the cheese was delicious. For the entrée, we had grilled snapper which we both love; this was served with a yellow rice mixed with beans and chorrizo (sausage).
Part of the fun of the evening was taking pictures of the family next to us, and having them do the same; naturally, one of the men fell in love with Chuck's new toy, the camera, and a lot of opinions and advice followed that.
I had my usual hot tea craving after dinner, and was informed by the server that hot tea is not served, only iced tea. I was baffled, only because the restaurant wants to portray an elegance which is unfortunately extinguished by the lack of basic staples, and the inexperience of the wait staff.
Interfering with the wonderful music is the most distasteful high volume of the bar television. Those little touches really bring down the class of the restaurant quite a few rungs. Nevertheless, the food itself was excellent.