These restaurants at the San Carlos Plaza Hotel are all in close proximity and seem to be managed by the same people. Our first dining experience was at Joey Bistro the evening after my root canal. The Bistro is fancy, done in purples with neon violet lighting, lavender walls with purple pillars, white tablecloths, purple cloth napkins, and red tile floors. Joey’s theme is famous Joes of past and present, so on the walls hang painted portraits of many Joes, including some females, like Joey Heatherton. My right jaw was sore and I’d been instructed to eat only soft foods. So the Wednesday night special of Pasta Night fit right in. Fettuccine Alfredo was my selection out of about a dozen different types of pastas and an equal number of sauces, from red to seafood, to creamy cheese. It went down well with a glass of merlot. In the meantime, Bob, a die-hard pizza addict, had his heart set on nothing else but pizza, and ordered a small combo from Joey’s Pizza, next door. The tab for the meal, including two Coronas and one wine, came to pesos 275.46, or about $27.55. We had enough pasta and pizza left over to heat them up the next evening to eat on the beach under a palapa. Joey Pizza:We returned another evening for pizza when my mouth was sufficiently recovered to chew it. This time we ordered a large combo for the two of us, but couldn’t finish it. Although the crust was medium thickness, the toppings were so generous that it was extremely filling. I could barely finish two pieces. There was enough pizza left over for Bob to have another go at it the next day.
El Kiosko The day we checked out, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet we’d been eyeing every morning in El Kiosko, appropriately enough, under a giant frame kiosk. The walls were painted with vibrant murals of tropical jungle scenes exhibiting large-billed parrots amidst lush green plants. We thoroughly enjoyed the food that was laid out on two long tables. There was a good selection of fresh fruit; I couldn’t get enough of the papayas! In addition to standard fare such as pastries, muffins, hot and cold cereals, milk, and real orange juice, both Mexican and American-style breakfast dishes were offered. I piled my plate with chilequiles, beef tenderloin tips rancheras, scrambled eggs, refried beans and a tortilla. The only disappointment was the puffed potatoes, which were just kind of blah. The tab came to 168 pesos, about $16.80. One night we got the munchies and ordered a piece of chocolate cake; it was to die for, rich and luscious.