Le Papillon is the hotel-restaurant in The Hotel Mariposa. This is the hotel where I stayed, and often I had breakfast here in the morning. The restaurant is an open area just off the main lobby. The views of the ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park are beyond comparison. The seats that ring the outside are the prime tables during the day, but even tables in the center of the space have a million-dollar view during daylight hours.The restaurant at lunch and at dinner turns into a French restaurant, and I was told that it was one of the best in the area. So rather than venturing out one night, I decided to try the restaurant for dinner. The space is lit by candles at night and linens are on the table, but other than those changes, it's the same rather plain breakfast area I ate at each morning. The only problem is that at night, the view is gone with the darkness and the space seems rather plain. Papillon is far more interesting and more appealing before the sun sets.
When I arrived, the place was empty, and the server seating guests tried to place me at a horrible table right by the entrance. As the place was empty, I asked if I pick another table. He threw up his arms in disgust and walked away from me.
My server was friendlier, had a big Costa Rican smile, and made me feel welcome. However, when I ordered, I found that they were out of many of the items on the menu. It was a bit frustrating. When I finally ordered my third choice, a lobster tail, the waiter said they were out, but that I could get lobster if I ordered the seafood platter. The menu had some unusual choices, like crocodile and quail (both were sold out).
The seafood platter was okay, but not great. I have been eating a lot of fish all week here, and this meal fell somewhere on the bottom of the list. The mahimahi was overcooked, and the lobster was just leftover pieces and not very good.
The highlight of the meal was the dessert, a papaya crème brulee, and with that I ordered a layered Costa Rican coffee. Both were as tasty as they were as pretty.
The bill came, and I was shocked that my meal ran $130 for just one person. Even by American standards this would have been high, but for Costa Rica, the price was through the roof!
You can find better meals at night all around the area. However, the view in the daytime is numero uno. If you are a sucker for a wonderful view, like I am, I suggest hitting Papillon at breakfast or lunch. Even if the food disappoints, the view will not!