Executive lunch or “ejecutivo” as it is called in Spanish is how the locals in Costa Rica get a better deal on restaurant meals when tourists are handed an expensive menu.
Normally any upscale restaurant in San Jose will serve several options of set meals or specials, which come with local beverage, main plate, side dish, coffee and very small desert. The price is usually between $5 and $10, and while the portion is a bit small by gringo standards the food is often quite good.
The easiest way to determine if the restaurant serves a lunch deal is to look for a large group of local business people between noon and 2pm. Working class people with less income usually frequent the “sodas” where the special is priced under $5.
If the “ejecutivo” or “plato del dia” is not on the menu, then be sure to politely ask because some restaurants frequented by tourists in Costa Rica do not post the special deal openly in writing.
Executive lunch is also not an option directly inside the Hotel Del Rey even though it uses the same kitchen and menu as the Del Mar restaurant. Just walk across the street to the same building that houses the Key Largo bar.
I've found the Del Mar to have excellent food including the brunch buffet.
I have always liked the food at the Del Mar. The staff is very good. Thanks for the info about the ejecutivo. It looks great nad my tightwad friends will be in heaven!!!
I have in fact seen many of your tight wad friends there, myself included.