Christmas Eve dinner with 3 generations was memorable. Pasta dishes were outstanding. Service was friendly and accommodating. Way above expectations! One of those meals where I will look back and think where in the world was I?

wonderful food
good value for excellent wine
service was overwhelmed so slow but pleasant
lobster risotto excellent, veal ravioli as well
cost efficient pasta meals on wed and friday good value

My wife and I read the revue on Carlos and Carlos and went to try it out. We have been back 5 times and still have a week left to go in Costa Rica. We have taken two separate sets of guests and the food has been consistently very good. There is one small glitsh in the place and that is the food order system. Our waitress, Carmin, is a bubbly dynamo. Having lived in Toronto for many years, her understanding of how to treat foreign patrons is something to behold. She usually takes the food orders and another young man usually brings the food to the table. If you have asked for something different from the exact menu, they will accomodate, HOWEVER, having two people involved in the process means you cannot catch a missed request until the food has been brought to the table. I mentioned this and it was corrected immediately. This place wants to be the best and will do whatever it takes to stay there. Here is an example of what I am talking about. A friend of mine is a prominent Angus breeder from the US. Anyone who knows good beef from just beef knows that Costa Rica's strong suit is not raising quality beef. He tried the Nicaraguan beef on the menu because he just had to and sure, enough, agreed that it may not have been his greatest food experience. I mentioned to the owner that I would find him the name of the USDA Certified Angus Beef Distributor and I did. I forgot it last night when we went back for dinner and guess what the first question was that Carmine asked me. Did I bring the beef information? I will tomorrow. This place is special and deserves to be patronized. Try the Chicken Vesuvio with pasta as a side dish. It is one of the best chicken dishes I have eaten anywhere. Equally good is the Bella salad. Risotto's are well done as is the pasta. Not really an Italian restaurant, rather it is a restaurant that serves very good fresh Italian inspired food.

Playa Flamingo is one of our favorite vacation spots, but Costa Rica is not known for it's cuisine. Carlos y Carlos is a wonderful exception! This family-run restaurant treats every diner as a special friend! They will even provide a free shuttle service to and from nearby condos and hotels.

It's not unusual for the elder Carlos to bring by something from the kitchen for the table to try. He will often stop to chat and take pictures. The menu is extensive and the service is impeccable! The black pasta, a signature dish, is unique and mouth-watering. Visiting this restaurant always provides us with the very best meal (and dining experience) of our vacation!