NOW CLOSED...Formerly: While the space is limited at Palmito, it hardly feels cramped, thanks to deep yellow-colored walls and a well-spaced crop of colorful paintings. While it may not be perfect for large parties, the staff is willing and the seating is sufficiently malleable to accommodate most groups. The big window in front helps to cut down on claustrophobia when the place gets crowded and offers ample opportunity for people-watching.
The menu is not huge, but it's full of reasonably priced Costa Rican favorites. You'll even find the breakfast item, gallo pinto (a rice-and-beans-over-eggs dish), on the dinner menu. If you forget to BYOB (at $2 per bottle), the non-alcoholic drink options include fruit smoothies and coffee drinks. Start your meal with an appetizer; ceviches come in a martini glass surrounded by freshly fried chips. The casado con carne, a marinated strip steak covered in grilled onions, is one of two steak dishes on the menu, and the (unofficial) specialty of the house is the pollo con salsa de mango, a chicken dish served in mango sauce. The bottles of spicy sauce on every table make every dish especially delicious; after tasting it, you'll find yourself dreaming up ways you can steal it without the staff noticing. Don't even try.
Reviewed By: Mac McCormick
