Tel: (506) 225-8971
Specialty: Creative Gourmet Cuisine.
Chef: Owner Thomas Mueller.
Recommended Dish: Cheese Fondue.
Prices: Full dinner with four to five appetizers, main course, dessert and coffee, U.S. $33, including sales and service taxes (23%).
Location: Barrio Dent, eastern suburb of the capital city of San José.
Directions for Taxi Driver: En Barrio Dent, 400 mts. oeste de Multicines Mall San Pedro.

Thomy’s Paprika is unlike any other restaurant in Costa Rica. Guests at this small and intimate restaurant will enjoy an extraordinary and memorable night of fine dining and quality service.

No menu awaits guests at the small restaurant. The menu is whatever Owner and Chef Thomas Mueller feels inspired to cook that day. Sometimes there are theme nights, such as Malaysian or Spanish cuisine. Guests can choose from among the choice of daily dishes, or order anything they feel like eating.

“I love to cook,” Mueller said. “The idea with this type of restaurant is that people need to feel at home. I make recommendations, but the guests choose what they want. I also will cook anything upon request.”

Guests can choose from among three or four main courses after enjoying the four or five “surprise” appetizers brought by the chef. If you want a special sauce, or really don’t like one of the dishes, he will improvise and prepare a meal of your choice.

Originally from Zurich, Switzerland, Mueller has lived in Malaysia, Greece and Egypt, and moved to Costa Rica about 13 years ago. He is a culinary artist by profession and an artisan by hobby - Mueller also crafted the elaborate wrought-iron candelabras placed around the restaurant’s six tables. Low lighting and abundant works of art on the walls contribute to the elegant ambiance.

Starters include Greek-style Fried Eggplant with Rosemary and Garlic Yogurt Sauce, Roasted Chicken with Sweet-and-Sour Sauce and Green Tomato Chunks, deliciously thick and spicy Squash Cream Soup topped with Crunchy Croutons and Cauliflower with Chile Sauce.

Entrées include Chicken Breast on Rice in a Curry-Raisin Sauce with Baked Bananas and Broccoli, Pork Chops in a Puff Pastry, Pasta with Tomato and Onion Sauce and Fish Soup with Garlic Bread. Mueller prepares all types of Cheese and Meat Fondues, including Fondue Burgonion and a savory Cheese Fondue with White Wine, Kirsch, Garlic and Nutmeg. He will even make Chocolate Fondue upon request!

Other creations include handmade Paté and desserts such as Baked Apples in Vanilla Cinnamon Sauce, Banana Flambé with Grapes and Chocolate Mousse with Cinnamon.

Fine Spanish and Chilean wines, beer and mixed drinks are available. Guests can enjoy a glass of Kir, White Wine with a dash of Raspberry Chambord, or the house white wine, Blanc de Blanc. Other wines include Marques de Cáceres, Causiño-Macul Finis Terrae and Cabernet Sauvignon, Baron Phillipe de Rothschild Merlot, Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo, Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon, Ribera del Duero Monte Castrillo and Los Vascos.

Thomy’s Paprika is open daily for dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mueller recommends making reservations and calling in advance regarding any special requests, or if you want fondue, to ensure he will have all the necessary ingredients

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