One of the best kept secrets in San Jose....

...is Kalu Cafe in Barrio Amon.  Seriously.  If you ever find yourself in San Jose, walk, don't run there.  This place is hands down the coolest, hippest, most delicious cafe/shop that I've been to in Costa Rica.  


There was a recent article in El Financiero about the owner/designer of Kalu Cafe, Andres Fernandez, and he said something that really caught my attention.  There is a misconception (in my opinion) that San Jose is an ugly city with little to do.  However, I think that all cities are beautiful in different ways and that you can find beauty, creativity and adventure wherever you are! Here's what he said:


"The ugliness is in the eyes of those who see it, it's not intrinsic to the city itself.  In reality, it's like a beautiful woman who's never been told she's beautiful.  Then, everyone eventually thinks it's true.  We're trying to break that vicious cycle [with San Jose]." 


Vamos, amigos!

Courtesy: Kalu.co.cr

We're on the hunt for a cool memento of our time here, maybe a photo or painting, a sculpture or something for the house? Before the afternoon rains kicked in today, we wandered around to this modern art gallery nearby, Andromeda, where we chatted with Alfonso about some of the art they have there. He was lovely, but after a few minutes, I realized that our "budget" for art wasn't exactly what they had in mind there, yikes! 


Undeterred, and with a few rain drops starting to hit the ground, we walked over to Kalu Cafe to check out some of the really cool stuff they have there. We found a driftwood lamp, chairs made of cardboard, and this really cool bar made of amber resin and an old tree! Only problem is: how on earth would we get that stuff back to the U.S.? Details, details.


While we continued to wait out the rain, we grabbed a seat on the outdoor patio and had a great little lunch while we listened to the LOUD thunder crashing overhead. Costa Rica really knows how to have a thunderstorm! Wowzers.  

Chicken, salmon, and beef burgers

Libertas, a craft beer made in Costa Rica, and a te chai

Cozy!