Intermezzo del Bosque...going downhill at a steady rate

I have been to Intermezzo del Bosque 5 times in the last few years.  We were very disappointed last Sunday when we went to celebrate our anniversary.  Our waiter was very aloof and not responsive at all.  He wasn't in bad mood, just not with the game.

The food was the most dissapointing part of the visit...and I must admit that the last two visits had aroused fears that this was going to happen: a shocking descent in food quality.  My wife's shrimp were watery (underneath the batter they were fried in).  I had steak medallions with three sauces (one of the sauces was stone cold).  The steak was good.  However, the waiter didn't even ask how I wanted it prepared.  Huh?  Bread was hard/stale.  No salad served.

What a shame that this has happened.  The view and climate at Intermezzo del Bosque is unmatched in the Managua, Nicaragua dining experience.  It used to be our favorite place to go for a special dinner.  They need to get a top notch chef in there fast cause the food was really below standards for what was once considered a fine dining experience.  The head waiter needs to get his game on too.  Until I hear better, this place is off our list.

Enjoy the pictures...they are the highlights of this visit.

You can see prices at Intermezzo del Bosque here.

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More traffic light entertainment in Managua

What to do on a rainy night in Managua?  Does the onset of the rainy season in Nicaragua give you the blues?  Fear not my friend...many a traffic light in Managua will still be the setting for really good entertainment, as this clown, near ENEL Central in Managua, gives proof of.

Posted by Editorial Team on 7:36 a.m. in Curiosities/Curiosidades, Managua

Green parrot

Would you like some more dough, Mr. Green Parrot from Granada, Nicaragua?

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Basketball anyone?

Basketball isn't a sport a lot of Nicaraguans are accomplished at.  However, you can't falt the local guys in the Las Lomas barrio for not trying...I would have thought that this was for some little kids but its obviously not the case when you check out the height on this rim.

Posted by Editorial Team on 8:42 p.m. in Curiosities/Curiosidades

Wall painting in Masaya

This typical country scene is painted on the wall of a business on the highway heading out of Masaya towards Catarina. A very good painter indeed!!! Click on it to see it bigger!

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:53 p.m. in Curiosities/Curiosidades, Masaya

Lunch in Corinto

We went with our landlords, Roberto and Rosita Carrillo, on Thursday to have lunch.  By the way, they have the best clothing stores in Chinandega - La Elegancia #1 and #2.  Stop in for some great deals on really good clothing! We went to Paso Caballos (Corinto) and ate at the Español.  Note the excellent seafood!!!  The medium fried fish cost $C165 (US$8.25).   The sea bass filet in garlic butter cost C$175 (US$8.50); the fried shrimp with garlic butter or mayonnaise cost C$245 (US$12.25).  The seafood soup cost C$170 (US$8.50) and is a serving double of what is pictured.  Not the cheapest but umm umm good!

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Tacos LaSalle

We stopped for the famous LaSalle tacos, made on the street corner of the school with the same name in León. They are served up fresh as you ask for them...a rolled up tortilla with their secret chicken mix inside, deep fried and then topped with cabbage, cream and a lime, onion and chile pepper salad. I washed mine down with an orange Fanta and a Coca-cola. We ate with Karl and Tiffany. The 10 tacos (3,3,2,2) and 5 sodas cost a mere C$130 (US$6.50). Karl Lamy, Tiffany Lamy

Pasamos a comer los famosos tacos LaSalle, hechos en la esquina del colegio con el mismo nombre en León. Los hacen cuando uno los pide...una tortilla enrollado con un pollo especial preparado, frito y luego te echan repollo, crema y cebolla con chile y limón. Yo también tomé dos gaseosas: una Fanta naranja y un Coca-cola. Comimos con Karl y Tiffany. Los 10 tacos (3,3,2,2) y 5 gaseosas costaron solamente C$130 (US$6.50).

Karl Lamy, Tiffany Lamy

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:29 p.m. in León, Nicaraguan Food/Comida Nicaragüense, Prices/Costos

From Evernote:

Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher: Nicaragua: An Up-And-Coming Retirement Destination Clipped from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzan-haskins-and-dan-prescher/retiring-in-nicaragua-an-upandcoming_b_3340309.html

Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher.

InternationalLiving.com Editors

.

.

Nicaragua: An Up-And-Coming Retirement Destination

Posted: 05/31/2013 7:54 am

Nicaragua offers the lowest cost of living in Central America, and no... there is not a war going on. That ended more than 25 years ago. Today, Nicaragua enjoys a stable democracy and was ranked in a recent Gallup Poll as the safest country in Central America. The Economist Intelligence Unit says Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in all of Latin America.

There may be no better place to retire in Nicaragua than Granada. Ancient pastel-painted colonial-era buildings with terracotta tile roofs spill along the north shore of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. Views of the nearby Mombacho Volcano add to this glorious postcard effect.

Granada is known, too, for its colorful horse-drawn carriages that clip clop their way atop cobblestone streets, toting neck-craning tourists and locals alike, the latter going about their daily business with the languid, carefree aura that comes from living in the tropics.

In the enclosed courtyards of the city's colonial homes -- some of which have been converted to boutique hotels and cherished homes, Nicaragua's famous rocking chairs -- made of rich tropical hardwoods and wicker -- beckon.

Many are occupied these days by North American retirees -- but only for brief moments. They've not come to rock away their golden years, but for the active and adventuresome retirement that Nicaragua offers.

By some estimates, as many as 1,000 expats call Granada home -- a socially active group that enjoys cultural events, outdoor activities, and volunteer endeavors... and a place where a couple can live quite comfortably for much less than they would pay in the U.S.

"My friends are always asking me, after living here for nine years, when I am going to move back to the United States," says Janice Gallagher. "I just laugh. I could never afford to have the lifestyle in the U.S. as I do here nor the peace of mind. I can get up in the morning, take a yoga class, get a manicure and pedicure, have a massage, meet my friends for happy hour and do it all for less than $30! I have a housekeeper/nanny, a chauffeur, gardener and someone to take care of the horses and other animals for me for less than $400 a month."

Janice lives on a small farm just outside of Granada, but she has plenty of friends who live in the city itself. Renting a comfy spot long-term to explore from can cost as little at $500 per month for a condo with a community pool, and range upward from there for a beautifully remodeled colonial home depending on size, location, and amenities. Short-term vacation rentals are also abundant, such as those found at Granada Property Services.

"Where else can you buy a beautiful head of organic lettuce for less than 50 cents or enjoy a cold beer for $1?" asks Janice. "No, I think I am staying put in Nicaragua a while longer!"

Posted by Editorial Team on 3:44 p.m. in Cost of living, Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua, Prices/Costos, Retirement

Garrobo or iguana

I am not an expert on reptiles so I can't tell you if this is an iguana or a reptile but it is a nice little friend that lives on the same property we do.  He/she has become quite "tame" or curious as you will.  We both were looking at each other for quite a bit yesterday.  I am glad this place is fenced in or he/she would be eaten already.

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