Mandarin Asian Bistro

 

 

 

 

The Mandarin Asian Bistro is a new offering in Chinese food in the Managua, Nicaragua area.  The owners did a really nice job of designing and decorating the restaurant...very clean, open and appealing with bamboo and other authentic decorations.

The menu has a good variety of well described plates (both in English and Spanish).  We chose some egg rolls, orange chicken (served on a bed of rice noodles) and beef broccoli.  A side dish of white rice is included with each plate.  The portion of orange chicken was surprisingly small in comparison to the heaping serving of beef broccoli that I got.  I was even able to take some of it home with me.  Flavor was excellent although my plate was tepid.

Our waiter was attentive and not overly intrusive.  He did not pass my empty glass (or bottle) test.  He seemed to be watching but was apparently distracted as I finished the last slug of liquid libation. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it an 8.  Good food, good service, a bit overpriced.  Mandarin Asian Bistro is definitely in the top of the Chinese restaurants in the Managua area.

Click here if you want to see prices.

Mandarin Asian Bistro
Km. 8 Carretera a Masaya
Contiguo a Porterhouse Steak
2276-0571

Posted by Editorial Team on 8:56 p.m. in Chinese/China, Managua, Restaurants/Restaurantes

Guacalito de la Isla

Post by Guacalito de la Isla.

Posted by Editorial Team on 9:02 p.m. in Mukul Resort, Rivas, Tourism/Turismo

Nicaraguan Vaho (or Baho)

Vaho (or baho), pronounced 'ba-ho' or 'ba-o' dependiendo on who you ask, is one of Nicaraguan's most popular dishes...typically a Sunday favorite although you can find it in specialty cafes any day of the week.  I ate this particular plate in Ciudad Sandino on a Friday...and they called it 'ba-o'.

As you can see it's made of beef, yuca, green plantains, ripe plantains, tomato and cabbage salad with an onion, lemon and spicy pepper dressing to top it off.  Its not one of my favorites but its good.  Definitely worth a try on your visit to Nicaragua.

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Posted by Editorial Team on 12:41 p.m. in Nicaraguan Food/Comida Nicaragüense

Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional parte II

  

 

  

 

I decided to put my money where my mouth is and go check out a show at the Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional en Managua, Nicaragua.  I recently had taken pictures of it from outside and told a little bit about it's history but it had been quite a few years since I had actually gone (more than 13 years to be exact).  The last time I went was to see the Tepenahuatl Ballet Folklórico de Nicaragua (that's how they spell it) which, by the way, is coming soon to the Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional.  If you miss it this time, don't worry.  There are presentations several times a year.   You can see the current schedule here.

We went to the "Viva Santana" tribute.  You can see the playlist below, actually quite a good collection of Santana songs...a bit of the new mixed with the absolute crowd pleasers and songs that have made his music so popular for some 40 years.  I didn't know all the artists but three of the guitar players were really good.  A few members of the local Nicaraguan band Macolla also participated.  The best vocal rendition, by far, was the cover of 'Corazón Espinado', a song by Maná with Carlos Santana lending his trademark guitar wizardry.  It was a great show in a great building...all for just a little more than what it costs to go to a movie.  Click here see prices for this Viva Santana tribute show at the Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional.  Made me want to go to see more live shows, definitely!

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Posted by Editorial Team on 10:16 p.m. in Buildings/Edificios, Corazón Espinado, Entertainment/Entretenimiento, Managua, Music/Música, Nicaragua, Nicaraguan, Rubén Darío, Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional, Santana

Rubén Darío National Theater

Rubén Darío National Theater (Photo credit: J. Stephen Conn)

English: View of Lake Managua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Rubén Darío National Theater has been a time proven landmark on the coast of Lake Managua (Xolotlán) for over 40 years.  It mainly plays host to local culture and talent but, at times, and much to the glee of the Managua public, it has been host to select international talent.  The main auditorium seats 1200 attendees.  It will undoubtedly continue to be an attraction as the local Managua authorities continue their efforts to renovate and revive this area of Managua with excellent tourist potential.

If you would like to know what is playing at the theater, click here for a calendar of events at the Rubén Darío Teatro Nacional.

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Posted by Editorial Team on 9:01 p.m. in Culture/Cultura, Entertainment/Entretenimiento, Managua, Tourism/Turismo

Managua's boardwalk on Lake Xolotlán

As visitors and tourists to Managua, Nicaragua soon realize, the city is endowed with a special characteristic: a large quantity of lakes and lagoons, all part of this capital city.  I went to the boardwalk on the shoreline of the important Lake Xolotlán in Managua, Nicaragua.  After decades of neglect, finally it is getting the attention it has always deserved.  Tourist activites along the boardwalk, one quite limited, are swiftly improving.  With the efforts of the Empresa Portuaria Nacional (EPN), there is a really big renovation project in progress with the results, thus far, being nothing less than impressive.  Click here to see a rendition of the EPN works in progress.

Vista de la Laguna de Tiscapa con el Nuevo Centro de Mangua de Fondo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are nice little parks and play areas for the kids, many restaurants and eateries and, of course, the famous lake cruise.  As the works in progress continue, Managua is set to be guaranteed a really special place to visit and an important tourist attraction added to the ever growing portfolio in Nicaragua.

Click here to see the small entrance fee.

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English: View of Lake Managua from Tipitapa, Nicaragua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Posted by Editorial Team on 6:45 p.m. in Entertainment/Entretenimiento, Managua, Nature/Naturaleza, Restaurants/Restaurantes, Tourism/Turismo, Transportation/Transporte