Saturday, June 13, 2009

A mid-week trip

Taking a short break from the water deprived Juticalpa we went to Tegucigalpa, this week and during this short time it occurred to me there is no real good resource for finding good restaurants in Tegus. At least that I am aware of. There is Lonely Planet website- but I can honestly say I have not gone to a single one. They recommend Chinese and chicken restaurants. No offense I could probably find those blindfolded in Tegus. The travel books for Honduras are hit and miss, I have decided much of the time they just ask someone on the street where they eat and write that restaurant down. (In Juticalpa one book recommends the Chinese restaurant that has been closed by public health...) So with this in mind, hopefully I might be able to assist a few people like me that only get a few days in Tegus and would like to eat meal that is not the usual fare...

Creperia-
This restaurant serves crepes (hence the name) and salads. It is a perfect meal that is not heavy; they serve sweet and savory crepes. I have tried two savory vegetarian crepes, both were really good- I preferred the mushroom. The sweet crepes are very tasty, I prefer to split one. I have been here twice and each time I have been happy with the quality and price, the owner is very attentive and you can tell through the quality of the food. I will continue going, to me a perfect lunch spot.

Usami-
The best sushi- sorry that is all I have tried! I have tasted a good selection on the sushi menu and the only sushi I have not liked was because of taste preference. The restaurant is quiet, they have a little Japanese food store in front, which is handy to pick up a few Japanese things. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant, not as cheep as Honduran fare but well worth every penny.

Sabor Cubano-
A restaurant tucked in next to more high end restaurants but the prices here are fairly normally priced. The owners are Cuban, the food is Cuban. Pretty good equation. The menu options are not extensive- I had a tuna sandwich (I know daring) which to me had a Cuban flare. Esposo had a pork dish which he seemed to think was Miami Cuban good. I also had a mojito, admittedly I have never had one before but I thought it was pretty amazing. I will probably go back, Saturday night there is suppose to be dancing, and a good place to take a Honduran

Mangosteen-
Okay I have to write a bit more on this one- it is an Asian influenced restaurant. We had for appetizer Vietnamese rolls and for main course green curry and pad Thai. The Vietnamese rolls were good, the sauce was missing something.
Main course I had green curry- and perhaps if they had called it something else I would have liked it better. It was not green curry. It was a teaspoon of curry chili and coconut milk. Really disappointing. Esposo had the pad Thai which was just okay, it was missing a few things and the noodles were the wrong size (I know I am picky.) We also had two teas. It came to just under 1,000 lps. Not worth it. My recommendation make it yourself, it will probably taste better and for sure be cheaper.

Titos-
I am pretty sure that is what it is called… I have yet to figure out why no book I have found recommends this place, a great Italian restaurant. I have only been once with my mother in law. We had a pizza half vegetarian half meat. The vegetarian side was (I think) Italian influenced with green olives and all. Hondurans say that it is better than Pizza Hut- which for is a really good compliment. I plan on going back it was unique restaurant and full of tasty options.

I know I did not put directions, if you are curious where these restaurants are located just leave a message and I will answer. I have visited a few more places and if I can just remember how to spell them with out embarrassing myself to much, I will write about them. I will soon get to the dining fare of Juticalpa, which is not so diverse- but perhaps it will be helpful to someone.

2 comments:

Hannah said...

Usami is hands down the best sushi in the city. It's also the one with the lowest prices. Sushi Bar and Nobu have good sushi too, and a better "out for drinks" kind of environment. But Usami is the best!

What a shame that you didn't have a good experience at Mangosteen. It's a nice place for a special date night or something because it's expensive. I had the lobster ravioli - yummmmmmy! :)

Il Padrino is the BEST pizza place in the city. Tito's is good, but they use quesillo (which is probably why Hondurans love it soo much, haha). AND Il Padrino is cheaper and delivers.

-Hannah
http://adventuresofhannahandcharlie.blogspot.com/

Kegarnay said...

Directions-
Usami is located on of blvd. Morazan towards the end in Col. El Castaño south, Paseo la Ermita

I hope that helps, we just kept asking guards what way the japanese resturant was. Also you can call them if you get totally lost 221-1590

Mangosteen and Sabor Cubano are on the same street, so if you find one the other one is right there. I should also note that it also on the same street as Rojo, Verde y Ajo and the Sushi Bar. I think it is the cool street, as far as resturants go, and all in walking distance.
Colonia Palmira, Avenida Républica de Argentina, behind Boulevard Morazán, going towards the start of the Blvd. I hope that helps, and if you cant find these just ask, for Sabor cubano or Rojo, Verde y Ajo because they are on the same street and pretty well known in the area.