I'm Chef Arthuro Paniagua. Originally from the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica. I have lived in La Fortuna for the last 15 years. I'm the dad of four amazing kids, a partner to Jillian, and a fourth-generation self-taught Chef. (and an ok soccer goalie, LOL!)

I have been around food all my life; My great-grandma, grandma, and mom all spent their careers in the kitchen. When I was little, we lived in the soda my parents owned. When I was a young teenager, my family spent some time in Turrialba working with an Argentinian company providing food services. Fridays were family time, and the Argentinian owner took a particular liking to me and spent time teaching me Asado-style bbq. After graduating high school, my first job was in a large commercial kitchen at an ICE hydro-electrical project (National power co.). 2011 I moved to La Fortuna to start my culinary journey. My first job was at Baldi Hot Springs as a bartender. I then moved on to serving and managing at Lava Lounge before finally opening my first restaurant.

After four years at my first restaurant, it was time to move on to a new project. In 2015 Jillian and I opened Casa Paniagua. Casa Paniagua started as a 60 seat restaurant in the small town of Nuevo Arenal, about an hour west of La Fortuna. It was the perfect place to grow and develop my style. After three and a half years, we decided to move back to La Fortuna, where we already owned land, and I could expand my culinary resume.

In 2018 I started working with travel agencies to bring together the best naturalist guides La Fortuna offers paired with unique dining experiences. A dream come true! I enjoy not only cooking but also getting to show people my beautiful country in a unique way. Every day is different, and no two experiences are the same.

In 2020, While the borders were closed and guests were restricted from visiting, the pandemic forced us to change course. We expanded into Personal Chef services. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on our private patio at our house or on location at vacation rentals and other exclusive locations .

2021 has been a whirlwind of excitement and growth. Our private dining room is slated to open Christmas 2022. We have the most amazing partners that allow my team and I the creative freedom to developed fantastic unique adventure/dining experiences and personal chef services to share with the world.

I can't wait to meet you here in my paradise!

Pura Vida!

Chef Arthuro Paniagua

For me, cooking is...

One of the ways I express LOVE.

I learned to cook at...

Forth generation! My great Grandma, my Grandma and my Mom = my inspiration.

A cooking secret...

Gotta listen to music.

My menus

Chef's Choice Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Ceviche - Costa Rican style with twist! Corvina, passion fruit and ginger

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Pincho (kabob) de Pollo - Costa Rican street food

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Passion Chicken or Trout - Tangy passion fruit sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, candied carrots, and grilled veggies *vegan by request

Caribbean Rice and Beans (chicken) - home grown red beans & rice slow cooked in coconut milk paired with Caribbean style chicken, sweet plantains, & finished with a traditional cabbage salad

DESSERT

All inclusive

Rice Pudding - Elevate your dessert experience with our elevated version of arroz con leche. This creamy rice pudding is infused with aromatic spices, garnished with surprises, and finished with edible "dirt" and "sand",

Traditional Trio - Always 100% gluten-free *vegan by request

STARTER

All inclusive

Spicy beans and fresh plantain chips

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Heart of Palm Salad - Heart of palm, avocado, fresh cherry tomatoes from our garden, thin sliced red onions and grilled sweet corn tossed in a handcrafted pesto dressing, finished with greek yogurt

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Casado (beef) - White rice, vegan red beans, imported punta de solomo (top sirloin), sweet plantains, vegan picadillo, avocado and Pico de gallo

Chifrijo (pork) -Steamed white rice, Traditional tierno beans, chicharonnes, avocado and pico de gallo

Rice and Beans (chicken) - home grown red beans & rice slow cooked in coconut milk paired with Caribbean style chicken, sweet plantains, & finished with a traditional cabbage salad

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tropical Chia Pudding Coconut milk, pure vanilla, real maple syrup finished with tropical fruit

Costa Rican Cuisine - Elevated

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

PGLS - Pumpkin, Ginger, Lemongrass Soup - 100% farm-grown ingredients and a pinch of salt and pepper

Mango Salad - Mango, avocado & thin-sliced red onions seasoned with lemon, sea salt & pepper

Argentinian Empanada Trio** traditional chicken, beef, and spinach & cheese (spinach and cheese vegan)

Caprese Salad - Buffalo mozzarella or vegan mozzarella, cherry tomatoes & mountain basil, balsamic reduction

Heart of Palm Salad - Heart of palm, avocado, garden cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, red onion tossed in pesto finished with yogurt

Spinach Salad* Strawberries, feta cheese or vegan cheese, maple balsamic vinaigrette

Ceviche - Costa Rican style with twist! Corvina or mushrooms, passion fruit and ginger

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Hummus Trio* Roasted beet, farm-grown basil pesto & garlic chimichurri hummuses chips/veggies/pita

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Parmesan Mushroom Chicken - Mixed Roots -Grilled Veggies

Blackberry Steak - Cut TBD, red wine blackberry sauce, roasted rosemary baby potatoes, grilled veggies

Passion Chicken or Trout (when available) - Tangy passion fruit sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, candied carrots, and grilled veggies *vegan by request

Avocado Salsa Steak - Cut TBD, avocado salsa, cauliflower rice, grilled broccoli

Ribs al la Casa - Slow cooked pork ribs, chef's secret BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes, seasonal green veggies

Coconut Mango Shrimp - Coconut crusted jumbo shrimp, mango soy dipping sauce, tropical salad

Corvina en Papillote - Sea bass, lemongrass, ginger, veggies steamed in a pouch and cardamom, star anise jasmine rice

Risotto* Butternut squash risotto, topped with chimichurri marinated grilled chicken and shrimp or gr

Cannelloni** handmade crepes, fresh ricotta or tofu ricotta, garden tomato sauce finished with a green

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Miel de Ayote - Tender squash sautéed in butter, cinnamon & coconut sugar, vanilla ice cream

Cheesecake Three Ways - Chocolate, berries, pistachio passion fruit

Bread Pudding - French toast style served with vanilla ice cream, handcrafted chocolate sauce

Tropical Chia Pudding Coconut milk, pure vanilla, real maple syrup finished with tropical fruit

Brownie and ice cream Rich Costa Rican Chocolate, Hazelnut/peanut butter filling, warm chocolate ganache

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Chef Arthuro's reviews

5

•

14 services

Arturo was absolutely amazing!! The meals were the best we had during our visit to Costa Rica — the presentation and quality exceeded our expectations. Overall, would HIGHLY recommend to others considering this experience.