Where Nicaraguan staples are better than most in Nicaragua
If there were more places like La Bella Managua in Nicaragua, that country would be a foodie destination. My food experiences in Nicaragua aren’t memorable. Everyday food tends to be fast food quality. My triangle rule for restaurants is price, quality, quantity—pick two. Few restaurants excel in all three aspects. Unfortunately, for many developing countries, the market is skewed towards cheap, filling meals.
The first time I tried La Bella Managua, I wasn’t expecting much. The menu reads like a standard Central American list of staples like gallo pinto (rice and beans), fried plantains, grilled steak, and fried fish. I was pleasantly surprised that they managed to make these pedestrian dishes taste so good. It’s not fancy ingredients nor photogenic presentation. Just good old chef techniques.
