Located on Avenida Escazu, a very exclusive area of Costa Rica’s capital, San José, L’Ile de France is the flagship restaurant of the Enjoy Group which is a development and management company with hotel, restaurant, and casino divisions.

L’Ile de France started out with a French chef who put the restaurant on the gastronomical map of Costa Rica with authentic French cuisine. The torch was passed on to Keilor Sánchez, current Executive Chef.

Considered one of the top chefs in San José, Keilor has continued with the French tradition and recipes. Not only is he Executive Chef of the L’Ile de France, he is also responsible for the Italian-themed Ristorante Bacchus, another member of the Enjoy Group and both Chaîne member restaurants.

Keilor studied at Universidad Latina and apprenticed at another Chaîne establishment: with Chef Francis Canal, Maître Rôtisseur, at Grano de Oro. In 2014, he completed an internship at a prestigious Parisian restaurant, which further strengthened his great passion for French culinary art. He puts this art into practice at L’Ile de France, which specialises in serving traditional French cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere.

Classic French dishes on the menu include Escargots, Mussels in white wine and cream, Lobster Bisque, Confit of Duck, Steak Tartare, Boeuf Bourguignon and the classic Châteaubriand.

Keilor has been a Professional member of the Bailliage in San José for many years. Currently Vice-Conseiller Culinaire, he is a key supporter of the Chaîne in Costa Rica.

Born in Montezuma, Costa Rica, Keilor has always had a love of the sea and enjoys diving and fishing. He recently visited New York City to take in some of the greatest restaurants to be found there.

Amanda Roberts
Editor, Revue internationale de la Chaîne