Sunday, August 17, 2008
Eating out in Coronado, Panama
As one who lives to eat rather than vice versa, let me share with you some of the choice eateries which the Panamanian Pacific coast has to offer. One thing is for sure; you will not lack good food and fine wine in interesting and varied locales at incredibly low prices in Panama and standard tipping is just 10% .
Fancy Chinese food? Try RESTAURANT SAM; authentic Chinese food at local Panamanian prices. I swear I ate the tastiest “Arroz Frito” or Fried Rice I have ever had in my life. The large and spotlessly clean restaurant is situated just east of the Correos (Post Office) in Chame, on the Pan American highway, about 70 kms West of Panama City.
I ordered two Atlas beers, which arrived pronto with glasses – 50 cents each. What a bargain. They cost more than that in the local Rey supermarket. No sooner had I ordered two fried rice than the waitress was flip-flopping her way back to our table with 2 plates piled high with steaming food. Was the woman psychic? I swear I only ordered 90 seconds before.
Ignore the flimsy tissue wrapping the cutlery, and tuck in. This is the best and tastiest fried rice anywhere – and I have lived in Malaysia and Hong Kong so I know my onions, sorry – fried rice. Every forkful was laden with prawns, pork, chicken, carrot, onion and ham. Be warned – do not be tempted to order a full portion. A half portion is “Hungry Man” size and costs just $3.20. You have to round the tip up to a dollar to save embarrassment, and that’s on a meal and beers for 2 people!
A great cheap night out.
At the other end of the scale is Terraza del Mar. It is situated in Vista Mar and has a beautiful situation overlooking the gardens to the ocean. The chef/owner Pascale personally greets you, and his European-influenced menu is very good. Most entrees consist of a meat or fish and complimentary sauce. The service is also very attentive and professional, and the "surprise" dessert finishes the meal on a top note.
Along the road leading to Coronado Beach there are a number of grills and bars. The best known is Don Chacos and the house speciality is roast chicken which you see turning on an outdoor spit night and day. The is also Chef de Rincon, but I have yet to be served an edible meal here despite the title. However on the last Wednesday in every month, Chef de Rincon puts on a buffet for the local ex-Pats get-together. If you are new to the area it is a great way to meet like-minded people and probably your neighbors too.
Finally there is the Equestrian Club Restaurant "La Carreta" with tables overlooking the showground and on Saturday nights there is often an impromptu horse show as the Paso Fino horses show off their paces. The food is OK and the setting is memorable.
Fancy Chinese food? Try RESTAURANT SAM; authentic Chinese food at local Panamanian prices. I swear I ate the tastiest “Arroz Frito” or Fried Rice I have ever had in my life. The large and spotlessly clean restaurant is situated just east of the Correos (Post Office) in Chame, on the Pan American highway, about 70 kms West of Panama City.
I ordered two Atlas beers, which arrived pronto with glasses – 50 cents each. What a bargain. They cost more than that in the local Rey supermarket. No sooner had I ordered two fried rice than the waitress was flip-flopping her way back to our table with 2 plates piled high with steaming food. Was the woman psychic? I swear I only ordered 90 seconds before.
Ignore the flimsy tissue wrapping the cutlery, and tuck in. This is the best and tastiest fried rice anywhere – and I have lived in Malaysia and Hong Kong so I know my onions, sorry – fried rice. Every forkful was laden with prawns, pork, chicken, carrot, onion and ham. Be warned – do not be tempted to order a full portion. A half portion is “Hungry Man” size and costs just $3.20. You have to round the tip up to a dollar to save embarrassment, and that’s on a meal and beers for 2 people!
A great cheap night out.
At the other end of the scale is Terraza del Mar. It is situated in Vista Mar and has a beautiful situation overlooking the gardens to the ocean. The chef/owner Pascale personally greets you, and his European-influenced menu is very good. Most entrees consist of a meat or fish and complimentary sauce. The service is also very attentive and professional, and the "surprise" dessert finishes the meal on a top note.
Along the road leading to Coronado Beach there are a number of grills and bars. The best known is Don Chacos and the house speciality is roast chicken which you see turning on an outdoor spit night and day. The is also Chef de Rincon, but I have yet to be served an edible meal here despite the title. However on the last Wednesday in every month, Chef de Rincon puts on a buffet for the local ex-Pats get-together. If you are new to the area it is a great way to meet like-minded people and probably your neighbors too.
Finally there is the Equestrian Club Restaurant "La Carreta" with tables overlooking the showground and on Saturday nights there is often an impromptu horse show as the Paso Fino horses show off their paces. The food is OK and the setting is memorable.
Labels: Chinese food, Coronado beach, eating out, Panama, Restaurant Sam
# posted by Your travel girl @ 10:27 AM 
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