Panama Restaurant Week hits town

PANAMA.Ex-pats who spent the last couple of months in Panamay yearning for the famed restaurant weeks organized in New York City, Washington, DC and other cities around the world during the summer need reminisce no longer.

Starting next Wednesday September 10, Panama City will be celebrating its own Restaurant Week II, a culinary celebration that brings together 30 of the best restaurants in Panama so they can flaunt their great gastronomic creations.

It is designed to highlight the diversity and quality of restaurants in the city and to invite Panamanians and foreigners alike to savor their delights.

Originally conceived to be held once a year, Panama Restaurant Week I (held on March 24 – 31) was so well received by city-dwellers that the organizers decided it was worth holding it twice a year and for a two week period instead.

If you have been eyeing any particular restaurant in Panama but have not made the time to try it out yet, Restaurant Week provides an excellent excuse.

Let the créme de la créme of the city’s chefs dazzle you with their culinary talents as you enjoy a three course meal (appetizer, entrée, and dessert) at a fixed discounted price (tax, tip, and beverages not included).

Restaurant Week will run until September 24. The city’s best restaurants will boast their most exotic and delicious culinary concoctions on a special menu created for the event, which lets you choose from three or four different dishes for each course for lunch or dinner, in the prix fixe style so fashionable in Europe.

As opposed to the US versions, prices will not be fixed across restaurants. Discounted prices for lunch start at $15 and a dinner can vary from $18 to $30 depending on the restaurant.

Given that on a regular day a complete meal in any of these exclusive restaurants can take much more from your wallet, the special menus offer a great deal.

As an added bonus, diners will enjoy a glass of wine when they ask for the special Restaurant Week menu and will also receive a complimentary bottle of Purissima water for two. Those paying with an American Express credit card (corporate cards do not apply) will also be taking a bottle of Septima wine home for free.

This fabulous initiative is organized by Pintoma Eventos, a Panamanian company that produces and promotes events that provide healthy entertainment outlets for Panamanian families and all those visiting the city.

It is sponsored by American Express, Panama City’s Mayor’s office, IPAT and companies who welcome the event in order to support and acknowledge the role that restaurants play in the culture of and tourism in the city.

Participating restaurants are: 1985, Albertos, Astrid & Gaston, Bora Bora, Bucaneros, Caffé Pomodoro, Can Masoliver, Cardamomo, Chalet Suizo, Ego y Narciso, Eurasia, Habibis, La Rioja, La Scala, Las Américas Trattoria y Vinoteca, Marea Ceviche & Latin Food, Matsuei, New York - Hotel Veneto, Palms, Peperoncini, Peperoncini Di Mare, Red String, Rincón Alemán ,Rino's Ristorante, Sake, Saltimbocca, Shihan, Ten Bistro - Hotel DeVille, Ten Bistro – Multiplaza, Tinajas, Tre Scalini- Bella Vista, Tre Scalini- El Dorado, Twist, Viso 52, Wine Bar – Cangrejo.

For more information on these restaurants, their special Restaurant Week menus and contact information, visit the website at: www.panamarestaurantweek.com.

Given the great deals, I suggest you make reservations soon!