Big eats bargain week

One of the things I like most about Panama is being able to find a great variety of culinary choices.

From Indian to Italian to Mexican.

For all those who, like me, want to experience the world on their taste buds, the Tourism Authority (ATP) has put together Panama Restaurant week.

Starting September 14 , 30 of the best restaurants in Panama will offer a three course menu for a set price (not including tax service or drinks) with a complimentary Palo Alto glass of wine (while supplies last).

Can’t wait to sample what Willy will prepare at 1985 or the Spanish delicacies at Can Masoliver! For a complete list of the participating restaurants visit www.panamrestaurantweek.com

Brazil is not famous just for it's carnival, it has a vast cuisine that varies from region to region integrating indigenous, European and African influences.

The population mixture has created a national cooking style marked by profound differences.

Food divides Brazil in five regions: the north, heavily populated by native Indians or people of mixed Indian and Portuguese ancestry, lives on a diet of fish, root vegetables such as manioc, yams, and peanuts, plus palm or tropical fruits. Look out for Caruru do Para, a one-pot meal of dried shrimp, okra, onion, tomato, cilantro, and dende oil.

The northeast contains the famous Bahia state in which the predominate cuisine is Afro-Bahian, which evolved from plantation cooks improvising on African, Indian and traditional Portuguese dishes using locally available ingredients.

The savannah region, the central-west, has the famous Pantanal, one of the finest game and fishing regions on earth.

The industrial heart of Brazil, the south east, is home to arroz feijao, what we know locally as rice and beans.

The south border has gaucho influences and have contributed dishes made with sun or salt dried meats and churrasco, a meal of wood fire grilled fresh meats.

Until September 14 you can enjoy a gastronomic festival featuring Carioca food at the Crowne Plaza hotel (Avenue Manuel). For more information call 206-5555.

Cruising up north we get more culinary celebrations with the Jalisco festival at the City Club (Calle 50). The festival runs until September 14. For more information call 210-1366.

The festival objective is to show Jalisco´s artisan works, their cuisine and their tourist attractions.

Jalisco is the center of the Mexican tequila industry, and the town of Tequila, Jalisco, which gave its name to the famous liquor, is located there.

It is believed that mariachi music was born in Jalisco. Today, Mariachis are seen as a symbol of the Mexican Revolution and as the Mexican pride. In Panama there are several mariachi bands you can hire for your fiestas, like Mariachi Internacinal, Marichi Azteca, among others.

Take your pick.