03 Nov Let’s Go Out To Eat
By Patty Blue Hayes
You swam, you golfed, you hiked. The last thing you want to do is cook! Take a look at some of these new dining options and click here for a full list of area restaurants.
Las Bovedas Restaurante Fusion Beach Bar
The dining spot we love in Playa Ensenada just opened the new Beach Bar, right on the sand, at Bahia in Nueva Gorgona. With an emphasis on international flavors, look for fresh corvina with shrimp sauce or the Columbian specialty, Sobrebarriga (flank steak with a creole sauce) on the menu. Did you know they offer mango lemonade and coconut lemonade? I’m sure they’ll make it an adult beverage to enjoy with that tasty ceviche while you’re sitting under a palm tree, listening to the waves and live music.
In mid-November, Las Bovedas Restaurante Fusion will also be opening a fine dining eatery on the plaza level of Bahia overlooking the ocean. Your friends and relatives who are visiting during the season will love this al fresco option.
Sarith Lozano at the pool snack shack can give you more details on all the menu options. While you’re there, order a refreshing Michelada Mango (a cool citrus cocktail made with beer, mango and spices).
TIP: At the security booth tell them you are going to the restaurant. They will ask for your ID and give you a wristband. The Beach Bar is located down the stairs, past the pools, on the beach. Go through the security door on the beach – the restaurant staff will open the door for you to return to your car.
Connect with them on Facebookfor specials and hours.
California Burrito Company
Yes it’s fresh, healthy and delicious Mexican food, but did you know about the flan? Seriously delicious flan. It’s Norie’s recipe and Alec boasts of his wife’s award-winning key lime pie, too.
The burrito al plato is punctuated with green chili peppers from Alec’s garden. The chicken and eggs are all organically raised by business partner, Mario Velasquez, who serves micro brewed beer and Spanish tapas like tortilla Española, upstairs. Ask him about the blonde, red, wheat or dark beer on tap.
Alec opened 211 fast food restaurants in Puerto Rico and recognized he could prepare healthier food without added salt, colors and chemicals. Even his lettuce is sourced from hydroponic grower, Tom Norcross. Chips and those creamy red beans magically appear at the table as you peruse the menu. If you’re hungry, CBC is the place to go.
Connect with California Burrito Companyfor events like a monthly exclusive wine tasting paired with Chef Alec’s creations. Have a celebration coming up and you’d like to have the upstairs room? Ask Alec.
TIP: Bring your dog. CBC is canine friendly – think of the plastic you’ll save not needing a doggie bag, when the dog is right there!
La Toreta
Well located in the Do It Center plaza, La Toreta offers healthy traditional Panamanian dishes as well as vegan, vegetarian and even lactose free options. The kitchen is strictly gluten-free and you won’t find any processed foods. Owners Charlie and Tzeitel Kersey make everything from fresh, local ingredients.
Want breakfast or brunch for dinner? No problemo! Craving beef chili? Mark Saturdays on your calendar. Sundays will alternate sopa de costilla (beef soup) and sancocho (chicken soup).
Perfect before or after a movie or to refuel from daily errands. And have you tried any of their yummy gluten free cupcakes? Connect with La Toretaon social media for their daily menu.
Pizzeria Artesenal
When you want authentic Italian food while enjoying the cool lush hillside, this is the place to go. Husband and wife team, Laila and Giovanni Vilella, serve up freshly prepared Italian favorites like traditional antipasto, smoked salmon Carpaccio with organic goat cheese and handmade tender gnocchi. You’ll think you’ve traveled to Italy.
Fresh from the garden peppers, squash, herbs, turmeric, avocados and imported Italian cheeses, truffles, prosciutto, olive oil and an amazing balsamic reduction are all expertly crafted into a delectable meal.
Enjoy imported Italian wine with your Mediterranean pizza and finish off your meal with coffee from Napoli.
Check Instagram and Facebookfor hours and specials. Vegetarian and Vegan dishes served daily.
Dharma Casa Holistica
In this little wellness oasis you’ll find the ultimate in relaxation with their authentic Ayurvedic therapies with customized oils blended to your specific ‘dosha’
(energetic constitution). Curious whether you’re a Vata, Pitta or Kapha? Call for an appointment with one of the highly skilled practitioners.
They offer a homemade vegetarian lunch on Saturday and Sunday that is quite delicious. You might even want to snooze in the pink hammock after your meal.
Check their website for offerings and hours Dharma Casa Holistica. Consider joining them for a peaceful full moon meditation.
Lounge 507 Cafe
Fresh Italian coffee beans grinding, jazz flowing and people lounging. Breakfast combos like a burrito and hash browns include a regular size coffee. This little kitchen cranks out a lot of variety from sweet to savory delights.
Enjoy their locally sourced lamb tacos or BBQ lamb on Friday’s during their drink Happy Hour from 5:30 – 9:30. (mojito, cuba libra, $3.50 – wine $3.00). Grilled over wood, the lamb was tender and flavorful.
Details on FacebookLounge 507 Bar and Instagram #Lounge507Cafe
TIP: Ask for all chops for the grilled lamb special. It is typically served with 2 chops and one center piece that isn’t quite as tender.
Deli Soup Kiosk
You’ve seen it, right? The bright yellow food kiosk on the Inter Americana? While they don’t have a written menu, the freshly prepared Panamanian dishes change daily. Arroz con pollo, sancocho or the traditional beef soup may be on the rotation at this busy food stand.
Pick up a meal to take home or enjoy at one of the tables on their cute little shaded patio. Icee treats are available to help you cool off from the heat.
La Parada
Tucked away on a residential street in Gorgona, you might not know about this little gem open on the weekends. Chef Elizabeth serves up mouthwatering langostinos in a yellow coconut curry and a carnitas mixes platter sure to feed hungry people. She offers breakfast all day and I hear a must-try is the bistec picado con hojaldres ( aPanamanian fried dough).
Some of the recipes were handed down from her Jamaican grandmother – and you can taste the love. Everything is made fresh at La Parada. Ask for a side of her special mango/papaya picante sauce for your corvina ceviche.
Another dog friendly restaurant! In fact, your dog can run around in an enclosed manicured grass playground while you eat. What could be better?
Do you have a favorite recipe with local ingredients you would like to share with us?
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