Panama City, Panama in September 2017
We will probably never know when exactly people began to brunch but the first mention of this culinary tradition was recorded in 1895 and, slowly but surely, the popularity of brunching as one of the top Sunday pastimes has been on the rise ever since.
It must be some 25 years ago that I had heard of Sunday brunch for the first time. But, whether it is due to too much food (cannot eat that much so early in the day) or to too early drinking (prefer my glass of red later in the day) the idea of brunching has never struck a chord with me. So going to brunch on my very first Sunday in Panama City was quite extraordinary. But this is exactly what I did. (As my landlady offered to introduce me to her friends and you simply cannot know too many people when you first arrive at a new location.)
Panamanian brunches are not comparable with the (in)famous brunches in Dubai. Forget extravagant buffets or free-flowing champagne and enjoy a sim sum brunch in one of the Chinese restaurants instead or off menu meal and drink in some other establishment.
I went for a classic brunch meal ‘in some other establishment‘ consisting of a compulsory mimosa (champagne and orange juice) and eggs Benedict with a sublime Panamanian twist to them, that is, spiced up with the just right amount (lagom) of horseradish. The dish was absolutely divine.
Talking about the divine. I stand corrected. I have to admit I was wrong. There is some great food in Panama City after all. In fact, there is some amazingly delicious food in Panama City. And all that great dining is right at my doorstep, in the Old Town – Casco Viejo. So, if you like a top-notch culinary experience (followed by some serious clubbing should you choose to do so) and have deep pockets (*) you know now where to go to satisfy your palate and other senses for … surprise, surprise … fine dining in Casco Viejo is not only heavenly delicious but most dishes are also sculptured into visual masterpieces.
In my search for delicious, preferably local and pocket-friendly dining I visited a top-ranked and one of the most popular restaurants in the city – Restaurante El Trapiche where I, full of anticipation, ordered a popular local dish recommended by the waiter. (Can’t remember the name). But instead of expected culinary sensation, I got this mess (pic to the right) – an underseasoned, overcooked, boring, cold mush looking and tasting just like baby food. I left most of it untouched.
Hungry, frustrated and in need of some comfort food I ended up in a place where I would normally never dine – a food court. Satisfied at last. What did I have? Chinese Wok. Go figure.
{*) Note: Dining prices in Casco Viejo are similar to American prices, fine dining is cheaper. The root of my never-ending complaints about the prices is the false information regarding Panama being indexed as one of the cheapest countries in the world to live in.
Casco Viejo in Panama City
