Panama - Sushi House

I never knew much about sushi before I got to Panama. Some sushi snobs will tell you that the sushi in Panama is not worth eating. Since "discovering" sushi in Panana, I have eaten in some of the best sushi restaurants in the US, and I still enjoy Panama's sushi, so it can't be that bad!!!

There are several places to choose from, but when it comes to sushi delivered to your door, I think Sushi House is hard to beat. The combination of quality and value is great, and they have a wide selection of sushi rolls and some tasty appetizers, including a carpaccio of tuna.

My regular order comprises the philadelphia roll (ask for it with fresh salmon, unless you prefer smoked which is the standard here), a spicy tuna roll, the unagi especial (that's the eel one with the eel on the outside and the sweet sauce), the mixed tempura, which is usually really good, and I like to order their breaded skewers of shrimp or shrimp and cheese. Sounds weird but it is actually very good. They have a crab salad also, called the Kani Tai salad, which is pretty tasty. Obviously I dont get all that for one meal, but those are my regular pickings.

Sushi House has two locations, one in Plaza New York, Marbella (where the American Airlines office is located), and one in Albrook, next to Farmacia Arrocha. Marbella telephone: 263-1122. They charge a $2.50 delivery fee, and deliver until 9pm.

Panama - Habibi's Restaurant

Habibi's is a great spot on Calle Uruguay, close to the main nightlife action of Panama City. Usually, when I go to Habibi's, it's just to drink a few cocktails, I don't recall ever having eaten there, until today.

The terrace is perfect for people-watching and enjoying drinks, conversation and a hookah with friends. We went at lunchtime yesterday, and with all the construction and traffic in the area, it was quite noisy, but still a nice experience.



We all ordered the same thing, the Greek Salad with Chicken and an appetizer of hummus and pita bread. The pitas are great here, they come to the table fresh from the oven, and puffed up like a ball. The hummus is also delicious, but the Greek Salad was the best thing we ate today. The chicken they use in the salad is marinaded in some interesting spices, and then grilled on a skewer. They take it off the skewer just before laying it on top of the salad. All the ingredients were fresh, and the dressing perfect. Yum!

Panama Salad

While this recipe has nothing to do with Panama, except for the fact that you can get all the ingredients here, it was born in my kitchen here and I find it to be a delightful accompaniment to simple grilled chicken. I also recreated the salad at a party in England and it was thoroughly enjoyed.

Panama Salad (4 side servings)

Ingredients

Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans, 1 can (I like the low sodium brand available here)
Black Beans, 1 can (I like the low sodium brand available here)
Celery, 2 ribs, finely chopped
Apple, 1, finely chopped
Tomaotes, 2, finely chopped
Small Onion, 1, finely chopped
Cilantro, 1/2 bunch, finely chopped
Red Bell Pepper, 1, finely chopped
Jalapeno Pepper, 1, finely chopped
Ground Cumin, 1 tsp
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp garlic & parsley powdered seasoning. If you dont have any, use 1/2 garlic powder and 1/2 ground dried parsley.

The Dressing
Cilantro, 1/2 bunch
4 limes, juiced
Parsley, 1/2 bunch
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1/2 cup
1 tbsp honey
salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Start with the dressing. Juice the limes and place in a food processor or blender with the cilantro and parsley. Blend together until the herbs are finely chopped. Slowly incorporate the olive oil until the mixture is nicely emulsified. Season with salt and pepper and add the honey. Give it one more whizz in the blender and then place in a large salad bowl.
2. Take all the chopped ingredients and add to the dressing in the salad bowl.
3. Drain the black beans and chick peas. In a large, non-stick pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the beans and chick peas and toss in the oil. Add the cumin and the garlic/parsley mixture. Heat the beans and chickpeas together with the spices for about 5 minutes, tossing. Make sure they don't lose their shape or texture.
4. Add them to the salad bowl, mix everything together quickly and serve. You can leave the salad to stand for a while if you prefer, this allows all the flavors to mix. Either way, enjoy!!!

Panama - Cevicheria Tip Top

Despite the name, when I visited Cevicheria Tip Top last Sunday, there was no sign of any ceviche. The grilled chicken however, which was the reason for my visit, was abundant and perfect.

Tip Top is one of those places that everyone has heard of, indeed it's somewhat of a Panama landmark and every taxi driver knows where it is. This said, no one that I know really goes there. It is, nevertheless, always busy, which is always a good sign.

After four years in Panama, I finally made it, and the chicken was fabulous. I am a big fan of rotisserie or grilled chicken and this is definitely some of the best I have found in Panama.
At only $5.25 for a whole chicken, and lower prices for 1/2 or 1/4, it really doesn't make sense to make it yourself, when a raw chicken costs around $4 in the store here.

Tip Top is located on Via Brasil in El Carmen, just opposite Exedra Books.

Panama - New York Bagel Cafe

The New York Bagel Cafe, located in front of the Cabeza de Einstein Monument in El Cangrejo, is the only place where you can find really good, freshly-baked American-style Bagels in Panama. They have a great of bagels, including Everything, Cinnamon & Raisin, Sesame, Chocolate, Sourdough, Onion, Salt and Garlic. You can go here to purchase bagels to take out, or you can eat there, where they will toast your bagel and top it with your choice of cream cheese (scallion, sundried tomato and plain are among the choices), or you can go for a delicious bagel sandwich, chosen from a vast menu that includes smoked salmon and cream cheese and bacon and egg.

Coffee is served on a refill basis, so if you want to hang out, read the newspapers and magazines on display here, you can stay as long as you like. This is a one-of-a-kind place in Panama. Well worth the visit!

New York Bagel Cafe
El Cangrejo
Tel:+ 507 390-6050
www.newyorkbagelcafe.com

Panama - Deli Gourmet

Deli Gourmet has various locations throughout Panama City - San Francisco, Obarrio, Costa del Este and El Dorado. They sell great sandwiches, fresh salads and soups, good Duran coffee and an amazing variety of hard-to-find treats and delights. Anything from Jamon Serrano to Red Onion Jam, you can find it here. It's not cheap, but everything is sooooooo tasty that it's worth having lunch here once a week.

Deli Gourmet, Calle 50, Opposite HSBC San Francisco
Tel: + 507 300-2071
www.granddeligourmet.com