Panama City, Panama

A day ago I returned from a week in Panama for my cousin's wedding. I'd been there as a kid on a cruise, but we only crossed the Canal, and didn't stop to visit the city. So, it was exciting to be back for such a special occasion.

As a place that's consistently on many top travel lists, I had high expectations of Panama City as a tourist. I'd recently read that it was one of the happiest places as reported by their citizen's outlook on overall quality of life.

Aesthetically, it's awesome- I got to run along the water where you can be fooled into thinking you're in Miami by all the high rise buildings. On the other end, you're met with a gorgeous historic part of Panama known as Casco Viejo/Antiguo, which is old Panama and is currently undergoing restorations to its buldings, homes, and churches.

You can find almost any type of cuisine in Panama, and am not sure of any specific Panamian foods, but I was there to go with the flow of the wedding and didn't have leeway to explore that many restaurants. I never ate bad, in fact the food was pretty great, but I have to disclose the astonishingly bad customer service.

Panama hasn't ever really known unemployment- the Canal, some tourism, and it's locale as the hub of Central America makes it ideal for large company headquarters. As a result, employees are complacent. There's not much fear associated with getting fired, and no incentive to go out of your way for customers.

Examples of this sub par service are: hearing you request something at a restaurant or hotel and being utterly nonchalant about addressing your needs, often forgetting you even mentioned anything. You'll spend an eternity waiting for drinks, a server for your order, your food, and your bill. Bring patience to Panama and you'll definitely have an enjoyable trip.

At one restaurant, Beirut, I had an average lunch experience with my friend Brandon the first day I arrived. So I took my brother there a few days later as it was only a walk away from the hotel, and at one point I was in the middle of speaking my order to the waiter and he held his hand out to quiet me as he was getting a phone call he felt like answering. He proceeded to answer it and walked aside to chat, then came back with no apology! It was baffling! It's a Lebanese place and I will admit the salad and chicken schwarma I tried, plus the complimentary Arabic tea at the end of the meal, were all good but not worth the bad service. I did go back again though because I'm weird and wanted a baked potato and didn't know where else to get it :/

At the Hotel Bistrol, where we stayed, they had a good breakfast buffet with an omelette station, but definitely no gluten free options, not even oatmeal. One day I asked for rice and got charged $5 for one cup of steamed white rice haha. The lunch and dinner were really good though! Ceviche, burgers, soups, and an awesome ahi poke bowl left everyone happy.

Capital Bistro has an incredible view on the water, and the night we went we sat on the rooftop of the 3 (downward) story restaurant. Some had the filet mignon and loved it, and a few of us got fish entrees which albeit tiny, were excellent.

Another day, my uncle who had lived there for 2 years before, took us to La Puerta  which is super cute inside and here the service was relatively quick and without issues. We had shared spectacular tuna tartare, corvina en papillote (poached sea bass with vegetables), salad, and some all time best mojitos!

The last night we ate at Mostaza for my mom's birthday, in Casco Viejo, and their roasted garlic, asparagus, sauteed mushrooms, salad, pastas, and fish entrees were a hit. It's cozy and intimate and makes you feel like you're in "old Panama".

Finally, the very last day, after I missed my morning flight :) another cousin and I went to get sushi at Sake in the Tower of the Americas building. I found it on Trip Advisor and it was touted as the best sushi in the city and 22nd amongst 370somthing restaurants in Panama so we decided to check it out. There was obviously a business crowd but it wasn't packed and the waitress was nice. The salad I ordered was outstanding for a sushi place- so many vegetables and a light dressing. My favorite roll at most sushi restaurants is the rainbow roll- how can you not love avocado and a variety of sashimi on top?! They nailed it.

A related but random comment...The day before we left, we went to the mall. I know, why go to the mall in Panama of all places? But my great aunt has a shopping addiction and frankly it was a fun, weird escapade. I mention it because we went to Crepes and Waffles and it took me by surprise! Usually I'd rather starve or quickly flee than eat in a mall, but these fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, crepes, and salads made me remember this little franchise gem for the future.

So that's a wrap! I doubt I'll ever go back to Panama City again, however the trip as a whole was incredibly memorable. Family is the most important thing to me and spending this week under an umbrella of love with all of them was priceless.

LA Madness

There's really no great excuse for abandoning my food blog that I had such aspirations for. But the last few months were a total whirlwind and the most stressful period of my life thus far. I finally let go of triathlon and moved to Los Angeles in hopes of finding a job that would sponsor my visa long term.

However, long story short, it's been so exhausting to deal with visas my whole life with no clear way toward residency any time soon, that I'm going to move to Mexico- Cabo San Lucas- by end of 2014.

Personal life aside, I have had the pleasure of enjoying the awesome food in LA since I came to West Hollywood in December, and luckily still have a few more months to continue to share it with you! To get this blog rolling again, and not bombard it with many individual posts, I've created a short list of my favorite LA spots to date. What I value in a restaurant is that the food is fresh, consistent, and made from real ingredients that prepared skillfully "wow" you with their taste. I have plenty of pics of some of these on my Instagram: tativertiz.

Casual/Healthy:
Gratitude Cafe (Santa Monica and West Hollywood locations)- I've written about Gratitude before. This is vegan/vegeterian heaven! Amazing buckwheat pancakes and other cretive breakfast plates, awesome "bowls" full of superfoods, great gluten free pastries, awesome fresh juices and unique coffee blends/teas. Flavor explosion!

True Food Kitchen (not unique to LA, in Santa Monica)- I eat here at least once a week. You can see the whole kitchen, and fruit and produce are beautifully placed behind the bar giving it a market feel. Great juices/drinks, gluten free options for pizzas and burgers (buffalo, turkey, ahi, vegetarian quinoa), amazing salads, fresh and beautifully plated seafood and meat entrees. It won't break your wallet and you'll get better food than at most upscale restaurants.

Urth Caffe (many LA locations)- I love a coffee shop that has milk alternatives with robust coffee, delicious Chai,and is open from early morning to late at night offering a solid menu of very healthy breakfasts, and salads and sandwiches.

The Farm (Beverly Hills)- A cool Beverly Hills cafe experience. Pricier than your average breakfast or lunch spot, but you're right in the middle of all the glam shops, and the food is as farm to table as the name suggests.

Kreation Kafe (Venice & Santa Monica on Montana St)- Very cool, very LA/hipster/healthy, can be pricey, but they serve large portions of awesome food. Smoothie and juice options are endless.

Huckleberry (Santa Monica)- Brunch! Expect a super long line on weekends. They rotate their menu seasonally, so you can always find something you haven't tried. Their salads and sandwiches are great as are their (often vegan) soups-of-the-day. My favorite dish: quinoa with sunny side up eggs, butternut squash, and brussel sprouts...I know, I know :)

Hugo's Restaurant (West Hollywood)- you could spend an entire year eating your way through Hugo's Bible-length menu. They cater to the gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and meat lover. It's a healthy hoom cooked, diner type of place. I'm obsessed with their gluten free, vegan tamales, corn cakes, and pumpkin pie.

Bludso's BBQ (West Hollywood)- Remember Franklin's in Austin? Well, I'm not sure I dare say Bludso's is better, but...my goodness those pork ribs!!! I no longer have anything food related to miss from Texas. I can walk to it from my apartment, and you can't believe the self control that takes. Their sauce is made from scratch and either mild or spicy. They have great beers on tap and wine, and their perfectly cooked side dishes make it clear this is high quality bbq (mac n cheese, collard greens, beans, etc).

Venice Ale House- This place is BOMB! The ideal spot for brunch or happy hour, in front of the beach, with a menu that is just sheer genius!! Kale at an ale house? Yup! Organic fish or chicken or grass fed beef tacos on handmade tortillas?! Omelettes with perfectly seasoned breakfast potatoes, and pancakes that taste like the weekend...yes please!

800 Degrees Pizza (Santa Monica & LA)- Neapolitan pizza is arguably the best pizza. What makes 800 degrees fantastic, besides their pledge to authenticity, is the cafeteria set up with a more upscale ambiance than your typical pizza stop. You order your custom or pre designed pizza, or salad, and by the time you get to the register your pizza has cooked in their imported 800 degree oven. They also have wine on tap which is pretty neat!

Clementine (near Century City)- Super cute tiny coffee shop with a fantastic breakfast and lunch, and prepared foods case. They change their menu often to keep it innovative and fresh, and have a delectable selection of cookies and pastries. I don't recommend the hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows unless you can physically and financially afford the addiction.

 Nicer:
The Misfit (Santa Monica)- Freakin' cool seemingly little spot right on Santa Monica Blvd. Once you walk in it's way bigger than it looks, and resembles an old English library. Awesome date spot, great happy hour drinks, incredibly flavored, healthy and elegant plates.

Oscar's Cerveteca (Venice)- Fish tacos!! This place is a must for Mexican food. Corn on the cob is delish! Young vibe and fun atmoshphere. Always packed.

Haru Sushi Cafe (Beverly Hills)- My absolute favorite sushi place in LA. Why? It's very simple: not overpriced, they have brown rice, they fry in healthy oil, their fish is ridiculously fresh, plenty of rolls, and the servers and sushi chefs are so nice it pains me.

Koi (Beverly Hills)- Pricey, but it has hype and backs it up. The retaurant itself is beautiful, with a nice patio in the back and elegant sushi bar inside. It's definitely worth at least one visit.

Sugarfish (many LA locations)- A sushi/Japanese dining experience few have had. This is authentic sushi. You won't find creative rolls with influences from other cuisines. It's a very simple and straightforward menu with set combinations or a la carte nigiris and hand rolls. The sushi literally melts in your mouth. You will be wow-ed.

Toscanova (Century City Mall)- Yes it's "in" the mall, and next to other good spots like Seasons 52 and The Counter Burger, but Toscanova is notches above. This italian/mediterranean restaurant is cozy and beautiful, with delicious wines and awesome happy hour eats. Everything I've tried there has been outstanding- their wild salmon with sauteed vegetables, roasted chicken with potatoes, tuna tartare, a huge salad of vegetables with buffalo mozzarella that is a meal by itself...and the dish that won me over: grilled octopus in a cabbage leaf with garlic and parsley seasoned potatoes. It is one of the best things I have ever eaten!

Taberna Arros (Santa Monica)- New Spanish/Tapas spot on 2nd. They have a few different sangrias- one with jalapeno and other peppers that is ridic! Their paella is amazing, particularly because it doesn't leave you with that fishy after taste that makes you not want to eat seafood in days. They have a ton of hot and cold tapas, fabulous service, and it's super cute and romantic.

Seasons 52 (Santa Monica & Century City...not unique to LA)- Even though it doesn't stand out in LA, I wanted to include Seasons 52 because it's a guaranteed healthy and fresh meal. Their menu is calorie conscious, without sacrificing taste or portion size. If you've been shopping all day or looking for somewhere to eat before or after a movie, it's perfect.

 The Ivy (Santa Monica and Beverly Hills)- Why skirt the obvious, it's overpriced. But they deliver food and an atmoshphere that the little hesitation you get when paying the bill quickly fades and you're back again the following week. Excellent crab cakes, salads, seafood, and steaks. You'll probably spot a celebrity or two;)

Connie & Ted's (West Hollywood)- Another pricey, but worth it, one. By the time their dinner service opens, valet really is the only parking option so there's that. Surprisingly there's not that many restaurants you can go to in LA to get a large selection of raw oysters and Connie & Ted's took advantage of that. The layout is very cool, with a large raw bar that is usually packed. Incredibly fresh seafood in the heart of West Hollywood, with a young professional crowd that is pretty unique for WeHo.