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.