Dongpo Impression

-Grubbing in Chicago
Late Night Sichuan Food in Chinatown

The pandemic didn’t completely kill late-night dining, but it drastically shrunk the number of 24/7 spots and permanently shifted restaurant hours into earlier closing times. This was driven by surging labor costs, staffing shortages, and changing consumer habits. It’s slowly getting better but you needn’t look no further than Chinatown for just how few places stay open past 9pm these days. I could count the ones that did on one hand as recently as last year. A few spots have since opened that stay open until 11pm but even still, late night dining in Chinatown isn’t as prevalent as you might think. You basically have a handful of choices after 10pm and today we’re going to visit my go-to option. 

Locals Favorite in Chinatown

Dongpo Impression sits on Cermak and stays open until 12am daily. It’s from the same ownership group as Chengdu Impression and Chengdu Bistro. That restaurant group is spearheaded by Ryan Hu, nephew of legendary Chinatown restaurateur Tony Hu of Lao Sze Chuan fame. All three brands are showcasing food from the Sichuan region of China but the menu varies by location. Dongpo Impression specializes in Meizhou-style cuisine, a distinct sub-regional branch of Sichuan cooking originating from Meishan. Meizhou cuisine features the fiery flavors most people associate with Sichuan food but its overall style is characterized by a balance of savory, sweet, sour, and numbing profiles rather than just heat. As is the case with one of their most popular dishes - Dongpo Pork. 

Dongpo Pork

Dongpo pork aka Dongpo Rou is a classic Hangzhou dish featuring thick, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly braised in a rich and glossy mixture of Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, ginger, scallions, and rock sugar. The dish is named after famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo. It's prized for its gelatinous, tender texture and sweet and savory flavors. I haven’t tried any other versions to compare with the Dongpo pork at Dongpo Impression. If you enjoy chunks of pork belly cooked until the fat melts into a soft and gelatinous clunk that’s tender than this is your type of dish. It’s deeply savory and subtly sweet and at Dongpo Impression it’s served with cubed tofu that takes on the flavor of the sauce.  

Squirrel Fish at Dongpo Impression

Dongpo Impression offers all the popular Sichuan dishes like Dry Chili Chicken, Mapo Tofu and Dan Dan Noodles but they also have a nice collection of dishes you don’t see everywhere. Some of them even come from different regions in China such as the Squirrel Fish. This is a Shanghainese dish that’s essentially a whole fried fish doused in a sweet and sour sauce. It’s typically made with a deboned whole fish with its tail still attached. The meat is scored in a cross-hatch pattern and deep fried so the flesh pokes out and curls, looking like the fluffy tail of a squirrel. It’s drenched in a glossy, sweet-and-sour sauce. The version served at Dongpo Impression is pretty good though it’s boneless and includes two pieces of flounder. But my go-to dish of late has been the Yushang Pork. It was put on my radar by John Kessler at Chicago Magazine. It’s a classic Sichuan dish featuring tender slivers of pork stir-fried in a tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet garlic sauce. The version served at Dongpo Impression also includes matchsticks of zucchini and peppers and wood ear mushrooms that absorb tons of the tangy sauce. I could eat this dish over a plate of rice for breakfast, lunch, and or dinner.

Yushang Pork

Dongpo Impression
228 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-7818
Website

Fish Sandwiches in Chicago

-Grubbing in Chicago
Five of a Kind: New Fish Sandwiches on Scene

The fish sandwich continues to make a bit of a comeback. I recently did a little piece featuring four in Chicago Magazine back in February which you can see HERE. But since it was published there’s a handful of new options to be reeled in. When I named myself President of the ‘Fish Sandwich Club’ years ago I did so with the intent of making the fish sandwich popular again and I’d like to think we’ve made some strides in doing so. As of now most of the fish sandwiches around town are fried but I’ve noticed at least a few that aren’t so stay tuned for a possible run down of those later this summer. Today we’ll try five fried versions that have popped up since my Chicago Mag piece was published. 

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Mott St. (Wicker Park)

First stop might be the best of the bunch or at least the most traditional in the sense of how a fried fish sandwich is typically made. So let’s head over to Mott St. - the Asian restaurant on Ashland in Wicker Park is named after the unofficial "Main Street" of Chinatown in Manhattan. Mott St. has been around awhile now - I hadn’t visited in some time but that changed quickly when I learned they were putting out an excellent fish sandwich during brunch. It’s made with sesame panko crusted pollock, kewpie tartar, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and a brioche bun. It’s basically an amped up version of the Filet O Fish and it’s outstanding. An immediate contender for the best fish sandwich in Chicago. 

Fish Sandwich at Mott St.
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John's Food & Wine (Lincoln Park)

Next up we head over to Lincoln Park where John’s Food & Wine on Halsted does lunch on Saturdays. The menu is small but mighty with a very good burger and an even better fish sandwich. The base is branzino and it’s panko breaded and dressed with a celery root caper slaw loaded with fresh herbs plus a kimchi ketchup on a soft and sturdy sesame seeded bun. Another contender.

Fried Fish Sandwich at John's Food & Wine
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Mirra (Bucktown)

Mirra in Bucktown is a unique restaurant on Armitage mixing the flavors of India and Mexico. If you go during brunch you can try a Skate Wing Milanesa sandwich made with panko crusted Skate Wing filet topped with fennel-lime slaw and served with sides of strawberry rhubarb achar, and a Morita crema. This is by far the most interesting of the fried fish sandwiches featured here today or anywhere in town for that matter. It’s also the largest, we split this and left pretty full. Props to them for coming up with such a unique fish sandwich. I love the idea of a fish milanesa using skate wing which is the edible pectoral fins of the skate fish, similar in size and shape to a pounded chicken breast. I thought the fish was a tad bit dry but an array of flavorful toppings helped even it out while giving off tons of exciting flavor profiles. I also appreciated the fact that it came with a really refreshing side salad. 

Skate Wing Milanesa at Mirra
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Andros Taverna (Logan Square)

Logan Square is our next destination, Andros Taverna to be specific. This bustling Greek joint on Milwaukee avenue now offers a crispy fish pita during its weekday lunch service. Crisp battered cod goes into one of the restaurants signature wood fired pitas along with a spicy aioli plus lettuce and tomato. I really liked this in big part due to the smoky and soft pita which is just about perfect. 

Crispy Fish Pita at Andros Taverna
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Bar Bambi (West Town)

Last stop takes us over to West Town where Bar Bambi opened on Chicago Avenue this past Spring. This is a hip and happening cocktail bar with an artistic atmosphere and a very good fish sandwich on the dinner menu. This is another fish sandwich modeled after the Filet O Fish starting with a fried halibut fillet dressed with American cheese, and House-made tartar sauce on a soft and squishy potato bun. It’s a textbook prep as far as the ingredients but each and every one of them is top notch.

Fish Sandwich at Bar Bambi
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See ya next time @chibbqking

Asian Homecook

-Grubbing in Chicago
Rohingya Style Malaysian Food in West Ridge

Grub is the main focus here but before we get to the food and flavors of Asian Homecook on Devon I have to give a rundown of what led to the recent opening of this family run Rohingya restaurant. The Rohingya crisis remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. More than a million refugees live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, while those still in the Rakhine State face ongoing violence and severe restrictions. With global aid declining and dangerous sea crossings increasing, humanitarian groups continue urging greater international support and a long term political solution to this persecution. Malaysia is also one of the major destinations for Rohingya refugees in SE Asia as it’s a Muslim-majority country and there’s existing Rohingya communities there that can help with jobs in informal sectors. Malaysia is where the family behind Asian Homecook fled Myanmar before moving to Chicago which hosts one of the largest Rohingya communities in the country. The Rohingya Culture Center on Devon is at the center of that. The community nonprofit was founded in 2016 to support Rohingya refugees who resettled in Chicago. The center provides day-to-day services like ESL class, job support, case management, youth programs, and navigating healthcare and public services. It also acts as a cultural hub where families can stay connected to language, food traditions, and community life while rebuilding in the U.S. 

Rohingya Culture Center of Chicago (2740 W Devon)

I started to notice a few Rohingya owned grocers on and off of Devon the past few years so it was only a matter of time until a Rohingya restaurant opened which is where Asian Homecook comes back into the picture. It opened about two months ago, but you wouldn’t know it if just driving by as the sign from the previous business is still up. There’s a small sticker on the door and a picture of some dishes but there's not much else to let you know this is no longer an Indian kebab restaurant. 

Asian Homecook

On my visit it looked like a nice sized crowd of locals, older and younger, have embraced this place. The menu is made up of four sections (all Halal) starting with roti flatbread. Roti was brought to British Malaya by South Indian Tamil Muslim immigrants in the early 20th century, evolving from Indian parotta. An order of Roti Telur (egg roti) is a great starting point here. It’s made by stretching dough really thin, cracking an egg, and folding it into a square parcel, and pan-frying it until crispy. Asian Homecook serves their Roti Telur with a soothing lentil curry and a vibrant sambal chili sauce.

Roti Telur

Fried (goreng) noodles (mee) are another focal point. An order of ‘Mee Goreng Mamak’ was everything I love about stir fried noodles. Originating from the Indian-Muslim (Mamak) community, yellow egg noodles are stir-fried over a high heat and deliver a sweet, savory, and spicy flavor profile, achieved by tossing the noodles in sambal, soy sauces, spices. The Mee Goreng Mamak at Asian Homecook is a large and spicy portion with tofu, crisp veggies and crunchy chilis for just $7.

Mee Goreng Mamak at Asian Homecook

Fried Rice (Nasi) makes up the final section of food options (there's also a drinks page). Early reviews online point to Nasi Goreng Kampung aka Village Fried Rice. Nasi Goreng Kampung is a beloved, savory and spicy Southeast Asian dish featuring day-old rice tossed with rustic ingredients like pounded shallots, garlic, bird’s-eye chilies, shrimp paste, and crispy fried anchovies and it typically comes topped with a fried egg. The friendly English speaking waitress also recommended this dish as her personal favorite so I wasn’t going to pass it up. Unlike other fried rice variations, Village Fried Rice is extremely savory with a distinct umami punch and extra spice. The use of belacan (fermented shrimp paste) gives this dish a rich and extra aromatic flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the salty crunch of tiny dried anchovies. Diced chicken is included in the version at Asian Homecook but it’s basically a filler. The flavor, and there’s a ton of it in this dish, comes from all of the other stuff. 

Nasi Goreng Kampung aka Village Fried Rice

The most interesting options seem to be the daily specials showcased on their Instagram. That’s where I first learned about one of Malaysia’s most recognizable dishes - Nasi Kerabu. This vibrant blue colored rice dish comes from the the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganuz. It's made with a delicately floral rice turned indigo blue by steeping it in a water made of bunga telang (butterfly-pea flower). It’s commonly served with fresh herbs, crispy fish crackers, and different proteins like fried chicken and fish plus a sweet and spicy coconut sauce. Wow I thought - this is one of the most vibrant dishes I've ever come across. I would be surprised to learn you can find this dish anywhere else in the city as Malaysian food is pretty scarce in these parts and the one spot we do have is Peranakan, an entirely different group with different origins, food cultures, and geographic locations. My visit to Asian Homecook reminded me of two things. The first was how despite all its flaws just how privileged it is to be born in the USA. The second thing was I really need to go to Malaysia which sits near the top of my bucketlist. The food is a vibrant, mouth-watering reflection of its multicultural society, blending Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors with spices, chilies, coconut cream. It's said the people are warm, exceptionally hospitable, and famously united by their deep, shared passion for eating, socializing, and celebrating their diversity. A meal at Asian Homecook feels like a sneak peek. 

Nasi Kerabu

Asian Homecook
2739 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
Instagram

Bennigan's

-Grubbing in Chicago(land)
The Last Bennigan's in Illinois

I recently got the taste for a Monte Cristo which is weird because it’s not a sandwich I seek out in any sort of way. Except for recently when I used a pickup at O’Hare I had to do as an excuse to leave early and ride further west into Elgin where the only Bennigan’s left in the state Illinois of resides. 

Locals Favorite in Elgin

For those too young to remember eating at a Bennigan’s it’s a casual dining chain that peaked in the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s after being founded in Atlanta Georgia back in 1976. Not coincidentally by the same guy who helped build brands like Chili’s and Steak & Ale. At its peak there were 1000’s of outlets but today there’s just 21 left in the U.S including this one found on the outskirts of Elgin. You walk in and it’s like stepping back into time. The entire place is carpeted and outdated TV’s are pinned into the walls while Billy Joel and Chicago (the band) and other 70’s and 80’s artists play on the speakers. As the sign out front says Bennigan’s serves American fare with Irish hospitality. There’s nothing Irish about the menu unless I guess you count the fish and chips or maybe the fact that potatoes are served in a handful of ways including potato skins which are straight out of 80’s. 

Monte Cristo at Bennigan's

Bennigan’s didn’t create the Monte Cristo but it’s a big reason why many Americans know of this sandwich said to be an adaptation of the French croque-monsieur, versions of it appeared in U.S. cookbooks as early as the 1930’s. Bennigan’s popularized a very specific and very over-the-top version that went onto become iconic. It starts with honey wheat bread with ham and turkey plus Swiss and American cheese all stacked in a sandwich that’s battered and deep-fried making it more like a savory pastry than a pan grilled sandwich. It’s finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and served with raspberry preserves for dipping. I recall having this sandwich once when we were on a roadtrip somewhere. I remember it was a real vibe inside and I also liked the baked potato soup. So on this visit some 30 years later I started with exactly that. Pro-tip: you can get half a sandwich (which is really one full sandwich) plus your choice of soup for $16. The baked potato soup which was more like gravy - not what I remembered. That said the sandwich was pretty good. I was impressed by the frying job as it was extra crisp without any trace of oil. I’m not big on mixing sweet with savory but it all works well together. I wouldn't eat this regularly but I would get it again if the opportunity came about.

Monte Cristo Closeup

I'd like to know the whole story behind this place because the food seems pretty good but it’s also in a random location connected to a Holiday Inn which seems fitting. I checked the Google reviews and "fish fry" was one of the most common mentions. I was intrigued considering how well the sandwich had been fried. I asked about it and was told it’s the same thing as their fish and chips but on Fridays it’s all you can eat. I said what the heck and put in an order. Not bad. Far from the best version I’ve tried but the batter was crisp and the cod meat inside was a delicate counter to the crunchy batter. It sounds funny to say but if you find yourself out this way you can do worse as far as far as chain food and other watering holes goes. After eating I took a seat at the bar and got a beer and the bartender noted their glasses were bigger than a typical pint. On top of that the beer was ice cold. That was fun. 

Fish and Chips at Bennigan's

Bennigan's
495 Airport Rd
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 488-9900
Website

Eating BIG in Panama City

Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
- The Hub of the Americas

While on our trip to Peru last September we decided to stop in Panama City for a few days on the way back. This was possible due to the fact we had a layover from Lima to Chicago and the airline allows you to stay for up to three days. Panama City was never really on my hit list but we connected there on a previous trip to Buenos Aires and it was so pretty while flying in we said why not and decided to take advantage of the same layover opportunity we took on the way to Peru when we stopped in Bogota for two nights (report coming soon). Let me just go ahead and say I was really taken aback by Panama City. I immediately liked it upon arrival though it helps when you’re staying at what’s likely the best hotel in town which ended up being well worth the stay. What I really loved about Panama City is that it’s multiple destinations layered into one - the modern skyline, colonial history, jungle, a global food culture, and the canal are all packed into a relatively compact city. From a visitor perspective, it’s surprisingly dynamic and easy to explore. You can spend mornings relaxing on an island all your own and evenings dancing the night away on a rooftop bar. As far as the food goes I'd heard Panama City wasn’t a great food town but I ate really well. Here’s how it all went down. 

Pics from Panama City
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Town Square

After we got situated in our hotel room I took a little stroll thru Casco Viejo, Panama City’s vibrant, UNESCO-listed historic district (settled in 1673), known for its, cobblestone streets, and Spanish colonial architecture. You’ll walk by all sorts of restaurants and shops as well as vendors selling everything from magnets to clothes to Raspados. The last of those three sounded really good on a hot and humid day so I tried one from what seemed to be the most popular vendor in the town square who had a nifty little setup as seen above. Raspados are a popular Latin American street food made up of finely shaved ice that’s topped with vibrant fruit-flavored syrups and a generous drizzle of condensed milk. Essentially they’re an amped up version of a Sno-Cone. Not only are raspados extra refreshing but it’s fun to watch them made using a special device that shaves ice from a large block into a cup. The ice then gets a generous squirt of condensed milk and the syrup flavoring of your choice. Common flavors include cherry, maracuya (passion fruit), grape, and piña (pineapple).

Raspado in the Town Square

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Mai Mai

Our first meal in Panama City was at the hip and happening Mai Mai. The stylish rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar is a collabo between two well known Latin American chefs in  two major Latin American chefs in Mario Castrellón (chef behind the famous Panama restaurant Maito) and Mitsuharu Tsumura (chef of Maido in Lima, one of the world’s top restaurants). The name Mai Mai is play on Maito and Maido. It’s located in the Panamá Design Center in the Costa del Este district, which felt straight out of Miami. Mai Mai is located in a strip mall but this one goes up instead of out and Mai Mai is on the sixth floor and there’s both indoor and outdoor bars and seating areas. We sat at the bar outside and had a decent meal as far as the nigiri, the rolls and an order of pork and shrimp gyoza goes. The Kansai Yakimeshi otherwise known as Osaka style fried rice was interesting if not a bit different than I expected. It had an awful lot of egg but “shrimp omelette” was part of the description so maybe it’s supposed to sole that way. The ‘Pesca Anticuchera’ was the meals best dish along with the best piece of cooked fish we had on a trip that also included a stop in Lima. I forget what the catch was but it was similar to grouper and came served with grilled anticuchera sauce and avocado cream.

Pesca Anticuchera at Mai Mai
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Wah Kee

Having arrived on a Saturday we woke up on a Sunday and that means dim sum in Panama City. Aside from the canal itself the coolest thing about Panama City is that dim sum is the standard breakfast in the city. Panama City has an unusually large number of dim sum restaurants because it has one of the oldest and most influential Chinese communities in Latin America. The roots go back more than 170 years and over time dim sum has become as popular with locals of Latin American descent as it is with Asians. When I say there’s a ton of dim sum spots I’m not talking about 10 or 20. They’re found all across the city though for my first foray I went to Barrio Chino aka Chinatown. For it’s there where you’ll find Wah Kee, an uber popular two story dimsum palace. Since it was a Sunday it was bustling with locals but I was seated quickly in their massive second floor dining room and within a minute or two some of their dim sum carts started coming around. I grabbed a trio of dumpling options and stopped there knowing there was more to come. My first thought upon trying the Sui Mai was along the lines of “wow these are really good” and the same can be said for the Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) as well as the beef and ginger. This was some high quality dim sum.

Dim Sum at Wah Kee
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Tallerines

After the dim sum I walked over to a nearby spot across the street and up a block. I had read some encouraging things in the Google reviews of Tallerines (noodles in Spanish). There were quite a few online mentions for the wonton here and that was all I needed to read. Upon entry the place was packed and it's pretty tiny inside but because I was solo the host found me a seat and I placed my order for the wonton noodle soup which was lost in translation. I guess she only heard wonton soup but I wasn’t complaining, once again this was some high quality Cantonese food. I was impressed.

Wonton Soup at Tallerines
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Hong Kong Bakery

I was pretty full at this point but I had also taken a 15/20 minute uber to the area so I decided to stick around for a little more. I walked over to a small strip mall off the main drag that houses a couple grocery stores and Chinese restaurants including Hong Kong Bakery. This place was highly spoken of and said to have some of the better Cheung Fun (steamed rice rolls). I actually had to wait here as it’s so popular with locals but it was worth sticking around for the rice rolls. I tried a plate with shrimp and also a unique to my eye version called “chee cheung fun rojo” aka red steamed rice roll stuffed with crunchy tortilla strips and shrimp. I believe this dish is a result of the Cantonese in Panama but either way it wasn’t something I’ve tried before. I loved both the flavor of the shrimp mixed with the texture of the crunchy tortilla strips. Yet another great example of the Chinese peoples ability to adapt.

Dim Sum at Hong Kong Bakery
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La Casa Redonda

After my dim sum tour I walked it off and came upon a cool looking spot while doing so. I was able to find out what La Casa Redonda is all about with a quick online search where I learned its part bakery, part pizzeria, and part ice cream shop too. This was one of the more interesting places I’ve ever entered and judging by the looks I got it’s clearly not a tourist hot spot. But I know enough Spanish to order and the main reason I went in was because “shakes” are the most mentioned thing online and it was hot outside so I ordered a Batido de Papaya and called an uber to pick me up in the parking lot.

Batido de Papaya at La Casa Redonda
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Peach Fuzz International

Later that day we took an uber over to Peach Fuzz International which is a street side stand known for excellent whole fried fish. We were greeted by the owner Danny upon arrival and were happy to score the last fish of the week (open Thurs-Sun). Lucky us because this was a memorable meal. The fresh fried fish was very good. Exactly what it was escapes me but it was locally caught and Danny’s Hot Sauce is some of the best I’ve had and the perfect match for the fish. So they say this used to be a dangerous area but it’s not as bad now and everybody loves Danny and respects his stand. We chatted NBA basketball and life in the states as he grew up in NYC and is a big Knicks fan. Personally I can’t stand the Knicks but I’m a big fan of Danny, his fried fish, and that kick ass hot sauce of his. 

Whole Fried Fish at Peach Fuzz International
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La Tapa del Coco

I read lots of good things about La Tapa Del Coco and all of it turned out to be true. We had a wonderful dinner here where every last thing we ate was pretty great. La Tapa del Coco is led by Chef Isaac Villaverde and it was originally a food truck before turning into a full service brick and mortar spot. The food focuses on Panama’s Afro-Caribbean communities, especially from the city of Colón on the Caribbean coast. The menu blends Panama blends Caribbean with West Indian, and Panamanian flavors, with lots of coconut, curry, ginger, and the spicy local ají chombo pepper. 

Pork Belly Empanada

The service at the hotel was so outstanding they called to get us a table even though it was booked. Then the service at the restaurant matched that at the hotel. Our waiter recommended I try the pork belly empanada, complimentary, and it was just the start of a really good run of food to come from the kitchen. Next out was their signature dish - Almejas al Ajillo con Coco (clams in garlic and coconut sauce). This was one of those dishes where you nod your head in agreement upon first try. The dish is rich and garlicky with a slightly spicy coconut broth. It’s all about the sauce. Make sure to get some of their warm and fluffy house baked brioche rolls to soak it all up. The cocktails are also of note here.

Almejas al Ajillo con Coco at La Tapa del Coco

Moving along we also got the salt cod fritters which arrived piping hot and were light and airy. An Afro-Caribbean–style shrimp curry was yet another fantastic dish. Because of the close ties to the West Indies this curry was more reflective of one from Trinidad or Jamaica than India or Pakistan. The sauce is rich and coconutty, and slightly sweet and spicy with thin and crisp strips of plantain on top. Lots of flavor in this and the coconut rice that came with it. To finish we had an eye opening dessert simply called Arroz con Mango. The menu description translates to “creamy rice pudding, topped with mango sorbet and pieces of fresh mango with a crunchy seed cookie and an English custard infused with thyme.” I’m running out of adjectives to describe all the wonderful food from here but let me say that I’ve ate at a fair number of highly regarded restaurants in Latin America and La Tapa del Coco is very deserving of it's ranking among the regions best restaurants by ‘The Worlds 50 Best’ website.

Salt Cod Fritters

Shrimp Curry

Arroz con mango at La Tapa del Coco
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Island Escape

The next day we took a field trip to the Panama Canal but not before stopping for lunch with the hopes of missing the typical early morning rush at the canal (it was still pretty busy but without lines). The hotel guy who picked us up from the airport was telling me about his favorite Jamaican places in town and he was Jamaican himself so I wrote down his suggestion of Island Escape. I didn’t realize this until we arrived but there’s a huge Jamaican population in Panama City where there’s said to be more than 500,000 people of Jamaican descent. This makes for a nice Jamaican food scene and Island Escape was a great call by our driver. Of course they were out of the fried fish but the shrimp curry was a tasty backup while the oxtail was fresh and fall off the bone tender with very good flavor.

Oxtails at Island Escape
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Pedro Mandinga Rum Bar

They make some very nice rum in Panama but it’s not as old of a tradition at Pedro Mandiga as one might think. Pedro Mandinga is Panama's first artisanal rum distillery, founded in 2017 in Panama City, creating premium rums from raspadura (unrefined cane sugar) and molasses. Distilled in small copper pot stills, the brand is renowned for its smooth Silver and Spiced rums, featuring tasting notes of caramel and banana, with specialty Coffee and Cocoa liqueurs also on offer. Rum heads should head straight to the Pedro Mandiga Bar in Casco Viejo. This well regarded tasting room is known for its rum tastings on top of cocktails, served up in a homey wood-paneled atmosphere, they have a really good happy hour too. I wish I didn’t wait until the last day to visit this place. Such a chill spot.

Rum Cocktail at Pedro Mandinga's
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La Cantina Del Tigre

After our happy hour drinks we had dinner reservations at Cantina Del Tigre. This place is one of the city’s most buzzed about restaurants and for good reason. It’s a lively spot with a huge open kitchen driven by a really long live fire grill. This is not the type of spot to visit if you’re looking for a quiet night out as it’s loud and buzzing and can be hard to hear for those that struggle with noise. If you do I still suggest visiting just doing so at an earlier hour because the food here is fantastic. I started with an order of the bone marrow which is sliced diagonally and grilled over the live fire and served with crisp bread for spreading. The Marie was perfectly cooked to where it slipped out still piping hot. At just $6 this was a steal. After that came the octopus croquettes which were super creamy with the taste of charred Octopus. For the entrée a dish labeled as Caribbean fish tempura comes served on a luscious Caribbean curry sauce with onion and bell pepper ceviche. The fish was as crisp as I've come across while the coconut curry was sublime. One of my favorite dishes of the trip and it left me wanting to try more but we were pretty full by this point. If I had one more night in Panama City I think I would’ve returned here to try a few more dishes plus another order of bone marrow. Very cool spot.

Dinner at La Cantina Del Tigre
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Restaurante La Bendicion

I took a stroll down to the Mercado de Marisco our last day in town. It's a pretty fish market with tons of fresh fish and quite a few restaurants preparing that fish surrounding the market. Restaurante La Bendicion is across the street and has lots of glowing reviews so I stopped for some ceviche which was definitely the more typical Latin American type, unlike that in Lima. The ceviche here is chopped and served in a Styrofoam cup and served with saltine crackers. It was refreshing after the walk over but ceviche in Peru kind of ruined me in terms of the quality as it's very much a step above the rest. 

Ceviche at Restaurante La Bendicion
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Palacio Lung Fung

Palacio Lung Fung is the definition of a legacy dim sum hall. It's got it all from carpeted floors to fish tanks to carts of dim sum that come around from table to table. If you want that loud, cart-pushing, family-style Cantonese experience this is one of the key spots in Panama City to experience it. Lung Fung opened in 1973 and stepping inside is a real blast back to the past. The interior covers two floors in traditional style, looking like any glossy oversized Chinese restaurant in the world sitting stuck in time. I visited in the afternoon so the carts weren’t rolling but they still had the dim sum menu going. I ordered a few things including the popular Soy Kao Frito which are fried pork and shrimp wontons. I also got an order of Shumai, the Har Gow, and a plate of the Yee Chee Kao as these beef and ginger dumplings seemed to be really popular in Panama City. Palacio Lung Fung wasn’t quite as good as the other spots but it still hit the spot and the setting is sensational. That's it for this trip!

Dim Sum at Palacio Lung Fung
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See ya next time @chibbqking