“bite the wax tadpole”* - A review of Latitudes Restaurant in the Hotel Le Meridien

I traveled to the depths of the Darien Province several times while in Panama. In an indigenous town constructed mainly of huts with banana leaf roofs on stilts, the women and men remain true to and proud of their culture. There is a small concrete shack, an electric wire and outside reads a sign "internet 25 cents/hour". .

It is now safe to say the internet has reached the depths of the jungle. Why oh why are restuarnts still lost in translation? Why add difficult words to translate like "pepper" when your spanish menu says "lechuga" (lettuce!).

Ah Le Meridien. For weeks I anticipated this restaurant opening. I went so far as to press my nose to the glass; I was so very excited for this trendy new restaurant to be the dawn of a new era in Panama City. As my husband had business clients in town I assumed this would be the perfect opportunity to impress; and that's when we "bit the wax tadpole".

The staff was quite kind and courteous. Drinks were at the table within seconds and orders were taken right away. Recommendations were made, cocktails were sipped, guests were happy. We ordered several appetizers and each (of 6) ordered a different entree so we could have the unique delight of tasting so much of the menu. While I would generally prefer a menu in Spanish (menu items tend to be listed more accurately) I was brought the English menu and figured Le Meridien would never mistranslate.

Jumbo Shrimp = 4 possibly canned miniature sized shrimp arrived on a really big plate over a bed of alfalfa with what can be described as a smear of cocktail sauce.

Steak Tenderloin Sandwich = Meat, possibly not steak, cooked to jerkey, none of the vegetables listed on the English menu arrived in this dish.

... and the list goes on.

Appetizers ran a pricey $9 - $15 and main courses were $15 and up. Cocktails about $7/each. I'm not sure who was more embarssed, me, for making the recommendation to host a business dinner at this farse of a chic restaurant or my shrimp who clearly shrank upon arrival to the table.

Bottom Line: This restaurant and its bland food are hardly worth the writing of these words much less a complete review. This is one Panama City restaurant you can be sure to skip.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: I would highly recommend the bar for a cocktail or two; the mixologist seems to have been the only one paying attention in satisfying clientele 101. My Rose Martini was liquid happiness and drinks around the table received a heavy-handed pour.

Latitudes Restaurant and Bar

Corner of Calle Uruguay and Avenida Balboa.

* : Coca Cola's PR campaign in China

The Power of a Chicken Wing

There are various things I was certain I would never be able to fully appreciate nor enjoy doing growing up in NY, going to school in Boston or while living in North Carolina. Of all of my newfound activities, likes and loves, non suprised me more than my new top two, football and chicken wings... preferably at the same time.

So here I am, living in Panama and I can hardly think for wanting the taste of crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside wings doused in marinade and dipped in sauce. My eyes are blurry in desperate search of a football game. And so goes the story of...

How Hooters Became One of My New Favorite Restaurants, in Panama.

While on the phone with my father one Sunday I mentioned my day's plans and he asked me when I had jumped ship. I protested explaining I hardly even notice the hoards of well endowned women serving me my food and he told me I was missing the point entirely.

Hooters, Panama City somehow conveys a totally different vibe from any I've ever been to. Hooters is a family restaurant! A place for couples to go on dates! A place where a group of women can order "margaritas 2x1" and fresh yummy salads. Oh yes, my friends, you will actually see a fair number of high chairs during a weekend lunch.

All this time I've lived in Panama and have suddenly discovered the wonderfullness of Hooters... its wings and its sports! My newfound loves. The food is consistently delicious and the service is pretty awesome. Smiling friendly waitresses consistently check-in at your table and food comes out well before I've started eating fingers. The salads are huge with crunchy lettuce and great grilled or fried chicken. The wings come with a myriad of marinade options and the appetizers are always quick to the table and well portioned.

Not only is the food scrumptious but they actually have just about every channel one can get while in Panama! They consistently show NFL, college football and basketball, UFC, boxing, you name it and they always have drink specials to go with it.

Hooters Panama is located on the corner of Calle 50 and the end of Calle Uruguay. 229 1744 for reservations.