PAN: Sabroso Panama
Panamanian style risotto with pigeon peas and smoked meat, anyone?
Literally meaning 'delicious', Sabroso promises to tantalise your taste buds with the authentic flavours of "100% Panamanian cuisine" in a vibrant, colourful setting. Located on Perico Island at the southern end of Panama City, the restaurant has a terrace area that offers a beautiful view of Panama Bay.
English menu is available at the restaurant.
Fish Ceviche PAB 12.00 (~S$16.15)
Taste: 8.5/10
Given the country's extensive coastline, seafood plays a significant role in Panamanian cuisine. To start, I enjoyed the fresh fleshy fish marinated in citrus and mixed with onions. The refreshing and zesty appetiser came with a side of crispy green plantain chips that provide a delightful textural contrast.
Sancocho PAB 11.00 (~S$14.80)
Taste: 7.5/10
A staple in local households, sancocho is Panama's answer to chicken soup, typically served with rice. At the restaurant, the dish featured chicken breast paired with cassava, all simmered in a light, yet hearty broth. It was topped with mild coriander, unlike the stronger variety found in Southeast Asia.
Corn Tamale PAB 16.00 (~S$21.55)
Taste: 7.5/10
That was my virgin experienced with the local steamed corn dough made from corn that went through nixtamalisation, a process of soaking and cooking the kernels in an alkaline solution, followed by washing and hulling. While generally bland as expected, the dough with a fluffy, spongy texture was topped with savoury sautéed pork.
Guandu Guacho with Smoked Meat PAB 22.00 (~S$29.60)
Taste: 8.5/10
A counterpart to Italian risotto, guacho is a traditional Panamanian thick rice dish. At the restaurant, I savoured the rice simmered with guandu (lit. pigeon peas). Adorned with deep-fried plantain chips, it was a hearty dish that wasn't heavy on the palate. The addition of smoked meat provided a rich, deep flavour that complemented the earthy peas. Pika's advice: You may want to consider the vegetarian version priced at PAB 17.00 (~S$22.90) or the recommended seafood version priced at PAB 23.00 (~S$30.95).
Sweet Coconut Balls with Cashew Nuts PAB 6.00 (~S$8.05)
Taste: 8/10
While the appearance clearly wasn't all too inviting, our dessert of choice encapsulated the tropical flavors of the region. The spherical treats made of grated coconut and palm sugar were nice to chew, studded with cashew nuts that added a satisfying contrast in texture and a nutty depth to each bite.
Diablo Rojo PAB 10.00 (~S$13.45)
Taste: 8/10
Spanish for 'Red Devil', the cocktail got its striking appearance primarily from hibiscus. Its tangy, slightly tart profile blended seamlessly with Seco Herrerano, Panama's national spirit distilled from sugarcane, in addition to lemon and ginger that made the drink more aromatic. The rim of the glass was adorned with something reminiscent of plum powder with its burst of sweet, sour and salty flavours.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8.5/10
Overall: 8/10
Thank you for not only the tasty meal, but also the friendly service!
Sabroso Panama
Calzada de Amador
Isla Perico
Panama City
Panama
(Mon-Wed: 10.00am - 10.30pm;
Thu-Fri: 9.30am - 11.00pm;
Sat-Sun: 9.00am - 11.00pm)
*Prices quoted are subject to 7% VAT.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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