Cliff(y) Goes Dining

Frequent offer: 50% off Japanese high tea! Describing itself as a gastrobar, Ohayo Mama San at 313@Somerset serves a delightful array Japanese and fusion dishes in a brightly lit setting with predominantly blue and orange tones. While I'd been there twice for dinner, particularly intrigued by its cocktail selections, I recently decided to try its Japanese high tea offering with a friend.

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.

Have you tried a dish called 'old clothes'? Established in 1983, Restaurante El Trapiche is well-known for celebrating the rich flavours of Panamanian cuisine, attracting both locals and tourists alike to its five branches across Panama City. My BFF and I visited the outlet at Albrook Mall, which is the second largest shopping mall in the American continent as of 2022.

Geisha coffee beans were sold above a thousand bucks back in 2017! Not related to Japanese culture at all, Panamanian Geisha coffee is renowned for its distinctive flavour profile. Intrigued by this unique coffee that's among the most expensive globally, my BFF and I decided to drop by one of the highly rated café in Casco Viejo, a historic district of Panama City, to have a taste of it.

Is it weird not to drink Coca-Cola at Café Coca-Cola? Here's a trivia: did you know that Panama and Cuba were among the first few countries to operate Coca-Cola bottling plants outside of North America in 1906? Café Coca-Cola isn't only the oldest café in Panama City, but also is the one and only in the world to be endorsed by the Coca-Cola Company. 

Trying out two unfamiliar Mexican dishes! From Canada, we shall move on to Cancun, Mexico. Despite our initial intent to spend some leisurely time along the beach, unforeseen circumstances forced my BFF and me to scramble our travel plan. Nevertheless, we made the most of our very limited time indulging in some Mexican cuisine at the airport branch of Guacamole Grill before boarding our flight to Panama.

"Some may say it’s crazy to build Niagara’s newest craft brewery on the street of fun..." Located in the heart of Clifton Hill, one of the main tourist hubs in Niagara Falls, The Niagara Brewing Company has been crafting batches after batches of beer since 2015. Whether you're a beer aficionado or simply looking to unwind with friends, the place offers a welcoming environment to sip, savour and enjoy the best of the local brews.

"A true farm-to-table experience!" A culinary gem in the heart of the Niagara Falls area, AG Inspired Cuisine is proudly named one of Canada's top fine-dining restaurants. Helmed by Executive Chef Cory Linkson, the menu celebrates contemporary Canadian cuisine that highlights the freshness of seasonal ingredients. My BFF and I went for the Three Course Menu priced at  C$99.00 (~S$97.90)  per person.

No beavers are harmed in the making! Fancy some deep-fried dough pastries that are individually hand-stretched to resemble the tails of beavers? BeaverTails is a Canadian chain that originated in Killaloe in 1978, and established its first permanent store in Ottawa in 1981. Since then, it's expanded to six countries, including the USA, the UAE, Mexico, France and Japan at the point of writing.

Where you can find the "world famous peameal bacon on a bun"! Originally opened in 1902, St. Lawrence Market is an iconic public market in Toronto, Canada, a culinary hotspot showcasing more than 120 merchants. The current building incorporates one that was once home to the first permanent city hall and jailhouse that operated from 1845 to 1899. During our visit, my BFF and I sampled some delights for breakfast.

Prime rib: the prime choice for a rib-sticking meal! The Keg, a Canadian-owned chain of steakhouse restaurants and bars, has humble origins dating back to 1971 when it was founded in Vancouver as The Keg and Cleaver. Since its inception, the brand has grown exponentially, expanding to over 160 locations across Canada and the USA. It continues to be a beloved destination for steak enthusiasts.