Cliff(y) Goes Dining

Cassava and cheese croquettes, anyone? Opened in 2018, Origen Bistro in Bogota, Colombia may be a relatively young restaurant, but it's quickly risen to fame for its delectable blend of traditional Colombian flavours and contemporary gastronomy. The restaurant also exudes charm through its architecture, featuring Spanish colonial style with Andalusian influences.

Possibly Bogota's wildest restaurant-cum-bar! An iconic nightlife destination in Bogota, Andrés Carne de Res is truly a feast for the senses. Prior to my trip to Colombia, never had I been to such an eclectic establishment spread across five stories with 11 distinct dining areas, over 500 staff members and the capacity to accommodate up to 3,300 customers at once!

Chillin' with ice-blended coffee infused with 'arequipe'! Juan Valdez Café is a coffee chain founded by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia in 2002. It takes its name from a fictional character: a coffee farmer that's been portrayed in advertisements by the federation since 1958. While not as well-known as other global coffee chains, it's successfully expanded its reach to locations as distant as Malaysia.

Indulging in delicious Chinese noodle with 'wok hei'! You might think I'd dive straight into local food upon reaching Bogota, the capital city of Colombia. However, the very first thing that I had was actually Asian cuisine. Since 1998, Wok has taken pride in introducing a diverse range of Southeast and East Asian dishes, from the bold flavours of Indonesia to the refined delicacies of Japan.

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.