David Henesy is the smartest restaurateur I know in Panama, and I have no idea who would rank second. The dumbest consigliere in David’s management circle is still smarter (by himself) than all the employees at Crepes & Waffles, Niko’s and Café Pomodoro’s restaurant syndicates combined. Expert foreigners in Panama make everything a little unfair.

In the semi-mundane world of Panama's dining scene, one in which the same small handful of restaurants tend to dominate nights on the town in a recycled, "which will it be tonight" sort of spinning prize wheel basis, there is formally a new option to add to the mix. Jaleo Winebar and Bistro, which sits next to Eurasia in Bella Vista is officially open for business.

Ginza Japanese Steakhouse in El Cangrejo is everything I never want to see in a restaurant for the rest of my life: bad food, poorly executed cheese gimmicks, and awkward service that makes you wonder why you ever chose hibachi in the first place. The circumstances by which I was coerced into eating here were unique, albeit, but one would expect, at least one would hope, that such a seemingly well-funded establishment might put together something more closely resembling a meal.

The restaurant in situated in a strange little nook of Panama City's Paitilla district where it appears more and more new entertainment hotspots are arriving. The new Hed Kandi Lounge for example, which will be right around the corner. Viso 52 sits in the Popeye's building on the corner of Avenida Balboa and Paitilla Road as I like to call it.

Upon first hearing the news, I was of the belief that Astrid y Gaston was a new theatrical performance show in Panama, perhaps featuring a lovely French woman named Astrid and a large brawny man who liked to drink beer called Gaston. But as the details would unravel, I came to the realization that, for the first time, a truly impressive dining establishment had arrived in the nation's capital.

Just as boutique hotels are making their way into Panama's travel scene, boutique restaurants like Peperoncini Di Mare in Area Bancaria are establishing themselves as appealingly sophisticated alternatives to once-popular chain franchises.

When I saw that the New York Times had recently done a restaurant review on Manolo Caracol in Casco Antiguo, Panama City, I figured it was about time I see what all the fuss is about, especially considering that I could factually throw a frisbee from my front door into the restaurant's lobby area.

Gaucho's is located on the trendy corner of Calle Uruguay so that it's packed all the time is not too surprising. It's known as one of, if not the best, steak houses here in Panama and granted, they prepare very nice steaks.

I called in a reservation but they lost it, so when I appeared at the door they tried to make me out to be the idiot who “thought he made a reservations but actually didn’t”. This was not the only annoying thing about Sake.

Casco Viejo has a new restaurant which is kick butt. If you like the idea of Manolo Caracol, in that they tell you what you’ll be eating, but you don’t like the prices, then this place is for you.

Eurasia has a fantastic vibe. It’s set in Bella Vista on the second floor of what I can only imagine was once a spectacular private residence. The service is precise, the food is decadent, and you don’t have to wear long pants to get in.

La Maison, just off Calle Uruguay, is a trendy little new French café. When you walk inside the old building, its newly-renovated woods and plush red velvets might take you back, if just for a second, to your days in Paris: a time when you were at your social and intellectual prime. A time when you, yourself owned several wine-colored berets.

Visited May 2007. Would I Return? I don't think so.

Visited May 2007. Would I Return? Many times.

Limoncillo is one of the few restaurants in Panama that does a decent job of brand building and print marketing. They're located semi-veiled in the first floor of a larger building off Calle Uruguay—and reviewers have raved about their menu and innovation in dishes. I tried it out.

 Would I go back again? Yes Location: El Cangrejo, next to Power Club Gym FOOD:xxx SERVICE:xxxxx AMBIENCE:xxxxx PRICE:$$-$$$ OVERALL:xxxx