Panama Real Estate Investment Travel Information


La Posta

(13 votes)

Written by Matt Landau

Saturday, April 07 2007

I consider myself to be an extremely tough critic when it comes to restaurants, and considering the service industry in Panama is about as impressive as my left arm pit, I find myself often bashing restaurants for one reason or another. La Posta is said, by insiders, to be among the top restaurants in Panama City however, after my second experience there, and after eating several poorly-done steaks, I now have some beef.

The service is pretty darn good. There's always someone to greet you at the door and waiters slalom effortlessly in and out of tables as if on a delicate ski course. The place is almost always packed but the tables are spaced well enough that you won't feel like your neighbor is breathing on your pate. This time, I was told that no tables inside were available, and escorted outside to the surprisingly temperate terrace. The entire place appears to be set in an old home and the terrace looks not unlike your terrace might: a few tables, some gardening tzochkes, and wide celing fans creating a delightful summer breeze.

None of the waiters on the terrace could speak good English which can be difficult when those dining in your party speak only that. They, right off the bat, recommended that we try the mixed seafood platter for four and I was weary, as I always am when that sort of “special” is suggested. What arrived though was pretty tasty. Slivers of barbequed baby octopus, nice wide shreds of seabass soaked in a chili lime juice, and various other ocean delights. Sprinkled over the entire thing, as well as in several other dishes we tried, were these large, quarter-sized kernels of Peruvian corn: super sweet, crunchy and intense. The dish came with a stand of sorts, this metal prop that allowed it to be shared by the whole table which was nice.

For the main course, I like most the halibut. Albeit, they have a tendency to overdue it sometimes which makes the fish lose its flaky texture, and thus its integrity. But usually, they're right on. It's served with roasted veggies which I welcomed warmly. The entire dish, is about an 8 and some of the best fish you'll get in Panama City.

Several things I didn't like: the waiters were almost pushy when it came to selling certain things. I like waiters who are enthusiastic and all, but please, don't hawk your flan like your life depends on it. The second the last drop was poured from the bottle, our server asked if we wanted another bottle. What should he have done? I don't know, but it just came off as a bit tacky and sales like. I also don't really like the fact that the waiter recommended how much we tip him. Am I out of line here?

La Posta is pretty good. It's one of the better restaurants in Panama and you can get in and out for less than you would at the nicest restaurant in your town. It's a nice date place, semi romantic. It didn't by any means blow me out of the water, but then again, few things in Panama have. There's a large group of three star restaurants and very few fours. I would recommend you make reservations, and if you're doing so, I'd like to recommend a few aliases to use for gags: Mr. Jim Fancypants, Orphaned Ronaldo the Child With Wandering Eyes, Lil Jonny Songbird the Songbird Eater, and Spill.

La Posta: Three Stars

Comments (3)

lionel: It is the best restaurant in panama. that's why it is always full,

Why should the waiters speak English? And if they don't how did you determine that they were pushing certain items?

Go home.

July 29, 2007

Mateo: La Posta

Hola Lionel

I appreciate your comment. When you talk about a country developing as a tourism destination, I would think you'd talk about improving service and becoming more, for lack of a better term, 'globalized'. Thus not only understanding your clientèle (who will indefinitely be outsiders) but also speaking their language. If you're trying to cater to these people, the industry standard generally requires you to communicate with them, and it's not (although maybe it should be) the responsibility of the tourist. I'm not saying waiters need to be fluent, but think a few words would be nice.

Granted, I too have always been the gringo embarrassed by fellow countrymen who are obnoxious enough to make no effort to learn Spanish: it's a two-way street. But I believe it's the responsibility of the establishment first and foremost.

Regarding me knowing how they pushed certain items, I speak fluent Spanish and have been to La Posta about 46 or 49 times. It's always the same shtick to the gringo. The one I always remember is that three-tiered seafood platter which has "gringo deal" written all over its pulpo tentacles.

August 02, 2007

Mateo: officially changing my review

I ate at La Posta for like the twentieth time last week, and am officially chaning my review...for the better. The place blows any other PTY dining establishment out of the water (with a few competitors on par). Food's always great, service is always stellar, and people always leave happy. It's my go-to place when guests are in town and for that reason, I gotta hand it to them: La Posta: 4 Stars

August 22, 2007

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