Panama Real Estate Investment Travel Information


La Rioja: Spanish Restaurant in Panama City

(5 votes)

Written by Matt Landau

Wednesday, March 28 2007

Would I go back again? Yes Location: Calle Uruguay, diagonal from Habibis FOOD:xxx SERVICE:xxx AMBIENCE:xxx PRICE:$$$ OVERALL:xxx

This quaint little Spanish restaurant totally transports you to a small tapas eatery in Spain where, all of a sudden, it's OK to throw your toothpicks and napkins on the floor. Their house sangria is chock full of tropical fruits, as if to throw a Panamanian touch on the whole thing: a giant slice of orange about the size of a softball, decorated the rim. The prices at La Rioja are extremely economical in comparison to what us foreigners consider an expensive meal.

My first time there, the owner came over to the table to greet us and recommended several of his favorite wines. The Rioja—my personal favorite as the patriotic go-to option—was fantastic and cost no more than a set of earmuffs. My first dish was a house salad dotted with Spanish olives and a tart dressing that made my face pucker like that of a wrinkly old man. The salad was followed by some of the freshest sea bass I've tasted in Panama. My fish radar is pretty sharp, and from my days as a culinary whiz kid back in France, I am able to tell how long—within the hour—a grilled piece of fish has been our of water. My corvina at La Rioja: 6 hours, 22 minutes!!!

The service was very attentive. Not in the way or annoying or anything, but like a backup role of toilet paper—always there when I needed them. My waiter Franklin, at one point, came over to ask me how I liked my meal. I expressed to him my beloved approval at which point he agreed, pointing out to me that the fish I had ordered was "like a jewel on my tongue". What does that mean? I thought to myself.

La Rioja is one of the better restaurants I've been to in Panama. It's the perfect place to start the night, as its proximity to the bars and clubs on Calle Uruguay is deliciously hazardous. In my book, this place gets a 7 out of 10.

Comments (1)

chris williams: La Rioja

During a week stay we dinned two times at the rest. Both times food quality was high, house wine good, service very good. Paella was excellent. I reccommend this rest. for your next trip.

June 20, 2007

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