XOKO, Spanish Restaurant


XOKO, Spanish Restaurant

(1 vote)

Written by Matt Landau

Wednesday, January 25 2006

Would I go back again? Yes, for a special occasion (Location: El Cangrejo) FOOD: xxxx SERVICE: xxxxx AMBIENCE:xxx PRICE:$$$ OVERALL:xxxx

The name is XOKO which is Euskera, from the Basque region, pronounced "CHOKO". This intimate little Spanish restaurant captured my taste buds on my first visit. It had me at ‘Hola'. It's a rustic family-run place and the menu is written on a suitcase-sized chalkboard displayed tableside. The servers are really friendly and the menu is really flexible, meaning they can make almost anything you want. The menu itself is not flexible because it is on a giant chalkboard made of wood and slate.

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Comments (3)

Mary: New Location

So we succeeded in finding the place--not a simple matter. (Hopefully, a planned sign near the sidewalk will help. For their own longevity, wish they were more in a more highly trafficked and visible spot).

The menu is on a chalkboard, divided into 2 parts: tapas (~$3-5, at least 15 to choose from) and entrees (about 10 to choose from, ~$8-10). The hostess (who is lovely, gracious, and speaks impeccable English, highlighted the items on the menu we had queries about and made suggestions.)

The 5 of us each ordered a tapa of our choice to share. They were brought out in perfect succession, 1 at a time, which was wonderful. We had a variety of brochetta with tomato, seafood (1 with shrimp, 1 with little squids), and sausages. One of the sausage tapas was especially scrumptious. The sausages actually had flavor (unlike most we have encountered in Panama) in a delicious spicy sauce. On the sausages were tiny poached quail eggs topped with fresh herbs. (Ordered more bread to sop up the delicious sauce.). I would be easy to make a meal off the tapas, maybe with a salad.

Then, we had paella (mar y terra...but you can also get the all-seafood variety)...one large pan that we shared. It was delicious. We had a bottle of Malbec and a pitcher of sangria. The chef came to our table (brother of the hostess, so this is a family business); very nice man.

Divided the bill by 5, with a tip: $21/person.

Would go back in a minute...so let us know whenever you'd like to give it a try.

New Location: It's near the corner of Calle 42 and Avenida Cuba in Bella Vista. It's on the segment of Calle 42 that runs (one-way) toward Balboa from Via Espana. If you are coming from Via Espana, it's tucked back from the sidewalk on your right.

July 07, 2007

Ariadna Sanchez: thanks for the comments!

Dear all,

Thanks so much for the comments, here is your nice hostess writing you...
Please visit us whenever you want and ask for a free tapas for the table!!

August 29, 2007

vixter: XOKO