Meal of the Week

Technically, this was a meal from last week, but I have to include it. 


A potential mentee for VVPA's Mentoring Program runs a small restaurant in El Chorrillo.  El Chorrillo is one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Panama, but it has a very interesting history.  More to come on El Chorrillo later. 

The chef is Dadsenia, and she and her sister work together serving comida criolla ("creole food" in English) to the people of El Chorrillo.  Creole food in Panama has many different influences, but it's mostly Caribbean.  Her kitchen is pretty tiny, but it grills, fries, and boils, tons of meals every day.  If you want to enjoy her tasty cuisine, you MUST call early and reserve a meal, or you'll be out of luck; the ladies usually run out of food by 12:00PM! 

Annie and I (not quite ready for the photo!) chowing down 

Annie (my supervisor) and I both ordered rice cooked in coconut milk with guandu (which is similar to a lentil) and pork cooked in Caribbean spices.  The rice was creamy and slightly sweet, which complimented the salty guandu perfectly.  The pork was fatty (as all good pork is), but the Caribbean marinade was divine!! Spicy, with a hint of red curry...rico. 

I highly recommend this restaurant, but I'd also advise you to go accompanied by a Panamanian!  El Chorrillo is not for the inexperienced traveler. 

Buen Provecho!