Review: Aroma’s Cafe, Panama City, Panama

After spending a few days in Allejuela changing our travel plans we took a night bus down to Panama City where we stayed for a few days before setting sail to Columbia!

The American influence in Panama City is very clear, however we really enjoyed our time exploring the city and enjoyed some good food here.  Our first stop was a small café where I first tried ceviche.  It was really quite a spicy dish but the flavours were incredible and the prawns perfect.  It was just the type of dish I fancied as I love the fresh, light and healthy feel to the dish.

The café itself was small and cute.  Very friendly staff who were willing to tailor the menu to customers and a good corner spot to allow for people watching.

Review: Pizzeria de Johnny, Santa Elena/Monteverde, Costa Rica

After enjoying the afternoon at the coffee plantation and having warmed up with all the coffee and back at the hostel we went out to a recommended restaurant - 'Pizzeria de Johnny' for a nice dinner, cocktail and good chat!

The evening started well with yummy pina coladas and a warm cozy restaurant with an open kitchen.  We went for starter and main (and thank goodness I did as it went a little down hill for me!).  For starter Rachael and I had the asparagus soup which was delicious, the texture was perfect and the flavour rich and creamy.  The accompanying bread was very tasty too.  James ordered a garlic bread which was delicious and a huge portion!  It was accompanied by a really tasty sauce similar to ratatouille.

I decided to order a mixed fish pizza and went for a small as it was a little pricy and the soup had been filling.  I was sad to see that the pizza was very very small, and not too tasty!  Unfortunately an overkill with salt ruined the whole thing as well as a rather biscuit like base, and I didn’t even finish (practically unheard of for me!!).  However, perhaps this bad experience should not put you off as Rachael was very pleased with her choice of chicken with mushroom sauce, vegetables and potatoes (only complaint perhaps a little too rich), and James with his huge calzone!

The staff were lovely and a nice atmosphere – just don’t order the mixed fish pizza!