Tomate y Amor – Panama’s Comfortable Fine Dining
December 12, 2009 by Mike
Filed under Restaurants
When my friend Luis called to tell me that he and his wife were opening a new restaurant, I got excited. I know how committed his wife, Zena is to culinary excellence and how delicious her food is. Their location, on Calle Uruguay, across from Madame Chang’s is great. They’ve got valet parking and even a great club, ‘Urbano’ on the second floor. I got the chance to try their new restaurant Tomate y Amor. The name translates to Tomates and Love in English. It doesn’t translate perfectly… but those are two red, juicy things, aren’t they?
On their third floor, a new rooftop patio club called ‘Penthouse’ is under construction. It will be open this coming summer. (In Panama, summer is from January to April) Get ready for South Beach chic with private cigar boxes, a very upscale ambience and a few things that Panama has never seen before in a club. (I can’t tell you yet…)
Comfort food is the longest lasting trend in the food business and Tomate y Amor has brought it to Panama. People want more than a few sprigs of vegetable shavings and a dot of sauce with two bites of very pretty, but not filling food. At Tomate y Amor, you’ve got to try the thick and juicy rib eye burger, the sizzling steaks, handmade pastas or marinated, grilled ribs. All of the meats and paninis (grilled sandwiches) are cooked over a spiced, wood-fired grill.
When you walk in, the first thing you’ll notice is the large, glassed in kitchen and all of the beautiful art. The kitchen is set in a jungle theme and the white clad chefs move like a well oiled team. The restaurant is also an art gallery and is very tastefully appointed with an upscale, classy feel. I spent about the first twenty minutes enjoying succulent appetizers with good wine, reveling in watching my dinner get made and really enjoying the splendid art.
Imagine a night that starts with a sumptuous meal at Tomate y Amor, then heads upstairs to Urbano for some after dinner drinks and fun with your friends. Could it be any better?
Tomate y Amor is open for lunch from 12:00 – 2:30pm and for dinner from 6:30 – 10:30 Monday to Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, they’re open for lunch and dinner until 11. You can call the restaurant on 265-7256.
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