Historic, Charming, Bohemian Heartbeat of Panama City-- Las Clementinas in Casco Viejo

The Casco Viejo is the old heart of Panama City and is now a UNESCO Heritage Site.  Set on a peninsula that juts from the shoreline, the Casco is a fashionable bohemian enclave with charming French Colonial streets and absurd views of "modern day" Panama City across the bay.  The Casco fell into massive disrepair and neglect and over the last ten years has been undergoing an incredible revitalization and restoration.  Every other building is being renovated and transformed from paint peeling, crumbling facades to historically reverent boutique hotels, restaurants, boutiques and bars.

Las Clementinas opened it's doors just last year after a three year renovation.  The building was built in the 1930s and retains its historic charm.  Each room-- there are only six-- is an apartment with a living room, bedroom and kitchen.  Most rooms have balconies as well.  We felt we were living in "Midnight in Paris" or "Moulin Rouge," with the sheer curtains fluttering out to our balcony, strains of Latin Jazz creeping in the open door, and the utterly romantic and exciting energy of a place on the verge.  Which sounds contradictory and maybe that's why it is so captivating- historical reverence and romaticism is effortlessly fused with the charge of possibility here.  Perhaps that is why "The Bachelor" chose to shoot an episode here this season (the triple date with Ben, Blakely and Amanda ends over dinner at Las Clementinas!).

Which leads me to the restaurant.  Chef Javier Lamarca is a humble and cool genius.  Young and hip, he has an impressive resume including stints at the best restaurant in Barcelona which had three Michelin stars (!!) and a turn at the Dorchester in London.  Originally from Colombia (Panama's neighbor to the South), his cuisine reflects his love and understanding of this part of the world with the infusion of his international training and experience.  We were utterly blown away by each and every dish that came out-- from the Seafood Sampler appetizer that is sauteed not fried, to Prawns in lemon grass butter served with watercress salad, to Seabass with shitake mushrooms, coconut and ginger, followed by a Chocolate cake that was white, milk and dark chocolate layered upon a Heath Bar/graham cracker sort of crust!  Heaven.

With yoga now being offered on the rooftop terrace, I am ready to move into Las Clementinas!!  Will they have me?

Keep up with us on Facebook!  Like us here. xoxox