Panama Restaurant Bringing New to the Old
(thepanamareport.com) Panama's emerging old district of Casco Viejo has a new haunt to flaunt in the ever-evolving dining and nightlife scene that once seemed so far away. Indigo Restaurant and Lounge, a themed restaurant directly beside the tourism police station, is setting entertainment standards in ways Casco has never seen before.
Everyone in Panama is aware that the capital's historic district of Casco Viejo is on the rise, but with the addition of several new nightlife establishments, progress seems to be moving faster than expected.
Once the thriving cultural center of Panama City, Casco Viejo or Casco Antiguo saw a downturn over the second half of last century due to, among other factors, urban sprawl. The neighborhood's stunning architecture and buzzing culture deteriorated to such an extent that Panamanians and foreigners alike dared not visit its dangerous cobblestone streets. But with the influx of restoration of late has also come the arrival of new, trendy bars and restaurants targeting Panama City's young, hip, and elite.
One prime example of this new trend is the Morrocan-themed Indigo Restaurant and Lounge, located on Avenida Central, between Calle 2 and Calle 3. This fusion joint has been luring hungry diners now for around three months, offering a seductive Moroccan atmosphere made of cushy chairs, large pillows, and dim romantic lighting (all imported): all with a chic and untailored look. Indigo's front offers a sultry red bar area and it's back an outdoor patio reaching into the famous Arco Chato church.
The Menu at Indigo varies, ranging from small tapas-style dishes to full entrees, the former of which seem to be the biggest hit seeing as though the social ambiance encourages casual dining and sharing of food. The food is impressive drawing from a number of cuisines and culture: like the falafal and the spanakopita which are worth several orders. Drinks are fired out by a talented bar staff, throwing new Indigo touches on old-time favorites like the mojito, caparina, and martini. Indigo also uses fresh fruits and vegetables from local markets in stunning ways, such as the passion fruit ceviche of lenguado served from a hollowed-out maracuya shell.
The wait staff too is something new not only to Casco Viejo, but to Panama: a team of sharp, quick-footed, and bilingual youngsters who are well versed in the art of fine dining and prompt service. Whether they remember your personal drink or anticipate your last plate of olives, such intimate details appear to not go unnoticed by the hordes of guests that are flocking to Indigo as repeat customers, Monday through Saturday for yet another taste of the action. The crowd is a mix of addicted locals who reserve tables days if not weeks in advance, and lucky tourists who stumble in on Casco's new nightlife gem oftentimes by accident. It's a scene, once inside, not unlike you'd find in LA, with a live DJ, open air patios, and a cedar swing not for the motion impaired.
One downside to Indigo's impressive arrival, and moreover a downside to Casco Viejo in general, is parking which can be difficult on the tiny side streets and narrow alleyways. However, accepting the help of a local to find the perfect spot can be well worth the dollar tip he requests.
The owners of Indigo, several young Panamanians with extensive hotel management experience appear to add a new and enthusiastic energy to this community on the rise. "It's an absolute honor to be part of something special like this (the emergence of Casco Viejo)," says part-owner Katherine Croston, formally of Panama's glamorous Bristol Hotel. "To be able to share food and memories in such a historic place like Casco Viejo, is to be a part of history."
The coming of Indigo Restaurant and Bar to Casco Viejo is a step on the district's way to stardom: a neighborhood that's for so long laid below the investment and travel radar, now re-emerging again amongst the nation's savvy trend-setters. Indigo Restaurant and Bar is a sign of the rounding out of Casco Viejo's nightlife scene which, up until only a few years ago was labeled as distressed and defunct. Along with a breezy outdoor Brazillian café called Buzios, the always-popular prefix Manolo Caracol, and various other nook spots dotted around Casco Viejo's various plazas and ocean-front streets, Indigo Restaurant and Bar is a pioneer establishment in a neighborhood that will someday look back and remember its first businesses with only a twinkle in its eye.
