A Panamonte Birthday Dinner

Turning another year older usually isn’t a big deal, but this year was special.  We live in Boquete and we were home today, October 13, David’s birthday, which was unusual.   Usually, we’re off to some faraway place exploring the world in October.  It’s a good time to travel, the rates are low because most travelers are back home working or back in school and the weather is fairly mild everywhere.

But this year, we were home in Boquete and David selected The Panamonte Inn for his birthday dinner.  I grabbed my camera to record our intimate evening at the most acclaimed restaurant in Boquete.  This month, The Panamonte Inn’s Executive Chef Charlie Collins had a front-page article in The Bajareque Times about him, his achievements and his new business ventures in Boquete and David wanted his birthday dinner to be one of Charlie’s specialties.

The scene in front of the fire was as beautiful as any we have seen anywhere in the world. The fire was roaring, the candles flickered and the flames sparkled everywhere.  The photo in front of the fireplace showcases their house red wine, Trivento Vineyards 2007 Shiraz – Malbec, Argentina, a wine that “brings together two of the most noble grape varieties, the shiraz lends great structure and spicy aromas, while the traditional malbec gives its intense color and fruitiness”, to quote the label on the bottle.

The birthday boy preferred his favorite rum, Ron Zacapa Centenario, and Boquete’s #1 bartender, Nelson, poured one over the rocks for David.

We have always loved Charlie’s gourmet cooking, especially his signature trout fillet with guilded butter and almonds over locally-grown spinach, so we ordered it with mashed potatoes.

For an appetizer, nothing is better than his fresh carpaccio of filet mignon with limes, onions, mustard sauce, wasabi and fresh-grated parmesan cheese.

To think that we were at home in Boquete for David’ birthday this year and eating real comfort food in one of the finest restaurants in all the world.

It’s a beautiful life here in Boquete, even when you turn another year older!
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