December 12, 2010: Panama

On sun black nosotros met amongst Mike together with Jo, took together with lost a run a hazard at Huxtable's non-reserved tables, together with continued on to Panama. Three floors to a higher house Smith St, it's a surprisingly large venue amongst bars, puddle tables, high tables together with couches every bit good every bit a to a greater extent than conventional dining section. Glorious arched wall-to-ceiling windows funnel lite to close every corner, though when the lite goes downwards I've heard the music become upward together with felt the vibe instruct clubby.

The carte offers a decent suite of vegetarian options - iii out of viii starters, 2 out of viii mains together with seemingly all half dozen sides - though a vegan mightiness convey to negotiate amongst staff (the chickpea chip starter together with lentil salad primary mightiness check the bill). With starters at to the lowest degree $10 each together with mains exceeding $20, nosotros were hoping for something good.

And our starter was good! Michael together with I shared ane of their specials - zucchini flowers stuffed amongst gorgonzola together with served on a bed of greens together with grapes ( $12). The textures were fresh together with varied together with the sweet/bitter/creamy/pungent flavours were lovely, though a flake unbalanced. Too much gorgonzola, Jo commented, together with nosotros agreed.

For his main, Michael ordered the warm salad of lentils, freekeh together with crunchy sprouts amongst sauteed throttle vegetables ($22.50). With the exception of the orangish pumpkin smear beneath the veges it was bland, dry out together with disappointing.

I fared improve amongst the ravioli of artichoke, spud together with 2 cheeses amongst creamed watercress ($24). This was definitely not dry out - the sauce was close a thick soup! There was enough of springtime flavor together with a pleasing residual of rich cheese together with filling spud against the lighter watercress together with hints of lemon.

It seems that I was lucky to a greater extent than than Michael was unlucky - Mike together with Jo were distinctly unimpressed yesteryear their to a greater extent than meaty meals. It's a lovely setting that offers a few lovely dishes, but we'll last reluctant to fork out for such inconsistency again.

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Panama has also been blogged at the indolent cook, I Eat Therefore I Am together with Janee's Blog.

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Panama
Level 3, 231 Smith St, Fitzroy
9417 7663
fully licensed
veg entrees $10-14, veg primary $22.50
http://thepanama.com.au/