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tables on Plaza Bolívar offer extra ambiance. Graze on quality
ceviche,
octopus toasts
with balsamic reduction and tender kebabs.
Manolo Caracol
PANAMANIAN $$$
$$$
( 228-4640; Av Central near Calle 3 Oeste; tasting menu US$36; noon-3pm & 7-10:30pm
Mon-Fri, 7-11pm Sat)
Manolo's immerses you in tropical tastes, rescuing what's native, toy-
ing with flavors, paring them down and surprising you. Tiny courses pair opposite fla-
vors and textures, such as beef tongue sprinkled with sea salt, fire-roasted lobster
drizzled in olive oil and tart mango salad with crunchy greens. Not every dish sings, but
the fun is adventuring through them.
Drinks are extra, but there is a fine selection of wine to splurge on. An open kitchen al-
lows you to watch the cooks dodging flames, a lively backdrop to the warm, colonial
style with bold art and heaped bowls of fruit.
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
El Cangrejo & Bella Vista
New York Bagel Café
CAFE $
(Plaza Cabeza de Einstein near Vía Argentina; mains US$3-9; 7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat,
8am-3pm Sun; )
More San Francisco than Brooklyn, this fully American creation
nonetheless packs in expats with freshly baked bagels, lox and oversized breakfasts.
They also serve handsome burgers. The setting offers jazz, soft sofas and your assort-
ment of laptop geeks.
Sabores de la India
INDIAN $
(Calle 51; mains US$3-10; )
With Bollywood on the telly and staff and cooks from the
continent, this unassuming spot is a fast track to your spicy food fix. Vegetarian options
are plenty (with tofu), there's also a succulent chicken tikka, garlic naan and spicy daal
with requisite fixings. Big appetites should check out the US$10 lunch buffet.
Shalom Bakery
KOREAN, BAKERY $
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