Manolo Caracol

Manolo, the Spanish chef, professes "cooking with love," and his adventurous and creative daily menu embraces fresh, in-season products he finds every morning in the local market. There's no ordering here: Customers pay $15 (£7.50) for lunch and $20 (£10) for dinner (not including drinks), and sit back and wait for a vibrantly composed parade of up to 12 courses to be slowly ushered to their table. A day's offering might include sole carpaccio, green mango ceviche, pork loin with pineapple, and gingery prawns. Meals range from delicious to mediocre depending on the menu and who's cooking, and service can be regular to shabby, accounting for the mixed reviews among customers. However, Manolo Caracol's modern, fixed-menu concept and the fact that it's been around for a while in Casco Viejo, where restaurants open and close with frequency, is a testament to its popularity among Panamanians and tourists alike. The dining area is within an antique colonial building, and is casual and warm, with wood tables, white stucco walls, and plenty of religious artifacts and local art.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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