The Dining Room At American Trade Hotel

Went for breakfast a few days ago, and lunch a few days before that.  This review covers both. I must admit that I’m surprised at the low reviews.  That’s not to say it deserves more, but for once I see reviews that actually portray a restaurant as needing some improvement The room is comfortable, large, and bright, with comfortable space between the tables.  The food both visits was good, but could have been much better.  Chefs, take note:  Seasoning ingredients with salt and pepper is a common prep task commonly used to season and enhance flavors.  You may want to consider it.  The food would have gotten a full additional star from me had there been any hint of seasoning.  The octopus salad was memorable for the lovely texture and interesting side salad, and also for its $18 price for 2 small pieces of tentacle.  The burger would have been excellent had it been seasoned.  My omelet at breakfast was nicely cooked, but unfortunately completely unseasoned, as was the side hojaldre.  My wife’s bacon & eggs were OK, but a place called The American Trade Hotel should know what over easy eggs are.  And the $5 or $6 glass of “freshly squeezed grapefruit juice” ($5 in the menu, $6 on my bill) was obviously diluted with at least 25% water.  The waiter was indifferent to my comments about seasoning, diluted grapefruit juice, and in general.  All that said, I’d go back for the good quality ingredients and nice looking room.  Hopefully they work out the kinks and become a solid 4* restaurant.

Lugar muy bonito. Comida buena recomiendo hamburguesa, ensalada de pollo. Hay menú de niños. Servicio es bueno pero me parece que si ponen que es brunch domingos ( desayuno y almuerzo buffet) y no a la carta.

Fuimos un viernes por la noche y es uno de los mejores restaurantes que he probado en Panamá. Toda la comida estuvo deliciosa, el puerco adobado sobre patacones un éxito, los patties de coliflor, el atún perfectamente sellado y un filete término medio como debe ser, rojito y delicioso. La yuca frita, perfecta, crujiente afuera y un puré por dentro. Y la muestra de chocolates, está fuera de este mundo, AON!!! El servicio espectacular y sin queja, puros meseros panameños, que demuestran que cuando queremos, podemos. No es barato, pero la comida lo merece. Vale la pena. Y el edificio y el ambiente, espectacular.

I decided to give this restaurant another chance, even though I have not read many good things about it lately. This time I went for lunch and ordered a mozzarella salad and a classic hamburger with a side order of sauteed mustard greens with garlic. The sound came out you're the only 4 little chunks of mozzarella cheese, along with very little eggplant, peppers, and the topping of arugula leaves. The presentation was very impressive and appealing. My biggest disappointment was in the hamburger. Again the presentation was very nice but the quality of bread that was used was very sub standard. A place that charges $14 for a classic hamburger should at least serve their burger with an artisanal bun as many places here in Panama do an at much lower prices. The burger itself was a basic classic hamburger. Nothing that separates it or makes it at all special or memorable. The sauteed mustard greens again was very basic. In my son's words this restaurant should just "hold the fancy".

Por lo variante de las reseñas, me queda pensar que todo depende del día que vayas a este restaurante y el chef que este en la cocina! He almorzado y cenando en el American Trade tres veces y cada una ha sido mejor que la anterior. De entrada, los cakes de coliflor están espectaculares, igual que los patacones con carne de cerdo. De plato fuerte la hamburguesa de atún es verdaderamente buena, igual que el atún sellado y las carnes. De postre probé un pie de limón servido en un vaso que estaba muy rico. La selección de vinos es pequeña pero tiene un poco de todo. Definitivamente regresare.