Back on Dec 9 2012 I wrote a short piece about five new restaurants that opened in Boquete.  Three out of five are gone within four months, Los Faroles, Fuzion Grill and El Sazon de la Abuela, pictured below.

The other two Porotos and Cafe and Cacao are still open and hope they have better luck than those who closed.  I have still not eaten at Porotos but I have enjoyed excellent coffee at Cafe and Cacao.

The Bistro closed and has reopened with a new chef, again, and at least three more restaurants have opened recently, One Eyed Franks, a German restaurant in San Francisco Plaza and Georges Grill in Palo Alto. I wish all of them success. I have only tried Frank’s and really enjoy eating there, hopefully I will get to the others.

I do have point in this post, the point is that many people move to Boquete and try to fulfill their dreams by turning a hobby into a business, many try restaurants, most fail. I believe the two that failed were owned by local residents. I have seen so many people come, try and fail that I feel obliged to express a word of caution to people who come here and assume they can create a dream and succeed. The restaurant business is very difficult and just because you can cook does not mean you can run a business, equally just because you can run a business does not mean you can run a successful restaurant.

If you are coming here with plans to turn a culinary hobby into a business please do your homework before leaping on the carousel.

I stopped reviewing restaurants some time ago but when I find someplace worth recommending I do say something. I want to get up on my roof and shout about One Eyed Franks. I am writing about it a second time because I want people to make the trip to Palmira and keep Frank busy.

I have been there three times and left smiling each time, that is more than I can write about most restaurants in Boquete. I have taken different people there each time I have gone so between us we have had six different dishes there and each time I am more impressed. All those who have gone with me were also pleased that’s a 6/6 rating.

It is a restaurant, so food is first, the food is simply fantastic. Good New York style Italian food, copious quantities of quality food. Each time I have been there Frank has been there, he does not hover at the table unless asked to, but he asks the right question, how is everything. The service is good, the food great and the prices reasonable.

This is not an elegant tuxedoed affair but a very Italian joint from the Bronx lacking the red checkered table cloths. Dining is both inside and out, the beer is cold, the food is hot. There is no need to argue about a jubilado discount the menu has both prices right on it.

I have the menu below, but check the white board for the specials, they make the trip worthwhile. The map below is courtesy of the Car Dealer who keeps his cars in the shade, thank you Keith.

Map One to Eyed Franks[/caption]

I had a photo of the baked Ziti also, but I think I ate it. Click on any photo so see it larger.

If you receive this in email I think the mouth watering photos require a trip to the web site.

Map One to Eyed Franks

Sausage & Spaghetti

When we left for Argentina I anticipated great beef, great beer and great pizza. I explained to Mayra that despite any rumors she may have heard Buenos Aires Argentina is more Italian than Spanish. Dan, Deborah, Mayra and I ate pizza at least twice in Buenos Aires and once in Mendoza; it was not my memory of great.

This Pizza was the best we ate in Buenos Aires at a little place called Ameilias near Recoleta Cemetery. Like all the pizza we had in Argentina it lacked red sauce, used loads of fresh things that looked and tasted like vegetables and had olives placed in strategic places. Perhaps it is my Brooklyn heritage for the only thing they had in common with my perception of pizza was they were disks of bread and there was cheese melted on them.

The pizza above eaten in a starving moment on a Sunday in Mendoza Argentina. As we discovered in Mendoza on a Sunday nothing was open. no stores, few restaurants, not even a pharmacy for antacids. This was really an open face ham and cheese melt served by a scowling gentleman who made me feel both young and cordial.

Last night I finally found the pizza I wanted and it was a lot closer than Argentina. Perhaps it is in my genes but New York pizza is what I crave. That faux pizza from Italy or Argentina lacks the pizzaz of my childhood.

One Eyed Frank has opened in Palmira and Frank has a chef and from all reports great food. We went for the pizza and neither Mayra, who loathes pizza, nor I were disappointed. Mayra actually ate a slice, that says a lot. I am savoring the remains of the pizza for breakfast, an old fraternity addiction.

Frank’s is open every day except Tuesday from 12:00 until 8 P.M. 6 Nights a Week (everyday except Tuesday).

Here is a map courtesy of Keith Woolford. It is worth the drive but beware at night the road is curvy and has lots of people walking all time of day and night.

Saturday was a great way to slide back into the Boquete saddle. While we were scouring South America in search of the perfect meals Amigos regained it’s ability to play music. Amigos also decided to let the community know about their new chef. Yossette Blades, better known as the voice of the B3 band. Yosette is also a CIA (Culinary Institute of America) trained chef and has taken over the kitchen at Amigos.

Chef Yosette Blades

Yesterday Amigos filled the house, inside and out for a tasting of some new dished, some wines and some excellent music. Caesar Sherrard assembled a group with Adam Reach, a bass guitarist and a Sax player from Cuba. They were excellent and balanced the food and drink with rhythm.

The food was a big hit and major improvement, the big surprise to me was Yosette found a source of good beef, the rib eye was tender and juicy. After returning from Argentina I was hoping to discover a place with good beef, I will need to return and order an entire steak.

Good luck to Amigos and good times to all those present.