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Mixing a discussion of food and higher education in Panama might not be stomach settling to everyone. From what little I have seen of private University education here, I am not impressed. Still, Friday night was a long awaited event, graduation from UDI in David for Mayra’s youngest daughter and we went along with Mayra’s Parents and Johana.

Karina, Mayra and grandparents

Karina has a degree in Maritime business, she and fourteen peers in her graduating class. She is lucky, she has a job for the Port of Pedregal, she is now one of four inspectors of boats there. Her peers, I suspect they will either need to relocate to the Capital or flip burgers because she is the only one who has gotten a career path job.

To celebrate I thought McDonalds was appropriate, but I was overruled, and we made our second trip to Cuatro in David. I had planned a full review of Cuatro when I was told they would be opening in Boquete. They did have a sign up at new building, the sign is gone and so are their plans to open in Boquete. Still, since we have eaten there twice I do want to write  about them.

Name: Restaurante Cuatro

Our first visit was August 20th. Cuatro was recommended by Don, Becky and Joe Kimm, when they recommend I listen. We went for dinner with Mayra, Katrina and my daughter, Paige as she was leaving town. This time on Friday Sept 9 at about 8:30pm with eight people.

The first time I was appropriately amazed to find service, food and quality better than anyplace else in David. The second time I was also impressed. Cuatro the best I have found for the total dining experience in David.

Location: In David, Dolegita area, on the street that runs from the east side of Super Baru before it intersects at the Delta Station before Romeros. Look to your left if coming from Boquete.

Hours:

Short Description of the food: The best description is to call Cuatro a fusion of local ingredients into a uniquely different cuisine; something very refreshing.

Ambiance: Intimate, the restaurant is divided into several areas for dining. We were a room away from the owners of Ciudad David Hotel, also enjoying dinner and I could not hear a word of their conversations. I find it very a comfortable place for a meal with conversation.

Price: The menu is posted below but overall prices are in the $12- $14 range for beautifully prepared and presented culinary art. Appetizers are about $5

Bacon wrapped Trout stuffed with lobster $10.00

Red Snapper in a shrimp sauce $12.50

Plantain crusted corvina, on a bed of mashed Otoe $12.50

Coffee rubbed beef tenderloin over a pure of squash $13

I found this one dish disappointing because I read the menu in Spanish and expected coffee rubbed filite similar to Las Ruinas. I was service tenderloin, which was there, in English, not filite.

The food speaks for itself and without exception everyone enjoyed their meals, me too. Despite not being filite the tenderoin was excellent.

Bathrooms: New, clean and complete 5/5

Kitchen Cleanliness: beautiful and viable if you wish to see, very clean.

Kitchen

Service: On the first trip the service was five star, a waiter hovering filling water glasses as soon as they were touched. The second trip found the ratio of staff to clients down and service still excellent but not equal. They were very crowded and that needs to be taken into consideration.

Jubilado Discount: On the first trip I did not ask, I the second I asked for three discounts, myself and Mayra’s parents. The waiter asked for identification and I said it was clear Mayra’s parents were jubilados and offered my id. He said without proof they would not provide the discount. I waived the discount, I understand their position.

Summary: Cuarto is without no exception the best restaurant I have eaten at in David. It has the best food, the best atmosphere and best service. I will return and I would recommend it to anyone visiting David. I do not know if the have a different menu for lunch.

Menu: