Located on the third floor, it was definitely more of a struggle walking up the steel staircase to the third floor. I suppose if there was anything to complain about this restaurant, that would be it. It wouldn’t help much too if many chose to drink the night away and end up struggling down the staircase at the end of the night. Just imagining! I didn’t have problems with that *winks*

The ambience was great especially on a Sunday night where there weren’t many people. Well, there were occasional patrons coming in to use the pool table, ping-pong table and bar and a few other tables, just right to have the entire place kind of specially booked out for the thirteen of us this time around. The setting was somewhat in between, classy for those who want to dress up but otherwise it seems pretty casual too. Just by looking at the steel chair itself, definitely not the classiest type, in fact, they have probably been lifted off the recycled furniture stores, but I suppose there is just something about the lighting that makes it all so classy at night with the wine glasses, napkins and cutlery properly prepared on the tables.

We had booked a table for twelve initially and had an extra person come in. We told the waitress to help us find an extra table to accommodate us all and they had fitted us onto a very tiny long table suitable for no more than ten persons. I refrained myself from “giving her the look” while muttering behind my teeth “Seriously, so we have to get out of the restaurant now because it seems like the restaurant is pretty empty but you can’t fit us all in? Or, are you just abit too lazy to help us set up?” I muttered but didn’t actually say that. Instead, I asked her boldly, “Could you please suggest to us an alternative? How about this high table? (points to table) Is it really reserved?”

I know a table is not really reserved because at the Italian restaurant I used to work at, we always have a “reserved” sign on in case two persons want to occupy the large 8-seater table. It does make sense! Plus, it makes the restaurant look “busy” and “wanted” too.

We finally moved. I couldn’t really put a smile on the waitress’s face but I did thank her for helping us out. Eeeks. I guess this is her first large group.

Now, let’s move on to the food. We had four serves of bread (one serve in photo below) between the thirteen of us, and it was pretty good although the butter didn’t last very long for me.

Bread!

Tip: Eat more if you do not intend to order entree or desserts afterwards!

Pan fried garfish, broad beans, baby artichokes and almond milk $29.00

Wagyu rump, braised wagyu rib, nicola potato, black cabbage $33.50

This was what I selected. I couldn’t be happier as my meat was made to perfection, the way I wanted it exactly!

Rare roast venison leg steak, chestnut spaetzle, red cabbage and spiced crumbs $30.00

This was a little too sweet at the bottom.

Roasted pork scotch and confit belly, cabbage, parsnip puree and roast apples $31.00

My friends said this tastes like chinese siu-yook, I guess it must be a good thing?

Roasted Glenloth chicken breast, bacon-wrapped leg and herbed dumplings $30.00

Overall food experience was not bad, although I was a little confused by the overall experience of fine-dining or casual. You see, the menu had very few items on it (we’ve ordered almost all items on the Main section) except for the gnocchi and ravioli which is I presume, not worth the price, hence nobody ordered those pasta dishes. So I thought with the lack of items on a menu, it must be somewhat fine-dining. Then, they took one hour to prepare the food so I figured, it must definitely be fine-dining! Fine-dining or not, you decipher. Price-wise and portion? Yes, definitely fine-dining (for me that is!). Service? They delivered, although not really fine-dining quality.

Let’s call The Panama a casual fine-dining experience.

Kim, Liz, Ange, Andrew

Daniel & Christyn

Daniel Ding, Anton and Warren.

Anton and Agnes

Agnes and I

The birthday girl Liz blows her candles.

More photos!

My tums are filled and I love my ankle boots.