Restaurant Menu
Esencias Panameñas Restaurant & Catering, unlike a typical Latin cuisine with a Caribbean flair restaurant, will provide a unique combination of authentic Panamanian food at value pricing with a fun and entertaining atmosphere. Chef Yadira is a native from Panama and she pays tribute to her place of birth through traditional dishes made with staple food products, such as corn, coconut, culantro (not cilantro) and rice.
Saturdays
Sábados de Fritanga
Saturdays all day
12 noon - 11PM
Brunch
Served
Sundays from
12 noon to 3PM
Lunch
Served
Monday thru Friday
11:30AM - 3PM
Dinner
Served
Sunday 3PM
thru Friday 11PM
Happy Hour
Served Wednesday
thru Friday
4PM to 7PM
Drinks
Served All Day
Wednesday 11:30AM
thru Monday 9PM
Sábados de Fritanga (Saturdays Guilty Pleasure)
Served Saturdays All Day (12 noon to 3PM)
Saturday Menu
Pa' Picá (para 2 personas)
- tortillas, queso blanco, carimañolas, patacones, yuca frita, empanadas de maíz, chicarrón de pollo, carne frita
Esencias Panameñas sampler platter for 2
- ground corn fritters, white cheese, yuca balls, twice fried green plantains, fried yuca, ground corn patties, fried chicken wingettes, fried beef.
- ground corn fritters, white cheese, yuca balls, twice fried green plantains, fried yuca, ground corn patties, fried chicken wingettes, fried beef.
$25
Pa' Picá Vegetariano (para 2 personas)
- tortillas, queso blanco, carimañolas, patacones, yuca frita, empanadas de maíz, carne vegetariana* V
Esencias Panameñas vegetarian sampler platter for 2
– ground corn fritters, white cheese, yuca balls, twice fried green plantains, fried yuca, ground corn patties, hickory BBQ riblets
$25
– ground corn fritters, white cheese, yuca balls, twice fried green plantains, fried yuca, ground corn patties, hickory BBQ riblets
$25
Hojaldres - Fried dough* (2) V
Con queso (with cheese)
Con salchicha guisada (with sauté sausage)
Con bistec pica’o (with beef strips in gravy)
$5
Con salchicha guisada (with sauté sausage)
$7
Con bistec pica’o (with beef strips in gravy)
$8
Tortilla - corn fritters* (2) V
Con salchicha guisada (with sauté sausage)
Con bistec pica’o (with beef strips in gravy)
$8
Con bistec pica’o (with beef strips in gravy)
$9
Empanada de Maíz
- fresh ground corn patties
Beef or Turkey (2)
Vegetarian* (2) V
Beef or Turkey (2)
$6
Vegetarian* (2) V
$7
Chicarrón de pollo
– deep fried chicken wingettes
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$6
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$9
Salchicha guisada
– sauté sausage
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$5
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$7
Bistec pica’o
– with beef strips in gravy
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries) OR arroz blanco (white rice)
$7
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries) OR arroz blanco (white rice)
$9
Carne (de res) frita con patacones en palito
Fried beef in tangy sauce with twice fried green plantain on a skewer (2)
$10
Sopa de Pata
Cow’s heel soup with yuca, white yam, carrots, smoke turkey
Cup
Bowl
Cup
$6
Bowl
$9
Deditos de Corvina (de Panamá) frito
- Panama imported Corvina fish, fried
Con yuca frita (with yucca fries)
Con yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$10
Bacalao sancochado
Stewed cod fish with tomatoes, sautéed onions and sweet pepper served with white rice OR twice fried green plantain
$12
Pargo enterod frito
- Whole snapper fried
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
Con arroz con guandu y coco (with rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk)
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain) OR yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$16
Con arroz con guandu y coco (with rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk)
$18
Pargo entero a la escabeche
– Whole snapper (mild or spicy) in escobeche sauce
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain)/ yuca frita (with yucca fries)
Con arroz con guandu y coco (with rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk)
Con patacones (with twice fried green plantain)/ yuca frita (with yucca fries)
$17
Con arroz con guandu y coco (with rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk)
$19
Postres (Desserts)
Dulce de Ron Abuelo
Panamanian Ron Abuelo rum cake
$
5
Helado Casero – grape nut, ron con pasa, mango, guanabana
Esencias Panameñas’ homemade ice cream – grape nut, rum raisin, mango, soursop
$
6
Cocadas
Caramelized shredded coconut in pasty shell (3)
A la mode
$6
A la mode
$8
Flan
Caramel custard
$
4
Brunch Menu
Served Monday thru Friday
Brunch
Hojaldres
fried dough* (2) V
Tortillas
corn fritters with white cheese* (2) V
Empanada de harina
– flour patties
Beef or Turkey (2)
Vegetarian* (2) V
Beef or Turkey (2)
Vegetarian* (2) V
Carimañolas
– ground yucca balls stuffed
Beef or Turkey (2)
Vegetarian* (2) V
Beef or Turkey (2)
Vegetarian* (2) V
Sopa del dia
soup of the day (cup)
Ensalada Mixta
small house salad V
Yuca Frita
Fried Yucca* (8) V
Alitas de pollo
deep fried chicken wingettes
Deditos de pescado
fish fingers
Bistec pica’o
beef strips in gravy
Ceviche de pescado
fish ceviche cooked in lime juice S
Torrejitas de bacalao
codfish cakes
Chik’n Nuggets
Meatless & soy-free Chik’n Nuggets* V
Patacones
Twice fried green plantain* (4) V
Plátano frito
Fried sweet plantains* (4) V
Yogurt con frutas
Yogurt parfait with seasonal fruits
Beverages
Secosa
Signature Mimosa with Mandarin, Champagne, and Seco Herrerano rum
Sodas
Fanta Orange, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Diet 7-Up
Té Durán (de Panamá)
Panama imported Black tea (hot)
Café Durán (de Panamá)
Panama imported Coffee
Jugos – Naranja o Arándano
Juices – Orange or Cranberry
Almuerzo (Lunch Menu) - All Gluten Free
Served Monday thru Friday – 11:30AM to 3:00PM
Aperitivos (Appetizers)
Carimañolas
Fresh ground yuca balls stuffed. Tamarind dipping sauce
Beef or Turkey (3)
Vegetarian* (3) V
Beef or Turkey (3)
$7
Vegetarian* (3) V
$8
Patacones rellenos de Ceviche
Twice fried green plantain stuffed. Panama imported Corvina fish ceviche cooked in lime juice (3) S
$
10
Torrejitas de bacalao – con o sin picante
Codfish cakes – spicy or mild (3)
$
8
Tamal de Hoja
Fresh ground corn stuffed with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots, wrapped in banana leaves
Chicken
Vegetarian** V
Chicken
$8
Vegetarian** V
$9
Sopas y Ensaladas (Soups & Salads)
Ensalada de Toldo
Panamanian potato salad with beets V
$
7
Ensalada Mixta
Mixed salad with house dressing V
$6
$6
Sopa del Día
Soup of the day
Cup
Bowl
Cup
$5
Bowl
$8
Almuerzo (Lunch)
Arroz con Pollo
Saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots, fried sweet plantains and side salad
$
12
Pollo a la criolla
– muslo y encuentro solamente
Roasted dark meat (only) chicken quarter in Espagnole sauce with olives & capers, over a bed of white rice, fried sweet plantains and side salad
Roasted dark meat (only) chicken quarter in Espagnole sauce with olives & capers, over a bed of white rice, fried sweet plantains and side salad
$
11
Chicharrón de pollo con patacones
Deep fried chicken wingettes with twice fried green plantain
$
9
Deditos de Corvina (de Panamá) con yuca frita
Fish and chips – Panama imported Corvina fish served with yuca fries
$
10
Rabo de Buey
Oxtail with onions, peppers, and tomato chutney, over a bed of white rice, fried sweet plantains and micro greens
$
12
Almuerzo Vegetariano**
Beefless strips in sweet & tangy sauce, over a bed of white rice, fried sweet plantains and side salad V
$
12
Acompañantes (Sides)
Arroz blanco
White rice V
$
4
Arroz con guandú y coco
Rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk V
$
6
Arroz con pollo
Saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots
$
8
Plátano frito
Fried sweet plantains (10) V
$
5
Patacones
Twice fried green plantains (8) V
$
6
Yuca frita
Fried yuca V
$
6
Yuca al mojo
Boiled yuca in a citrusy sauce with sautéed onions, garlic and parsley V
$
7
Col Verde
Sautéed Kale V
$
6
Postres (Desserts)
Dulce de Ron Abuelo
Panamanian Ron Abuelo rum cake
$
5
Helado Casero – grape nut, ron con pasa, mango, guanabana
Esencias Panameñas’ homemade ice cream – grape nut, rum raisin, mango, soursop
$
6
Cocadas
Caramelized shredded coconut in pasty shell (3)
A la mode
$6
A la mode
$8
Flan
Caramel custard
$
4
Dinner Menu
Served Sundays 3:00PM thru Fridays 11:00PM
Aperitivos (Appetizers)
Carimañolas
Fresh ground yuca balls stuffed. Tamarind dipping sauce
Beef or Turkey (3)
Vegetarian* (3) V
Beef or Turkey (3)
$7
Vegetarian* (3) V
$8
Patacones rellenos de Ceviche
Twice fried green plantain stuffed. Panama imported Corvina fish ceviche cooked in lime juice* (3) S
$
10
Torrejitas de bacalao – con o sin picante
Codfish cakes – spicy or mild (3)
$
8
Tamal de Hoja
Fresh ground corn stuffed with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots, wrapped in banana leaves
Chicken
Vegetarian** V
Chicken
$8
Vegetarian** V
$9
Sopas y Ensaladas (Soups & Salads)
Ensalada de Toldo
Panamanian potato salad with beets V
$
7
Ensalada Mixta
Mixed salad with house dressing V
$6
$6
Sopa del Día
Soup of the day
Cup
Bowl
Cup
$5
Bowl
$8
Postres (Desserts)
Dulce de Ron Abuelo
Panamanian Ron Abuelo rum cake
$
5
Helado Casero – grape nut, ron con pasa, mango, guanabana
Esencias Panameñas’ homemade ice cream – grape nut, rum raisin, mango, soursop
$
6
Cocadas
Caramelized shredded coconut in
pasty shell (3)
A la mode
pasty shell (3)
$6
A la mode
$8
Platos Fuertes (Dinner Entrées) - All Gluten Free
Plato Tipico
Esencias Panameñas signature dish – saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots, potato salad with beets, ground corn chicken tamal, fried sweet plantains and house salad
$
25
Arroz con Pollo
Saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots, potato salad with beets, fried sweet plantains, and house salad
$
19
Pollo a la Criolla
Roasted chicken quarter in Espagnole sauce with olives & capers, over a bed of coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantain and house salad
$
17
Pargo entero frito
- Whole snapper fried
Served with twice fried green plantains OR yuca fries, and house salad
Served with coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantain and house salad
Served with twice fried green plantains OR yuca fries, and house salad
$18
Served with coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantain and house salad
$20
Pargo entero a la escabeche*** – con o sin picante
Whole snapper (mild or spicy) in escobeche sauce over a bed of coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantain and house salad
$
22
Filete de Corvina (de Panamá) al Ajillo
Panama imported Corvina fish filet in garlic and butter sauce over a bed of sautéed kale, served with boiled yuca in a citrusy onions, garlic and parsley sauce
$
19
Bistec Picado
Sirloin beef strips with garlic, onions, peppers, in a tomato sauce, over a bed of white rice, fried sweet plantains and house salad
With coconut pigeon peas and rice
$17
With coconut pigeon peas and rice
$19
Rabo de Buey
Oxtail with onions, peppers, and tomato chutney, over a bed of coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantains, and house salad
$
18
Bistec Vegetariano**
Beefless strips with onions and peppers, in a sweet & tangy sauce, over a bed of coconut pigeon peas and rice, fried sweet plantains and house salad V
$
18
Acompañantes (Sides)
Arroz blanco
White rice V
$
4
Arroz con guandú y coco
Rice and pigeon peas cooked in coconut milk V
$
6
Arroz con pollo
Saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots
$
8
Plátano frito
Fried sweet plantains (10) V
$
5
Patacones
Twice fried green plantains (8) V
$
6
Yuca frita
Fried yuca V
$
6
Yuca al mojo
Boiled yuca in a citrusy sauce with sautéed onions, garlic and parsley V
$
7
Col Verde
Sautéed Kale V
$
6
Happy Hour
Served Wednesday thru Friday 4:00PM to 7:00PM
Pa' Picá (Bar Food) – Bar Only – $5 Each
Carimañolas
Fresh ground yuca balls stuffed. Tamarind dipping sauce Beef, Turkey, Vegetarian (2)
Empanadas
Fried (flour) empanadas Beef, Chicken (2)
Carne frita y patacones en palito
Beef and twice fried green plantain on a skewer (1)
Chicharrón de pollo
Deep fried chicken wingettes. Choice of Plain, Tangy BBQ or Culantro Habanero dipping sauce (6)
Patacones
Twice fried green plantains (6)
Yuca frita
Fried yucca
Happy Hour Drinks – Bar Only
Beer
Bud Light, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Corona, Heineken,
$
3
House Wine
White Zinfandel or Red Blend
$
4
Sangría
glass
$
4
Regular Mojito
$
5
Regular Margarita
$
5
Beverages
Served Everyday!
Chichas, Sodas y Batidos (Juices, Sodas and Shakes)
Chicheme frío
Hominy corn, condense milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk, cold drink
$
5
Agua de Pipa
100% Pure Coconut water
$
6
Chicha de raspadura con naranja y limón
Orange drink with cane sugar
$
7
Chicha de tamarindo
Tamarind drink
$
7
Chicha de guanábana
Soursop drink
$
7
Saril con jengibre
Hibiscus flower infused with fresh ginger
$
7
Batidos – guanábana, papaya
Shakes – Soursop, Papaya (Seasonal)
$
8
Sodas
Fanta Orange, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Diet 7-Up
$
3
Té Durán (de Panamá)
Panama imported Black tea (hot)
$
2
Café Durán (de Panamá)
Panama imported Coffee
$
3
Café Durán (de Panamá) Bombón
Panama imported Coffee with condense milk
$
4
Cervezas (Beer)
Domestic Beers
Bud Light, Sam Adams, Miller Lite, Budwiser
$
5
Imported Beers
Corona Extra, Heineken, Modelo, Stella
$
6
Vinos (Wine)
Moscato
White Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$6
bottle
$27
White Zinfandel
White Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$6
bottle
$27
Riesling
White Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$6
bottle
$27
Alamos, Argentina, Red Blend
Red Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$7
bottle
$28
Alamos, Argentina, Malbec
Red Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$7
bottle
$28
Alamos, Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine
glass
bottle
glass
$7
bottle
$28
Cocteles a lo Panameño y Martinis (Signature Cocktails & Martinis)
Chichita Panameña
Our signature Cocktail with Ron Abuelo, Red Grapefruit, Pineapple, Raspadura simple syrup, Mango rum, Grenadine
$
10
Lord Panama
Ron Abuelo, Ice Tea, sirope de goma (gum syrup)
$
8
Playa Blanca
Seco Herrerano, Maracuya (Passion Fruit)
$
8
Secosa
Signature Mimosa with Seco Herrerano, Mandarin, Champagne
$
9
Seco Lemonade
Seco Herrerano, fresh squeezed lemonade, Blue Curacao
$
8
Coco Seco
Seco Herrerano, Agua de Pipa (Coconut water)
$
8
Sangría Panameña
Our Signature Sangria with Hibiscus flower, Ginger Wine, Orange, Apple, Mango
glass
pitcher
glass
$9
pitcher
$36
$
8
Mentirita
Ron Abuelo, Pepsi
$
8
Seco con Vaca
Seco Herrerano and fresh milk
$
8
Esencias Panameña Mojito
Seco Herrerano (Panama White Rum), lime juice, raspadura simple syrup, mint, soda water
$
9
Mojito de Saril
Hibiscus Flower Mojito
$
10
Mojito Añejo
Ron Abuelo, Tonic water, lime juice, raspadura simple syrup, mint
$
10
Panatini
Our Signature Martini
$
10
Martini de Saril
Hibiscus flower martini
$
9
Martini de Jengibre
Ginger Martini
$
9
Panama Viejo
Ron Abuelo, Raspadura con naranja y limon (Orange & lime juices with brown sugar)
$
9
Me Rindo
Seco Herrerano, Chicha de Tamarindo, lime juice
$
8
Vereda Tropical
Seco Herrerano, Mango juice, Agua de Pipa (Coconut water)
$
8
* veggie (i.e., empanadas, carimañolas): soy crumbles
** veggie (i.e., tamal and vegetarian lunch/entrée): soy protein and wheat gluten
**** whole snapper escobeche: takes 25 minutes to prepare
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, and/or seafood may increase your risk of food-borne illness
Please notify your waiter/waitress of any food allergies
Owner/Executive Chef: Yadira Stamp
18% service charge will be added to parties of 6 or more.