After living here for 3 years I finally decided to visit the La Posada restaurant. It's supposed to be the best restaurant in Boquete. My visit was last Wednesday, Jan. 17. When I walked in there was no one around. Shortly an employee walked by and I asked if they were open and was told 'Yes, go to the back room'. In the back dining room no one greeted me and I noticed that one of two tables occupied was a family with 2 children who were running around making noise. The parents did nothing to restrain them which is the normal Latino inconsideration for others around them. So I headed for a small table at the opposite end. After I seated myself a waiter(?) brought me a menu. There was no table cloth on the tables or cloth napkins. Only a plastic container that dispensed flimsies. The windows were open admitting a pleasently cool breeze and unfortunately flies and other bugs as well as there were no screens on the windows. Wanting something I hadn't had for a while and not steak I ordered the garlic shrimp with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables (brocoli, califlower and carrots). The server never brought any water or bread and butter. When my meal arrived the veggies had been substituted with a salad without asking me. No choice of dressing. There was no salt and pepper on the table. The garlic sauce was very good, but the shrimp were as tough as well done local beef. My guess is that they were taken directly from the freezer and put in a microwave to be thawed out. Then added to the sauce. The mashed potatoes were of the powdered instant kind. There was no follow-up service from the waiter. After I was finished, leaving half of the leather-like shrimp on the plate, I made my way to one of two check counters which were unmanned. I got the waiter to give me my check and was directed to the bar to pay. At the cashier's post all the lights were turned off and I had to go out to the porch to see where to sign my card slip. The bill was in excess of $21. For that amount I could have gotten 6 lunches at the Central Restaurant at the park. My next visit to La Posada will be...NEVER! As a footnote, on my walk back to town I passed 2 restaurants, close by, which were full of guests. Seems that everyone but me got the message. If you choose to visit the La Posada I sincerely hope your dining experience is more enjoyable. But don't order the shrimp.
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Who said La Posada has the best food in Boquete? Have you tried a few of the others? It has fairly good pizza (that's all I've had there). I just went to Chop Sticks for the first time. The lunch was delicious and inexpensive. Cashew chicken and egg drop soup were very tasty. The fried rice could use some work.
I love the "ramshackle Barqueta spot." THE best fried fish in a casual, outdoor setting.. Anyone who eats at the hotel is a fool with this located right next door. I believe it's open only on weekends, no?
My wife and I have been invited 2.1/2 years ago and will visit it never again. We are friends of Arturo, the owner of restaurant Baru. Good food.
I have sworn never to go back to Baru again. High prices, marginal food and the absolutely worst service in all of Boquete. Haven't been back in 4 years and don't miss it.
Ditto that. We went to Baru last week for the first time in several years. As in the past, it was almost impossible to get a server to come to our table on arrival or departure. Worse yet, the food was not very good.
Most of the restaurants in town have greatly improved their service in the past few years. Baru and Posada didn't get the memo on how to make customers happy.
I love Arturo, but the prices at Baru have gone up dramatically in the last year or so. It will prosper, however, as its location is ideal for tourists that are on foot.
I quit going to La Posada a long time ago, which is too bad because they have excellent pizza. Their prices have doubled, and their service and food have gone south. They are popular with Panamanians, however.
I'm surprised that you made it here for 3 years!!!
Sorry for my snarky reply but I was annoyed with your blanket statement: "... which is the normal Latino inconsideration for others around them."
They don't make their own tomato sauce as I witnessed their employee purchasing numerous cans of large tomato sauce at Pricesmart. I didn't find their pizza to be anything special to brag about. Of course my judgement may be clouded as I was raised on New York Pizza.