Esencias Panamenas

I love this place! Clean, up beat atmosphere. Yadira cooks with passion and takes pride in all her dishes. She is extremely down to earth and seeks to ensure her guests have an enjoyable experience! I enjoy coming here because there are many options, and all but 2 items are gluten free which is such an added bonus! I have tried the full red snapper, patacones, carimañoles, tortillas, and the soursop juice all of which were delicious. Highly recommended!

Excellent staff service for our private celebration with twenty guests. Authentic menu choices, Panama decorations, tasty ceviche appetizers, great presentation on meals, (fried fish was a bit dry). Rum cake desert was a tastefully decorated. Tamarind, sorrel and other beverages were delicious. Upstairs room was 80°F when we arrived; requested a/c to no avail. Locked thermostat was never adjusted; therefore, two hours later, it was 85°F when we left. Our requests for cooler air fell on deaf ears.

Enjoyed enough to repeat visits... ...This restaurant is a must on every dinner night rotation! The food is authentic and the service outstanding. The sorrel was PERFECTLY balanced...not too anything! The tamarind sauce for the carimañolas was the perfect accompaniment. I had never tasted cow-foot soup...I am so glad I took the chef up on her suggestion! My goodness, I am speechless. The flavor and consistency are memorable. If I had the storage for it, I would order a vat of it to save me the trips from VA into D.C.. The owner and her staff are definitely personable. The restaurant is clean and nicely decorated. I enjoyed looking at the keepsakes of Panamá on display. All in all, the food and atmosphere are worth the visit and return visits. As a Panamanian living in the DMV, it fills my heart with all things good to know that my foods are represented in the area! Choosing to support Chef Yadira at Esencias Panamenas Restaurant & Catering is a no-brainer because the choices and flavors are worth it!