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Casablanca Casco opened its doors in 2005 on the Bolivar Plaza. Once upon a time, Casco Viejo was not the touristic area that we see now. It was a neighborhood that was abandoned, full with gangs and squatters. In 1997, UNESCO declared Casco Viejo and Panama Viejo World Heritage Sites who would share the designation. This put pressure on the government to get the area cleaned up. So they passed an incentive bill to get people to invest in Panama City’s old quarter.
However, investing in this area was a real risk since people were scared of going and for good reason. Bolivar Plaza and the area towards Las Bovedas was restored first. We used to go partying there when I was in high school around 2001 and 2002. There were two bars: Blu and 844. The pioneer restaurants of that time were Las Bovedas, Casablanca Casco, Manolo Caracol and Ego and Narciso. Of those, just Casablanca Casco remains open.
Bolivar Plaza Casco Viejo
This plaza, just like Plaza Herrera, did not exist during the Spanish colonial times. One of the fires in Casco Viejo, in 1756, burned down buildings that were in the area creating an open space which changed its name to Bolivar Plaza after Simon Bolivar the “liberator” of Latin America in 1883. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Chancellery of Panama, called the Bolivar Palace, is also in this plaza.
Once the happening spot in Casco Viejo with bars and restaurants, this plaza now is quite quiet. Plaza Herrera took over that role, but there is still one restaurant that is located on the plaza which is CasaBlanca Casco. Sit on one of the tables on the plaza to enjoy live music that is usually played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sometimes there also have live DJs, dancers and magicians.
This plaza is lovely with the statue in the middle. There are plenty of tables on the paved area with big umbrellas for shade or rain. Diners at Casablanca Casco can also sit inside with air conditioning in a spacious area that also has a bar.
Casablanca Casco is located on the ground floor of Hotel Colombia. Which was one of the best hotels in Panama City when it opened in 1937. This building was one of the first ones to be restored in the 1990s. It was converted into luxury apartments, some are vacation rentals in Casco Viejo, with a rooftop pool.
Casablanca Casco Menu
This restaurant in Casco Viejo opens from Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. It is located on 4th street east on the Bolivar Plaza. They offer free valet parking for diners, since it is quite difficult to park in this area. It is possible to do reservations, but they are really not necessary.
Brunch is done daily from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some of our recommendations would be the poached egg Benedict with bacon, ropa vieja, salmon or lobster which are served over a corn arepa. Other menu options include avocado toast, pancakes, French toast, different egg presentations, sandwiches, fruit and yogurt.
Casablanca Casco is always adding new options to their menu. Some of the new options include salmon tartar, feta cheese salad, octopus croquettes, American prime ribeye, chicken roulette, shrimp with guacho, and tarragon lobster. They have some new desert options as well including creme brûlée and Basque cake.
Entrees with Panamanian flare you can get on your own or to share include kampachi (Amberjack) ceviche with passion fruit and uchuva, tuna tiradito, patacon (fried green plantain) with steak and guacamole, patacones with seafood, raviolis with chorizo from Las Tablas, chicharron and garlic clams.
There are plenty of main dishes to choose from including the Casablanca burger, BBQ ribs, filet mignon, stir-fried loin, chicken stroganoff, catch of the day, grilled salmon, seafood casserole, red snapper, and grilled octopus. The menu also has some pasta and rice options such as linguine a la Myriam with shrimp, clams and mushrooms; mushroom risotto, mediterranean gnocchi or gnocchi with oxtail.
Cocktails and Drinks
Casablanca Casco offers a full bar. Many people go to Casco Viejo for drinks. The nice thing about going for drinks to a restaurant is that you can snack if you get hungry. Try one of their signature cocktails like “Mojito Yeye” which has Carta Vieja rum, triple sec, lemon, mint and Mionetto Prosecco or “Flower of Passion” with vodka, peach liquor, passion fruit syrup and a splash of ginger ale. There are also mocktail options for those who don’t drink liquor. “Dragon fruit” has pitaya, lemon, mandarin, orange, pineapple and melon. Another option to try is the “Terron de Caña” which has black tea infused with sugar cane, lemon, mandarin and orange.
Licor menu at this restaurant also includes local and international beers, local and international rum, tequila and mezcales, gin, vodka, whiskies and bourbons, champagne and wine. Imported waters and different types of coffee preparations can also be ordered.
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