NEW YORK BAGEL CAFE in Panama: Bite into a fresh bagel any time of day.

NEW YORK CITY BAGEL: Blueberry, cheese, poppyseed, wholegrain, or plain jane, which do you want with your salmon and cream cheese? The first time I had the New York Bagel Cafe´s lox and cream cheese I was so thrilled just to have found a place in Panama that knew how to make bagels and served them up with salmon! I went back again and again for the same lunch. Pure comfort food and sure to satisfy any big appetite.

I bought bags of bagels to take home and freeze, soon we had bagels every day… and then I stepped on the scales 🙂 Oops, Danger Zone!

Now, I enjoy one of Jon´s fresh bagels whenever I go to the Cafe for lunch or breakfast! My favorite these days are the blueberry bagels, because blueberry anything is almost impossible to find in Panama. They are almost sweet but not, perfect for a sandwich or as a treat with cream cheese; the dough is brimming with blueberries and the berry flavor runs through and through.

The minute you walk into the Cafe the sultry aroma of fresh baked bagels surrounds you and if you aren´t already hungry, you will be. New York Bagel Cafe has a full list of Bagel Sandwiches served with chips and pickles. Bagels sandwiches from $3.95 – $6.35; Salads from $4.25; Giant Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Cookies, $.75, Espresso $.60, Cappuccino $1.50.

When the caffeine overdose is sending you into the atmosphere, they have a yummy, thirst quenching Italian Soda made from your choice of Italian Flavored Syrup $1.75.

Regulars hang out every day using it as their office because they have a free WIFI signal! It is a great place to meet new people, and check out the large bulletin board for interesting flyers and business cards. On any given day you will see groups at tables in business meetings or just enjoying a delicious steaming coffee and bagel. Coffee refills are free; House Coffee $1.50.

jon@newyorkbagelcafe.com (website coming soon, Jon promised)

Located just up the street from Via Argentina. Coming up from Via Espana, turn right at Taco Loco (across from Greenhouse Restaurant) and New York City Bagel is a few buildings up the hill on the right, across from the statue of Albert Einstein´s head; technically Einstein Plaza, Calle F.

Hours of operation are from:
Mon – Fri, 7am-8pm
Sat. 8am-8pm
Sun 8am-3pm

Phone number: 390-6051

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PANAMA CITY HIGHLIGHTS, DOLCE CAFE: Coffee Eh? Homeade Delights with a Canadian Touch

DOLCE CAFE is located as you go up Via Argentina in Panama City from Via Espana on the right side. The café is the creation of Angel Bakx, an honest to goodness pastry chef from Canada. Not too many of those around these areas eh? (I have to let my Canadian background hang out somewhere!) Dolce is a delightful little cafe, decorated with a cosy, relaxed ambiance; a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Via Argentina and Panama City.

Savor and linger with sweet and sensational homeade delights such as Butter Tarts, Flourless Chocolate Cake (meaning it is mostly luscious chocolate!), Lemon Pie, Strudel, Muffins, Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies.

Notice I have started with the sweet stuff first, now you know where my soft spot is. So before the dessert you can order homeade soup, chili, quiche, bratwurst and sauerkraut, chicken wings, salads…. and more. If you are craving an American style breakfast, in the mornings you can order up 2 eggs and bacon.

Angel´s food is created from scratch, and with a lot of love I´d say. That is a rarity nowadays. She even offers old-fashioned Root Beer Floats and Brownie Parfaits.

I tested Angel´s butter tarts and cherry crumble. Absolutely buttery-delicious made with real brown sugar. Mouth watering and rich. Reminded me of eating special treats in my grandmother´s kitchen, Nanny baked cookies and sweets almost every day. Everything she made too was from scratch.

Prices are reasonable: Coffee $1.50, Breakfast $3.50, Cookies and Butter Tarts $1.00 ea, Cakes $3.00 piece, Soup $3.25 bowl, Bratwurst on a Bun with Sauerkraut $5.00.

Chef Angel smiled and told me “a lot of my pastries are made when the mood strikes the chef”, that can be translated to: menu varies from day to day.

Angel has an English book-exchange library where you can bring on your novels and trade for new ones. She will soon have a mailing list to let her fans know about special events. Drop in for tea (or coffee), she always greets her guests.

Dolce Cafe, Via Argentina before Taco Loco. 8 am to 8 pm, Mon to Sat, Sun 8 am to 4 pm. Tel: 264-1216 angiebakx@yahoo.com

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