Cafe Pollinth in Volcan

Carnivorous orchids, sea horses and good Thai food

By David Dell.

Paul Votava has opened Volcan’s newest and most unusual restaurant. But then, Paul is not your average kind of guy. His background ranges from being a security guard for such heavy metal bands as the "Dead Kennedy’s" and "TSOL." to being a fully accomplished tattoo artist, not to mention his many years in the marine biology field.

Many restaurants abuse the term "dining experience" but at Café Pollinth, an experience is what you will get, along with a some superb-tasting Thai food.

Paul Votava, mine host and chef.

The entrance of Cafe Pollinth is dominated by a 10 foot high by 30 foot long, volcanic rock wall covered with orchids and carnivorous plants. Planned are two large aquariums to satisfy Paul’s love of things aquatic. When he was just seven years old he bought his first fish, a sea horse. His passion increased to such an extent that his parents finally gave in and bought a pet store.

His other great passion is tattooing. This is obvious because much of his body is covered in multi colored designs – many with a marine connection. He pointed to his first love, sea horses. He explained that when his pets died he had them re-created in tattoos on his arms.

Growing up in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, his time was split between working four days in a tropical fish exporting company and the remaining three days in a tattoo parlor.

Paul worked with the leading figures in the tattoo industry and regularly offered his body as a canvas for their works.

One of co-workers in his fish business was Thai, and soon the two of them got into cooking exotic lunches for the work crew.

Paul shows a carnivorous orchid.

When Paul and his Panamanian wife Olinka came to Volcan they immediately fell in love with the place. They run a different kind of food establishment – for one thing they don’t serve alcohol. No problem if you wanted to bring your own. Paul and Olinka want a family atmosphere, where besides good food you can have peace and tranquility. Paul has a black belt in "Tang Soo Do"(so don’t even think of running out without paying).

To try out the food I invited two friends to dine with me. We brought along a couple bottles of wine and sat down to a meal of freshly prepared lemon grass soup and then followed up with a main course of curried chicken. I don’t know what spices Paul uses, but wow, it makes a difference. Here is a restaurant where the food has flavor.

Before the meal, Paul took us on a tour of his botanical garden where over 100 carnivorous plants grow. He stunned me by naming each of the plants by its Latin name. He is building a pond and aviary, soon to be opened to school groups.

A full three-course meal will cost you about $12. But Paul has wisely incorporated a "tipico" menu with hamburger for $1, and a breakfast omelet with 3 eggs and cheese at just $1.50.

A different kind of restaurant with a very charismatic owner. Great ambience, excellent food, and a welcome addition to Volcan. Good food does take time, so please call in advance so he can prepare adequately.

Phone: 6594-8313.

The Londoner– a bloody good pub

Gerry Dowden, Jonathan Jones, Anayansi and Richard Vizor.

The newest attraction in Panama city´s “Zona Rosa” district of restaurants, clubs bars and discos is an authentic London pub called – The Londoner. It was crowded with both Panamanians and expats for its launch night and the British Ambassador, His Excellency, Richard Austen was, among those “downing a pint” to wish host Piers Edgar success in his venture.

Piers has created a totally authentic pub decor and ambiance –all except a cockney barmaid (they´re mostly Spanish, Polish or Jamaican now, in any case).

The Londoner serves great pub food –including imported bangers and baked beans and of course, fish and chips.

Lucho Martinez, Arleen Sucre, Lourdes Ábrego, Elisa de
Sucre, María Alejandra Melfi.