The best of Spanish food

Cafe Balear is now Can Masoliver

The restaurant which has become something of an institution.

Chef Pedro Masoliver, from Catalunya, is well known in Panama. In 1992 he opened Cafe Balear on Calle Colombia, just up the street from Parque Urracá and it was an inmediate success. But Cafe Balear is no more. Chef Masoliver decided that since his restaurant had become something of an institution in the city, the time had come to change the name to Can Masoliver. "Can" means house in Catalan.

Can Masoliver is the same charming place, with its friendly atmosphere and excellent cuisine. This restaurant offers traditional and modern Spanish food, with a few fusion dishes which combine Panamanian, Oriental and Mediterranean ingredients at reasonable prices. Among the specialties of the house are the roast lamb, suckling pig and paellas, which reflect the different varieties that exist in Spain. The restaurant has been a meeting place for those who appreciate good food.

Chef Pedro Mansoliver with guests.

Can Masoliver has an impressive range of wines, in which the Spanish Pinot Noir stands out. It is a red wine with a fruity aroma made at the Abbey of Poble, which guarantees its quality and flavor.

During the year, the restaurant has special events such as "gastronomic weeks". They are dedicated to different regions of Spain, with many different kinds of paellas and bacalao (cod) prepared in many traditional dishes.

If you would like to celebrate a special event, Can Masoliver rents rooms which will accommodate from 8 to 75 people. It also has a terrace with a capacity for 70 people.

The restaurant opens from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and is located in Calle Colombia No 17 near the Urracá Park. For reservations call: 269-2415.

Akwadup Lodge

Visitor’s to San Blas offered new Eco-resort

By Howard Walker

The beauty and attractions of the San Blas islands are becoming better known. Now, more and more visitors are beginning to enjoy these pleasures and rewards first hand. The newly opened Akwadup Lodge and resort on a coral island in the heartland of Kuna Yala, provides guest accommodation built by Kuna builders in traditional style but with modern conveniences.

This Caribbean island setting offers swimming, snorkeling, fishing, volleyball, or simply reading a good book in a shaded hammock under the palms. In a guided tour to a neighboring island village, guests can watch brightly dressed Kuna women making their world famous molas. Tours also include visits to the historic cemetery, and entry into the rain forest to admire the flora and fauna.

A cayuco sails past the cabins.

The seven cabanas of Akwadup Lodge are built over the sparkling Caribbean sea, linked to the dock and mainland by short, wood plank walks. Solar panels provide the lighting source; there is ceramic tiling in bathrooms and showers, mosquito netting and ceiling fans.

The cabins have a sitting area with balcony plus hammock. Two double beds are standard.

The gifts of the ocean will find their way onto the dining table in the large restaurant with bar. When in season, fresh lobster, fish, and crab are specialties. Chicken and meat dishes can be prepared. The restaurant provides views framed by the coconut palms across the ocean to the verdant, mountainous rainforest on the near horizon. After dinner there will be frequent presentations of traditional dancing by Kuna dance teams from the islands. Guests are invited to learn some of the steps.

Some of the staff pose on the cabin balcony.

One of the Kuna owners of the lodge, Mariela De La Ossa, was born on the island of Achutupu. Her family also own Dolphin Island Lodge 15 minutes away by canoe.

To get to San Blas take a flight from the Marcos Gelabert Airport in Albrook to the landing strip at Achutupu or Mamitupu (depending on the airline and date). From there the journey to the coral island of Akwadup is about 15 minute by lodge´s motorized launch. Information /Reservations:
Email: info@uaguinega.com Tel: 263-7780, 263-1550, 263-1349.

The green coastline is across the lagoon.