Such a fantastic video - so helpful to see actual bills and the way they set everything out. Interesting that El Sabrason has no tax on the bill. This was our favourite in your Boquete series. Can’t wait for the final one. 😀
Great informative video both on local restaurants and the rules of tipping in Panama. When we watched you had over 2 thousand subscribers, only 17 likes and 98 views!
Nice video, I did know much of it, but nice to have it reinforced or confirmed! I believe the pensionado discount equates to a tax discount for the restaurant so, in theory, they shouldn't lose out. Just hope the protests are ended before the flower festival in Boquete in January. We've been unaffected here, but it would be nice to be able to take a visiting friend somehow good outside Panama City!
Enjoyed the video, very thorough. What is the website that you found all of the restaurants listings? Like you, I don't use the discount at Fonda's, its been hard enough for restaurants to stay afloat.
Sorry...just seeing this today for some reason. The restaurants were all one off's. We don't know of any site with all the restaurants in one place. So we had to look one by one searching the names. Some have sites, most have facebook pages, or nothing.
@@laptopseniors Thanks for responding, I don't use FB & most restaurants post their menu there. I use Trip Advisor but that is not updated all the time. One thing that Panama doesn't allow is to post honest negative views on a business. So, when one sees 5-star review on Google, it doesn't mean the same as it does in other countries. Trip Advisor seems to skirt this issue, since it is an International company, since it has negative as well as the good reviews.
Nice video. You got a TU when you said basically “ don’t be a cheapskate” in the fondo’s. One correction if I may, the bill is called la Cuenta, pronounced la qwenta, (only two syllables) not coo- en ta. You come across as a down to earth kind of person also. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for watching and nice comments. La qwenta. I wonder if that's all spanish countries. Most of our spanish comes from Pimsleur tapes and they sound like the 'coo' thing, only faster. Although that's probably formal speech. Just like a person in Toronto. They pronounce that Trona. Good to know.
Just one small precision regarding the TIPS in Panama. 16 years ago, it used to be at the sole appreciation of the customer. You tipped when the service was good, and a 5% TIP used to be more than the waiter's hourly wage, so he was happy especially as long as it was in cash. Recently, more and more restaurants are trying to impose the US model which make the customers pay the restaurant's employees, by suggesting 10, 15, 20 and sometimes 25%. It is insane since there are also Panamanians living in Boquete. Whatever your choice is, pay the tips in cash directly to the waiter who did a great job.
@@laptopseniors You are very welcome. Just want to add that your video is very well done, probably on of the best on Boquete on UA-cam. Should have added that in my first response.
Did you tube delete the review site link? UA-cam even deleted my question asking about the website link. Hope this comment survives youtube scrutiny. 🤣
It was the site you mentioned at the 8:20 mark that starts with Villa. You stated that you put a link below. I figured out that what showed as Das after the Villa was actually the word dash. All good now. UA-cam definitely deletes comments with links. Has happened to me multiple times now.@@laptopseniors
Igopanama posted that fuel got through and that the National Police are going to break up any future road closures. Great news. The people should get their way on invalidating the contract. Then a new contract should keep the higher royalties but omit the new powers granted to First Quantum.
@@wdc1040 You're probably correct. Generally speaking, when you have most of the country weighing in on hating something iffy like this, the prudent thing to do is fix it and appease the voters.
Interesting. I wonder if that's a thing from where you learn Spanish. Like Quebec french being different than Paris french. We got most of our earlier pronounciations from the Pimsleur audio tapes. They're Spain-Spanish. On those it's clearly Coo.. en...tah. But, said really fast.
Hi there, the information you are providing about discount for pensionados and nationals of the right age is not fully accurate. Law No No. 6, states as follows (I translated it for you): - Discount of 25% of the value of individual food consumption in any restaurant, except those considered as inns (fondas), which do not require a commercial license to operate. - A 15% discount at fast food outlets with national and international franchises. So there is no restriction on how many dishes you, as an individual, ordered as long as it not a dish to be shared with someone else who (obviously) doesn't have the privilege granted by age and documentation (temporary, permanent permit or cedula). Alcoholic drinks are not granted as part of this benefit. So, when someone tells you that the discount is only valid on one entree, it is a good idea to have the law printed in your wallet to make them comply with it because restaurants for sure will attempt to have it their way and circumvent the law. Hope this helps to clarify the issue.
Thanks Monique for the specifics. We just find that it's not always cut and dried how it's handled depending on the restaurant you're at. Tough to argue when you're at a language disadvantage.
It seemed a bit odd to us but I read an article on the Panamonte Inn and it said the Chef had a Michelin star. Perhaps not at that particular restaurant? And Good Morning American did a whole feature, contest to visit, segment on a Restaurant/Hotel somewhere in the mountains above Boquete that was a Michelin....supposedly. Sorry if we're wrong. Info on the net is hard to know it's correct.
FODOR'S EXPERT REVIEWLa Brulerie $$$$ BOQUETE LATIN AMERICAN Led by Michelin star Chef Andrés Madrigal, this sophisticated restaurant at Finca Lerida is based on the “Kilómetro Cero” (Zero Kilometer) concept: Only local ingredients from nearby farms are used to create a menu of authentic Panamanian flavors
@@RuthBrown-tm2gt a chef winning a star at a restaurant does not make all of their restaurants Michelin star restaurants. Nor does having one one in the past and then opening a new restaurant
The country is locked down, peaceful protesters are being murdered on the streets, basic necessities are scarce or non-existent, and you guys decide to publish a video of fine dining in Boquete! How thoughtless of you!
Good point Charlie. Our videos are done ahead of time and scheduled on UA-cam sometimes weeks before you see them. We did the Boquete series in September before heading to Portugal. So the demonstrations never crossed our minds because of the timing difference. Even then, they were peaceful and will end at some point. But then the 2 deaths yesterday have changed a lot.
If you don't like a video's subject matter, don't watch it. The protests will soon end and Panamanians will be looking to recoup revenues lost during the protests. Why don't you ask the Boquete restaurant owners if they would like someone to promote their businesses? Better yet, find one single restaurant owner that states they did not want the video posted.
@@wdc1040 thanks for your support. Yes we believe giving the people the power to choose was the best answer. I get Charlie’s point though. Let’s not fuel another fire..😉
Pat, you guys did a fabulous job! This is getting to be a ex-pat video standard for others to aspire to! Thanks
Jerry! You’re too kind. Pat is a natural. I agree.😁
Such a fantastic video - so helpful to see actual bills and the way they set everything out. Interesting that El Sabrason has no tax on the bill. This was our favourite in your Boquete series. Can’t wait for the final one. 😀
Glad you enjoyed it, Jen! We packed a lot of info into it. we really appreciate your enthusiasm for our work.. 😊
Canada is where eating out is crazy expensive. Macdonalds combo starts at 12 bucks for 1
I join may others and say thank you for all this information. This is stuff you don't know about until you learn it the hard way. Way to go!
Thanks a lot Frank. We’re glad to help. it’s true, experience is the best teacher. your comment is so appreciated 😁
Thank you for this information. Big help.
Very informative and without sugar coating video. Love your videos. Hopefully someday when in Panama will bump into you both 😄
Thank you.
good information, thank you
Thanks Phil. We really appreciate your comment. 😁
Mucho gracias. Excellent explanation
De nada! Thanks so much for watching. We really appreciate your comment. 😁
Great informative video both on local restaurants and the rules of tipping in Panama. When we watched you had over 2 thousand subscribers, only 17 likes and 98 views!
Thanks. You might have watched just after we posted this up?
Nice video, I did know much of it, but nice to have it reinforced or confirmed! I believe the pensionado discount equates to a tax discount for the restaurant so, in theory, they shouldn't lose out. Just hope the protests are ended before the flower festival in Boquete in January. We've been unaffected here, but it would be nice to be able to take a visiting friend somehow good outside Panama City!
Yes, I think it does because they record your visa/cedula number(s) during the transaction.
Thank you for the gluten free
Enjoyed the video, very thorough. What is the website that you found all of the restaurants listings? Like you, I don't use the discount at Fonda's, its been hard enough for restaurants to stay afloat.
Sorry...just seeing this today for some reason. The restaurants were all one off's. We don't know of any site with all the restaurants in one place. So we had to look one by one searching the names. Some have sites, most have facebook pages, or nothing.
@@laptopseniors Thanks for responding, I don't use FB & most restaurants post their menu there. I use Trip Advisor but that is not updated all the time. One thing that Panama doesn't allow is to post honest negative views on a business. So, when one sees 5-star review on Google, it doesn't mean the same as it does in other countries. Trip Advisor seems to skirt this issue, since it is an International company, since it has negative as well as the good reviews.
Nice job as always…one quick comment…I don’t think they have Uber in Boquete. I think you have to take the taxis which are very convenient.
Nice video. You got a TU when you said basically “ don’t be a cheapskate” in the fondo’s. One correction if I may, the bill is called la Cuenta, pronounced la qwenta, (only two syllables) not coo- en ta. You come across as a down to earth kind of person also. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for watching and nice comments. La qwenta. I wonder if that's all spanish countries. Most of our spanish comes from Pimsleur tapes and they sound like the 'coo' thing, only faster. Although that's probably formal speech. Just like a person in Toronto. They pronounce that Trona. Good to know.
I believe Pimsleur uses Castillian Spanish. @@laptopseniors
Great informative video! Cuenta in Spanish has 2 syllables. Should be pronounced as - KWEHNtah
Just one small precision regarding the TIPS in Panama. 16 years ago, it used to be at the sole appreciation of the customer. You tipped when the service was good, and a 5% TIP used to be more than the waiter's hourly wage, so he was happy especially as long as it was in cash. Recently, more and more restaurants are trying to impose the US model which make the customers pay the restaurant's employees, by suggesting 10, 15, 20 and sometimes 25%. It is insane since there are also Panamanians living in Boquete. Whatever your choice is, pay the tips in cash directly to the waiter who did a great job.
Thanks for watching and sharing that background information. I think that’s a great suggestion paying the person directly in cash.
@@laptopseniors You are very welcome. Just want to add that your video is very well done, probably on of the best on Boquete on UA-cam. Should have added that in my first response.
Did you tube delete the review site link? UA-cam even deleted my question asking about the website link. Hope this comment survives youtube scrutiny. 🤣
Not sure what you mean? I don't think so but I've never seen a link for reviewing a site on here. Do you mean comments?
It was the site you mentioned at the 8:20 mark that starts with Villa. You stated that you put a link below. I figured out that what showed as Das after the Villa was actually the word dash. All good now. UA-cam definitely deletes comments with links. Has happened to me multiple times now.@@laptopseniors
Hope the restaurants survive the protest distribution problems.
Yes. Hope everything survives the protests.
Igopanama posted that fuel got through and that the National Police are going to break up any future road closures. Great news. The people should get their way on invalidating the contract. Then a new contract should keep the higher royalties but omit the new powers granted to First Quantum.
@@wdc1040 You're probably correct. Generally speaking, when you have most of the country weighing in on hating something iffy like this, the prudent thing to do is fix it and appease the voters.
The word ""Cuenta" does not have 3 syllables. It has 2 syllables. And is pronounced as KWEHN-tah.
Interesting. I wonder if that's a thing from where you learn Spanish. Like Quebec french being different than Paris french. We got most of our earlier pronounciations from the Pimsleur audio tapes. They're Spain-Spanish. On those it's clearly Coo.. en...tah. But, said really fast.
Pupusas ?
Hi there, the information you are providing about discount for pensionados and nationals of the right age is not fully accurate. Law No No. 6, states as follows (I translated it for you):
- Discount of 25% of the value of individual food consumption in any restaurant, except those considered as inns (fondas), which do not require a commercial license to operate.
- A 15% discount at fast food outlets with national and international franchises.
So there is no restriction on how many dishes you, as an individual, ordered as long as it not a dish to be shared with someone else who (obviously) doesn't have the privilege granted by age and documentation (temporary, permanent permit or cedula).
Alcoholic drinks are not granted as part of this benefit.
So, when someone tells you that the discount is only valid on one entree, it is a good idea to have the law printed in your wallet to make them comply with it because restaurants for sure will attempt to have it their way and circumvent the law.
Hope this helps to clarify the issue.
Thanks Monique for the specifics. We just find that it's not always cut and dried how it's handled depending on the restaurant you're at. Tough to argue when you're at a language disadvantage.
@@laptopseniors Also the age is 55 for female and 60 for males.
There are no Michelin star restaurants in Boquete, Panama. That is a major false claim.
It seemed a bit odd to us but I read an article on the Panamonte Inn and it said the Chef had a Michelin star. Perhaps not at that particular restaurant? And Good Morning American did a whole feature, contest to visit, segment on a Restaurant/Hotel somewhere in the mountains above Boquete that was a Michelin....supposedly. Sorry if we're wrong. Info on the net is hard to know it's correct.
FODOR'S EXPERT REVIEWLa Brulerie
$$$$ BOQUETE LATIN AMERICAN
Led by Michelin star Chef Andrés Madrigal, this sophisticated restaurant at Finca Lerida is based on the “Kilómetro Cero” (Zero Kilometer) concept: Only local ingredients from nearby farms are used to create a menu of authentic Panamanian flavors
@@RuthBrown-tm2gt a chef winning a star at a restaurant does not make all of their restaurants Michelin star restaurants. Nor does having one one in the past and then opening a new restaurant
@DVP3101 that wasn't my point. Showing where it came from. I would certainly eat at a Restaurant with a chef who had previously won a MS.
@DVP3101 so, we can never mention Marco Pierre White had 3 MIchelin stars.
People travel to his hotel and restaurant
The Rudloe.
Prices high 😮been Panama 3times not reasonable
No one eat fish there???
Lets hope Houthies will not target Panama Canal next after Red Sea, they are setting up with Venezuela to handle missiles and drones
This guy takes an hour to say what could be said in 15 minutes.
“Take advantage of you”? Men just dont ask for jubilado discount, period. You dont pay taxes here you shouldnt be entitle to it.
Too much talking, not enough menus with prices.
Yes lots of talk lol.
The country is locked down, peaceful protesters are being murdered on the streets, basic necessities are scarce or non-existent, and you guys decide to publish a video of fine dining in Boquete! How thoughtless of you!
Good point Charlie. Our videos are done ahead of time and scheduled on UA-cam sometimes weeks before you see them. We did the Boquete series in September before heading to Portugal. So the demonstrations never crossed our minds because of the timing difference. Even then, they were peaceful and will end at some point. But then the 2 deaths yesterday have changed a lot.
@@laptopseniors Thank you for the clarification.
If you don't like a video's subject matter, don't watch it. The protests will soon end and Panamanians will be looking to recoup revenues lost during the protests. Why don't you ask the Boquete restaurant owners if they would like someone to promote their businesses? Better yet, find one single restaurant owner that states they did not want the video posted.
Thanks. @@wdc1040
@@wdc1040 thanks for your support. Yes we believe giving the people the power to choose was the best answer. I get Charlie’s point though. Let’s not fuel another fire..😉