Recommendations for Panama?

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone have food insights or recommendations for Panama...not FL...the country? (Panama City, David, Boquete and Bocas del Toro, specifically.)

Panama is next up on my travel "hit list" here are a couple of links I've found. Be sure to wade through the Escape Artist website, loads of Panama info.
http://www.escapeartist.com/Isla_Solarte/Isla_Solarte.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/panamaforum/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g294479-i1193-Panama.html

Thanks! We visited Panama (Bocas) two years ago and fell in love with it. We're going back to Al Natural, a small eco-resort run by three Belgian guys, on Old Bastamientos. A fabulous, secluded, non-touristy spot.

I'm more looking for restaurant recommendations, or local flavors to try. We weren't blown away by any of the food we ate the last time (except that prepared by our Belgian cheesemonger chef!!), and I wanted to find out if we're missing anything.

If you need any recs on where to go/stay, I HIGHLY recommend Bocas, and Al Natural is about the best you can ask for if you need to step out of the rat race.

I lived for 5 years in Panama City, but that was back in the 60's so it may not seem I have any current info. But please listen to my story. There is an old pizzeria, Pizzeria Napoli, off the Via Espana. It was here I first tried and began my obsession with Neapolitan-style pizza. I hear from friends that it is still as good as it was 40 years ago. Perhaps this style of pizza is not your cup of tea, but you might want to give it a try. IIRC, a single pizza in 1968 was $1. With shrimp on it (really good shrimp) it was $1.25.

Bill/SFNM

That's exactly the kind of tip I'm looking for. Will definitely try to hunt this one down.

One place that stands out in my memory is in Bocas town -- an Indian restaurant called Om Cafe. Not sure if it is still open but we had a great meal there. As I recall they had very good naan and good vegetarian options.
As far as non-food related recommendations, I would suggest a bar called Barco Hundido aka The Wreck Deck. As a matter of full disclosure, it is owned by my husband's cousin, but I think I would still love it even if it weren't. It is right on the water in Bocas town. The drinks are cheap, the music is good, and it is an interesting mix of locals and backpacker-type tourists. The last time we were there they were serving decent Carribean-type bar food, but I'm not sure if that is still the case.
Have a great trip. I wish I were going!

Small world. I think I met your cousin (Vincent?) the last time we were there...he knows the guys who run Al Natural. We had a blast at the Wreck. And the woman who owns the Indian restaurant (her name is Sunanda) is married to the cook from Al Natural.

I had to go there for business a few years ago and had a couple of great meals at an upscale seafood place called Siete Mares, on Guatemala street.

crrush- Vincent is close, the cousin's name is Benson. Sounds like you are pretty familiar with Bocas! I thought of some other restaurants in town - El Refugio for good seafood and I think Buena Vista is another good bar/restaurant that had great pizza and wings. Since everyone is on "bocas time" service can be a little slow, okay very slow, but as you probably have found it is easiest just to let it go...
Also you may have already been to Bocas del Drago and therefore have probably been to this restaurant but I have a faint memory of really enjoying my meal at the beach shack type place, which was one of the only restaurants there if I recall.

Ooops. Yeah. Vincent is the chef at Al Natural. Benson...quite a character, too. Do you know if he opened the backpacker's tent refuge on Old Bastamientos?

We never made it to Bocas del Drago, but we have a few extra days this time so I'll be sure to check out the shack there. Thanks!

Oh, and Bocas time is my kind of time...I'm always amazed when I see tourists getting all aggro and impatient, like they're itching to cram in all of the "relaxation" possible on a vacation.

Yes, Ben is quite a character. A real "ideas man." He hasn't opened up a backpacker's refuge but they have invested in some more land and have all kinds of plans for development in Bocas and elsewhere. Its always interesting to hear what is going on.
You will probably be amazed at all the development that has gone on since you were last there - I know I was when we went for the second time, even though less than two years had passed. In our case I remember seeing a lot more restaurants plus a gourmet grocery store, more hotels, and talk of a golf course (boo). Sounds like the guys at Al Natural are doing it right though.
I'm not sure when you are going, but please post again and let us know how your trip was!