40 Alfred Place in Kingsdown is certainly turning out to be the home of some very interesting pop ups! I’m looking forward to November 4th, when the lovely Carla will be hosting the first instalment of “La Panameña” – a new supper club/pop up that promises to introduce Bristol to some authentic dishes from Panama.
Carla – who’s recently moved back to Bristol from London – has a Panamenian mother and an Italian father. “Most of our family time happened around the dinner table both in Panama and when we eventually moved to Italy when I was 10, as both my parents worked very long hours so meals were the one time we’d get to catch up”, she says. “I didn’t actually cook until I was 21 apart from Kraft Dinners (yes, really)!”
Things have changed since then, and Carla’s time in London included hosting The Secret Gardens supper club along with her half-Cuban housemate, who will be assisting on November 4th. Says Carla, “We specialised in Latin American food then, as well as participating in a few Underground Markets selling homemade hot sauce made with my family’s secret recipe (which, incidentally, will also be on the table at 40 Alfred Place)”
I’ve never, to my knowledge, tried Panamenian food before, but Carla’s menu sounds amazing. The lunchtime event (1pm for a 1.30pm start) costs £20 per head, and will feature the following dishes:
– 1 welcome alcoholic (or soft if anyone insists!) drink
Warming Welcome
– Chicha de piña y Ron Abuelo
– Tazita de Guacho (rice, beans and pork soup)
Starter
– Ceviche de pescado blanco
– Patacones (fried green plantain)
Main Course
– Homemade beef Tasajo in tomato and coconut sauce
– Arroz con guandu (rice and peas from our Caribbean side!)
– Platano en tentación (baked sweet plantain)
– Tamal de olla (chicken and corn casserole)
Dessert
– Tres Leches cake with dulce de leche dip or
– Tris de frutas Latinas (papaya soup, pineapple confit and mango ceviche)
Unfortunately vegetarian diners cannot be catered for, but those following a gluten free diet will have no problems here – simply advise when booking via lapanamenauk@gmail.com.
November 4th is also Dia de La Bandera (Day of the Flag), so expect communal tables, Latin American music and some fantastic food to celebrate the occasion!
For more information, have a look at La Panameña’s Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter.
Find La Panameña on the Bristol Bites Directory…