Panache is a European restaurant on the 20th of November, a slight right turn just after the McDonald’s on the way into downtown Cabo San Lucas. Brenda, the owner has done an amazing job at creating a restaurant with great food, excellent service, and a nice atmosphere. Our friend Tanya’s daughter, Leah was visiting from Nova Scotia and wanted to go someplace special for dinner.

We arrived at the restaurant, which has complimentary valet parking at the front door and were led to a table near the bar in the main dining area. The main dining room has two amazing trees as well as some European art. There is also a second dining area where groups can have special events. Our server brought us the two-sided menu that offers a combination of French and Italian dishes. This is in part because Brenda’s husband is from Geneva, influencing the food that has been added to the menu. There are great appetizers, pastas, fish, chicken, steak, and pork choices – each with a European flair. Another thing to know before you order is that all of the portions are very large. In fact, there is enough that two people can have a four-course meal, sharing each course.

We had a nice choice of appetizers for our meals – the deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, and Caesar salad with some chicken added. Each of these dishes had enough for each of us to sample the great flavors. The ultimate choice for the main courses ended up being much more limited – Tanya, Leah and Beth all ordered the Steak Frites. A delicious sliced steak with French fries accompanied by both Peppercorn and Pistachio sauces. The meat was cooked to the exact temperature requested by each of the three ladies. I decided on the beef carpaccio – a huge plate with beef, capers, lettuce and slices of parmesan cheese in a light oil. Delicious and more than enough to take half of it home. Our meal started out with warm rolls and butter as we sipped our drinks and talked.

Silence hit the table as the food was delivered. The appetizers were excellent. The main courses even better. While we were too full for dessert, Tanya decided to order a Tiramisu to go. This special cake is so large that it can easily make four people happy. Our server offered us an after-dinner drink – limoncello for Tanya and Leah and non-alcoholic shots for Beth and me (they knew we were both on a diet that did not permit alcohol).