Want a small place with arguably the best food and service in Cabo San Lucas, then make a reservation at Panache. Our recent visit there with friends from England was the fourth time that we have dined at Panache. It turns out that it was also the second anniversary of the restaurant. Brenda, the owner and manager is an incredible host. Located beside the Cabo Inn on 20 de Novembre just north of the main road into Cabo San Lucas, Panache even has valet parking if their exclusive spots across from the restaurant are filled.
The restaurant only has about 10 tables, so it is essential that you have a reservation. But don’t worry about being rushed out of the place. Reservations are in two-hour blocks but if you reserve at 7:00 pm, you can stay until closing at 10:00 pm. The atmosphere and the menu are very European. From the mural on the wall to the striped t-shirts worn by the staff to the Italian and French dishes on the menu, you feel like you are in a small place on the continent.
Despite this being a restaurant with food and presentations that meet fine dining standards, the prices are reasonable and the portions are large. In fact, you could create a five-course meal sharing each course with your spouse or friend. The appetizers include deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, escargot, a charcuterie board with meat and cheeses for at least three people, breaded burrata cheese, and six different kinds of salads. For main courses, there is a selection of pasta (including vegan pasta), fish, shrimp, pork shank, steak, and Cordon Bleu Chicken. The descriptions make them all sound so good (and they are) that it is hard to choose.
Of course, the meal started with a white wine, and our server provided fresh bread and butter, while we were making our choices for the meal. For appetizers, we ordered both the deviled eggs and the mushrooms stuffed with shrimp, mozzarella cheese, scallops, the catch of the day, and bread crumbs, served over white wine creamy tarragon sauce and topped with sweet balsamic. Following these delicious appetizers (I can never get enough of the deviled eggs), Beth and I shared a Caesar salad with fresh parmesan on the side. As I mentioned, all of these were actually big enough to share.
For the main courses, Beth had the Steak Frites (the price was up a bit from our last visit because of the cost of beef). Tracy order the Frutti di Mare, which is fettuccine served with the catch of the day, shrimps, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams in a creamy white wine lemon butter sauce. Chris also went for a pasta – Shrimps Della Pazza – fettuccine with shrimps in a creamy garlic sauce. I ordered the pork shank, which is huge (and I took half home for another meal). It is served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy – delicious.
I had let Brenda know in advance that Chris had just been honored by King Charles on the New Year’s Honors with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) and asked if she could do something special for dessert. A huge piece of tiramisu was placed on the table with Congratulations
Chris MBE is written in chocolate (it is a little hard to read on a black plate). The tiramisu is definitely big enough for four people.
Once again, we were blown away by the food, the service, and the overall attention to detail at Panache. We have only gone for dinner but they are open every day from 8:00 am so we are going to have to go and see what their breakfast and lunch menus are like. Thanks, Brenda for another great evening!
For more information about Panache visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/panacherestaurant
