Today ended my 21-day Daniel fast – and you know I had to break fast the Dianderthal way, with my homies at a new restaurant. The choice was Panxa Cocina, Broadway’s latest culinary delight in the LBC. My fro-worker and co-eater Kristina got me curious about the place, as she’s done before, previously telling me about such delectations as Anaheim Packing House and Tavern on 2. It’s kind of annoying because I’m supposed to be the one who knows what’s new, what’s hot, what’s tasty. I’m Dianderthal. But I forgive her because she’s yet to steer me wrong. One of these days, I’ll have to figure out her secret. Perhaps she’s really some sort of restaurant insider, getting scoops left and right in hopes that she’ll drop word to me and I’ll write a glowing review on this here blog o’ mine.
But enough whining. I’m here to dish about dishes. We had plenty of them, work son William joining us for a threesome. I’m glad he did as, in addition to the appetizers of shrimp escabeche and potato-cheese pancakes we ordered, he asked for the chicharones, crispy pieces of fried chicken skin served with a tangy red sauce. All our pre-meal snackins proved a welcome re-entry back to unhealthy eating for me, the potato cakes surprising my palate with the luscious bits of pineapple served on top, and the sweet-savoriness of the succulent shrimp in the escabeche popping when swept through the creamy aioli drizzled on the plate. My favorite taste of the night, however, belonged to the seafood enchiladas – my entree. They don’t skimp on the lobster or the shrimp in these fresh, juicy rolls, topped with a creamy green sauce. I’m hooked on these – had to force myself to eat just one so I’d have a fulfilling leftovers lunch the next day. As much as I’d like to try something new on my next visit, I’m sure I’ll pick the seafood enchiladas once again.
Panxa is fairly new, just opening before the holidays. But it’s already a spot, and will get hotter when they launch lunch and happy hour in the coming weeks. What a welcome addition to this luscious strip of Broadway. Between these blocks and Retro Row, I foresee spending lots of time and money in LB’s southern parts.
Panxa Cocina
3937 E. Broadway in Long Beach