Panamericana

One of the better F&B spaces to have been opened in recent time is also one of the more inaccessible – Panamericana, located in Sentosa Golf Club. On Sentosa, of course.

Opened this April, Panamericana is named and themed after the legendary Pan-American highway that connects North, Central, and South America, from the United States all the way down to southernmost part of Chile. It’s even located in a sprawling colonial space in Sentosa Golf Club set against the panoramic backdrop of the Singapore Straits that might be mistaken for Havana in Cuba. As can be expected, the casual, breezy bar and grill is inspired by the flavours found throughout the Americas.

That Panamericana would put together a bar programme par excellence was beyond any doubt; it’s founded by Julian Serna, a veteran bar consultant who’s helped set up a number of successful hospitality concepts across Australia and Southeast Asia, and an occasional judge in the cocktail competition circuit. The bar too is helmed and managed by industry veteran Ricky Paiva, previously of Manhattan Bar, Massive Collective and most recently a brand ambassador for Bacardi in Southeast Asia.

There’s the rather sweet aperitif-style Grown Up Fanta ($18++) made with Aperol, soda, lemon juice, orange, vanilla, and prosecco; we’re bigger fans of the house White Wine Sangria ($18++, above), perfect for the perpetual summer that is Singapore with its refreshing combination of pisco, Sauvignon Blanc, Cointreau and an array of wine-soaked tropical fruits.

In fact there’s a number of summer-friendly, island-style drinks here that’s classy tiki without the kitsch, with takes on the Daiquiri, Blue Cosmo, and even the Long Island Tea, the latter of which will taste like a cocktail version of a sucker punch from Julio Cesar Chavez.

For something even stronger there’s the Roasted Banana Old Fashioned ($18++, above), made with a blend of Bulleit rye and Bulleit bourbon, Appleton tum that’s infused with roasted banana, hickory chip-smoked maple syrup, and Jamaican jerk bitters for multi-layered taste explosion.

Not surprisingly Panamericana also serves up shots of mezcal, tequila, rum and bourbon as befitting of its Pan-American theme. But where you should really turn your attention to in the drinks menu at Panamericana is its ‘Booze & Juice’ section, where you can find a range of fruit juices that’s been given a boost with booze. The Bulleit Bourbon & Apple ($11++, above) was a standout, but you can expect to exceed your daily Vitamin C needs with Tanqueray Gin & Pink Grapefruit ($11++) or Campari & Orange ($11++), and gladly do it too at such great prices.

As for food, you knew where Panamericana stands when an asado – an open fire pit for roasting pretty much everything – stands pride of place in the front of its kitchen. We really like the rosemary and thyme-rubbed Lamb ($45++) and whole Colombian Chicken ($30++), both of which are juicy and properly charred in the right places. For those who prefer something lighter, there are various street food-inspired dishes, with the classic Empanadas ($8++) – the filling of which changes on a daily basis – a top choice when pairing with drinks.

“With Panamericana, I wanted to not only delve into the region of my heritage, but to create a fun, approachable modern take on the flavours and cuisines found throughout the Americas,” says owner Julian Serna, who’s of Columbian descent.

Panamericana may be somewhat difficult to get to from the Singapore mainland, but the truth is that once you’re there it will transport you to some part of the Americas that you might wish not to return from.

Panamericana

Address Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Rd, Singapore 099892 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 12noon to 11pm Wednesdays to Fridays, 9am to 11pm Saturdays and Sundays, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Tel (65) 6253 8182
Web https://panamericana.sg/
Facebook PanamericanaSG
Instagram @panamericanasg