“Those wishing to savor Esencias Panameñas’ exceptional Panamanian cuisine in their own home this holiday season can call ahead and order their authentic feast to-go.”

3322 Georgia Ave, NW

From an email:

“Those wishing to savor Esencias Panameñas‘ exceptional Panamanian cuisine in their own home this holiday season can call ahead and order their authentic feast to-go.  Leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Owner and Executive Chef Yadira Stamp will prepare classic side dishes to spice up any holiday feast. Popular Panamanian sides that will be available for both holidays include Arroz con Pollo, saffron rice with chicken, olives, capers, peas & carrots; Tamales, ground corn with chicken or veggies wrapped in a banana leaf; Ensalada de Toldo, potato salad with beets; Sweet Plantains, choice of baked or fried; Bolitas de Macarron con Queso (Mac & Cheese Balls); Ensalada de Feria, potato salad with beets, as well as Dulce de Ron Abuelo, Panamanian rum cake or Cocadas con Raspadura, candied shredded coconut in pastry shells for dessert.  Sides will be available as a full tray, half tray or quarter tray.

Prices for some of the side dishes featured on the Catering menu are as follows: the Arroz con Pollo is priced at $150 for a full tray, which serves 30-35 people, $85 for a half tray, which serves 15-20 people and $45 for a quarter tray, which serves six to eight people.  The Chicken Tamales are priced at $90 for a dozen five-ounce portions, $48 for a dozen 2.5-ounce portions and $8 for a single chicken tamal.  The Veggie Tamales are priced at $100 for a dozen five-ounce portions, $60 for a dozen 2.5-ounce portions and $9 for a single veggie tamal.  The Baked Sweet Plantains are priced at $75 for a full tray, which serves 35-40 people and $45 for a half tray, which serves 20-25 people.  The Fried Sweet Plantains are priced at $50 for a full tray, which contains 120 portions, $30 for a half tray, which contains 60 portions and $20 for a quarter tray, which contains 30 portions.  The Mac & Cheese Balls is priced at $125 for a full tray, which contains 50 two-ounce balls and $75 for a half tray, which contains 25 two-ounce balls.  The Ensalada de Feria (potato salad with beets) is priced at $100 for a full tray, which serves 35-40 people, $60 for a half tray, which serves 20-25 people and $40 for a quarter tray, which serves eight to ten people.  The Dulce de Ron Abuelo is priced at $28 for a nine-inch bundt cake and $100 for half of a sheet pan, which serves 12-16 people.  The Cocadas con Raspadura is priced at $24 for a dozen pastry shells, $90 for 50 and $160 for 100.

Additionally, Chef Stamp will prepare her acclaimed signature Panamanian Fruit Cake – featured in the Washington Post’s Food Section on October 9^th (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/its-october-but-you-need-to-start-your-christmas-fruitcake-engines-now/2016/10/09/948f81a6-8b1d-11e6-875e-2c1bfe943b66_story.html), priced at $30. Fruit cakes will be available for pick-up or shipment as of December 16^th in time for Christmas.  Food orders prior to Thanksgiving can be made daily through November 20^th and all pick-ups will be scheduled beginning on November 21^st and November 23^rd, from 11:30 AM to 9 PM.  Food orders prior to Christmas can be made daily through December 18^th and all pick-ups will be scheduled anytime before 6 PM on December 24^th.  Food orders must be placed via the website at: http://shop.esenciaspanamenas.com.  Orders will not be accepted via phone or email.

Esencias Panameñas is located at 3322 Georgia Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20010.  Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 AM to 3 PM.  Dinner is served on Sunday, from 3 PM to 8 PM; Monday and Wednesday, from 3 PM to 9 PM and Thursday and Friday, from 3 PM to 11 PM.  Enjoy their Guilty Pleasure “Fritanga” (fried foods) all day on Saturday, from 12 PM to 11 PM and on Sunday, from 12 PM to 3 PM. “