By Nathan Morley
The Panda in Ayia Napa produces classic Peking, sushi and Szechuan food for a busy takeaway and for eat-in customers all year round.
Unlike the many other oriental restaurants decked out with cheap and cheerful hanging lanterns and dragon’s statues, the Panda offers a much more spick and span setting.
It’s stylishly decorated with modern sleek tables, thick white leather chairs and large windows covering the entire frontage of the restaurant.
There’s outside seating too – but, at this time of the year only the truly daring choose to eat there. During the winter months Panda cooks to an appreciative crowd of locals, including plenty of expats.
A long, stylish bar along the side wall is stacked with wines, local beers and spirits.
The menu not only offers plenty of opportunities to splash out but also has very reasonably priced contemporary and traditional sushi. For meat lovers, there are choices of dishes with duck, beef, lamb and pork – ranging from Chop Suey to Kung-Pao chicken.
Appetizers on offer include all the old popular fare – tiger prawns, satay chicken, prawn crackers and spring rolls. I went for old but vibrant starter of eight steamed Chinese dumplings followed by the speciality of the house – the beautifully presented Peking duck, which is outstanding.
The perfectly crisped skin is marinated in soya, spices and honey and served with pancakes, spring onions and cucumber and a light sweet sauce. You can order either a quarter duck at €15, half at €27 or have a whole duck ceremoniously carved at your table for €45.
For those that prefer something with a little more spice, the Sichuan duck fillet is €13.50.
My dining partner went for the simply billed Beef Curry at €9.95, which turned out to be a real winner. Other than ‘beef curry’ I can’t tell you much about it other than the few mouthfuls I had were a party of changing flavours and textures. The melt-in-your-mouth beef was cooked in a light textured sauce with green peppers and onions.
All our dishes were faultless. There’s a well-chosen wine list and some decent cocktails.
Waiting staff are elegantly dressed and helpful. But overall, a big thumbs-up for good food and fair pricing. The Panda also does a brisk trade as a takeaway joint.
If you are thinking of spending Valentines evening out – with so few restaurants open in Ayia Napa, the Panda is always busy, so be sure to book ahead. Other than that, most nights there is no need to book.
VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Chinese and sushi
WHERE Panda, 37 Nissi Avenue, Ayia Napa
CONTACT 23 724646
PRICE Mains from around €10
