El Negocio de Panchi — Restaurant in Ponce

We had two dinners at Panchi’s including a small birthday party. We were warmly greeted and impeccably served the first night, and met Panchi who is the executive chef and co-owner. He studied culinary arts in Paris and was chef at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach for ten years before returning to his native Puerto Rico. The food is international with Caribbean accents. Our first night the two couples in our group were gushing with praise for the meals and desserts. Our second visit was even better because we were immediately recognized as returning guests and treated like family. I would wager this is absolutely one of the finest dining establishments in all of Puerto Rico....

Appetizer - mushrooms with prosciutto and manchego cheese was so good my wife and I seriously considered ordering it for dessert! I love her dearly, but it almost put a strain on our 30 year marriage to have to split that appetizer! Don’t split it, get one each. My blackened salmon main course was cooked perfectly. I eat a lot of salmon and it often gets overcooked. This was an A+ both in terms of texture and flavor. The dessert was a slight miss as I tried something a little too fancy for me (basil and white chocolate cheesecake?). I should have order...

Traveled to Puerto Rico for a stay in Ponce then to San Juan with 2 kids ages 10 and 12. 10 year old is a picky eater and loved the food here!! My 12 yo will eat anything but raved about the food as well. Cod bites, tropical salad, and black bean soup as apps then filet for hubs, salmon for me, and chicken penne for kids: all phenomenal! Staff is very attentive and chef came out to check on things and provide some history on starting the restaurant which just celebrated it's 15 year anniversary. I'd say go if in Ponce, but well worth a drive from any part...