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Panama

The Instant Holiday at Home

Text: Sara Umbreit, Fotos: Damian Tauchert

It’s always a special moment for a creator, when a place or name trigger a thought that ties a whole new concept together in the blink of an eye.

This happened one day for Ludwig Cramer-Klett, owner of Katz Orange and Candy on Bone, whose projects are usually made in the reverse. It was also no different for his latest culinary coup - the Panama on Potsdamer Strasse situated in the old west of Berlin.

The restaurant has been open since June and is known for exuding an exotic presence and equally matching decor. It’s a place where you don’t need to go on a two-week holiday to discover new things, but rather discover them in a familiar environment - it’s to re-sharpen our senses to what we already know.

Terrazzo Tables from Nutsandwoods

The idea of the concept came to Cramer-Klett like a flash of lightning when reading his daughter a line in the novel ‘Oh, how nice is Panama!’. In the story, the little tiger and the bear, without realising it, rediscover their home in a completely new light whilst thinking they are far away.

This idea of escapism without having to leave your own city is something the Cramer-Klett team endeavour to create with Panama. It’s a journey full of discovery as soon you enter the backyard. The menu, consisting mainly of vegetarian and regional cuisine, as well as the bar on the ground floor combine classic interiors with a twist of exotic elements to sharpen and stimulate the senses.

The upper floor of Panama, tables with terrazzo edging. Read more about Terrazzo

Whats astounding is the feeling of being at home with family and friends in a completely private atmosphere. Spaces like this that awaken its patrons curiosities are an extremely rare find in the midst of a bustling city. Where best to experience these awakenings is of course the bar after dinner, where one can treat their palate to something new on an excellent wine list or give an old favourite a new take.