Location: Ginowan, on the 330 south of where it meets the 81; if traveling south pass the fire station and Ginowan city hall, and the restaurant is on your left. If it is full or closed, Cafe Blue is just across the street, tucked behind the Aoyama suit shop chain.Hours: 11:30-4p lunch; dinner 6p-?
This is the sister restaurant to Cafe and Cucina Pao (located not far away on the 81.) At Casa Pana, the interior decor is quite classy - white walls, green stained wooden trim, and three colorful mosaics on the walls. Although Pana is a small space, they seat about 8 at the bar, there are about 8 tables seating 2-4 people, and then 3 semiprivate areas for larger groups.
The lunch menu is essentially the same as Pao. The sets involve salad, bread, an appetizer nibble, and a pasta dish, as well as coffee and dessert. The choice of pasta is tomato-based (approx 1000Y), salt-based (approx 1000Y), cream based (approx 1400Y), and lasagna (approx 1200Y). The pastas change from visit to visit; between Pao and Pana we have visited three times and never had the same dish. The sauces are prepared in house with care, and feature interesting combinations of vegetable and meat. The desserts here are very special - there is always a sorbet (flavours vary) on an angel food biscuit, with a small slice of cake. On our most recent visit, the dessert plate featured a negative impression of a dessert fork done in bittersweet cocoa powder. Again, classy. The coffee always comes with cream in a pitcher, and brown sugar cubes. This is a cafe that deserves to do well - they produce reliably tasty food for very reasonable prices in an attractive setting.
