P. 4 - LA PLAYA
MARCH / MARZO 2014
WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM
BUONA CUCINA TRATTORIA/PIZZERIA
George McDonald, owner of Buona Cucina
B
uona Cucina, formerly known
as Trattoria, is now owned and
operated by Panamanian
George McDonald and his beautiful
wife, Zuleika. George, who retired
four years ago as General Manager
of Panamanian Life Insurance
Company, had a strong desire to
own/manage a gourmet restaurant.
When Antonio, the former proprietor
of Trattoria, expressed his desire to
exit the restaurant business, George
leaped at the opportunity.
Since the dawn of civilization, wood
fired ovens and pizza have been in
existence. Wood fired pizza ovens
take pizza making skills to a whole
new level, and the “Chief” of the oven
at this restaurant, Abdiel, has
certainly mastered the art. Chame
mangle wood is used in the oven
because it is indigenous to Panama,
and it yields a unique, smoky taste to
the dough. The heat from the wood
radiates out from the fire, spreads
around the oven and is ultimately
absorbed by the interior brick walls.
Wood fired ovens create faster
cooking time, which in turn produces
a better crust: crispy exterior of the
dough, while maintaining soft, chewy,
and flavorful pizza. At the Cucina,
you can choose from a regular size,
suitable for two people, or the family
size. They offer a variety of toppings,
but are happy to accommodate your
custom request. Pizzas vary from
$10-$27.
As the name Buona Cucina
Trattoria/Pizzeria
suggests, )ѡ