Peer Into Panama 66, Balboa Park's New Beer Destination

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[Photos: Mike Newton]

After a soft opening period, this weekend marks the start of Panama 66's regular weekly schedule, which officially launches on Sunday with brunch beginning at 10 a.m.

Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum of Art will now be open at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and Open at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for weekend brunch. Closing hours will vary, depending on performances or special museum events, but a regularly updated calendar on their website will help you keep on track; count on weekly happenings, including Tiki Tuesdays and and a Soulful Sunday Brunch with live music.

The 150-seat eatery is still awaiting a set of communal tables that'll give the sculpture garden space the flavor of the team's other restaurants, Blind Lady Ale House and Tiger!Tiger!. Co-owner Lee Chase hand built the custom system that currently has 16 local beers on tap; the bar also has six California wine on tap, plus cocktails. The centerpiece is the bar, assembled from four modular pieces crafted from eight foot sections of the Malcolm Leland-designed gates that surround the garden; if you want to eat and drink amongst the art, the bar provides blankets for picnicking on the sculpture garden grass.

Executive chef Sharon Wilson's all-day menu includes favorites from their two other eateries, from Blind Lady's Caesar salad to TigerTiger!'s famous beer and doughnuts brunch pairing; co-owner Jeff Motch says that they'll be adding more entrees soon and may eventually feature separate lunch and dinner menus.

Panama 66

Panama 66 [Official Site]
All Panama 66 Coverage on Eater [~ESD~]