Talia’s Tastes is a food and lifestyle column to highlight the various experiences available in the Greensboro area.  

In this issue of Talia’s Tastes, I will be reviewing Pangea Bistro and Bar, located in the heart of downtown Greensboro. Pangea claims to be a place “where cultures collide and flavors unite in a symphony of culinary excellence.” So, I had to give it a try.  

Pangea is noticeable from the moment you turn onto its street as it has a rather large outdoor seating area. Upon walking in, patrons are welcomed by markedly contemporary decor and extensive group seating across from the well-stocked bar. The restaurant is lit by warm yellow lighting which pairs beautifully with green accents featured throughout the space as well as the wooden floors. The decor reflects the upscale nature that the website suggests, but the ambiance has a certain warmth that gives the space an approachable and social atmosphere. Based on appearance alone, I would say Pangea is suitable for both special occasions and casual outings.  

Now, let’s discuss the food. Pangea offers two menu options: small plates and appetizers as well as a three-course dinner menu (which includes salads & soups, entrees, and desserts). During my visit, I opted to order a few small plates so that I could try a wide variety of the menu (and report back to y’all of course).  

My party started with the Orange Sesame Wings, Crab Cakes, and the Filipino Pork Adobo.  My favorites from this group were definitely crab cakes and orange sesame wings. The wings were the perfect balance between saucy and crispy. The sauce was a vibrant orange color and packed full of flavor. If you order these wings be sure to ask for extra napkins, so you can enjoy them properly. On the other hand, the crab cakes were bite-sized and ideal for sharing with others. The cakes were shaped into perfect round balls and had a lovely taste. The outside was crispy, and the inside was flaky and pleasant. We enjoyed all three dishes, but the wings and crab cakes were definitely standouts.  

Next, we ordered Sweet Plantain Gnocchi and Shrimp Tacos. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from the Sweet Plantain Gnocchi. I enjoy gnocchi most of the time and have had it in the form of traditional pasta dough as well as potatoes. However, making gnocchi out of plantains was something I had never heard of or considered before. Typically, plantains are a 50/50 toss up for me, so this combination was really outside of my comfort zone, but in the spirit of giving an in-depth review, I gave it a try despite my nerves (don’t say I’ve never done anything for you guys). I’m happy to say that the plantain gnocchi was a pleasant surprise. The gnocchi were coupled with chorizo and a red tomato-based sauce.  The chorizo and sauce had a mild spiciness to them which was balanced out nicely with the plantain’s mellow sweetness. If you need further convincing, a friend of mine who had never had gnocchi but is fond of plantains enjoyed them a lot as well. I also quite enjoyed the shrimp tacos. They were a nice take on quite a popular dish. The tacos featured all of the usual elements found in a shrimp taco: shrimp (as one would expect), leafy greens, a white creamy sauce and a bit of slaw. Each taco’s ingredient was treated with care and well-balanced. The vegetables were wonderfully fresh and added a depth of flavor to the savory shrimp. The shrimp was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Both of these dishes were delicious, but the Sweet Plantain Gnocchi definitely stole the show, as it caught me off guard with an unlikely combination of flavors.  

Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend Pangea Bistro and Bar to anyone in Greensboro for any occasion. However, the menu is on the pricey side, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to save your visit for a special date night, birthday, or other celebration. Also, if you’re over 21, consider ordering from their wine list which conveniently lists ideal pairings with food items. If you’re like me and appreciate a good cocktail, allow me to recommend the espresso martini. 

If you’re looking to try something new, elegant, and upscale that you’re sure to enjoy, then your first stop should be Pangea Bistro and Bar.  

Do you have a favorite spot you want to see featured in The Carolinian? Are you a business owner looking to promote your brand? Please fill out this form: https://go.uncg.edu/taliastastes. Check back each week to see if your recommendation made the paper!