The bistro you refer to could be Chef Imondi's? Great place for lunch and the best deserts in town.

There are several places we enjoy downtown...
Ferucci's for a great Italian lunch or romantic dinner.
Cheese Barn on Harrison Ave has the best sandwiches, crepes and quiches.
Of course, Chef Imondi's.
Hunt's is great (they're actually in the old Cheese Barn location on Grace Ave.)
Warehouse Market and Cafe for shopping, antiques, lunch, dinner, live entertainment, comedy shows.
Tom's Hot Dogs! Yum!
Bayou Joe's (used to be Dock at Jr's, Eat at Joe's) - try the "trash bruger" and the fried pickels.
Hawk's Nest - pull your boat up and grab a drink or dinner.
Tidewater Deli on Beach Drive (on Watson Bayou) for awesome BBQ and home cookin'.

Lots of shopping up and down Harrison Ave which has recently been renovated by the Downtown Improvement Board.

Catch a show at the historic Martin Theater.

And don't forget the Visual Arts Center of NW Florida. Always a good show there.

We also have a great article on Downtown Panama City in our Panama City Travel Archives.

While you're in town, you should also visit old St. Andrew's which is near the end of a revitalization stage. Good restaurants including Granite Cafe, Uncle Ernie's, and local favorite Capt's Table.

Enjoy!