Every so often, a vacation sweeps you off your feet so completely, you fantasize about staying forever. Peter Newlin saw it happen when his friend, affectionately called Surfer Dave, fell in love with Bocas del Toro, Panama, and moved there with his wife to open a floating bar.
Newlin may be the friend left behind, but his life isn’t lacking in flavor. As chief vision officer of Gastamo Group, he helps oversee beloved Denver restaurants including Park Burger, Birdcall, and a new eatery inspired by Surfer Dave’s hang-loose state of mind. Called Perdida, the Wash Park spot opened in February and serves Baja-inspired fare (think: tempura shrimp with mango slaw or adobo-spiced sea bass) dreamed up by chef Philippe Failyau. Transporting diners to the coasts of Southern California and Mexico…