Visited the restaurant for the first time with my wife and in-laws. It was a rainy evening and I am glad that there were a lot of staffs carrying umbrellas who are fast in escorting us in. A big plus also to their free valet service, knowing this place that is surrounded by two other Filipino restaurants, parking is always a problem. The exterior looked like a cozy old home. The hospitality can be felt from the car to the table. Inside were designs of Philippine handicrafts. They also have a clear window kitchen where you can see the chefs in action. The restaurant is big with al fresco dining and a second floor catering to special events and functions.
The menu is quite simple but it contains many local favorites. Here are the dishes we tried that made me want to give them 5 stars:
- Halaan Soup (Php277) - fresh clams with chili tops in broth. I love how fresh their clams are. They are sweet and comforting. The soup is delicious which is perfect for that rainy evening. A good starter to warm your body before enjoying the good meal ahead.
- Chicken Binagoongan (Php277) - chopped chicken breast with eggplant in bagoong. The bagoong is not very salty, but fragrant and a bit sweet. It blended well with the chicken which my father-in-law scooped up. The chicken was tender but a bit dry, however, the bagoong helped in wetting it up. Maybe a change in chicken part would have been better.
- Grilled Liempo (Php277) - the pork belly was grilled to perfection with a good balance of meat and fat. The barbecue marinade is quite sweet which balances the salty-sour sauce it accompanies. The meat was tender and a great accompaniment to plain rice.
- Pinakbet (Php177) - was choosing between this and Laing, but majority voted for this, and a great choice too. My father-in-law who complains a lot was very satisfied with this dish. I think he mentioned more than thrice that the dish was cooked fragrantly and made it very appetizing. The vegetables were tender yet crisp and the sauce can be tasted in each bite. A healthy choice too with generous amounts of pumpkin, bitter gourd, okra, and stringed beans.
- Binusog na Pusit (Php377) - Grilled squid stuffed with tomatoes and onions then topped with pesto sauce. Probably the best stuffed squid I have ever tried. The squid was cooked perfectly and not rubbery at all. The stuffed vegetable mixture complemented the squid rings and created a balance of flavors. There was sweetness, texture, and that charred taste. My wife told me to add the provided sauce and it enhanced the taste of the dish. This is a must order.
After a happy tummy and paying for our food, then came a plate of dessert sampler in shot glasses which includes: Bikoron (some kind of turon), Perlas ng Silanganan (some mango sago in cream), Buko Pandan, and Maja Brulee. The management said it was free, so we dug in. I am not sure if this happens often but we were glad for the free dessert. I was actually looking for a spoonful of sweetness. Oh, my favorite among the given desserts is the Perlas ng Silanganan, reminds of the Mango Cream Pie at Red Ribbon.
Lastly, service was impeccable. A special thumbs up to our server, Giann. Looking forward to visit again soon with my family. read more