Really enjoyed the Filipino restaurant, Purple Patch, in DC! Sign is very small so could miss…read moreeasily. Cute interior decor. Excellent service. Pinoy Cold Front No. 5 was a delicious version of an ube espresso martini! Enjoyed all the foods ordered: - ube waffle & fried chicken - ube pancakes & lechon kawali - sinagag & itlog (fried egg) & tapcilog (beef) - lumpia - fried eggplant Definitely want to dine here again when I'm back in DC!

This was my first visit to Purple Patch and it was pretty good, but there are some things I wish…read morewere different. The space is in the basement of two long townhouses with a small passage in the middle. It's an unusual layout, with the host stand around the middle of the first townhouse (a small bar area is in front of it) and I had no idea they had the second townhouse space until they took us through the small passage. It was a Wednesday at 6:30 PM and the place was busy. Our dining room was pretty noisy. It was also difficult to get the waiter's attention, because the long, narrow layout meant he couldn't see parts of our table. Also, at the start of the meal, he overfilled the water pitcher, spilling water on the table and floor. That said, he was very friendly and helpful with suggestions and splitting the bill. We visited for a minor special occasion, which the restaurant recognized with a small card -- this was a nice touch, and one that many higher end restaurant miss. The menu is very large and a bit overwhelming for a first time visitor. There are 16 desserts. I like the variety, but it feels like overkill, and frankly I'm skeptical of all restaurants with huge menus -- is every dish really a winner? will they execute everything well? (Side note: the website menus link to Canva files which are super annoying to browse) We got the Laing ($16) with mushrooms ($5), Chicken Adobo ($19), and Sizzling Sisig ($22). All three came with rice, with a small upcharge for garlic rice. The inclusion of rice, and the upcharge, could have been more clearly noted on the menu. We shared our dishes, and I would have liked some serving spoons included with them. My favorite was the Laing. I had never had it before, so the flavors were novel and I liked them a lot. The stewed taro leaves reminded me a bit of creamed spinach, in a good way. It had strong coconut flavor, plus some spice when you got a chili pepper. The adobo was good but not great. I liked that the chicken was deboned -- a pleasant surprise. Flavors were good, but I wanted them to be punchier. The Sisis was my least favorite. It was a standard version of the dish, not very interesting. We also had the Ube Bread Pudding with Ube Ice Cream ($12) for dessert. This was good, but I wouldn't describe it as a bread pudding. It was thinner and denser than a traditional bread pudding, with a shape and consistency that reminded me more of a brownie or a crumble. I would love to return and try more of the menu.

Morena, Kayu, where to begin? I had the most delicious rice bowls and ube lattes at Morena's grand…read moreopening (Kayu's cafe). I liked that the drinks were simple yet distinct. They were all $5.50, except the bilo bilo matcha ($6). There were five options: *ube horchata latte *bibingka latte (salted egg caramel) *sampaguita latte (jasmine) *buko pandan latte (coconut pandan) *bilo bilo matcha They also have teas, cocktails, and two mocktails. I tried the burnt coconut chicken and BBQ beef rice bowls. The meat tasted as if it came right off the grill, with great marination. Both dishes also come with papaya atsara, which adds a bold pickled flavor to the mix. I'm excited to do some work here this weekend. Kayu also has great food, and becomes Morena on Saturday and Sunday (9 am-3 pm).

My friend and I tried the Kayu's "Salo Salo" 3-course dining experience for 65 per person last…read moreSaturday evening. When we arrived, there weren't many other diners, but it got busy pretty quickly. Our server wasn't the most available (given how crowded it was) and our food came out slower than we'd like (~25 minutes between courses). SOURDOUGH BOMBOLINI This was a small sourdough roll topped with a thin slice of prosciutto, finely-shredded manchego, and black truffle cream. This was quite good with the earthy truffle flavors, fatty and savoriness from the prosciutto. This felt more of an Italian appetizer than Filipino, but still enjoyable. TUNA & WATERMELON Is it tuna or watermelon? It was hard to tell at first glance since both are deep bright red and cut in a similar shape. The sauce surrounding it was a coconut vinaigrette paired with some herb oil. Overall, found it a bit too sweet, especially the watermelon pieces. I thought it was okay, but my friend really enjoyed this appetizer. CRAB NOODLES I think this is supposed to be pancit-inspired, but it tasted more like a an Asian-inspired pasta since it didn't have that smoky stir-fry flavor I was expecting. This was prepared with crab and peas and topped generously with salmon roe(?) with slightly spicy chili(?) sauce. Overall, a bit bland and felt like it was missing an oomph. LA BELLE FARM CHICKEN The potato gratin was my favorite, perfect potato texture with a good amount of cream and garlic. The roasted asparagus were meh, almost like it was there to fill up the plate. The chicken was roasted and seasoned simply -- juicy for the most part, but again, nothing unique. The pastel sauce on the side was savory and a nutty, which elevated the dish a bit. GRANITA This was more of a frozen dessert fruit cup with cantaloupe granita, jackfruit, strawberries, and mangos. The mangos were definitely not in season, as they were really hard. The jackfruit tasted like it was from a can. The fruity syrup tasted artificial and strange. Unfortunately, we both did not enjoy this dessert. UBE HALAYA CHOCOLATE This dessert was more unique with an ube mousse (shaped like an egg) with dry, thin vermicelli-like noodles wrapped around like a birds nest and adorned with edible flower petals. The presentation was beautiful. The ube flavor was pretty strong and the mousse was smooth. Overall, this was quite good and definitely one of the stronger dishes of the night. While there was nothing wrong or particularly bad about the food, I did find the flavors underwhelming and unimpressive. I wasn't feeling a lot of excitement throughout the meal. My friend enjoyed the food, so it's probably more of a personal preference. Overall, it was expensive (~$85 after tax and tip) for the quantity of food received, so I'm unlikely to return.

Don't remember coming here many years ago until I pulled up my Yelp pictures. Lol…read more Small carry out with lots flavors. Lunch time got busy quickly. Crispy pork belly skin with garlic and tangy sauce. Add some palm trees and sound of ocean and waves and you'd think you're in the Philippines or Hawaii

I could have sworn I wrote a review for Kuya Ja's years ago but apparently I haven't! I was happy…read moreto discover they have better hours now. It used to open and close at in weird intervals so this was nice to find out. I stopped by on a rainy Sunday lunchtime. Parking was easy to find right in front of the store. Orders can be placed online or in-person at the counter. I highly recommend placing the orders ahead of time because of the wait. I saw a few people go up to the counter wondering about the order status as it was taking awhile. The store also carries several of Gwenie's pastries and dessert items. Fresh cream filled donuts available along with cakes and pies just to name a few. I got the lechon kawali over garlic fried rice and my friend ordered pork belly sisig combination. Every bite was flavorful and tasty. I just wish it had better portions. My bowl had small bite size pieces of what looked like half a strip of pork belly. The cost /portion ratio was just not the best. I still wouldn't mind returning and trying out other menu items. Like the KJ's chopped salad for example.

Over the past few months, Tiki has become one of my favorite places to drop by!…read more Although it's always been a cool lil' spot with an awesome staff of bartenders, ever since the renovations the vibes got vibier! Between the lighting being a little lower and the TVs being removed, it's made music more of a central part of the atmosphere. I've dropped by a few times to experience some amazing DJs! It's also nice because you can come in dressed up or dressed down and no matter what you won't feel out of place. Additionally, the drinks are so good! But be aware - some of them are stronger than you may realize. My favorite drink to order at the moment is the Pandan Painkiller. I can only drink just one though since it tastes like a vacation and a sippable dessert all in one! Also - I gotta shout out Ademir and Adrian! They are both so kind, fun and really take care of their folks. If you have been here, but not recently be sure to give it another spin in the near future!

An excellent tiki experience. We went at 7 and it wasn't very crowded…read more Cocktails all come in fun glasses. Service was friendly and fast. There was a bar and then a row of tables with bench and stool seats on either side.

Really cozy vibes, huge variety of Filipino comfort dishes with large portions. There's also a…read morenostalgic wall of snacks and condiments for sale! The worker was super helpful and hospitable, making sure we got exactly what we want and going the extra length to bringing our food to us. Definitely stop by here if you're interested in trying Filipino cuisines, there's plenty of options to pick from!

Thank you for the meal! Great service and overall space was welcoming…read more We tried the pancit, pork adobo, lechon, and honestly everything we ordered today was AMAZING. The flavors were rich, authentic, and cooked perfectly -- you can really taste the love in every dish. The lechon was crispy and flavorful, the adobo was tender and savory, and the pancit was seasoned just right. Definitely one of our new favorite Filipino spots! We'll absolutely be back -- especially to order trays for parties and family gatherings. Highly recommend!

First time at Manila Mart after having heard about it so many times and let's just say I'm…read morepleasantly surprised! I will say prepare a budget cause there's a lot to get, I ended up spending around $40 for everything I got. Let's start with the beef lumpia. It was crispy and tasted pretty good. I'm a sucker for spice so I would've loved it to be a little spicier or maybe offer some chili oil on the side. Next is the star of the show, the lechon kawaii bowl. The pork is so tender and perfectly crispy! I added garlic rice instead of the usual which was a great addition. I asked to try their vinegar sauce which comes with garlic and jalapeño in it which I found to be amazing. Lastly, the taro milk tea is heavenly, I'm still thinking about it!!! The service was friendly and because it was my first time they even offered me a coupon for the next time I come back and I will definitely be back! Plenty of indoor seating as well with a whole market inside where you can find an assortment of Filipino food, snacks, drinks, and desserts.

Sadly I need to update my review to three stars. The food we ordered today was not very good…read more Sinigang too sour, pork seemed it was cooked frozen, and it was dry too. Kawali was just ok. Sisig, pass. It was too spicy and also dry. We do like the grocery section. The service is nice and the Ube shake is great. Will be happy to return for grocery needs, but not the restaurant. Food seemed rushed, out of a can, unfresh and not worth the high prices. We will cook Filipino dishes at home instead.

I was craving Filipino food, but one thing I've noticed is that a lot of Filipino spots close…read morepretty early. It's located in a strip shopping center, so parking is super easy and accessible, and the restaurant itself is very easy to find. Walking in, the space is extremely clean, well-lit, and nicely decorated. Now let's talk about the real highlight: the variety. They have dinner plates, bowl options, and à la carte items. I went with one of my favorites, the lechon. They were out of the roasted version, but the staff recommended the fried pork instead, and it did not disappoint. I came in around 7:30, and they close at 8, so I was trying to be mindful and not hold them up. But the woman at the counter was incredibly kind and told me not to rush at all--"you're already inside, take your time." That level of hospitality really stood out. She even took the time to walk me through the menu, which I appreciated, even though I'm already familiar with Filipino food. The food itself? Amazing. The lechon was perfectly crispy, flavorful, and cooked just right. The portion size was generous, and it came with two Lumpia that were hot, fresh, and delicious. It also included a soda, which made it feel like a complete, satisfying meal. Overall, this place is a 10/10. Great food, great portions, and even better customer service. I'd highly recommend stopping by.

We were going to try a highly-rated Thai restaurant, also located in Bradlick Shopping Center, but…read morewhen we saw a Filipino restaurant close by, we decided to come to Mang Eton instead. The women working here were kind and helpful. You order at the counter in the back, and they will bring your food to your table. Menu options abound, but the only menu was the display screen above and in back of the counter. Unfortunately, the display screen is hard to see and there are no descriptions with the pictures/items. Mang Eton really needs to provide some printed menus. While the online menu does contain descriptions, the online descriptions don't necessarily match what is available. Anyways.... For a starter, we ordered the siomai. These were plump and tasty. We wish they would give more of the excellent dipping sauce than the tiny thimble of sauce that they do give you. Note: the combo meals also include a couple pieces of siomai. I ordered the Combo #1, which came with a piece of fried chicken, 2 lumpia, shrimp chips, rice and pancit. The lumpia had an excellent flavor. The fried chicken and pancit were okay. JP ordered the Combo #3. The only difference between the Combo #1 and Combo #3 is that the Combo $3 comes with fish instead of chicken. It also comes with a skewer of meat (pork?), which was good. We were the only non-Filipino customers. I plan on coming back to try the halo-halo dessert and to order some more yummy siomai.

Brand new restaurant in DC and this is hands down the best food on H Street. This is my first time…read morehaving Filipino-Italian fusion and Chef Mang Eton does not miss! I absolutely love the idea of ordering lumpia with my aperol spritz in one place. We started with some focaccia and lumpia. The lumpia was made to perfection with a nice crunch and a delicious sweet chili sauce to dip in. My brother and shared a pasta and an entree: Chicken Cannelloni With Cream Sauce and Lechon Porchetta With Peppercorn Sauce. The Cannelloni was rich in flavor and I can taste the Filipino influence in the sweet and savory combo of the chicken along with the cheese and cream sauce. The lechon was my absolute favorite. The meat melted in my mouth with a nice crunch from the fried skin. The rice had some flavoring on it that complimented with the lechon. Chef shared how he had 100+ people in line at his Annendale restaurant that morning waiting for his lechon so I was so ecstatic to experience it right here in DC. I mentioned it was my brother's birthday and Chef came out with a candle on our tiramisu. This was a traditional tiramisu and was soaked and delicious. Cannot wait to be back to try their happy hour and more items on their menu!

Filitali I recently opened at Hiraya's old location on H St as a Filipino-Italian restaurant. With…read morea wide range of options, you can order lumpia and lechon as well as pasta and cannolis. The service is great and the owner is friendly and personable, and each dish I've tried has done a great job of blending Italian and Filipino cuisine. The lechon porchetta and the chicken cannelloni were a couple of my favorites.

After a morning workout, I decided to get some breakfast at Lapu Lapu. It is a cozy little eatery…read moreco-located with Gwennie's Bakery. Both have Filipino cuisine inspired menus and the first thing you notice is how warm and cozy it feels in the space. My egg and cheese sandwich was perfection. The eggs were fluffy and lightly salted.I loved the toasted brioche bun and the presentation in the cute half- box format. The menu looks great for lunch and the bakery had a lot of colorful cookies and pastries. I am looking forward to another visit and highly recommend that others go as well.

Across the street from Costco in the same space as Filipino bakery Gwenie's Pastries is Lapu Lapu…read morewith breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Popping in early, I ordered their Spam breakfast sandwich and my nine-year-old daughter got the Sausage one. Both sandwiches are HUGE. It was too much for my daughter, but I loved the Spam one. It's messy, but very filling and tasty. There are a few places to sit inside. They also have cold water in a jug for all to enjoy.

Had a date with my sister and since she doesn't indulge in alcohol, we ventured to this spot Ive…read moreheard about for quite some time. Walked in and we were warmly greeted by the owner. The spot is small, cozy and intimate with comfy chairs and soft lighting. We made ourselves comfortable and started chatting away. Once the owner swung by again, we asked for suggestions as to what we should order and she gave us a couple of options. Please note, there are a few options with low alcoholic content so be mindful to ask that question if you are in recovery. We ordered a CBD sangria and specialty cocktail Blackberry moscow mule. My sangria was a real hit and the CBD mellowed me right on out & sis said her cocktail was divine. We also ordered some food - we got the wings, potatoes and spring rolls all of which were really good, especially the wings. The homemade sauce was very tasty. If you are sober or simply want a delicious drink with little-to-no alcohol content and some tasty bar bites, please support this incredibly cute business!

Gigi the owner is awesome! Enjoyed delicious small plates and the best spirit-less cocktails.read more