Filipino Food, This Good : Zarzuela

I've been in this place and it does deserve a second visit. The food is excellent, classy and most of all... very Filipino. There might be some who serve these dishes in their restaurant but really, I find the ones they make almost very artisanal. They play the best regional dishes in the Philippines and later on, you'll find out that you're in a gustatory adventure of your own. Case in point:

 

Cowboy Sisig - chopped crunchy bits of pork skin settled in a bed of onions, garlic, chili and spices. Mix it up and just provide a cup or two of hot rice then it's perfect. Take it home, bring it up with your friends to supply with beer and it's a nice day!

Lychee and Calamansi Shake - Perhaps our colorful culture just weeded out some of the best drinks in town. This sweet Lychee shake can really get you in the mood for a cold break on a hot day. My favorite Calamansi Shake might be simple but its tangy flavor would really cut through oil on food. It's so refreshing, I wanted seconds.

Fountain of Youth - Something so sinful yet totally worth it. In all angles, these strips of pork belly dredged in flour and fried perfectly to a crisp is just lovely. You definitely MUST order this.

Adobo - Hearty, feels home cooked meal should always come with favorites like these. It's not too salty, it's not too shabby. Simple yet very good.

Caldereta - Who in the right mind wouldn't love soft beef chunks smothered in tomato based sauce, liver base, chili, olives and more spices. I love this with rice but I should suggest this to be a little more spicy. I love it hot.

Sa Pula Sa Puti - You can choose with these two colors and see either white or crispy golden brown adobo done both ways. This is my Dad's favorite and I'm sure to bring this home the next time I dine.

Smoked Sardine Efuven - A staple in my home province of Negros and Iloilo this egg noodle based dish is plated spectacularly to the enjoyment of new diners who would like a different take on their pansit. It's smoky, and the combination is quite good. Mom usually cooks this for me for breakfast but it's something that you can have all day. Thanks to Zarzuela my province is represented well.

Pinangat - One of the most acclaimed dishes in Bicol where one needs not to travel for 4 hours just to get a taste of it. Everyone would have a field day as this dish represents the region quite well with its soft gabi leaves, and coconut milk. It's Bicol in a plate.

Crab and Shrimp Relleno - You see a tiny piece of your future here. When you get to bite the soft patty it just breaks down and releases the flavorful meat coming from the sea. Choose to dip it into the dab of hollandaise sauce and it's a complete umami experience waiting to happen. I highly recommend this!

Chorizo Rice - Seal it all off with a pairing with this bowl of rice that's even good on it's own. If you don't like boring white rice, go ahead and get this to the delight of your friends and family. Whatever it takes, whenever, it's but right to treat yourself to good comfort food and it starts with this!

Don't just stand there, go ahead and give them a visit. They are located at the new East Wing of the Shangrila Mall in Mandaluyong City. Bring your folks, bring your friends... make it into something bigger because you deserve Filipino Food This Good! That's Zarzuela!

The Perfect Breakfast at CAFE 1771

One of Manila's finest secrets is in the heart of the Ortigas business district and only a few have frequented the place but once they do, they have to come back for more. Cafe 1771 is that quaint shabby but chic restaurant that foreign and locals go to for the perfect breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was schooled in what seems to be one of the best mornings in my life. This happened a few days ago at El Pueblo, Ortigas Center Pasig. Feast your eyes on this!

Strips of Chicken, Pork cooked Adobo style, taken apart then cooked with hot Fried Rice then topped with a whole sunny side up egg and a serving of fresh red tomatoes on the side. This is their "Adobo Flakes Fried Rice". It's a little tangy, with just the right amount of saltiness. The tomatoes also provide a fresh break from all that Adobo love. It's a great introduction to Filipino dishes if you have foreign friends over.

The Filipino take on pork sausages, how can that go wrong? This Baguio Longanisa is just full of deep garlic flavor that can certainly go alone or if you choose to dip it in something else to contrast its saltiness. You can choose vinegar, ketchup or whatever you fancy. Partner it with rice or perfectly toasted bread, that can work too. It's your breakfast, whatever makes you happy!

Something even we can say is fit for royalty, a slice of rye bread baked with imported cheese on top, ham, bacon, cold cuts in between and a sunny side up egg to finish the rack.... this is your ultimate sandwich. It's properly called Croque Madame, and it tastes heavenly! To take you less of the guilt, you can have the servings of salad on the side. It makes it all pretty!

Breakfasts just wouldn't be complete without corned beef. But this one's more special. They call it the Hole In One Corned Beef. The chunky full flavored beef is just what a man or woman like in their protein. They even keep it hot on a plate, truly something to warm you up in the morning.

Feel the morning sunshine even on the plate as you take in a different pancake, more special than the usual. This is Sour Cream Pancakes with Caramelized Banana and Candied Walnuts. Drizzle a little Maple Syrup and poof! Fluffy, sweet and got some crunch. How can you go wrong with that?

Oh, I forgot to tell you. Did you know that Cafe 1771 also has awesome interiors? Yeap! It's classy, and very shabby chic. It's the perfect place for meetings, a get together or maybe just plain meals if you want breakfast, lunch or dinner. Now how's that for a perfect setting right?

Oh and before I end this, we need a sweet note to end the show.

Sugar free Carrot Cake and a ladle full of cream cheese frosting topped with warm roasted cashew nuts. It's got all the things you want less the sugar on a regular one. Actually, this is even better.

This is hands down their best dessert special. It's their Coffee Pie. Nothing like a usual pie, but more of an explosion of decadent chocolate and coffee in one mouth full. I love it so much that the next time I went back, I ordered it again. Don't make the mistake of missing to order this off the dessert menu.

Singing like there's no other song to be sung tomorrow is this tempting Opera Cake. The thing has lots of layers of cream, chocolate ganache and cake form too. It's a wonderful symphony of sweetness, and more chocolate goodness in one slice. The place definitely needs your presence. How could you even think of not going there to get your own perfect breakfast?

You shouldn't miss doing yourself a favor, go to El Pueblo in Ortigas Center or simlpy call Café 1771 for reservations. Dial 631-7340 / 470-6559 / 0917-866-0442/ 631-7339 and save me a seat. I'll crash your party just for the perfect breakfast I'm craving for every week! =)

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