Monday, March 11, 2013

Abe

"Where Good Friends Dine"

This is the place to be whenever your family is out to try the traditional Filipino cuisine with a twist!


"Flipino Cuisine with a strong Capampangan accent.

Abe (ah-beh) is the restaurant dedicated to Larry Cruz’ father, the late artist-writer, gourmet and bon vivant E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz. The restaurant serves traditional Filipino food, mostly of Capampangan origin, and gourmet dishes inspired by Abe’s travels around the world. At Abe, food is prepared and served with a great deal of love while its concept and design provide the ideal setting for friends and family who wish to dine comfortably and have a good time."

I had fun ordering different kinds of dishes starting with the Crispy Pork Adobo Ni Ising. My late great grandmother, Ising, loved to cook and their take on the traditional soy sauce + vinegar was beyond my expectations.

Lechon, oh lechon. I am a sucker for good lechon and it is so hard to find nowadays. I was literally stunned in my seat as I watched the plate of large proportions of another Filipino specialty laid out in front of me. The skin was crisp to perfection with the juicy flavor (minus the excess grease) of pork feasted on my taste buds. The meat was equally as fulfilling and the bamboo rice just raised my standards up a notch. The Bamboo Rice is a must try if you are going to Abe, the steaming rice is encased in actual bamboo and the waiters tap a melody on the bamboo before they serve you generous portions of rice.

There's always room for dessert! The waiter recommended the 'Sikreto ni Maria' which contained hot suman  (rice cake) with the famous sweet mangoes of the Philippines. Nothing unusual right there but it is a good addition for the ultimate Filipino food experience.

Abe is part of the LJC group of restaurants, the company also responsible for Fely J, Lorenzo's Way, Ang Bistro sa Remedios, Cafe Adriatico, Cafe Havana, and Larry's Cafe & Bar. You can visit Abe's main website for more info on their branches and accommodations of their spa and farm located in Magalang, Pampanga.






Gambas Al Ajillo
Spanish-style shelled shrimps sauteed in olive oil and garlic 
320.00




Yummy yummy fried rice! (Forgot the name due to food coma)


Crispy Pork Adobo ni Lola Ising
Choice pork belly slices stewed and then dried in garlic and spices as served at Cafe Adriatico Premiere 395.00




Lechon Cubano
Story has it that Che Guevarra once fought Fidel over its roasted crispy skin
425.00


Bamboo Rice
Mountain rice cooked with shrimps, wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots steamed in a bamboo shell 250.00




Sikreto ni Maria
155.00



Ube Jalea with Macapuno
150.00


K.



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Kapitolyo Project #2: Cafe Juanita


My mom just loves going to this place and I finally saw the reason why: the place looks like Asia all beautifully sewn into a quaint yet enthralling restaurant, Cafe Juanita. Ironically, I do not have the photos of  the food that we ate here because I was just so busy exploring the beautiful collections of the owner who obviously enjoys travelling the world. I recommend this restaurant for treating your parents our for a quiet evening over tea and sumptuous meals. As for us, we ordered Catfish and Fillet Mignon which fared average for me. I was not particularly happy with my steak for it was a little dry and trust me, I know my steak. But overall, I just love the ambiance of the place, it's like a little Asia found at 19 West Capitol Drive Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Now, enjoy the pictures!





Multiple awards given by the Philippine Tattler for Best Restaurant








-K.

French Baker