Food for the Boss: 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.