The house that Pata Tim built
I once saw this restaurant some time in ‘06 and I asked myself, ‘who would dine here?’ Apparently, a lot of people dine at Emer’s Food Center inside the Makati Cinema Square. According to the cashier, they have been in business for 26 years and the customers just keep coming back. I heard about this place from one of the managers at our office who raved about the place and said that the Pata Tim (soy-braised pork leg) was their specialty.
According to a Pata-Tim afficionado (yes, I know one) and fellow foodie, Pata Tim originated from the Chinese province of Sichuan, supposedly the most agriculturally wealthy part China where they have the most abundant food supply.
Most recipe books will tell you that Pata Tim is painstaking to prepare. First, the pork leg is boiled in seasoned water for a couple of hours or more. Then it is baked, which gives the skin a singed appearance. Lastly, it is steamed before it is braised and served over a bed of lettuce. These cooking methods give the Pata Tim its fall-off-the-bone tenderness. But why go through all that for delicious Pata Tim when you can just dine at Emer’s or call for takeout (811-1833/ 843-6113). Sorry, they don’t deliver.
This is how it looked when it was brought to my table. Less than five minutes after ordering, I was treated to instant gratification. All for only P295.00 (US$7.00) per order. Plus the staff and crew were very accommodating. Thanks a lot to John who was both our waiter and guide to the world of Pata Tim.
I think one order is big enough for three hungry people. I had to take out my left-overs, which I still had for dinner that night.
So the next time you buy your DVDs at the Makati Cinema Square, make sure you check out Emer’s Food Center’s Pata Tim. Come with a big appetite for maximum satisfaction.
Comments
Comment from Arpee
Time: May 19, 2008, 7:14 am
to nina: i used to ignore it too. kasi parang ang pangit ng lugar. not until my officemates started talking about it and so noreen and i tried it. you should too. super sarap ng pata tim nila saka ang dami!
Comment from eric
Time: May 19, 2008, 12:51 pm
grabe sarap. arpee mag sabay naman tayo food trip next time with nina!
Comment from Arpee
Time: May 19, 2008, 3:11 pm
to eric: oo nga! that is a great idea. let’s discuss this when we see each other.
Comment from cathy
Time: May 19, 2008, 9:59 pm
Hi!
You made my day! I loveeeee Pata Tim! I am glad I found your blog. I loveee your passion for food!
Comment from Hiro
Time: May 19, 2008, 10:55 pm
sama naman ako sa oofd trip na yan
Comment from Hiro
Time: May 19, 2008, 10:55 pm
sama naman ako sa food trip na yan
Comment from Arpee
Time: May 20, 2008, 12:10 am
to cathy: thank you for visiting my blog. will do my best to improve content.
to hiro: it would be great if we can all meet and arrange our own food trip! thanks for gracing my blog!
Comment from nina
Time: May 20, 2008, 2:06 am
Basta free ako ng Saturday and Sundays ;D
Comment from Khursten
Time: May 20, 2008, 10:14 am
Hindi kayo kumain ng pancit! 
Yan pa naman specialty din dyan! (Or well, favorite ko. lol.)
Comment from eric
Time: May 20, 2008, 11:23 am
ako din im free sat sun, unless kung may press event (na normally tayo tayo din nagkakasama) ahehehe
Comment from Arpee
Time: May 20, 2008, 2:40 pm
to khursten: i will definitely order a plateful in my next visit. thanks a bunch for the tip!
to eric: sat-sun din ako free. let’s talk about this over the weekend. will email you my contact details.
Comment from Food
Time: May 25, 2008, 9:35 pm
Oo sarap diyan lalo na yung cua pao try niyo yon! don’t judge the book by it’s cover. ugly on the outside but fuckng beautiful inside…
Comment from u8mypinkcookies
Time: June 28, 2008, 9:30 pm
i love the pata tim my tita makes, awww i miss it..
thanks for this reco.. at least i know where to find pata tim when i suddenly have cravings for it
Comment from Arpee
Time: June 29, 2008, 12:05 pm
to food: i haven’t tried the cua pao, thanks for the idea! will try it when i go back.
to u8mypinkcookies: according to the staff, their pata is boiled and cooked more than twice which is why it is so tender. do pass by the place when you buy your dvds.
Comment from nina
Time: May 19, 2008, 2:00 am
I’ve seen this at MCS, but ignored it. I never thought na may specialty pala sila. Okay din yung Chinese resto/carinderia sa 2nd floor.