One Saturday night, Noreen and I went to see the jazz performers at the Philippine Jazz Festival at the Eastwood Park. After an hour, we both got hungry and decided to go to this Italian “pirate” restaurant and try their food for the first time. Upon entering, I was surprised that there were no guards or receptionist to greet us. Sitting in the restaurant for more than 5 minutes, no waiter approached us despite the restaurant NOT being full. There was a large group of kids eating and everyone was busy with the large group. Perhaps the restaurant was understaffed. We left because we were too hungry to wait and decided to visit an old favorite, Serye.

Whatever disappointments I might have had earlier with the previous restaurant were all washed away with the waiter’s smile and warm greeting. I don’t know why I complained to him about the other restaurant, probably because I was too hungry to be rational, but the nice Serye waiter promised that it would be a different experience with them and that I had come to the right place. Indeed, he was right.

Ordering was easy. There were indicators on their menu pointing to their best selling items and I went the foolproof way and selected the items with the thumbs up sign. Noreen had the kare-kare (ox tripe in peanut sauce with shrimp paste sauce).

An order for good for one is P220.00 (US$4.60) with fluffy rice. The sauce was not smooth, and this is a good thing. I could taste the pounded rice which was used as thickener in addition to the ground peanuts. None of the usual flour and peanut butter were used here as in most other restaurants. The ox tail and tripe were soft and absolutely heavenly.

It was a good meal. Not too much, not too little. Just right.

I went with the boneless chicken barbecue which cost P250.00 (US$5.21). A little pricey because I got the half-chicken order with java rice and their signature iced tea, all 22 ounces for P95.00 (US$1.98). Iced tea was big enough for two people.

I never liked eating chicken breast until now. Their boneless chicken barbecue is the best there is.

Happy smiles are here again!

Dining has never been so fine after visiting Adarna Food and Culture. This restaurant, located along Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City, serves more than just good Filipino food: they also serve customers a heaping spoonful of culture and nostalgia with every bite. Indeed, Beth Angsioco has done a wonderful job in putting the restaurant together.

Chef Giney Villar, wearing black in the picture above, is the genius working in the kitchen and responsible for the wonderful dining experience that Adarna is known for. My personal thanks to the students of St. Joseph College, with special mention to Ms. Eena for inviting us bloggers to this event.

So what did we eat? Let’s start with the soup.

Chicken Mole Soup – chicken chunks in savory coconut milk with pechay and spices. A dish reminiscent of our Southeast Asian Heritage.  P135.00 (US$ 2.70) per order.

Sigarillas Salad – adapted from a salad served by the long-time cook of a convent school. Light and refreshing winged beans, onion and tomato dressed in a citrusy vinaigrette and sprinkled with Ilocano bagnet (bagnet is deep-fried pork belly cooked three ways) bits… P140.00 (US$2.80) per order.

Seafood Special – a true-blue Manila family shares an Iberian style seafood dish of shrimps, scallops and fish in a flavorful tomato-olive oil sauce topped with bell pepper, fried onions and parsley. P471.00 (US$9.42) per order.

Chicken Relleno – roasted chicken stuffed with chorizo, ham, quezo de bola, nuts, dried fruits and everything nice! Courtesy of a 1940s recipe notebook. It takes a whole day (or more) to prepare this spicy dish making it a measure of the importance of the occasion and the guests… Good for two to three persons. P448.00 (US$8.96) per order.

Adobong Batangas ala Adarna – The base recipe for this pork dish was generously shared by architect-granddaughter of prominent family from Batangas City. Adarna uses the original ingredients with other traditional cooking methods on a defining Filipino classic. P176.00 (US$3.52) per order.

Pancit 1913 – Chinese panciterias popularized this favorite take-home one-dish meal that working people, rich and poor, would willingly queue for as a take home treat for their loved ones after a long day’s work. Good for two people. P280.00 (US$5.60) per order.

Piassok – Hankering for something really different? From Mindanao, experience this exotic Sulu dish if beef chunks cooked slowly in smoked coconut cream and ten spices till tender then buttered and grilled just before serving. Great with beer or red wine. P304.00 (US$6.08) per order.

Kesong Puti and Langka Fry – Original Malolos, Bulacan carabao cheese and sweetened langka (jackfruit) in a crisp wrapper with mango cream sauce. A surprise treat. Four pieces. P86.00 (US$1.72) per order.

I highly recommend that you visit Adarna Food and Culture located at 119 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City with telephone numbers +632 926-8712, mobile number +63 917 961 8113. You can email them at adarnafoodandculture@yahoo.com.