Good Filipino Restaurants in the City?
That is, besides my own cooking, of course...
But seriously, I have been here in SF for about 10 years now and have made my way through many a Filipino restaurant in and around the City. Typically, I would say that I go to a Filipino restaurant with family whenever they are in town visiting, because it's just easier to feed a huge clan of us and that way we can focus on one another and catch up.
Naturally and most times, it is better to have it home-made than anywhere else.
Luckily for my friends, they have me to provide that.
Although, there are times that I crave some Dishes that are easier to order in a restaurant than to make. My mom is a great cook, and growing up, she could make pretty much anything, like Kare Kare, Dinuguan, Lumpiang Shanghai & even my fave, Lechon Kawali, all of which I am still working to add to my repertoire.
Lechon Kawali, is one that I am not supposed to eat too much of, because, in effect it is Pork Belly, which has been boiled and then Deep-Fried. It's what you call a true 'heart attack special' and I Love it. Bad Raptor...
Aside: Funny thing about Lechon Kawali is that, as an adult (very recently... *smirk*) I was having dinner at Rubicon and ordered the Pork Belly appetizer, and I came to the realization that I was having an updated version of something very traditional in my culture. Cool, huh?
Anyhow, getting back to my point, until recently, one Filipino restaurant was just like all of the others and the bulk of them are all in Daly City (Little Manila) and beyond.
Let me break it down a bit...
Well, there's always good ol' Goldilock's Bakery & Restaurant for the 'beginners & newbies', with its various locations in Daly City, East Bay and one in the Outer Mission right down the street from me. Although, most Filipinos would scoff, it's good for people that have never tried Filipino food, because it's turo-turo style. Turo-turo is derived from the Tagalog verb turo which means "to point." Turo-turo is a slang expression for fast food restaurants where customers point at the dishes they want to order. I'd say this is a quick and easy way to taste your way through a variety of dishes and besides, you get to see what you're getting.
Recently, a number of new & perhaps one would even say trendier restaurants have popped up.
There's Patio FIlipino and Tribu Grill in San Bruno which we have been frequenting a lot lately.
They both have a Rice dish called Bagoong Fried Rice which is probably not for everyone, but Filipinos are liking this updated style of FIlipino Food.
Both are good, but still, they are a car ride away. There is also a new place in San Mateo called Bistro Luneta that I've been wanting to try, which has been toted by Michael Bauer of the SF Chronicle, as 'a modern take on traditional Filipino fare... offering modern interpretations of traditional flavors... that have broadened the appeal of the cuisine.' Nice.
And looking at the menu and preps, I would have to agree so far, but it has yet to pass the Raptor test... Upscale Filipino food? Interesting. Very interesting. I am definitely curious.
This place gets a 'We shall see..' I promise to report back, if and when I do go, no doubt.
And again, back to my point, it is still a trek like the other places. Otherwise, I would've tried it, like yesterday...
In the City...
For as long as I've lived here, there weren't very many places to speak of.
Let's see... There's Irma's Pampanga.... And.... Umm... Uhhh.... Did I mention Irmas's Pampanga? hahaha...
And by all means, if you are reading this and know of any that I may have missed, please let me know...
But lately, there have been a few places popping up in the City, and I can't tell you how excited that makes me! Mind you, I have yet to try these places, but this is a very exciting thing for me & my peoples.
To name the few, or should I say all, because 'a few' is all there is in reality:
There's a fast food/take out place in my Hood on Mission & 23rd-ish called Kababayan (meaning 'countrymen' or in slang 'Mah Peoples') and then there's Zebulon in the SOMA district which is said to be in an industrial, lounge-like atmosphere with DJs & live music. Their food is more Asian fusion with some Filipino dishes like Lumpia & Adobo mixed in...
The latest Filipino restaurant to open is Palencia in the Castro on 17th & Noe, and this is one that I am truly excited to try. My friend G called me from there recently and said that it was packed with non-Filipino folks and they, the token 'Filipinos' were seated by the window. Funny, very funny. No offense taken, really. She said the menu was very traditional with all Filipino dishes.
All I gotta say is 'Props' to Palencia for pulling that off. Now I gotta make my way over there real soon, so that I can be down too... Can't wait.
But seriously, I have been here in SF for about 10 years now and have made my way through many a Filipino restaurant in and around the City. Typically, I would say that I go to a Filipino restaurant with family whenever they are in town visiting, because it's just easier to feed a huge clan of us and that way we can focus on one another and catch up.
Naturally and most times, it is better to have it home-made than anywhere else.
Luckily for my friends, they have me to provide that.
Although, there are times that I crave some Dishes that are easier to order in a restaurant than to make. My mom is a great cook, and growing up, she could make pretty much anything, like Kare Kare, Dinuguan, Lumpiang Shanghai & even my fave, Lechon Kawali, all of which I am still working to add to my repertoire.
Lechon Kawali, is one that I am not supposed to eat too much of, because, in effect it is Pork Belly, which has been boiled and then Deep-Fried. It's what you call a true 'heart attack special' and I Love it. Bad Raptor...
Aside: Funny thing about Lechon Kawali is that, as an adult (very recently... *smirk*) I was having dinner at Rubicon and ordered the Pork Belly appetizer, and I came to the realization that I was having an updated version of something very traditional in my culture. Cool, huh?
Anyhow, getting back to my point, until recently, one Filipino restaurant was just like all of the others and the bulk of them are all in Daly City (Little Manila) and beyond.
Let me break it down a bit...
Well, there's always good ol' Goldilock's Bakery & Restaurant for the 'beginners & newbies', with its various locations in Daly City, East Bay and one in the Outer Mission right down the street from me. Although, most Filipinos would scoff, it's good for people that have never tried Filipino food, because it's turo-turo style. Turo-turo is derived from the Tagalog verb turo which means "to point." Turo-turo is a slang expression for fast food restaurants where customers point at the dishes they want to order. I'd say this is a quick and easy way to taste your way through a variety of dishes and besides, you get to see what you're getting.
Recently, a number of new & perhaps one would even say trendier restaurants have popped up.
There's Patio FIlipino and Tribu Grill in San Bruno which we have been frequenting a lot lately.
They both have a Rice dish called Bagoong Fried Rice which is probably not for everyone, but Filipinos are liking this updated style of FIlipino Food.
Both are good, but still, they are a car ride away. There is also a new place in San Mateo called Bistro Luneta that I've been wanting to try, which has been toted by Michael Bauer of the SF Chronicle, as 'a modern take on traditional Filipino fare... offering modern interpretations of traditional flavors... that have broadened the appeal of the cuisine.' Nice.
And looking at the menu and preps, I would have to agree so far, but it has yet to pass the Raptor test... Upscale Filipino food? Interesting. Very interesting. I am definitely curious.
This place gets a 'We shall see..' I promise to report back, if and when I do go, no doubt.
And again, back to my point, it is still a trek like the other places. Otherwise, I would've tried it, like yesterday...
In the City...
For as long as I've lived here, there weren't very many places to speak of.
Let's see... There's Irma's Pampanga.... And.... Umm... Uhhh.... Did I mention Irmas's Pampanga? hahaha...
And by all means, if you are reading this and know of any that I may have missed, please let me know...
But lately, there have been a few places popping up in the City, and I can't tell you how excited that makes me! Mind you, I have yet to try these places, but this is a very exciting thing for me & my peoples.
To name the few, or should I say all, because 'a few' is all there is in reality:
There's a fast food/take out place in my Hood on Mission & 23rd-ish called Kababayan (meaning 'countrymen' or in slang 'Mah Peoples') and then there's Zebulon in the SOMA district which is said to be in an industrial, lounge-like atmosphere with DJs & live music. Their food is more Asian fusion with some Filipino dishes like Lumpia & Adobo mixed in...
The latest Filipino restaurant to open is Palencia in the Castro on 17th & Noe, and this is one that I am truly excited to try. My friend G called me from there recently and said that it was packed with non-Filipino folks and they, the token 'Filipinos' were seated by the window. Funny, very funny. No offense taken, really. She said the menu was very traditional with all Filipino dishes.
All I gotta say is 'Props' to Palencia for pulling that off. Now I gotta make my way over there real soon, so that I can be down too... Can't wait.
UPDATE 10/10/07: Went to Palencia last night and I have to tell you, this place is really impressive. The Decor is beautifully done in old colonial style with dark mahogany wood floors. Burnt orange accent walls, dark wood shutters and elegant basket weave lighting. I also have to mention the old school seashell or capiz chandeliers in the front window area, which are reminiscent of the 80's & 90's in most Filipino homes and maybe even now still. And the most nostalgic part of all for me is the wall-sized black & white family photo in the back.
The Food: Chef Danelle Lucero creates authentic Filipino Dishes with a healthier twist. Filipino Food is typically not known for its healthiness, what with all of the Pork and Deep-Fried Dishes, but Chef Danelle has somehow successfully pulled it off. Everything on the Menu is served Family-Style and all of the Dishes are traditional Filipino Fare and from what we had, it was all delicious.
The Breakdown: We started with the Fresh Lumpia with Prawns and a Garlicky Sauce, which was light and yummy. We then had the Pancit Bihon, also well-done. For our Entrees, we had the Guinitaang Kalabasa at Hipon (Kabocha Squash and Shrimp simmered in Coconut Milk) and the Sisig Na Bangus (Flaked Marinated Milkfish with Cherry Tomato, Jalapeno Pepper and Red Onion Salsa) which was to Die For! All I can say is, you have to try it, it was 'that' good...
For Dessert, we had the Turon (Philippine Saba Bananas layered with Jackfruit wrapped in a Crispy Crepe) and instead of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream we substituted Coconut. Awesome!
Mind you, this place is an upscale Filipino restaurant, and may not appeal to the older Filipino generation, but let me tell you, as a dining experience, it is 'Well Worth It'...
Trust me. As you have read above, San Francisco was seriously lacking in Filipino restaurants within the City limits, and Palencia is all that I could have hoped for and more.
All in all, the entire Dining Experience was Top-Rate and I Highly Recommend that you go...
The Raptor & Food Maven has spoken.
The Raptor & Food Maven has spoken.
