Recipes: Pinoy dish with a twist

My friends introduced me to this restaurant way back 2008, I’m not aware of their best seller then. What I remember is that they serve Crispy tilapia (deep fried fillet when serve) and it’s their best seller.  After almost 3 years I’m back at Recipes now at their Shangri-La branch. The place was quite small. Tip: To avoid waiting, might as well call them early for reservations. I also do this for small restaurants because I know seats are always occupied specially during lunch and dinner.

If you don’t know anything about Recipes you wouldn't think that they serve Pinoy dish unless you browse over their menu. My friends and I really love their Crispy Tilapia (you can really eat it till it’s last bone :D). To our surprise it was not available that day! Oh my! The waiter explained that when they found out that one of their fish has a bad taste (gilik ba un?) they stopped cooking Crispy Tilapia for that day. Well, it just simply says that they have their quality standards (atleast db).

As a replacement we ordered Crispy Bangus (180 Pesos):

Served filleted. I cannot find the distinct Bangus taste, probably the breading was too thick plus I want the Tilapia! (hehehe)

Gising Gising (160 Pesos) – Baguio Beans with coconut milk and ground pork with a kick of chili. This is also one of their best sellers.

Lechon Kawali with Kangkong (205 Pesos) – I thought that the Kangkong will serve as garnish, but to my surprise it was served in a bowl underneath the Lechon Kawali. BTW, the meat was cooked nicely and onti ang taba :) This is my favorite for the night hehehe...

In general they serve good food with just the right value. Probably one of the reasons why they are always jam-packed. I haven't been to their Trinoma Branch, I just hope they have a bigger place to accommodate more customers.  

The Hawaiian-Bar-B-Que

As early as January Anne and I were planning to have a one whole day trip to Tagaytay. She planned for the itinerary while I volunteered to find a place where we would go for lunch. I haven’t tried Leslie’s nor in RSM, but I want to find something other than the usual. Ofcourse, budget is considered here, The Hawaiian Bar-B-Que is not my original choice but the 1^st resto was too expensive that need to look for another that serves good food but not too pricey. I was impressed about good feedbacks about The Hawaiian Bar-B-Que’s Baby back ribs plus the ‘must try’ Bulalo (of course it’s Tagaytay) I immediately told Anne that this is the place for our Lunch.

This is located at the ground floor of The Boutique Bed and Breakfast overlooking Taal Volcano. Ambiance is definitely 5/5

The (incomplete) Menu:

I really can’t get over their Baby Back Ribs J I tried to eat the roasted pineapple on the side but it was sour! Hahaha. Pang design lng tlaga! hehe

450 Pesos for Medium order good for 2-3 persons

It’s a sure win that when I got home, I even talked to my guy friend and told him that he should invite the girl he’s courting to have dinner here (dinner for more romantic ambiance ofcourse)

The waiter asked if we want the meat and marrow removed from the bone and we immediately say ‘opo kuya’.

We ordered Medium size Bulalo… Yes, this is their medium serving! This is good for 3-4 persons but the menu says it’s good for 2, well if you don’t have any other order probably this is just enough for 2 persons. When Kuya served our order, the 4 girls from the other table were actually looking at our table hehehe because we are only 3 and yet out table was loaded of plates hahaha

The Bulalo is superb. You really know that it was cooked with real beef and not with broth cubes.

This bulalo costs around 500+

The baby back ribs + Bulalo is a sure win! No need to try other dish unless you still want to.

Tahiti’s Golden Fresh Crisp or commonly known as Pritong Tilapia is also good, ut not their specialty. The presentation reminds me of Pieces logo. 250 for 2 pcs. If I would go back and visit Hawaiian Bar-B-Que I would rather try other dish aside from this.

I tried their Hawaiian Iced Tea because it’s says on the menu that It was their house blend Iced Tea. Hmm, it just taste like regular Nestea Iced Team with fruits to make it Hawaiian inspired. Not worth it for 100 pesos.

Definetly would invite family and friends here! :)

They also have branches in Boracay and in MOA.