Bistro sa Remedios is one restaurant that serves regional known home dishes at its best! Part of the LJC Group of Companies, they are currently celebrating their 30 years in the food and restaurant industry. Created to serve those looking for home-grown and loved dishes, Bistro sa Remedios or Bistro Remedios for short, is known for delicious regional home loved dishes. From north to south, east to west, they have something that a certain region is known and loved for. I am not just talking of dishes but also flavors that are served to match the taste of people looking for something distinctly pinoy.
I never been to Bistro Remedios before and it was a real pleasure for me to be invited to join their celebration this August. One, I am not a Malate person. Second, I am not much of a night person. Seldom do I go out at night and if I do, it is somewhere convenient for me since I live in the South. That is why I am guilty of not knowing good food places in Malate such as Bistro Remedios. I am thankful for the opportunity to know you and talk about you!
Looking at the place from the outside, you would say it is one of your old high-end restaurant. Old and simple. In reality, it is more to that when you step inside. Inside, it is a visual treat for those who appreciate old architectural structures. I am not an architect by profession but I do love old structures especially old Spanish themed houses. Looking at the place, I would say some walls may have been knocked down to give more space and new fixtures were placed to keep up with the time but as a whole, the main walls are still the same. Arches, pillars, wood sidings and panels, all the same! If you use your imagination, you could imagine the where the original main door was, the receiving area (el recibidor) and even the entertainment area. Presente, el patio fue transformado para comedor, similar al garaje (Present, the patio was transformed into a dining place similar to the garage). The place is indeed an architectural treat. Que bonita!
The food served that night was all Bistro Remedios trademark and 3 new offerings.
For appetizers, we were served Paco Fern Salad, Camaru, Sisig, Sinuteng Baby Pusit and Frog Legs and for soup, Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas.
Paco Fern Salad
Out of the numerous variety of fern, which most of us knows as an ornamental plant, Bistro Remedios offers a salad that is both scrumptious and healthy. Served with a light vinegar dressing along with eggs slices and other vegetable salad (tomatoes and onions), this is one salad worth diving into. It is healthy and similar but still different from your usual garden salad. What makes it different? The fern. It is juicy and crunchy at the same time. For a vegetarian, this is already a meal altogether minus the egg. It is a light dish if shared and a filling one if eaten by one person.
Sisig
It is your usual pork face finely chopped and flat pan or plate cooked, served and best eaten while it is hot. For some they place egg on top and have spice for added flavor. For Bistro Remedios, it is simply served with calamansi and on a hot plate. As mentioned, best eaten while it is hot.
Sinuteng Baby Pusit
Honestly, I have been looking for the meaning of the word sinute but to no connecting results when it come to dishes. But who cares . . .this is one delicious appetizer! It is basically baby squid seasoned and cooked till what ever ink it has comes out. It is soft, juicy and a perfect appetizer! You might ask for rice when you get to encounter this for it could be a viand already. You see, small semi-round shape pinkish squid body that is so appetizing to consume and trust me when I say, give in to the temptation.
Frog Legs
Looks like chicken fingers and some would say it is like chicken but for me it is more than chicken. Now don't be surprise to find frogs in their entry for the owners are Kapangpangan and frogs is one protein source that they are known for. To those squeamish in eating frogs, then this is the best way to eat it. As a protein, I know frogs are delicate when it comes to cooking and preparation. Similar to some avian or poultry which can be tricky when it comes to flavoring, the frog legs in Bistro Remedios is simply seasoned with salt and pepper. It could have gone to some other steps as part of preparation for meats coming from amphibians but the coating and frying was done right. It is one offering worth munching on.
Camaru
Yes. Camaru or Rice field crickets. Don't look! Just grab a spoon and dig in! It is crunchy, yummy and a delight! I have never tried this dish before and it was a winner for me! If you are one adventurous and curious person like me, then you may start looking at the dish. You see the thorax, definitely the abdomen and possible the head. Forget the thought that you are eating an insect. Concentrate on the taste and the crunch on every bite. This is one plate worth digging your spoon in!
Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas
Try having sinigang but instead of having it in the usual tamarind, have it in using guava or bayabas and you would say it is different but still delicious. Guava on its ripe form is normally sweet but it has that small tang that creates a good counterpoint. When made into a soup base, all the fruitiness of it comes out. The sweet juicy flavor then gets absorbed with the fat of the fish; divine! The milkiness of the fish and its fat/oil added with the fruitiness from the guava and what you have is a soup worth of your time anytime of the year.
New Dishes (Main Course)
(Adobong Hito sa Gata, Sinugba Platter and Lechon Kawali sa Gata)
When you hear gata (coconut cream) one would immediately think of the Bicol or even Visayan Region and the same is true for me. My mom is from the Bicol region and she knows how to cook dishes using coconut cream. This three (3) new offerings is a something that I never expected but pleased to know that they have it now.
Adobong Hito sa Gata
I remember the time when I was still a kid and I saw how one prepares hito or catfish. You have to make sure that you really smack it hard on the head for it has a thick skull. It also has a thick skin which makes the meat juicy when cooked. I love dishes cooked with coconut cream and this one joins the list. If you are a spicy food lover, you can request this one be made spicy. Some would say that catfish is not a good fish to cook because of the thing that it eats but in the hands of the creative and wonderful chef of Bistro Remedios, this is one catfish dish that is in the tummy; namely my tummy.
Sinugba Platter
Sinugba a word meaning to roast, from the Visayan region. This platter is one best for sharing. With pork, chicken and shrimps roasted right, all you need is rice, vinegar and company to share this platter with. Served with atchara, you are assured of a clean palate and a clean plate.
Lechon Kawali sa Gata
On the way to the place, I was hoping they would serve something similar to a pata tim but what was serve was better! One of their new offerings is Lechon Kawali sa Gata. It is your typical lechon kawali but cooked again with coconut cream. It has the crunch because it was deeply fried but at the same time made really flavorful due to the added coconut cream. My advise when ordering this dish, make it a little spicy for that added kick. In my book, gata and siling labuyo (local small red chili) goes hand-in-hand. Initially, it was served at it is but when I was given a side serving of finely chopped siling labuyo and I get to mix it with what I have on my plate, it was a dish worth having on my own. Kill me! I love pork, coconut cream and spice. This dish has it all! More rice por favor!
Definitely we were treated to some of its signature dishes such as Crispy Tadyang "D Original", Gule Magalang and Kalderetang Kambing.
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| Crispy Tadyang "D Original" |
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| Gule Magalang |
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| Kalderetang Kambing |
The caldereta is so tender that the meat simply melts in your mouth! The flavor is so rich. No funky smell from the meat. All you can smell are the flavors and ingredients used to create this regional dish. The Crispy Tadyang is indeed with a crunch and to help you all with the meat dishes order the Gule Magalang; it is a vegetable dish set to balance all the cholesterol or fats that you have taken in.
To help you wash some of the food from your mouth, Bistro Remedios also offers a good range of drinks to your liking. From fruit juices, shakes, iced tea and colas to alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea, check what they have and match it with what you are having. Their trademark, Tamarind Ice Tea or Tamarind Shake. It is one refreshingly tart-sweet drink created to help clean your palate and at the same time a treat.
As you dine, you will be treated with Filipino songs sung live by their in-house musicians, such was our case that night. As mentioned by our hostess, they have been with the company since its early stages. Talk about company loyalty and good management! I was hoping to hear "Sampaguita" but then again, nothing beats a live version of "Ang Pipit". If your Pinoy and is not familiar with this classic then shame on you!
To help close the night and dinner, we were all treated to various desserts offered by the establishment. Maja Blanca Remedios, Turon with Langka, Pandan Cake, Chocnut Cheesecake and seasonal fruits. Some would mention the maja blanca or the cheesecake but for me, the turon takes the hat!
Having a good turon nowadays is hard to come by. Supermarket has it. Your nearby side street cookery has it. But that type of turon with the right ripeness of the banana, combined with the right ripeness also of langka (jackfruit) is hard to find. What you have right now is turon overly coated with sugar and deep-fried leaving some oil in your mouth. Such is NOT the case with the turon in Bistro Remedios. Right level of ripeness for both the banana and jackfruit. Fried and strained properly, making sure that excess oil is really removed from it. No sugar used to cover the wrapper used. When they serve you this delectable dessert, it comes with a small bowl of latik (either made from coconut cream or sugar cane) to help enhance your turon experience. This is may not be of Philippine origin but it sure is embraced and made Filipino in time.
The whole event was like a simple dinner gathering of either a family or friends but it could be the case either way. A family of bloggers for the LJC Group or a group of bloggers with different styles and outlook that has become friends with the LJC Group. It was simple, fun and intimate. No funfare. Simply good food shared among good people who are friends, who are family.
Happy 30th year Bistro Remedios! To more good food!
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To those who would like to try the and experience dining in Bistro Remedios, you may go to their place at 1911 M.. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle Malate Manila with number (02) 523 9153. Go ahead and enjoy all their entries. Bring your family or friends also. This is one place best experience with those who matters in your life.
Photos:
(All photos used were personally taken by me during the bloggers night)
The place (Interior):
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| The Chef with a staff (relax moments) |
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| Malou Evidente-Domingo (Marketing Manager) |
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| Maja Blanca Remedios |
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| Pandan Cake |
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| Fruit in season |
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| Chocnut Cheesecake |
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