OAP: "Top Meals - Makati's Secret Bicol Comfort Food"

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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Top Meals - Makati's Secret Bicol Comfort Food

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We love good food from the French Fine Dining Places to Hole-in-the-Wall restaurants. Our recent quest led us to Makati's secret place for Bicol comfort food. Top Meal Food Haus specializes on Bicol favorites like the Pork Binagoongan and Bicol Express. It is also popular for its Pancit selection which includes Pancit Lucban with Chili.

If you like Som's Thai restaurant in Makati, check out Top Meals Food House within its Makati neighborhood (at the back of Rockwell). There are 5 small tables inside and 2 small tables outside that can sit 2-3 people. You would see native artworks from Sorsogon around the resto and a single ceiling fan to cool the surroundings. Allegedly, this place is a favorite hang-out of Atenistas, Rockwell people and foodies.

Bicol Specials, Value Meals, and Sizzlers | Pansit, Drinks and Desserts

What I like about Top House is that it is not like a carinderia where the food is prepared in the morning and served all day. Most of the dishes are cooked when you order it so that it is served hot and fresh from the kitchen. It is best if Wilson Tan is in the resto because he will be the one to cook for you.

Ripe Mango Shake (P35) and Iced Milo (P20).

We tried out the cool drinks and it tasted like it was over diluted with water. For less than P40, you should lower your expectations on these drinks.

Bicol Express (P65) and Pork Binangoongan (P61)

Wilson's specialty is the Pork Binangoongan which is prepared with toasted alamang. The Bicol Express is made with gata and a good mix of fatty and lean meat pork. You can specify if you want your food to be really (chili) hot like how they enjoy it in Bicol. The serving plates are small (in proportion with the small tables) but its flavor is enough to compensate for its size.

Pinakbet (P64).
We ordered vegetables to go with the pork bicol specialties. It was a bit dry.

Halo-Halo (P59)

The Halo-Halo was a bit different because it had a slimy texture because of the Ube made with gata. In Tiwi Halo-Halo tradition, it was served with cheese sprinkled on top. The Leche Plan tasted like it was sugar free. This one is a matter of preference -- I like it because it has its own character, while my wife hates it because it was slimy.

Wilson Tan, a computer graduate turned into chef entreprenuer. You can contact him at +632 895 1249, or +63915-391 4571.