I was invited with a small group of bloggers for a food tasting event hosted by Asya Filipino-Asian Restaurant. The venue wasn't familiar to me so I had to ask the guards in the vicinity for directions. For a bit an info, this restaurant is situated at the heart of Eton Centris in Quezon City, where you can also see those unique giant architectural structures from Quezon Ave. MRT station. The restaurant is owned and managed by the same group behind local fine dining restaurants in the metro such as Duo Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Zuni Restaurant and Wine Bar and Sutra Restaurant and Bar.
Their menu is comprised of traditional dishes that we Filipinos are very much proud of. Main course wouldn't be complete without Kare-Kare, Kaldereta, Sinigang, Krispy Pata and the likes.
They have a simple yet very spacious interior, with fancy chairs showcasing faces of known Southeast Asian personalities. You can also choose to be seated at the al fresco area which I think is the ideal spot during happy hours.
We started off with a smoking hot plate of Pork Sisig. My first impression: less oil. It gives my forehead that unwanted crease whenever I see food floating in oil and makes me easily assume that "umay" or "suya" is waiting ahead of me. Their pork sisig for me is very distinct because it was creamy and you need not to add sauces to make it flavorful. It is definitely a perfect beer-match and can also pass as a welcome dish for our balikbayan relatives. You can skip the green chilis if you have low tolerance on spicy food.
Sizzling Crispy Pork Sisig Php175
The Lumpiang Tinapa tasted average to me merely because I'd rather dip it in any type of vinegar. I believe it was cooked few minutes before it was served but has maintained the right amount of crispness.
Crispy Lumpiang Tinapa at Gulay Php125
Third meal served was the Kalderetang Kambing which is a big revelation to me. I knew it was goat's meat (which I prefer not to eat ever since) but it deceived me in a good way. I was slicing a small chunk on my plate and noticed how the strips looked somehow similar to beef but it tasted like a tender slice of pork. The thick sauce is not just the ordinary red tomato sauce. It was really delicious. I highly recommend you try this.
Kalderetang Kambing Php460
This fourth meal is blockbuster. We didn't pair the three dishes earlier with rice, so that gave us enough space for this humongous platter of seafood. The Seafood Aligue Rice itself is already complete a meal. They serve it with whole shrimps (not just strips) on top of it. Sinugba Platter is our favorite set of inihaw pork and seafood. Pair it with spicy soy sauce with lemon and expect no leftover for rice. I didn't try the catfish but according to them the fish was really tender and didn't leave the common bad taste. It was my first time to taste burong kapampangan, also known as fermented rice so expect the unusual smell. It complements well with these set of inihaw.
Seafood Aligue Rice Php230 and Sinugba Platter Php990
Last but not the least is our native desserts with a twist. My Mom would usually include strips of ripe jackfruit whenever she fries turon for the family but I didn't know that it tastes even better with ice cream.
Turon de Langka Php75
I was also surprised to taste their Coconut leche flan. It was well presented, not too sweet and tasted more like a custard. It's really amazing how we can infuse a little twist on our native recipes.
Overall, I had a palatable food experience at Asya Restaurant. Their price points are highly reasonable because meals are absolutely for sharing. With BPOs and Government offices nearby, Eton Centris is location wise and is a pie-in-the-sky for food businesses. If my purpose is just to dine out and relax a bit, I'd rather go to this place to avoid the crowd. I think Eton Centris just need to keep up by introducing this promising venue, else people like me wouldn't know how nice this place was.
Ground Floor, Centris Walk, Eton Centris,
EDSA Corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Telephone Nos: 994-8467, 738-4938 to 39
Mobile: 0917-5547155
Email: info@asya.com.ph
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I've been to Asya in Centris but I don't recall the pastel-colored facade. I guess they had a makeover. :)
ReplyDeleteThe leche flan looks so yummy, it got me craving for it! :)
ReplyDeletesalivary on the sisig! i really miss eating them might try to make one soon i guess! love the place too!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so good, but you got me at that Coconut Leche Flan! Anyway, I haven't tried eating at Asya yet although I've been familiar with the resto for quite some time now.
ReplyDeleteCoconut leche flan? Hmmm.. looks yummy. I like leche flans that are not too sweet. I think I'll drag hubby to Asya's one day. Siguro if mapadaan sa Centris minsan.
ReplyDelete