Have a veranda view of the Manila Bay and the mini park at Abe by the LJC group of restaurants while you dine. This is one of the popular restaurants to watch the Pyromusical competition back when fireworks were not banned yet. You can cross order from Café Adriatico, also by LJC, which is just located next door and is connected by a doorway. Both offer Filipino food with a bit of Spanish and Chinese influence.

The Food:

Sinuteng Baby Squid

A recent favorite, this appetizer can might as well be a main viand if not for the appetizer sized serving plate. Tender baby squids in olive oil sautéed in garlic, laurel, and spices is an alternative to the usual adobong pusit.

Bulalo

A comforting soup, though this one is a bit on the salty side and lacks some beefy taste. Longer cooking time for the beef, tendons, marrow maybe? That would also tenderize the meat.

Baby Squid Rice

That mysterious brown ball in the middle of the rice platter is, guess what, a meat ball? A giant fishball/kikiam? Nope, it’s a coated salted egg. The rice itself was seasoned already and a bit salty. Most likely had bagoong in it. This can be eaten with other seafood viands with mild flavor. The baby squid pieces were quite few. If you are after the squid, better order the Sinuteng Baby Squid.

Klassik Kare Kare

Ox tripe, banana heart, eggplant, greens, in a peanut sauce. The banana heart has a good texture, seems fresh. The peanut sauce alone might need a little seasoning so bagoong is served on the side to adjust saltiness to your preference. This actually went well with the Baby Squid Rice which already has bagoong.

Actual din in date: late 2019