Monica had me doing another food coverage for Inflight today. The spot: Villa Cafe, the latest brainchild of Star Chefs Jam Melchor and Sau del Rosario. Tucked in one of the commercial spaces in Glory Building in San Antonio Village, Makati, Villa is a small homey enclave for some good Filipino food with interesting twists.
 |
| Fresh pacu and prawn salad (P175) |
According to Chef Jam, the menu is a combination of secret family recipes from his and Chef Sau's Kapampangan family. The name Villa likewise hails from their rich Northern background: Chef Jam and Chef Sau lived in the same subdivision or villa, thus, the name of the cafe-restaurant.
 |
| Crispy fried hitu floss (P195) |
The menu teems of Filipino (mostly Kapampangan) cuisine and really, being Kapampangan is tantamount to being a good cook or developing a high aesthetic palate for good food. Favorites like the
hito (catfish) floss, a cuisine popular in Pampanga, is on offer.
Wrapped in lettuce with salted red eggs, tomatoes, and garlic, the floss is a-must if you want something casual for
merienda or brunch. (I love eating wrapped food so this one gets an extra bonus like from me.)
But the highlight of the menu is this:
 |
| Soft lamb shank caldereta (P625) |
Tender melt in the mouth yumminess of lamb slow-cooked for hours... This lamb shank upped the ante in the caldereta biz, adding gourmet ingredients to the usual homemade beef meal. Topped with
kesong puti (goat's cheese) and garnished with prime ingredients (some sourced directly from Pampanga) ushered this dish at the top of my Pinoy favorites list (add the fact too that I looooove caldereta).
 |
| Boneless crispy pata with kare-kare sauce |
Chef Jam is very accommodating and entertained us with stories about home and his ancestral kitch. Apparently, he comes from a family where the boys eclipse the girls in matters of cooking--typical of Kapampangan households.
 |
| Special halo-halo (P300) |
The place is small and compact but homey, with old records fleeting while you enjoy your next big serving. It reminds me of my abuelo's home in Batangas: laidback, light, cozy. The framed old photographs of the masters of the house, with messages from family and friends, add to its charm.
 |
| Pomelo juice |
The open kitchen is accessible from the dining area. And Chef Jam said you can enter and see how the staff prepares your food (given, though, that you do not circulate unnecessary viruses). The second floor is peppered with wedge shelves filled with books and other decors. (I kinda like the coaches at the lower ground floor, though.)
 |
| The second floor |
Sundays are full, with families heading straight here after an hour mass. Make reservations if you want a sure seat. -
4/11/12
 |
| Sir Jocas talking to Chef Jam |
Update: This restaurant review came out in the July-August 2012 Issue of Inflight magazine. To see the web version of this photo, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment