At the second floor of Greenbelt 5 in Makati is a dining place called Restaurante Pia Y Damaso. As the name connotes, it serves Colonial Filipino Cuisine. I had so much fun as I leafed through the menu, it brought me back to the pages and characters of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. More than a couple of times, I had to sit and wonder who Kapitan Tiago and Cabesang Tales are.
Subversive Pinoy Cuisine it is, as restaurant owner Bambi Sy-Gobio made sure there’s a twist to each Filipino dish that’s on the menu, giving diners a non-traditional foodie experience.
Ready to dig in! 🙂
From the entrance of the quaint and cozy restaurant to its interior, you can say that it’s a little bit on the intimidating side. Which I believe it was meant to give a feel of, to set the mood of the superior cuisine Padre Damaso must’ve indulged in in Rizal’s mind.
On Padre Damaso Verdolangas’s ravenous appetite from Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal: “Damaso had taken some raw eggs beaten up in wine, and that morning had said not a word and taken almost nothing for breakfast: he scarcely tasted a glass of milk, a cup of chocolate, and a dozen biscuits, heroically giving up the fried chicken and half a cottage cheese from Laguna which he had every morning…”
Mango, Tamarind and Strawberry & Mint Smoothies
Nga Nga Beef Salad, P250
Salty, sweet, chewy beef flakes, green mango pickle, red onions, haw flakes, cilantro, arugula and lettuce. How to eat it? Wrap all ingredients in lettuce, roll it up like a nga nga (betel nut chew).
Filo Tarts with Pork Asado, Apple Relish, P220
AÂ must-try! I have yet to bite a better tasting filo cake. This pan-fried, flaky filo mini cakes are stuffed with salty, sweet pork asado with caramelized apples and vinegar. The fusion is mind-boggling, for sure. But these starters have the making of perking up your otherwise bad day. I could seriously finish a serving or two, all on my own, if you ask me.
Almond Stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon (sweet and salty bites of bacon), P175
I never thought dates were good for anything before I took a bite of this, to be honest. They are simply my least favorite fruit. A taste of Restaurante Pia Y Damaso turned it a hundred eighty degree for me. Right around this time, I’m getting the impression that this restaurant is totally capitalizing on otherwise contradicting tastes of salty and sweet into the most appetizing dishes that I have tasted to date.
Elias, P450
I’ve always wondered what crocs taste like. They always said it tasted that of chicken since it’s their staple food. It’s true. But more than how it tastes like, it has more to do with how the different ingredients come together that makes a dish truly delightful. This crocodile meat is seared and marinated. Mixed with greens, tomatoes, caramelized pineapples, crisp shallots and mango cilantro vinaigrette.
Spanish-Style Sardines with Toated Pandesal, P220
Warm sardines cooked with roasted garlic and confit of tomato in olive oil.
Restaurante Pia Y Damaso to go!  Diners can gift their friends and loved ones with good, comfort food. 🙂
Kapitan Tiago’s Kare-Kare, P600
A native stew with roasted rice, peanuts and garlic, with beef tripe, tail and meat served with bagoong shrimp taste.
I’m not sure if I was already too stuffed when this was served, but although this Kare-Kare tasted good, I’ve had better tasting ones at half the price.
Roast Chicken with Sherry & Pimiento, P375
Roasted chicken quarter with garlic, sherry, spinach paprika, green olives, extra virgin olive oil, herbs and roasted peppers.
Ode to Heidelberg (good for 3), P1500
A German dish of boiled smoked pork hock, bacon, four kinds of sausages and potatoes. This dish is a tribute to the place where Rizal finished writing the “Noli Me Tangere.”
Brazo ni Dona Vicki (P100/slice), Sisa’s Dementia Truffle cake (P175/slice), Davao Malagos’ Goat’s Milk Leche Flan (P160), Bibingka Waffle (P150) and Pepay, the Dancer’s Halo-Halo (P220)
Above are just few of the many sinful and delectable dessert offerings of Restaurante Pia Y Damaso. I have a few favorite dishes I will definitely go visit for with my boys very soon.
Restaurante Pia y Damaso
Greenbelt 5
2/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St.
Ayala Center, Makati City
Contact No. (02) 729-5511