It is always a joy to discover something new. In this case, we have been driving a lot through BF Homes in Paranaque which is establishing a name as a culinary territory. I’ve never seen this many diverse cuisines concentrated in one area – Thai, Indonesian, Irish, Cuban, Persian, Singaporean and even Punjabi.
One thing am really charmed with are the “home kitchens” – what I call those cozy bungalows which have been converted into restaurant spaces, mostly in the long strip of Aguirre. They’re worth mentioning because it is quite a big leap for a home cook or baker to unveil one’s dearly held culinary specialties to the public, and then worry about rent, paying staff or getting criticism. When I visit the home kitchens, I know they’re letting me into something special… I almost feel like a kid being fed by my mom again!
We got into Pito & Mita by accident, and what a happy accident it turned out to be! This is the place to savor legendary imported cheesecakes from The Cheesecake Factory (dulce de leche, double chocolate… Reese’s and Snickers, on lucky days).
Otherwise, am just happy enough to partake of the dishes whipped up by the charming owner-chef who, it turns out, is a former Northwest Airlines stewardess. Some of my favorites in this place: the spinach artichoke dip (P150), chicken cordon bleu with potato gratin (P230), the French onion soup (P130) and halo-halo turon (P55). Guess what, best thing about this resto is the price! (Hope they keep it that way)
On a few occasions I’ve dined at Twenty One Plates ( and I still mourn for the demise of Chi’s Brick Oven next door). My all-time 21 Plates favorite is their kaldereta cooked in coconut milk (P295) … one serving isn’t enough, I have to order extra for take home. This resto is so-called because they only have 21 dishes on the menu…and am glad they’ve kept the best ones, like the moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The menu changes from time to time and that means there’s something new to look forward to. News has it that the venue was a former law office converted into a resto. The last time I dined, I was in a private room where I faced a bookshelf. I have no complaints…it’s a bonus to read something while I wait for the order.
Grandad’s Grill & Deli is a fairly new little spot we’ve dined in. We didn’t even know the place is ran by the grandparents of TV host Mariel Rodriguez, and that she’s a co-owner. The menu is short and lean and offers mostly steaks which they also sell raw. Prime cuts like rib eye, prime rib and t-bone are sold at one peso per gram, and comes with mashed potato, French fries or green rice. What can be better than that? Here’s my ninety five peso steak sandwich … it wasn’t that outstanding, but the price can only buy me a drink elsewhere…
I’d like to try Grandad’s real steaks next time. In the meantime, I love this place’s coffee and the FREE hot bread they serve with pesto sauce is just yummy.
Del’s Kitchen off on Elizalde St. looks promising too, although a bit unpredictable. The first time we went at 6 p.m., they weren’t open yet because the chef was late. The second time we checked, they were closed. We finally got to dine on our third try, and the young owner doubled as waiter.
Good thing the dish I ordered had the best of everything I liked: it was called crispy bagnet kare-kare with aligue sauce and bagoong. Hubby seemed happy with his Chicken Mexicana (P235) – boneless chicken served with tortilla bread and corn-mango relish (where the mango was missing). 😀
Directory:
Pito & Mita Mediterranean Cuisine
176 Aguirre Ave.
BF Homes Paranaque
Tel. No. 826-3634
Twenty One Plates
205 Aguirre Ave.
BF Homes Paranaque
Tel. No. 825-7348
Grandad’s Grill & Deli
Aguirre Ave. (across Baliwag Lechon restaurant)
Del’s Kitchen
105 Elizalde St.
BF Homes
Tel. 211-5984
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