Café Adriatico: Classic Pinoy Dining

Café Adriatico 
Classic Pinoy Dining

Café Adriatico was named after the street it is located
near a small rotunda called Remedios Circle in Malate.

It served classic Spanish and Filipino dishes, and was

known for its excellent service and became very popular

with the rich and famous. It became an iconic place where

Manila’s elite, politicians, celebrities would commune.

 

We stumbled on one of its branches in Araneta Center

and we were happy as we didn’t have to go to Calle

Adriatico in Malate just to dine in this iconic restaurant.

 

Just like the original restaurant Café Adriatico in Gateway

had a rustic ambiance. The dark wood panels and antique

fixtures and the dim lighting created a nostalgic homey feel.

When we checked the menu and decided

to order their popular Filipino Classics.

We love ‘sinigang’ and we want one with just the right

sourness without making us wrinkle our faces in acerbic

disgust. This Sinigang na Bangus was just too sour to

be edible. No one touched it like it was a lethal potion.

The Bistek na Bangus was a perfect topping for the fragrant

rice. A classic Pinoy favorite where the beef was replaced with

boneless bangus,cooked is soy sauce with a hint of kalamansi

and topped with white onion, it is a healthy and yet tasty dish.

 

Of course, the Pakbet was very delicious. Made from

purposely overcooked mixed fresh vegetables, this

version however was soured by adding lots of tomatoes

that went well with just a hint of savory fish sauce.

The only meat dish we ordered was the Beef Kaldereta.

The beef was stewed in a thick paste of tomato sauce

to a melt in the mouth tenderness. The added a generous

amount of veggies that included potatoes and green peas.

Café Adriatico, despite the almost inedible sourness

of their Sinigang, I believe could still be considered a

showcase restaurant for delicious heritage Filipino dishes.