Spanish in the Village: Las Paellas Cafe

One of my least favorite cuisine is Spanish.  I don't know why, but it must be its relative similarities with most Filipino dishes, such that the distinction is blurred.  Or maybe it's the general appearance of the food, commonly served in small portions or tapas style.  Although I do agree that Spanish food is both filling and fulfilling.  I have been gratified with my few forays in Alba, Guernica, and Ilustrado - particularly liking salpicao and cochinillo.  Still, it's not something I dream of whenever my mind is idle (and my stomach empty).

Nonetheless, the village does have notable Spanish restaurants in the vicinity.  I couldn't recall when this Las Paellas Cafe branch opened just behind our house.  Likely, I didn't give it much attention.  But, a free lunch is still free lunch.  So, I happily joined the family for a trip behind our fence, ridiculously taking our cars for a distance we can actually walk through.

Caesar Salad, P195 (+10% service charge)

The place was empty as it practically opened for us.  With brightly lit interiors, the walls were painted in festive orange and yellow to set one in the mood for food.  The menu was basically Spanish food with Filipino imprints.  We started of with a serving of Caesar Salad.  The greens were fresh, moist and crisp.  The light vinaigrette dressing was a welcome flavor.  The croutons and crispy bacon added yet another crunchy dimension, although the bacon bits seemed few and negligible.

Gambas Al Ajillo, P255 (+10% service charge)

One of my favorite tapas, the obligatory Gambas was my pick of the day.  Sauteed in olive oil, these shrimps were peppered with chili to add some zest and spice.  It came served with a single piece of garlic bread cut in half.  One would dare wipe up the excess olive oil with the bread, which was crusty on the outside yet soft enough within.

The shrimps were small-sized yet plump and juicy.  Mildly spicy, the flavor was addicting.  My only gripe was that it was literally swimming in oil.  I should have ordered rice immediately to soak up the sauce.

Tortang Talong Stuffed with Galunggong, P195 (+10% service charge)

Although eating with senior citizens comes with its perks (hello, 20% discount!), the downside is most orders are either seafood or veggies.  The Tortang Talong has pinoy written all over it, with its toppings of chopped fresh tomatoes and onions.

An easy dish to make in one's own home, this version was supposed to be stuff with galunggong fish.  I could hardly make out the stuffing, yet even find minute traces of it.  The eggplant was okay, and the egg batter was not overwhelming.

Crispy Kare-Kare, P310 (+10% service charge)

Already widespread in its many permutations, the Las Paellas version was apparently a more recent addition.  A rack of crisp pork belly was soaked in thick peanut sauce and served with various vegetables.  This was obviously ordered to appease my carnivorous cravings.

The pork was crisp but not consistently so.  The fat to meat ratio was 50/50, which is actually a plus for me.  The skin was crisp in some parts, but chewy in some slices.  The meat though was flavorful in itself.  The sauce was nutty and leaned toward a sweeter side, a particular preference I liked in kare-kare.  The string beans and sliced eggplant were crisp and fresh also.  I did, however, raise my eyebrow with how it came served with the bagoong dip haphazardly placed within the bowl itself.  I would have preferred it to be served separately, to give one the freedom to season the dish to taste.  Their version was okay, but pales in comparison to the higher quality of Pino's version of kare-kareng bagnet.

Valenciana, P525 (+10% service charge)

What's a trip to a Spanish joint without paella?  The group feasted on two versions, the Valenciana and the Marinara.  The Valenciana was a mish-mash of nearly everything - chicken, pork chorizo, and assorted seafood.  The saffron rice was soft but not mushy, it was creamy in texture.  The tomato-based sauce was mild but somewhat more fluid than the usual paella way.  I liked the chorizo as it was peppery and fatty.  Bits of chicken were nowhere to be found except when I was jolted by its chopped up bones.  Some of the clams and oysters actually had no content, which was a disappointing revelation.

Marinara, P525 (+10% service charge)

On the other hand, the Marinara mix seemed heftier and had more content.  The slices of squid was tender and not rubbery.  The briny flavor of the shrimp was good and added saltiness to an otherwise oily dish.  Again, the rice was correctly done, leaving no burnt grains on the pot.  The serving size for both paella dishes should be good for 3-4 average persons.

Perhaps not as classy or high-end as Ilustrado, or even Alba, Las Paellas Cafe is an easy and affordable way for people who crave good Spanish food without breaking the bank.  True to their name, the paella dishes are done correctly, but not spectacularly.  For the simple reason that Pino is quite far from my place, I may come back for this version of Crispy Kare-Kare, as it was nearly at par.  Despite my near disinterest for Spanish food, Las Paellas Cafe may deserve that biannual visit.

Jones

Las Paellas Cafe

Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes

Paranaque City

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The Pride and Joy of the South: Borgo Cafe

The benefits of a regular exercise routine are innumerable.  Not only does it maintain good health, but it also enhances one's self-esteem and confidence.  In my case, whenever I go for a round of jogging along BF's main thoroughfare, I get to check out some of the better places to eat.  Talk about jogging as a double-edged sword.

Meat lovers, rejoice!

During my morning runs, I often passed by this small shop painted in maroon, with a conspicuous sign boasting about some sort of butcher's steak and a steak-all-you-can meat frenzy.  That was enough to spark my curiosity.  Later on, I found out to my surprise, it had already aroused a few foodies in the blog scene.  I had to try it out soon.

Borgo Cafe had apparently been around for over a year now.  But with its location on the less famous side of BF, it probably did not enjoy much exposure and patronage during its first months of existence.  I, for one, had often ignored this quaint shop flanked by more familiar stores, namely Lydia's Lechon and Flaming Wings.  Browsing through food reviews, this place has begun making its name with its signature "butcher's" steak, but I would soon realize there was more to Borgo Cafe than the meaty goodness it offered.,

So off we went on Mom's birthday.  As we stepped onto their entrance, we were greeted by their waitstaff who suddenly told us that normally the cafe was closed during lunchtime on weekdays.  Luckily though, they were open for a private function, so they could accommodate us for that day.  A definite plus in service.  Seemingly small from the outside, the place had in fact, cozy and spacious interiors.

Even on a cloud day, the place was well illuminated by the natural sunlight emanating from its clear glass sliding doors and tall windows.  The tables and seats were mundane and quite out of place, unable to match the brick red columns and wooden panels that decorated the restaurant.  Still, there was a homey vibe and down-to-earth simplicity that would be in consonance with the unpretentious yet delicious meals.

It's Angus Beef. Not Angus.B.

The menu is straightforward, offering a variety of soups, salads, pasta, and sandwiches.  Of course, the meaty steaks take the center stage.  A good point was that all main entrees include a side salad and your choice to go high-carb with rice or fries or mashed potatoes, or go easy on the carbs by picking all greens.  But believe me, with their steak, it is but appropriate to pick rice. Period.

Tomato and Celery Soup, P115 (+5% service charge)

Dad started the ball rolling with his order of soup.  The Tomato and Celery Soup was hearty and filling, with chopped celery swimming within the zesty concoction.  The soup was not too thick, and the smooth goodness of tomato gushes with each sip.  The bacon strip looked appealing but was a sad disappointment.  It was tough and hard in places, as if it was left standing too long in a food warmer.

Chili Chicken Salpicado, P175 (+5% service charge)

First main course to arrive was the Chili Chicken Salpicado.  These chopped cubes of chicken were sauteed in a tomato based sauce and seasoned with paprika, garlic, peppers, and Borgo's own chili oil.  The chicken meat was fresh and flavorful on its own.  Mushrooms and all sorts of bell peppers added volume to the mix, resulting in an array of flavors, playing on sourness and zest.  However, for my taste, the supposed "chili" part was wanting.  Dad even had to drizzle a good amount of hot sauce just to perk up the dish.  The order came with a cup of rice and a generous serving of fresh greens drizzled with sweet-sour vinaigrette and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.  The salad was perfect.  

Marina Bay, P229 (+5% service charge)

An obvious reference to the famous Marina Bay of Singapore, the pasta dish had no trace of Singaporean flavor whatsoever.  This pasta dish was draped lovingly in marinara sauce and then topped off with the bounty of the sea: shrimps, oysters, scallops, squids - you name it.

To put things in perspective, I'm not too fond of pasta - hell, anything with noodles, for that matter (except of course everyone's childhood favorite Jolly Spaghetti!).  So for me to say that I actually loved the Marina Bay is quite a mouthful (pun intended).  The sauce was mildly tangy and not strong and overpowering like a typical Italian sauce, which is a plus for Filipinos who grew up on the Jolly Spaghetti!  Don't get me wrong, this is not your common birthday pasta taste.  The distinct flavor of tomatoes dominated, admixed with the mild bitter taste of olives.  The freshness of the array of seafood stood out, with the squid rings leaving a good impression on me.  It was tender and succulent, not sinewy or chewy.  The clams and scallops were likewise fresh and briny.  The dish was a heaping bountiful harvest, a generous serving of an explosion of flavors.  

Butcher's Steak, P299 (+5% service charge)

Of course, mine was the best dish of the day, Borgo Cafe's pride and joy.  The Butcher's Steak was probably labeled as such because of its appearance, much like strips of steak trimmed off from the bone.  This is certified Angus beef, so I did expect a lot.  And it did not disappoint.  Each slice was knife-tender and juicy as I greedily hacked away at one piece.

I like mine with a tint of red rawness.

The beef was impeccably grilled to a medium well, with traces of bloody rawness contributing to its soft and tender texture, and the tell-tale crisscross char pattern so enticing.  At first glance, it appeared to be devoid of any marinade.  However, with each successive bite, the peppery flavor exuded slowly onto my palate.  It was a  delicate but tantalizing play of smokey flavor and peppery goodness.  Served with a side of greens, an appropriate amount of buttered rice completes the package.  The whole dish would have been flawless had it not been for the gravy dip, which was a bit watery and lacking in flavor.  I would have preferred a thicker and sweeter concoction (sorry, but pinoys absolutely adore KFC-like gravy and make a soup out of it).  Nevertheless, in my opinion, even without the gravy, the Butcher's Steak would remain great on its own.  Strange that halfway through the meal, it reminded me of my favorite dirt-cheap Snackaroo steak, except for the gravy!

Borgo Cafe was a revealing experience, a wonderful culinary adventure.  A few years ago, there used to be a similar joint right across it, by the name of Tarragon.  Back then, it used to serve BF's best kept secret -  perfectly grilled lamb chops for less than 200 bucks.  Borgo Cafe is fast becoming a legend on its own, with its critically acclaimed specialty, the Butcher Steak.

This little pail serves your change. Or maybe extra gravy.

But there is indeed more to Borgo Cafe than its signature steak, with the Marina Bay blowing the competition out of the water.  I would definitely try out their other pasta dishes next time out.  Or maybe their steak-all-you-can offering too.  A few rants though would be their store hours (weekday lunches are non-existent) and the small fact they don't accept credit cards.  Nevertheless, with an accommodating and cheery waitstaff, quick service yet freshly cooked meals, and very reasonable prices, Borgo Cafe is set to conquer this side of Aguirre Avenue.  So skip the traffic and crazy queues on BF's more famous Aguirre strip, and head on to the other side to enjoy a cozy and comfortable meal.  I know I would.

Jones

Borgo Cafe

312 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes

Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/borgocafe

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