MAMA ROSA Restaurant

Pidum

4.0

I follow several notable websites on Instagram and when they say this restaurant or that café is their favorite, I get curious. I just have to know if these website approved places are worth my time and money. And so when chef and food columnist Angelo Comsti said that Mama Rosa is one of his all-time favorite restaurants, I just have to visit the place. And I went with my mom as it seemed appropriate to bring your “mama” to Mama Rosa.Hello, Mama Rosa.I was worried that that place might be packed so I asked my sister to make a reservation for four. We got to the place around 1 p.m. and were lucky to score the parking space in front of the restaurant. And when we got in… surprise! The place was empty!Famished, we quickly ordered the following: Kinilaw na Isda (PHP280), Kalabasa soup (PHP90, Halaan (PHP120), Mango Chicken (PHP225), Lechon Kawali (PHP220) and Guinataang Sigarillas (PHP160). While waiting for our orders, we were given some chips and dip. First served was the Kinilaw na Isda and the tuna chunks came in three variants. One had green mangoes and coconut cream, another had salted duck egg, tomatoes and black beans, while the last one had cucumber, radish and kamias. The one with the coconut cream was the spiciest as it had red chilies in it but I still manage to eat half of it as the spice level was still tolerable. I loved the one with salted duck egg best as there was a contrast in texture and the saltiness of the egg balanced the tanginess of the dish. If you love tangy dishes, you’d love the one with kamias.I was so delighted with the generous serving of soups. Each bowl was good for sharing. The pumpkin soup was good for 2-3 while the halaan was good for 2. The pumpkin soup had a nice thick texture and I loved its sweet flavor. It was the ideal pumpkin soup. The halaan had a nice light taste which was perfect for a starter. The Guinataang Sigarillas was served next and my mom loved it! It has a nice coconut flavor to it and the sigarillas was cooked well. It was on the salty side though so make sure that you eat this with rice. The Lechon Kawali had a very poor presentation and it was nothing but your usual lechon kawali which you could get anywhere. It went well though with the pumpkin soup and guinataang sigarillas.Last served was the Mango Chicken, Mama Rosa’s bestseller. Described as fried chicken marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, shallots and stuffed with green mango and lemongrass, we expected this to be one mouthwatering dish. It was served with liver sauce and soy calamansi with green mango dip. The chicken was chopped into pieces and it was served on a leaf. It had a subtle sweet flavor but overall, it was a bit too dry. The liver sauce and soy-calamansi with green mango (which was used as stuffing then removed from the chicken) did help add taste though. My mom liked this dish but I find it a bit too dry to be enjoyed. I wouldn’t order this dish again. Overall, it was an average lunch. Mama Rosa offers simple comfort food that you could prepare at home. But if you’re lazy or if you’d like a change, you could drop by this homey place. Just do not expect too much from it. Coz I did and was a tad disappointed for not having my tastebuds go crazy.

Eser Başak

5.0

In our recent visit to Mama Rosa, we were urged by website standees to comment on our dining experience. We have been Mama Rosa fans way, way back when it was in Timog, Quezon City, so we obliged to the urging to show our appreciation. As expected, we got food that evokes home cooking and served with no fancy plating. Plain and simply presented but tasty and flavorful.  New this time is the Sinaing na Tulingan, leveled up by cooking the fish in olive oil and garnished with olives and capers for a Mediterranean twist. But the dipping sauce of kamias in coco cream brings us back to its native roots.Another addition to the menu is the Rolled Humba, pork belly rolled a la Morcon, but without the stuffing, just the juicy goodness of sliced pork marbled with fat with star anise giving it a distinctive aroma and taste.Eating at Mama Rosa is always a satisfying experience. These comments are therefore  a way of saying "Thank You!"

Dag.v89

4.0

I follow several notable websites on Instagram and when they say this restaurant or that café is their favorite, I get curious. I just have to know if these website approved places are worth my time and money. And so when chef and food columnist Angelo Comsti said that Mama Rosa is one of his all-time favorite restaurants, I just have to visit the place. And I went with my mom as it seemed appropriate to bring your “mama” to Mama Rosa.Hello, Mama Rosa.I was worried that that place might be packed so I asked my sister to make a reservation for four. We got to the place around 1 p.m. and were lucky to score the parking space in front of the restaurant. And when we got in… surprise! The place was empty!Famished, we quickly ordered the following: Kinilaw na Isda (PHP280), Kalabasa soup (PHP90, Halaan (PHP120), Mango Chicken (PHP225), Lechon Kawali (PHP220) and Guinataang Sigarillas (PHP160).

Nizar Can

3.0

Good to hear the Mama Rosa is back, I've been once at their QC branch before it was closed. Food: Pinakbet sa shrimm was freshly cooked, vegetables were crisp and not overcooked. Crispy tandyan was okay serving was on a smaller scaleconsidering the price. I also didn't like the bagoong dip with it I ended up dipping it on the dip from the complementary kropek. What i really like was the Tulingan with kamias sa gata. level up with olives on the side. Tulingan has the right vinegar and saltiness combined with kamias sa gata. Staff was attentive. Good place of you are looking for lutong bahay comfort food.

Idham Juliandi

4.0

Went to this newish resto in Kapitolyo this evening. The resto is clean and well lit and looks quite new. Service was quick and attentive.We ordered :Mango Chicken - fried chicken marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi and served with liver sauce and soy-kalamansi green mango dip. Superb fried chicken, tasty and succulent.Guinataang Sigarillas - winged beans with smoked fish in coconut cream. Fantastic taste of the beans and smoked fish (tinapa) unstoppable eating!Sinaing na Tuligan - slow cooked Tuligan in olive oil with dried kamias and capers. Also good, but the other dishes above stole the show. Great place to experience Filipino cuisine

Kathleen

4.0

Loved the dishes I tried and the ambience! Literally comfort food, as I was under the weather when I visited. Prices were proportional with the servings. Will be back for more soon.

Yulis Diana

5.0

Its your traditional Filipino food with the best flavors to offer. It perfectly uses spices, flavorings and ingredients to capture the quintessential taste that is distinctly Filipino.Pako at suha salad, sinaing na tulingan in olive oil, guinataang manok 🍽

Lidyana Kristi

4.0

My husband was the first to try this restaurant. He loved it, so he wanted me to try, too. He ordered the kinilaw with salted egg and pakbet. While I ordered just the longanisa platter. I know it was boring, but I was craving longanisa-- l love longanisa. Anyway, the kinilaw-- good but some parts was still frozen. The pakbet-- this was the winner, very flavorful, and salt and bagoong levels were just right. Plus, more than enough pieces of fried pork (might have been bagnet, not sure). I will go back just for the pakbet. I will order just that and one cup of rice. Those will be enough for one meal. And that way, it will not be too costly anymore.

Kenny Velasques

4.0

Been a fan of Mama Rosa since Eastwood and Timog days (Branches of MR back in the days) that's why my friends and I are very delighted now that MR is back in the business to give us real food . 😍☝🏻️ Our old time faves are still there naming a few like Lechon kawali, very tasty, crispy and how I Iove the kalabasa sauce. The sumptuous sotanghon puti ( though I thought this is a new recipe ) Pasta Neptuna, and pene pahiyas , to die for inasal and their kinilaw varieties and a lot of new recipes that I can't wait to try. I hope Mama Rosa brings back their famous Pandesal and kesong puti the only thing that is not on the Menu list...The new MR is not as big as before but it is still cozy. Keep it up

Tika Intan Syah

3.0

Mango chicken did not kick tastebuds as promised. The monggo was a bit malabnaw and lacked a bit of taste. The bicol express was extra hot and I liked it! Guinataan na sugpito was just okay.