Brera Delicatessen

Alex Bianca Cuento

Entering the place felt like going back in time. Time when you are invited to a banquet at Maria Clara's house, and everyone there are immersed in the oldness and loveliness of Filipino tradition. Entering Cafe Juanita was like opening your lola's baul -- and then being transported to a cornucopia of memories.It was an ala-Noli Me Tangere experience. The antique ambiance was intimidating. From the old-looking chandelier, to the tables, the chairs, the decor, to the music. The people seated were like a different class of men who were of different culture. But before we get too anxious about our stay, we got ourselves a table and skimmed through the menu.Shrimp Gambas - Cafe Juanita's version of Shrimp Gambas means aromatic mushroom and garlic, and fresh, crunchy shrimps sauteed in a delightful harmony of good flavors.Crispy Pork Binagoongan - Although it's got pretty small serving size, it never fails to give me that blissful moment of chewing my favorite Juanita dish. The pork was fried until crisp, while the Bagoong over it was sweet and salty and just perfect. I'm not really a fan of Binagoongan, but the one at this restaurant was so good I thought I got lost in time.Maya Maya sa Miso - First, they served us soup so we can decide how sour and salty we want it. We prefer a really sour Sinigang, and they indeed served us one. The fish was fresh; I liked it even if I am not a fish-lover. The vegetables were also fresh and the flavor of Miso stuck to the fish, the veggies, and my tastebuds, perfectly.Kare-Kare - With its rich texture, good quality meat, fresh vegetables, and bagoong cooked just right, this is absolutely one of the best Kare-Kares in town.

View More

Paris Love

I thoroughly enjoyed eating at Prego. All of that lovely Italian food was worth the wait and worth the trip to the City of Dreams. Salad and Appetizers1) Insalata alla Cesare ₱450Romaine greens in Italian Caesar dressing topped with pancetta and croutonsThe fresh, crisp greens are countered by the salty pancetta and the long shavings of Parmesan cheese. The addition of crunchy croutons help round out the salad, thanks to the slight hint of butter and garlic in the bread. 2) Gran Misto di Antipasti Mare ₱890Assorted seafood appetizersShrimp, salmon, and sliced octopus all on a plate. Love the fish, but those not used to octopus might find it better to squeeze some lemon juice over it to give it an extra kick. 3) Gran Misto di Antipasti Terra ₱990Assorted Italian meat and vegetable appetizersSausages, cured and smoked hams, and all manner of Italian charcuterie are ripe for the taking. The strong flavors of the neat are perfect when paired with the complimentary bread and butter or salsa. Pasta1) Spaghetti alla Carbonara ₱530Spaghetti with egg, Parmesan cheese, and pancettaThe classic creamy pasta dish that is balanced with the salty Parmesan and savory pancetta. Not too mild and not too overwhelming, either. 2) Tubetti all’ Amatriciana in Cestino di Parmigiano ₱550Short tube pasta with Guancile bacon in tomato sauce and served in a Parmesan cheese basketThis is a brand new kind of pasta for me. The rich, sour tomato sauce complements the bacon, and the basket made of fried Parmesan cheese shavings is an excellent addition. Move over, bread bowls! As a side note, I suggest waiting a bit so that the cheese basket absorbs the sauce and softens enough that it is easier to pick apart. Mains1) Filleto di Manzo con Fegato d’Oca in Salsa Tartufata con Spinaci e Asparagi ₱990 per every 100 gramsCertified Angus beef tenderloin with pan-fried foie gras in truffle sauce served with asparagus and fried spinachThis dish is especially notable in one thing: it made me actually like the taste of foie gras. That alone is astounding. It also helps that the juicy beef tenderloin is bursting with flavor from the sauce. The crunchy asparagus spears are a great addition to provide contrast in texture. 2) Bistecca Disossata alla Griglia con Spinaci ₱520 per 100 gramsAngus beef rib-eye with sautéed spinach and vegetablesI expected nothing less than juicy rib-eye and crunchy, earthy vegetables. I got what I wanted, and I am glad that it was worth the wait. Pizza1) Pizza Prego ₱590Pizza with spiced salami, anchovies, bleu cheese, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheeseI love my bleu cheese, so having its familiar aroma blend with the savory salami, and mild mozzarella is amazing. 2) Pizza Margherita ₱520Basil, oregano, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheeseThe classic pizza flavor. Despite all the different accounts of how it was first made, Prego made an impressive one that is both simple yet still packed with flavor. 3) Pizza con Burrata e Pachino ₱620Pizza with tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and burrata cheeseThe addition of fresh cherry tomatoes adds a delightful sour pop with each bite before blending with the mild burrata bits. Desserts1) Panna Cotta al Miele Tartufo ₱420Italian cooked cream custard with truffled honey syrup and sweet balsamic vinegarThis panna cotta has a more gelatinous texture compared to usual cream. However, the familiar creamy flavor is present and the dessert is sweet overall. Surprisingly, the balsamic vinegar was not that obvious when I tasted the panna cotta. 2) Tiramisu ₱420Mascarpone cheesecakeAnother classic Italian dessert. The coffee and chocolate flavor contrasts with the sweet cream as well as the mascarpone cheese. The ladyfingers are also soft and creamy thanks to the milk and cream in the cheesecake. Overall, this is one of the best versions of tiramisu that I have tasted.

View More