Thrilla from Manila
Bayan Cafe
LOCATION:
212 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017 (btw 2nd and 3rd Ave)
RATING:
REVIEWS:
The first word that comes to mind when I think of Filipino food is lumpias, but besides that I am (or was) in the dark. For those of you who are in the dark like myself, lumpias are similar to spring rolls from Southern China. “The term lumpia derives from lunpia, in the Hokkien language. The recipe, both fried and fresh versions, was brought by the Chinese immigrants from the Fujian province of China to Southeast Asia and became popular where they settled in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Mostly made with pork and vegetables, are fried crisply served with a side of sweet sauce, but people let me tell you the schooling I got from my good friend Jen. First we met up at Bayan Café a cute little shop located 212 E 45th St, this places seats about 13 max, but does take out as well. Like I said we started with great lumpias and then let our expert friend ordered the rest for us.
Sample of our sampling:
+ Pancit Bihon- stir fried rice noodles with vegetables, chicken, shrimp and egg.
+ Chicken Adobo- a tangy, vinegary and tender traditional Filipino dish drenched in soy sauce, garlic, pepper and laurel leaves. Great with rice!
+ Sinigang Na Baka - beef shortribs in tamarind soup. They don’t skim on the beef here. Each of us got a BIG CHUNK! Never know beef ribs can be cooked this way. Sour, spicy, tart and hot!
+ Paksiw Na Hechon - fried pork, not just any old fried pork – the best I have ever eaten (and this accounts for any and all fried pork I have eaten, it’s that good)
+ Daing Na Bangus – Philippines’ national fish- “Bangus” the milkfish, fried and served with sweet tamarind sauce
Mostly made with pork and vegetables, are fried crisply served with a side of sweet sauce, but people let me tell you the schooling I got from my good friend Jen. First we met up at Bayan Café a cute little shop located 212 E 45th St, this places seats about 13 max, but does take out as well. Like I said we started with great lumpias and then let our expert friend ordered the rest for us.
Sample of our sampling:
+ Pancit Bihon- stir fried rice noodles with vegetables, chicken, shrimp and egg.
+ Chicken Adobo- a tangy, vinegary and tender traditional Filipino dish drenched in soy sauce, garlic, pepper and laurel leaves. Great with rice!
+ Sinigang Na Baka - beef shortribs in tamarind soup. They don’t skim on the beef here. Each of us got a BIG CHUNK! Never know beef ribs can be cooked this way. Sour, spicy, tart and hot!
+ Paksiw Na Hechon - fried pork, not just any old fried pork – the best I have ever eaten (and this accounts for any and all fried pork I have eaten, it’s that good)
+ Daing Na Bangus – Philippines’ national fish- “Bangus” the milkfish, fried and served with sweet tamarind sauce
I have to say, if it’s wasn’t for our lovely dinner guest I would have scarfed down everything, but I had to be a lady and spare couple bites for them. Bayan Café was a home run for me; they had great service, great food, great portions, and best of all great prices. For a party of 5, we ate like Kings and Queens, each dinners paid $20 each which included tip and tax. Now where in New York can you eat like a Thrilla from Manila?
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posted by: >K Hung
