Eating food that's too hot has never been a problem
My beautiful girlfriend had her birthday last Tuesday, October 13! Happy Birthday Haziel! I was able to secure a vacation leave from work so there really wasn’t anything planned for […]
My beautiful girlfriend had her birthday last Tuesday, October 13! Happy Birthday Haziel! I was able to secure a vacation leave from work so there really wasn’t anything planned for the evening (I had originally asked for a time off of 4 days months before but you know, corporate life happened). We decided to stay within her hometown and hit up this new chic place called Salliano’s Restaurant and Bar. Boy, did we ever have a good time!
I had passed by the place several times while on the cab home from Haziel’s house. I had always noted that eventhough it was already 11 o’clock on a Sunday, the place was still very much open. According to Zomato, Salliano’s operating hours are actually from 10 am to midnight.
It has three different areas which can cater to whatever your preference for a night out would be: Quiet dining in the confines of a cozy, properly lit restaurant? They got you covered; A hip patio area with lounge seating reminiscent of some upscale alfresco club? Damn right it’s there; The traditional open air bar with engaging loud music (tugs tugs)? It will welcome you as you enter the property.
To quote an old Filipino cliche: “Ano mang trip mo, meron dito!”
The restaurant is just lovely. It’s cool but not freezing. The interior design is simple but classy. The lighting is just right and not harsh, warm. The ambient music is just chill and will allow you to talk to each other. Alas the ceilings, like most modern restaurants, are high and thus any simple noise reverberates aimlessly throughout the place. Nothing is perfect.
The servers are attentive but not intrusive. They are also very knowledgeable about the menu and would answer your questions without hesitation. They were also courteous enough to let me know that they didn’t have enough change and asked if it will be fine with me to wait for a few minutes.
I’ve talked good deal about the place. So why don’t we get to what’s important for a food blog? Let’s talk about the food!
Drink for the lady: Salliano’s Whiskey Sour
Not the traditional whiskey sour. Looking around the internet, this seems more like the Ward 8. But heck Haziel loved it! And yes, those are calamansi slices instead of lemon wedges. Filipino version eh?
It’s made with Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey and it is devilishly tricky with its alcohol level. I just had a hoegaarden and I won’t need to be talking about that… Moving on!
For starters: Sisig De Leche
Other great sounding appetizers are the Pugon Fired Salliano’s Pork Crackling and Spam Fries. But Sisig De Leche sounded really interesting so we went for it. I think it’s Lechon De Leche (roasted suckling pig) served up like the traditional sisig.
It is the bomb!
The bits if lechon are really tender and super tasty! It’s salty, a hint of vinegar and ginger, plus it’s a little spicy but not burning (unless you eat the chilies). Bottom line, you have to try this! If you’re staying in the bar, this would be the perfect pulutan. They also have the traditional sisig in the menu but why would you get that when you can have this? It’s worth shelling out the extra pesos.
Salliano’s Beef Brisket
I’m used to getting beef briskets grilled. This looks like it was stewed. Really tender cuts of beef though. The sauce really reminds me of salpicao. Maybe that’s what they were aiming for? Salpicao made with thick cuts of beef brisket? If you want to just have a quick meal, you can go right for this. If you’re bulking up for mass (Any body builders here? I’m reading about those things a lot these days), this would be perfect. Generous servings of delicious red meat with rice.
Barbecue Pork and Beef Ribs
We originally wanted to get their Barbecue Bouquet which, aside from having a really enticing name, has a collection of barbecued Pork, Beef, Chicken, and Shrimp. However, it was not available. Feeling a little bummed out, we went for the Barbecue Pork and Beef Ribs because it also had the word “Barbecue” on it. It’s served spanish rice that’s a little cold, grilled corn on a cob cut into three thin pieces (still with the cob, made it really awkward to eat them), salsa, and an awesome coleslaw.
To be honest, we were disappointed about the size of the ribs for a dish that costs 370 Php. They both had the same barbecue sauce that’s pretty decent but the taste of the two kinds of ribs were different: The beef was a bit bland and was not really tender; The pork, however, was scrumptious and super tender!
The spanish rice was meh. Didn’t touch the salsa. Ate one corn piece before giving up on them entirely. Had a blast with the slaw though. The coleslaw had just the right amount of mayo in it and was seasoned smartly with some black pepper. The pork ribs and the coleslaw were the real highlights of this dish!
For dessert: Castarones de Salliano
Two of my favorites in one dish: Coconut Macaroons and Leche Flan. It’s flan but instead of just caramelized sugar on top, it’s a bed of coconut macaroons. It is so good and decadent! I’m salivating just thinking about it right now! Also a must try!
Ruminations…
It’s another great restaurant added to the growing culinary landscape in Marikina and it’s all not concentrated in just one part of the city. Salliano’s would be perfect for dates, a night-out with friends, or just a drinking session with the boys. The place also has wifi and espresso so you can also stay here for work or do some research/studying. Haziel’s birthday celebration, eventhough super last minute, turned out to be one happy night!
It’s located in a place that’s more industrial than fancy so you may miss it. It’s near marquinton and has this big-assed lighted sign so just be on the lookout for that. Tip: If you’re coming from marquinton and on Gil Fernando Avenue, look out for the goto bob on the right side of the road. When you see it, make a left on that intersection. Salliano’s would be near from there. See you there!
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