Letters to Chika-an Part 1
Dear Chika-an,
You sweet devil you. You finally came to the city of Beautiful People. Oh how my heart leapt when I saw your tarps a couple or so weeks ago announcing, "Opening Soon at SM Center". So today the husband and I went and feasted on your dishes that I know by heart-- Pakbet with Chicharon, Bam-i Guisado, Filipino Style Fried Chicken, Ampalaya with Dilis and Cucumber Lemon Pitcher. Your service was impeccable. Our meal was served within 15 to 20 minutes as your no-nonsense waitress informed us.
Each bite of every dish was an explosion of home. Ampalaya with Dilis as appetizer was such a treat. Dilis also called "Lansang" by Cebuanos due to its nail-like appearance was just enough saltiness to the tongue. I remember how it was a staple in our home while I was growing up.
I especially like your Pinakbet which is my 2nd favorite from your menu. The sauce with a hint of spice that's just right made it such a pleasant experience to my palate. Each vegetable was succulent. The okra, talong, batong, kalabasa were beautiful to behold and relish.
Your Bam-i Guisado's noodles was a perfect 'al dente' with just the right amount of "subak"-- Carrots, pasayan, Baguio Beans, baboy, atsal.
Oh but your Fried Chicken brought back a ton of childhood memories for me. It was just like promise of surprise like back in the day when my Papa was still alive and he'd take us out for Sunday lunches or dinners at our favorite Chicken place. You were still at Juana Osmena Extension back then. One that we'd look forward to every week.
Your Cucumber Lemon Pitcher was cool to the throat. Sweet, but not too sweet, sour from the lemon but wonderfully neutralized by the floating green cucumbers. Many a lunch my cousins and I would down this drink over stories and conversations of How are you's and How is life treating you's and how are you treating life.
But let me save the best for last. My most favorite dish of all was unfortunately unavailable. That's alright. Sometimes waiting is a good thing. I remember how my Papa would ask me to go buy Barbecued Chorizo at our Subdivision's eskina which was a good 20 minute walk. And he would wait patiently for me to get back. Chorizo de Cebu, that's right. My comfort food paired with suka and sili. When I was pregnant with my first-born, I would scour the city of Ormoc for Chorizo with no such luck. Our then driver would bear the brunt of a pregnant woman's unfulfilled food cravings. Pasaylo-a gyud ko Manong Camilo sa kadtong panahona nga gigutom ang buntis ug walay chorizo nga makit-an sa tanang kan-anan sa Ormoc.
Enough with the anecdotes of my most favorite dish, Chorizo de Cebu. You are here now Chika-an. This is all that matters. I waited for you for 15 years since I left the land of my birth and childhood. Of course I can wait for the one elusive dish in the menu that will ultimately be the undoing of me. Kanang mura'g usa ka libong himaya.
In the meantime, I shall happily remember today when we sat at your wonderfully native themed space with the most comfortable chairs, efficient staff and delicious food.
Daghang Salamat.
From a Very Grateful and Nostalgic Diner,
An Margaret
You sweet devil you. You finally came to the city of Beautiful People. Oh how my heart leapt when I saw your tarps a couple or so weeks ago announcing, "Opening Soon at SM Center". So today the husband and I went and feasted on your dishes that I know by heart-- Pakbet with Chicharon, Bam-i Guisado, Filipino Style Fried Chicken, Ampalaya with Dilis and Cucumber Lemon Pitcher. Your service was impeccable. Our meal was served within 15 to 20 minutes as your no-nonsense waitress informed us.
Each bite of every dish was an explosion of home. Ampalaya with Dilis as appetizer was such a treat. Dilis also called "Lansang" by Cebuanos due to its nail-like appearance was just enough saltiness to the tongue. I remember how it was a staple in our home while I was growing up.
I especially like your Pinakbet which is my 2nd favorite from your menu. The sauce with a hint of spice that's just right made it such a pleasant experience to my palate. Each vegetable was succulent. The okra, talong, batong, kalabasa were beautiful to behold and relish.
Your Bam-i Guisado's noodles was a perfect 'al dente' with just the right amount of "subak"-- Carrots, pasayan, Baguio Beans, baboy, atsal.
Oh but your Fried Chicken brought back a ton of childhood memories for me. It was just like promise of surprise like back in the day when my Papa was still alive and he'd take us out for Sunday lunches or dinners at our favorite Chicken place. You were still at Juana Osmena Extension back then. One that we'd look forward to every week.
Your Cucumber Lemon Pitcher was cool to the throat. Sweet, but not too sweet, sour from the lemon but wonderfully neutralized by the floating green cucumbers. Many a lunch my cousins and I would down this drink over stories and conversations of How are you's and How is life treating you's and how are you treating life.
But let me save the best for last. My most favorite dish of all was unfortunately unavailable. That's alright. Sometimes waiting is a good thing. I remember how my Papa would ask me to go buy Barbecued Chorizo at our Subdivision's eskina which was a good 20 minute walk. And he would wait patiently for me to get back. Chorizo de Cebu, that's right. My comfort food paired with suka and sili. When I was pregnant with my first-born, I would scour the city of Ormoc for Chorizo with no such luck. Our then driver would bear the brunt of a pregnant woman's unfulfilled food cravings. Pasaylo-a gyud ko Manong Camilo sa kadtong panahona nga gigutom ang buntis ug walay chorizo nga makit-an sa tanang kan-anan sa Ormoc.
Enough with the anecdotes of my most favorite dish, Chorizo de Cebu. You are here now Chika-an. This is all that matters. I waited for you for 15 years since I left the land of my birth and childhood. Of course I can wait for the one elusive dish in the menu that will ultimately be the undoing of me. Kanang mura'g usa ka libong himaya.
In the meantime, I shall happily remember today when we sat at your wonderfully native themed space with the most comfortable chairs, efficient staff and delicious food.
Daghang Salamat.
From a Very Grateful and Nostalgic Diner,
An Margaret
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