Bayan Ko was honestly just amazing. The food was insanely good--every bite hit. Nothing felt overworked or pretentious, just really thoughtful, well-executed dishes that tasted incredible. It's the kind of place where you can tell there's a great chef behind the food, but it still feels homey, comfortable, and genuinely welcoming. We did the wine pairing and it was fantastic. Our server kept refining it throughout the meal, adjusting pours and choices as we went, which made the whole experience feel personal instead of scripted. Everything paired beautifully and actually made the food better. The vibe is casual in the best way--warm, relaxed, and fun--while still delivering food that easily deserves Michelin-level recognition. No gimmicks, no misses, just really good food made by people who clearly care. 11/10. Would go back immediately. read more

First time! The inside is cozy and small. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately (reservations only) we got complimentary drinks because we were celebrating, which was a nice surprise. The food was really good but I had higher expectations. The tamale Cubano was one of my favorites and the kare Kare was good. The dessert was also really good. Amazing amazing service! I don't think we will come back because we can definitely get food as good for cheaper somewhere else Chicago; it was a great experience to try one time. read more

See all

Tasting menu: 1. Prawn Kinilaw - coconut, thai chili, yuzu 2. Duck Croqueta - foie gras, guava sweet & sour 3. Arroz Caldo - black rice, lobster, calamansi, quail egg 4. Adobong Pugita - octopus, potato, black garlic emulsion 5. Lechon Asado - iberico pork collar, sour orange, yuca con mojo 6. Ropa Vieja - wagyu brisket, plantain, olive sofrito, congri 7. Chocoflan - coconut flan, chocolate bibingka, passion fruit, miso, white chocolate caramel, black truffle Well worth the price for the service, flavor/presentation/texture execution, and portions. My few criticism are prawn was a tad overcooked and black rice was too buttery for my personal taste. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole tasting menu. Service was good and ambience was simple and relaxing. Highly recommend this place for foodies and special occasions. read more

See all

Our favorite dining experience in Chicago.. Everything was exceptional from start to finish! The space is small and intimate, which allowed for great service and a cozy feeling. We started with cocktails which were both on point. The pepita #3 was my favorite, but the fried plantain was a good touch with the Lola's Drunk Again. We got the wine pairing with the coursed meal, which was definitely worth it. The lumpia and accompanying wine set the tone for the meal, such a good bite and the sparkling red was a surprising but amazing combo. The second course was my personal favorite with the lobster and duck croqueta and the Orangotango wine. The third course was impressive because uni can be very difficult, but the dish was balanced well with the squid ink pasta and quail egg. The tamale was the best we've ever had and loved the soft shell crab with it! The kare kare in the peanut sauce had amazing flavors between the oxtail and crunch of the peanuts. We were so full by the end, but the Chocoflan and port was an incredible way to end. The miso caramel with truffle was amazing! One of the best desserts we have ever had. The balance in each dish stood out the most to us. It is clear this chef knows what they are doing. Truly a meal for the books and we will definitely be back next time we are in town! read more

See all

My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary and Bayan Ko did not disappoint, we felt this was an intimate place for a romantic dinner. The staff was attentive to my food restrictions and explained the menu really well which helped ease any anxieties. They have a great selection of NA drinks that were refreshing. The tasting menu was very filling. We started off with the Prawn Kinilaw and this was one of my top 2 favorite dishes (the other was the Arroz Caldo), I liked how crispy the Prawn head was. The Arroz Caldo had so much flavor, rice was nice and buttery. Their Duck Croquette was an indulgent treat. I forgot to take a picture of the Flan Cake, but it was outstanding. We'd come back again for a nice dinner. read more

See all

I was super excited to try Bayan Ko, but unfortunately was a bit disappointed. I came for a late lunch on Saturday around 2:15, which is shortly before they closed. I ordered the pork belly with garlic rice. The garlic rice was lukewarm at best and the pork belly had a gamey/funky taste which I was not too keen on. I would give bayan ko another try for dinner. read more

Bayan Ko - Burrito - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

First time trying the Bayan Ko tasting menu and WOW!!! Such a great experience from start to finish. Every course that came out was even better than the last, and they were all exceptional. I also did the wine pairing option which was fabulous. It's great to have a tasting experience like this in such an intimate restaurant. Our server and host were fantastic all night. I also cannot believe what an incredible value the meal was. I can't wait to return. read more

See all

I celebrated my 50th birthday here, and the experience was more than I had dared hope for. Delicious food, excellent service, and a comfortable atmosphere. We had the 7-course tasting menu. It was varied, filling, and memorable. My partner is not usually a fan of octopus, and she still talks about how incredible that course was. We did the wine pairing, which was generously poured and perfect for the dishes. Alfredo is a masterful server who facilitated our experience like clockwork. I would not hesitate to return here. Phenomenal for a special occasion or just a nice night out. read more

We had a great brunch experience here! The staff were so friendly and took good care of our little toddler. The vibes were casual and comfortable. The food was yummy - we liked the Ube pancakes and spring rolls particularly! read more

Bayan Ko - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I wasn't sure what to expect, but had heard great things. It's located in an unassuming storefront and ambiance is very casual neighborhood vibes. It does get exceptionally loud when full and we had a hard time hearing and speaking to one another. Service was so warm and welcoming and probably the main reason for 4 stars. We sampled the vegetarian and regular tasting menus and a number of drinks. Everything was served timely and beautiful to look at. Our primary challenge with the food was it all pretty heavy and rich tasting. There didn't seem to be a progression and no lighter places to rest your palate. Even though we started with two seafood dishes they were lobster with a super umami rice and octopus with heavy rich sauce. By the time we got to the steak we were struggling. The vegetarian menu was a little better. I don't know that we will return, but I think people who love these cuisines will find memories of home and a super kind and attentive staff. Worth trying at least once. read more

See all

Bayan Ko is easily a five star restaurant. The theme is Filipino-Cuban fusion. The place itself is small and somewhat inconspicuous. We were greeted and shown to our table. They only offer a five course dinner, but everything was great. They surprised us with caviar initially which tasted like salmon. I'm not a fan of caviar, but this was surprisingly okay. The first dish was the best of the night - Arroz Caldo. It had tons of flavor and a nice portion of lobster. The flavors were very cohesive. The second dish used octopus as the the star. The sauce went well and this dish tasted fresh overall. The third dish consisted of wagyu beef which was very tender. A great bite and a solid 8/10. The fourth featured a sizeable piece of pork. The flavor was great and the sear was perfect, but you have to like pork as there was substantial fat. The fifth dish was essentially an elevated chocolate cake with homemade whipped cream, coconut, and hazelnuts. Delicious, light, and fluffy. If you're in the mood for something different and a unique experience, try Bayan Ko. read more

See all

Short Review: It's pricey, portions are small, space is tight, and they're only open for dinner. It is however one of the best Filipino/Cuban fusion I've had. Full Review: Sisig nigiri is a bayan co original. It's sushi with the sensation of salt and vinegar top with quail egg that just completes your palette of everything. I can't explain it. You just have to try it You must eat the ropa vieja with the plantains otherwise it's just another brisket dish. Do not use the plantains as an offset, have it with a spoonful of the beef, plantain and the rice. Nirvana is achieved. The ginatang with the squash is subtlety to perfection. You taste the individual vegetables of squash and eggplant with just a hint of lemon. The coconut milk puts all those together. The cumin lamb has a hint of sweetness. The lamb by self it's not the same as having it with the yucca. The yucca takes it to another level The ube sundae is absolutely recommended. I don't know what they did with that ice cream but it's amazing. The coconut flan is good, but it didn't blow me away. One of my best meals is here. read more

See all

Filipino Cuban Fusion...?! I didn't even know that was a thing! Glad I know now bc it was freakin DELICIOUS. First things first, my absolute favorite thing about this restaurant was that they have HALF-PORTIONS! For anybody as indecisive as me when it comes to ordering food at a new restaurant, this is a godsend. I just wanna try E-VE-RY-THING or die trying--and we came pretty close to it after ordering 8 half portions. I can't even choose a favorite dish bc we loved just about everything! The Lumpia Shanghai were hot and crispy and went so well with their garlic sauce. The Lechon Kawali was flavorful and tender, and the Bistek was also just so juicy and rich. I could've eaten another order of their crispy Adobo Wings bc they were that addicting but opted for the Ropa Vieja instead; I gotta say the Ropa Vieja wasn't my favorite but that's because I prefer Asian flavors to begin with. I also liked the Sisig and the Crab Croqueta Tots but my bf wasn't a fan of either. But don't worry, the Ube Sundae totally made up for the two and was the perfect palate cleanser! Our server (who might also be the only server) was excellent! He had the calmness and patience of a wise man, and he navigated the packed restaurant with ease. Definitely make a reservation if you plan on coming for a weekend dinner bc this small restaurant fills up fast! They had to turn away most of their walk-ins while we were there. read more

See all

Enjoyed my visit here because I love trying fusion cuisines, especially ones that involve my culture. I've also never heard of a filipino and cuban restaurant before! This cozy restaurant is nestled under the CTA. It happened to be a hot fall day so I sat outside in their small patio area. They have happy hour from 5-6pm so I was able to get discounted menu items! Their menu is set up family style with dishes (full or 1/2 size) that everyone can try. For myself, I ordered 3 1/2 dishes and it was plenty for me. Everything was delicious and I would come back. My only complaint is that the rice tasted dry and old. The rice in my nigiri and my kare kare did not taste fresh. Id have to say the vegetarian empanadas were my fav and I recommend! Otherwise, solid spot. Be sure to snag a reservation cause I heard they get busy. read more

See all

Honestly, as a Filipina it is hard to impress me with Filipino food especially in the city. BUT THIS. Literally this diner makes me want to go to DC and lift the cuban trade embargo myself. The main dish we had is an og filipino staple, Bistek with garlic rice (I think its a common dish in cuba too). I have no photo of that one because we quite frankly devoured it and left nothing. delicious. You could taste the grill on the bistek as if they imported the smoke straight from the Philippines. For starters though we had lumpia, ceviche, and the croquettes. All gas, I would highly recommend the croquettes it comes with this banana-ketchup mayo. I am gonna copy that sauce combo at home fs. I'm used to ceviche from latin restaurants in the US but this ceviche reminded me so much of the kinilaw from the philippines. as if they caught the seafood fresh even though we're in midwest far from any ocean. ALSO THE FLAN. it was the creamiest richest dessert ever. At this point i was so full though someone shouldve just wheeled me out. Honestly this place was rly cute with the lil banana mural. When I see a trendy looking filo spot usually I'm like this is gonna be bad and expensive. Bayan ko is fs the exception tho. The place was filled w customers so it took a while for some of the food to come in but our server gave us the late dishes on the house. he was white but forsure a certified honorary filipino in my book! 20/10 read more

See all

Experienced their tasting menu format and man what a surprise! Incredible flavor profiles with nuanced, well-balanced bites. The arroz caldo with black rice and lobster was a true gem and one of the best bites I've had all year. The service was gracious without being overbearing. We lucked out and Chef Lawrence and his wife Rachel were front of house tonight and what lovely hosts they were. The wine pairing was also thoughtful and creative. Really impressed by our dinner and cannot wait to come back! read more

Had the tasting menu, a bit pricey but... Everything went well: the food was outstanding as well as the service; the waiter/server was friendly, professional, and most helpful. read more

Would 100% recommend to others. The dining experience was very intimate, as the dining area is small. Our server was one of the co-owners and she was so lovely. The chef was kind enough to alter my tasting experience due to a seafood allergy to be a mix of the regular menu and the vegetarian menu, his email exchanges beforehand were accommodating and kind. Great food, great staff. The wine pairing was lovely. read more

Came here for a little snack but everything we got was so good that I wish we stuck around for more of their dinner items! It was a quick and easy 30 minute train ride from the downtown area to the restaurant, which was conveniently located near the exit of the brown line. We got the empanadas, croquettas, and Cuban sandwich. All came out delicious and piping hot! The croquettas were crunchy outside with a smooth texture inside. The Cuban had unbelievably crispy bread with the perfect ratio of sauce, tangy pickles, and meat. The star of the show was the empanada plate for me. I've been searching for empanadas with a thick doughy outside and raisins inside, and these were PERFECT. I grew up with these! Just what I was looking for, but better! The place is pretty small but they have outdoor heated seating. I loved their playlist--90s and 2000s hip hop and R&B. Cool thing is that the owners are a Filipino and Cuban couple, just like myself and my partner! Only area of opportunity is that they aren't very responsive on social media. Their website says that they have delivery, but I didn't see a place to order delivery (only take out). Tried to clarify by sliding into their DMs but didn't get a response :(. It's ok because having their food piping hot and fresh is a must! Worth a visit! read more

See all

This place is amazing! I am not disappointed at any items I ordered, and the sisig nigiri is definitely my favorite. This place is chic, and the quality of the food is excellent from inside out. They are doing the right thing about fusion food-- creative and strengthening. The restaurant is very small with tight spaces, but that would not stop me from going there again. read more

See all

We did the tasting menu. The octopus was the best. Also enjoyed the lechón and tamal on top. It's a small space but it felt more like an intimate environment which was nice. Service was great. They explained each dish and gave us new utensils each plate. read more

Bayan Ko - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tasting menu experience was fantastic! The Filipino and Cuban mashup is really delicious. The service was really personal and lovely, with detailed descriptions and explanations of the various differences between my plates and my vegetarian table mates. The space was intimate with not many tables. It's exciting to hear the diner next door will also be a venture by this ambitious culinary couple. I was very impressed and can't wait to come back. read more

See all

As a Filipino, I'm very critical of my cultural food. Bayan Ko's Chef Lawrence brings that true Filipino umami to the table. We ordered the Ginataang Tahong (mussels), lumpia and pansit and all delish. Turon fritters has Skyflakes Ice cream (u scream ) Bayan Ko has 2 restos. We went to the diner. Def spacier than before, less intimate, BYOB with corkage and the staff is like family, very friendly! My only regret is that Pancit Luglog w uni is not on the menu anymore. read more

See all

My son has been raving about this place, so when I finally got the chance to visit, I told him to take me here -- and it was beyond amazing! We came to celebrate my son's wedding, and the staff made us feel so welcome. The food was outstanding -- as a Filipino, the flavors instantly brought me back home and the presentation of the food was very appealing. The chef and owner personally came out to greet us and even comped the bill, which was such a touching and generous gesture. Truly unforgettable! Thank you for making our celebration so special -- we'll definitely be back! read more

The vibes here are excellent for date night. Charming dining experience. Very limited seating (not even sure if they have a bathroom) but BYOB and excellent service makes you feel you're in a high-end place. Music was on the louder side but totally enjoyed it! Some folks might find it too loud. In terms of food, I would honestly give a 3. Great quality ingredients for sure but small portions. With all the hype I had leading up to this place, it just didn't meet expectations--especially for the price. $36 for paella that my husband (originally from Dominican Republic) said he could get thousands times better tasting for a fraction of the price. And I believe it. Wasn't bad by any stretch but certainly not for that much. Absolutely worth the try was the Sisig Nigiri. Empanadas.. good but the cilantro lime sauce stole my heart. Service was top notch. Now mind you, the American culture is embedded in the guilt trip around tipping. I always felt like giving 20% was going above average and honored that even if service wasn't. Bayan Ko AUTOMATICALLY adds a 20% gratuity to the bill without mentioning it and kind of found that distasteful. Definitely left with a less than pleasant taste in my mouth and thankful for my husband reviewing our bill. Worth a try but make sure you aren't coming here with a big appetite. read more

See all

Came here with a group of seven and sat outside--El tracks are right there so conversation has to stop periodically but a lovely night and time nevertheless. We were going to do the prixe fixe special with a starter main and dessert each so we could try just about everything but we're convinced to just get the full portions--and had so much food! Definitely on the Apps that was a good decision. The food was terrific. We got every single app and loved them all. We only didn't get the shrimp and mussels on the main menu--and loved the variety. They take reservations so Get a group and do what we did! read more

See all

Super cute shop with amazing service and food!! We came for the restaurant week special and got so much food, but everything was so tender and flavorful. My favorite were the pork skewer appetizers - these were the softest and most juicy skewers I've ever had and the seasoning on these are next level. For our first restaursnt week restaurant, this place really raised our expectations. Even the rest of the food, the chicken wings and lechon, the skin was so crispy and balanced the softness of the rest of the meat. Highly recommend this place! read more

See all

I came here for the first time with my friends for lunch during restaurant week. There was 5 of us, so we were all able to order different items on the restaurant week menu and share everything. Lumpia - typical like other lumpia's I had from other spots. The dipping sauce - mom's garlic sauce was pretty good though. Croqueta Tots - this was different for me. I liked it though and would get it again. It was nice and crispy on the outside. Empanada - this was shaped a little different than your typical empanadas but it wasn't bad and the sauce was good. I might have preferred the tots over this. BBQ Pinchos - WOW I would have to say this was my favorite from the appetizer list! The cola calamansi glaze did it for me. Crispy Pancit Chow Mein - this was different than your typical pancit....with a twist. I liked the crispy texture of the noodles in this dish. Ginataang Gulay - this dish was okay for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I liked the coconut taste to it and the textures of different vegetables together. Adobo Chicken Wings - the chicken was nice and crispy. I definitely liked this one and would get it a Bayan Ko Lechon - because you can't not get lechon when it's on the menu. I liked how it was cooked and nice and crispy....definitely not dry. The sauce was a little different but I liked it. Cubano Fried Rice - this was okay... your typical fried rice kind of. The shrimp that was used for this dish was nice and big. They were not stingy with the proteins at all which is great! Ube Sundae - always have to save room for dessert! I love this! The ube ice cream had some salt in there which was good...the ice cream wasn't too sweet. read more

See all

Food was excellent, service superb, ambiance bright and clean Proud that this Filipino establishment has gone mainstream! read more

Bayan Ko was my first stop during Chicago Restaurant Week 2022! I absolutely enjoyed my dinner here. I highly recommend making a reservation beforehand, or else you'll have to do some waiting. My server Hannah took such great care of me and truly elevated my whole experience! I was dining alone, and the tables around me were couples or groups. Because of its location and Hannah's attentive service, it never felt lonely! She was also amazing with explaining the dishes and ingredients! She was a gem!! I chose these for my 3 course meal: Lumpia Sariwa, Bistek, and Coconut Saffron Flan. I loved the freshness of the lumpia sariwa, and the peanut sauce with it was just right. It wasn't too sweet and paired well with the lumpia. For my main entree, I chose Bistek! As a Filipino, I was familiar with most of the dishes, but I wanted to try the mojo sauce in the Bistek dish. The beef was COOKED PERFFECTLY! I was impressed with the mojo sauce as well. It bought much needed creamy reset to the meaty heaviness of the steak. It's definitely not the Bistek most Filipinos know, but it's an interesting spin! Lastly, my favorite part of the meal was the coconut saffron flan! The sauce on top of the flan was so yummy and complimented the flan very well! I definitely adored that one the most! read more

See all

I'm several weeks late to posting this! Not sure if the menu is exactly the same but nonetheless, I had to make sure to share my experience here. I'll start with the ambiance - this was our first time visiting here and the main reason why I hesitated to give this review a full 5 stars was because of our initial experience with this. Upon entering, it was clear that the place was busy which was surprising for a weekday! It signaled to me how much people really enjoy this place and cuisine. That said, the "flow" of the restaurant was a bit confusing I think as a result of this busy-ness. It was unclear whether we should wait for someone to seat us and when we initially walked in, there were no staff to be found. Once someone did seat us, we were placed at the middle of the restaurant which, because of the small space and full house, was a bit uncomfortable. Maybe a reservation in advance and a special request to not be seated at the middle might have helped, which we completely own. That said... Food - 10/10! I've added a few pictures below - chicken bbq, pancit, and squid ink noodles palabok with scallops. Everything was so delicious, full of umami, and cooked perfectly. Bear in mind that, as with other restaurants who do an updated take on traditional dishes, the palabok did not taste like a traditional palabok. It was more "inspired by palabok." That said, it was DELICIOUS. Highly recommend. read more

See all

Dined here quite a while ago and some of the items on the menu may have already rotated out, but felt the need to drop in a review as I catch up on things. Overall, really enjoyed this spot and happy to see more great restaurants opening up further north in Chicago. The space itself is pretty cozy and small. Bathroom you literally have to walk through the kitchen for. But outside of that logistic, the food itself was great. The Adobo Chicken Wings and Sisig Nigiri are a pretty fun spin on very delicious Filipino flavors. Maybe it's a bit on the novelty-side, but still delicious to eat. The mussels and pork belly from what I remember were also really solid, though it seems like looking at their most recent menu they might no longer be in rotation? But honestly the star of the show is both the desserts. They are absolute killers and I loved both the ube sundae and flan. Definitely the best items on the menu and honestly worth going back just for those in my opinion. Price-wise definitely more on the pricier end of things, but what isn't these days? Especially if you're considered a relatively new (i.e. 2019... covid years don't count) "up and coming" spot in the Chicago area. Definitely worth checking out once, especially if you're in the area! Definitely want to try again whenever I get a chance for some of their other offerings! read more

See all

If you're looking for incredible Filipino food, Bayan Ko is your place! I came here for Chicago restaurant week for the first time and they did not disappoint. For $39 you get an app, main course and dessert. The sisig nigiri was so flavorful and loved the mini quail egg on top. The lechon was so crispy and reminded me a lot of Chinese pork. Wasn't a fan of the pickled veggies but as a whole, the meal was fantastic. I'd die to know the recipe for their coconut flan- it was perfectly smooth, sweet and a hint of saltiness and herbyness (that's not a real word but you know what I mean). Food was spectacular, service was great and I loved the ambience. 10/10 recommend trying them out! read more

See all

This place is local to us so we've been coming for a few years. Menus may change, but the quality of the food stays on point. I cannot talk up the lumpia, croquetas, and adobo wings (not pictured but beloved) enough but legitimately everything is awesome. It's got homey, family vibes and the servers are always helpful and warm. Try Bayan Ko, ASAP! read more

See all

¿Que bola? Oh look ma it Filipino-Cuban food. What the... cool jellybeans. Neon sign be tugging me in like its Blade Runner 2049. Step inside and it's neon pink luminates the room like a 80s porno flick. We ordered BBQ Pinchos, Adobo Chicken Wings, Cubano Fried Rice, Pancit Canton Noodle and my ultra favorite Bistek. Ok, all of it is super Ang Sarap! Gotta tell you tho, I be a happy king with just the Bistek with its awesome sauce on top of hot steam rice. We finished the night with Ube Sundae, which is sexy as fuck. Good vibes, friendly staff and totally bomb ass food read more

See all

I loved visiting Bayan Ko for the first time yesterday. It was a great experience, and I don't know how I hadn't heard about this place before. We tried a range of dishes, with my personal favorites being the Sisig Nigiri and the wings. Everything was fresh and delicious! It's a tiny little spot, probably ideal for parties of 6 or fewer. On a Wednesday night it was pretty quiet and started to pick up towards 630. One great thing about the menu is it offers a range of more accessible dishes for people who aren't as familiar with these types of foods, as well as some adventurous treats from both Filipino and Cuban traditions. My only regret is that we were too full to try the flan! Also- it's BYOB, so keep that in mind! read more

See all

Very delicious meal! My group did the tasting menu and added the adobe chicken wings on the side. -Lumpia was delicious and crunchy. Very much like a spring roll. -Cubano sandwich was delicious and flavorful -beef brisket with plantains, rice, and black beans was so delicious. Brisket was perfectly cooked and seasoned -paella was delicious but cook have additional seasoning or more of a kick in my opinion. -adobe chicken wings was phenomenal and so delicious -fried rice was good but could also use a little more reasoning - ube ice cream was the best Wish I took some photos but my party was starving so we inhaled our meal. Highly recommend! read more

I've been meaning to visit Bayan Ko for the longest time, and finally managed to make my way in on a Thursday evening. The weather was beautiful, so my friends and I sat outside! Very often, servers tend to be slow to serve the outdoor seats - but service was efficient and friendly! We ordered several things to share, including: sisig nigiri - a perfect quail egg on top of each sisig nigiri. these were perfect little bite sized pieces to start! ceviche - light and refreshing! served with shrimp chips(?) squid ink palabok noodles -the star of the show. the saffron cream was to die for, and the noodles were perfectly al dente. kare kare - my friends like this dish, but i found myself either wanting more peanut or more shrimp paste. it was a little bit in the middle /bland. Overall, a very nice dinner and worth another visit. Oh, it's BYOB. read more

Bayan Ko - squid ink palabok - Cuban Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The menu was fantastic and the food was very good, well seasoned and well executed. The service is top notch and seamlessly orchestrated. It's a small space but not crowded but can be a bit noisy like many restaurants. read more

See all

8/26/2021 - On day 2 of restaurant week, my friend and I decided to attend this amazing restaurant that I found on Instagram. Upon walking in, I was kindly greeted by two female waitresses. We arrived early and at Bayan Ko, which is a no-no - SERIOUSLY - because we were kindly asked to retreat to our cars to wait because the previous party was not complete with their 90 - minute meal. I totally understand this as the place is fairly small in size. The restaurant has a dark ambiance and a romantic intimate demeanor attached to it - which I love. The wall art is memorizing; the overall aesthetic of the place was beautiful. Once it was our time, we were sent a text (since we made the reservations online) inviting us to come in, and instantly we were seated at a table already prepared with a menu awaiting. We were given the option to participate in restaurant week or the regular menu offered. TIP! This place is BYOB, but they do charge a fee if you choose to participate in the BYOB. My friend and chose to participate in restaurant week which offered one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert per party. One thing I was pretty disappointed about is that Bayan Ko no longer serves the Oxtail Kare Kare dish - this was stated on their website and the restaurant week website, but not offered. I was given a legit reason as to why they no longer serve that dish but I wish that would have been stated when showcasing the menu. Nonetheless, I ordered the Lumpia Sariwa dish, GinataangGulay and the Ube Sundae. My friend ordered the empanada, Rope Vieja and ube sundae. I will say the appetizer and the dessert was immaculate. However, the entree was lacking - the flavor was not as vibrant as I would have liked especially given it was a curry dish. The rice was a bit too sticky/ mushy for me. Would I return? Not by my choice - while this was good, I do not believe the prices match the amount of food nor flavor that should have been given in my dishes. read more

See all