Worth the try: cauli palabok, shroom sisig, summer Pancit canton, calamansi pavlova
Tip: They get crowded on the weekend, try to snag a reservation at least a few days in advance.
Sinigang Shrimp Chips: shrimp chips with tamarind (sour) power. Simple and self-explanatory. The tamarind flavor is prominent, and this makes for a nice snack while waiting for the main course.
Kinilaw Crudo: (6) small cuts of tuna with sawsawan mignonette (sauce), EVOO. The fish was good and this had a strong vinegar flavor.
Cauli Palabok: roasted cauliflower in palabok sauce (a savory, thick almost gravy-like sauce with distinct seafood and pork flavors), with patismansi (fish sauce + calamari) vinaigrette, egg, chicken skin. We added this on after our initial order just so we could say we ate some vegetables, and I'm glad we did. The cauliflower is roasted perfectly, and it pairs well with the sauce without feeling too heavy.
Summer Pancit Canton: yakisoba and summer vegetables in garlic-miso vinaigrette and umami chili crunch. Reminiscent of Pancit Canton (AKA Filipino instant noodles) bags but elevated in an actually impressive way. The flavors are light and refreshing.
Sizzling Shroom Sisig: blue oyster mushrooms, red onion, chili, lemon served on a sizzling plate. DO get egg with this for a more traditional take. This dish was the star of the show, the mushrooms had the perfect texture and absorbed all the flavor, so much so that I did not miss the typical pork sisig at all. If you don't know, sisig is a very popular Filipino dish that mixes savory, tangy, and rich flavors all in one.
Chicken Inasal: roasted chicken with inasal butter, served with garlic mojo & toyomansi dipping sauces (YUM). This is another classic Filipino dish, with tangy, savory, and sweet flavors blended into one. The dipping sauces they provide are unique and pair well with the chicken.
Pork Belly Lechon: (4) pieces of roasted heirloom pork served with garlic mojo & toyomansi. Perfectly crispy skin and tender meat. Also pairs well with the dipping sauces.
Buko Pandan Sago: Buko pandan sago (coconut pearls), strawberries, toasted coconut. Liked the flavors of this one but something about it left me wanting more.
Calamansi Pavlova: calamansi custard, salty whip, ginger & graham crust, maldon. Everything about this dish was perfectly well-balanced. The custard was not too tart, the salty meringue brought everything together, and the texture of the ginger & graham cracker crust added that little oomph. I kept reaching for more bites!
PARKING: Located in the heart of Chinatown, limited street parking or paid parking lots available nearby.
SERVICE: Our servers were funny, sociable, and attentive and made our dining experience that much better!
ATMOSPHERE: Cute shop in Chinatown plaza, they provide indoor and outdoor seating. We didn't mind the outdoors since it was a nice, warm summer day, and they provided small table lamps for when it got dark.
My partner and I came here with his parents for a family dinner. We're Filipino, so we're familiar with the flavors and dishes, and typically Filipinos are weary of these kinds of fusion places. However, Lasita hits the head on the nail and is able to elevate Filipino food to the next level. Every dish pays homage to the traditional flavors while also making it interesting to the modern-day foodie. I'd definitely recommend this place to all my friends, Filipino family, and I'll surely be back for more! read more