Trinoma's P1,000 dinner date challenge continues...

Trinoma’s P 1,000 pesos dinner date Challenge continues….
By: Aly Abaquin



4th stop:
PINOY PRIDE- ABE





If you and your date dig Filipino feel good cuisine and being patriotic about your meals. Don’t miss out on this resto-ABE’s excellent home cooked meals from the Capampangan region.

The resto is a tasteful tribute of a loving son to his passionate father.

Mr. Larry Cruz of the LJC group of restaurants who owns Café Adriatico in Malate is behind this very successful restaurant which pays tribute to his dad Emilio Aguilar Cruz who is fondly called ABE.

Abe by the way is also capampangan word for friend and companion.
So let the old champ enthralled us with his Capampagan Filipino cooking at its freshest and best.

Abe the Serendra sensation is now in TRINOMA at the third (3rd) level.

THE FEEL: At first glance Abe’s location is prime with a breathtaking view of the hills from afar and lush greenery from a nearby Golf course- a perfect AL FRESCO dining under the stars.
The interiors is Filipino contemporary: its cool and soothing beige walls mix in with browns plus a dash of richly colored paintings in the walls makes you feel welcome.

The “BANIG” inspired chairs are very comfortable, indigenous and durable amidst the multi-colored window seal reminiscing of a visit to some ancestral house in the proverbs but this is more hip and inviting.

Coveted seating : Forget about the Serendra branch you have more seats waiting for you here. Highly recommended is the dinner by candle light. AL fresco dining at its best . Take the left side most table for clearer view then pray that it does not rain on your parade.

THE PRICE: Since we only have P1,000 pesos to spend –this really had my brain cells working. The price is reasonable but some of the items in the menu are a little bit pricey, but worth it. So many good dishes to choose from- but with a budget we need to spend wisely.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!
I opted for the house specialties good for two. DuHHH! NO BRAINER!!

Ben Cab’s Lamb adobo and Thelma San Juan’s mom rellenong mais that we love to try and SWAK na SWAK sa budget. Remember this is a date not a pig-out. Coupled with two shakes all for only P 1,014.20 ( price based on Jan 12, 2008 inclusive of taxes and service charge.)

Recommended menu : Rellenong Mais P196, Lamb Adobo P392, and 2 unlimited rice at P 62/pax (P 124) then 2 glasses of tamarind shake for that dessert flavor ala drink at P105/glass (P 210) + 10% service charge equals = a total of P1,014.20/Not bad for a friendly date.

We wanted the Abellini cocktail drink - a refreshing white rum, cantaloupe, muddled with shaved ice and laced with crush fresh mint leaves that is their signature drink- but on that day they run out of mint leaves too bad!!! So we opted for the tamarind shake which they recommended and or the red wine- shirak at P 175/glass but hold on budget budget remember….. Boo!!! Hoo!!!! A challenge really.

THE FOOD : The 3 pieces rellenong mais is a combination of sweet corn, tidbits of fresh catch shrimps, and cheese/ flour - all mix with farm fresh eggs then skillet fried for that omelet Filipino style.

It is good with tomato ketchup rather than soy sauce. ( If I could only improve it- I will add to its filling or topped it with crumbled goats cheese, freshly chopped basil and button mushrooms well that’s only artsy me-and only if Thelma’s MOM approved of it. He he he … DREAM ON ALY -DREAM ON.... . But the taste is classic and standard.

What the heck - I just wanted to taste it after all to find out whats the craze all about.

The Lamb Adobo: it’s the sauce that is a mystery to me which you can drizzle to your unlimited rice ration and chow all you want. The lamb chops is succulently soft and amazingly chunky.

Hmmmh…. The secret is on how they marinated it with their secret spice mixture and how the Lamb chops are slowly cooked/simmer over in medium low heat until the meat is almost tender.

If my guest is right. The spice mixture is not just your regular Adobo mix but a conglomeration of special kosher rock salt, pepper, turmeric, freshly ground white pepper with finely chopped red onions and garlic plus fine siling labuyo.

Hungry ka na -ha!!! . Hmmmh your guess is as good as mine…… we might have decoded the secret of this signature dish.

So far the LAMB ADOBO should be in any BALIKBAYAN’s itinerary. Superb! Kudos to Ben Cab.

The tamarind shake is the local take on the green mango shake sweet and tangy just right for the dessert drink combi. While your server gives each one of you a free burong mangga (pickled green mango over beer with sugar and salt). Okey but no thanks we had the tamarind remember…

SERVICE : Helpful, friendly and informative

ABE’s truly makes us proud to be PINOY!!
HAIL THE LAMB ADOBO as Filipino culinary discovery !

Rating : 5 spoons.

ABE is located on the 3rd level of TRINOMA. For reservations call :901-5692