Restaurants
Casa Manila
Casa Manila, on a weekend, is more like a church after party than a restaurant. The particular Sunday that we head north of the city to pay a visit, we happen to crash a private Baptism bash for eighty. We tiptoe past the glistening suckling pig, the platters of desserts and swerve between the grannies and rosy-cheeked children lined up for their private buffet, to the back of the restaurant, where those who aren't on the list are cast away.
Located in a strip mall surrounded by office towers, the space is large, clean and typical of any Asian restaurant. Their dizzying menu may be a bit hard to navigate for first timers, but owner Lilian Velasco-Co has a knack for anticipating what customers will enjoy at first glance. She patiently goes through a range of possibilities before we narrow it down. A menu splashed with colourful images also come in handy.
Bicol Express ($8.99) shows just how cross-cultural Filipino cuisine really is. A dynamite mix of bitter melon, aubergine, bell peppers, okra in a buttery coconut milk, laced with shrimp paste and pierced with a sharp chili heat, is a harmonious blend of flavours.
Chicken Adobo ($9.99, pictured in lead photo above), possibly the most well-known dish hailing from the Philippines is easily adaptable to Western taste buds. Like chicken with a thick, salty gravy, Casa Manila adapts to Western tastes by using skinless, boneless chicken breast and being shy on the vinegar.
Philippine's national pride, Milkfish ($10.99), is seared to a golden brown, doused in a light soy sauce, sprinkled with salt and finished with a twist of lemon. The texture of the fish may not be for everyone as it is on the drier side and is rather firm. It's a fish dish that I can easily see my mother, or grandmother make and serve with love. Simple, slightly bland and completely de-boned (so that the young ones don't choke), this is evocative of typical Asian homestyle cooking.
It would truly be a travesty to leave Casa Manila before trying their heavenly Halo Halo ($5.50). A mountain of shaved ice topped with a rainbow of beans, a river of condensed milk, caramelized plantain, sweet taro paste, yams, coconut jellies, lime jello, taro ice cream and flecks of sugary pseudo Frosted Flakes, this vibrant dessert instantly etches a smile across my face.
The friendly staff, children playing hide-and-go-seek and rustic home cooking, all make me feel comfortably at ease and very much at home in Casa Manila.
Photos by Francis Jonas Yap
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Will definitely try this out. =)
Great food and love the ambiance...and to complement it all, the price was also very reasonable.
Whether you're looking for Filipino food or feeling like trying something new…Casa Manilla is the place to GO!!!
What are you waiting for?
But I do agree, the mangoes are good.
Though the interior of the restaurant is unassuming, I can say quite heartily that the food was simply outstanding. I had soup, appetizer, a three course w/ rice lunch plate and finished everything off with the Halo Halo.
Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, was fresh, tasty and reasonably priced. Having lived in the Philippines for 3 yrs, I can state without doubt that this is the best filipino meal I've had since returning to Toronto.
If you're looking to try something new or just simply wanting a 'taste of home', then this is the place for you.
5***** out of 5
As to the comment from Basile, ........... well, to write off the complete culinary style of an entire country seems pretty lame. Perhaps you should stick to Hipsterville.
I am rating the taste 6/10. The food wasn't cold. The ham sauce taste like Mang Tomas sarsa with honey. The palabok turned out to be mashy(MASHED PALABOK-overcook). The barbecue isnt that great.
The food taste like what a regular filipino( with no experience in cooking) would make at home.(in a bad way) Just being honest.
The kare-kare taste good though. And I love the lanterns, the place, and the service. Sorry to say the food didnt make it to that level.
PS: I asked for ice and you gave me 2 little cubes-that wont help eh?
Try Sampaguita Restaurant along Wilson-Bathurst. (No, I dont work at Sampaguita but the food there taste way better than Casa Manila, sorry
I am rating the taste 4.5/10. The food was cold. The ham sauce taste like Mang Tomas sarsa with honey. The palabok turned out to be mashy(MASHED PALABOK-overcook). The barbecue doesnt taste good.
The food taste like what a regular filipino( with no experience in cooking) would make at home.(in a bad way) Just being honest.
The kare-kare taste good though. And I love the lanterns, the place, and the service. But too bad the food didnt make it to that level.
PS: I asked for ice and you gave me 2 little cubes-that wont help
Try Sampaguita Restaurant along Wilson-Bathurst. (No, I dont work for Sampaguita or anything but the food there taste WAAAAYYYY BETTER than Casa Manila, sorry)
I learned that her birthday is today, so a big shout out to her! I hear she is turning 29 (again!) lol
Anyway, I'll defnitely be back 4 sure!!!
Service was too slow. 2 waitresses and 3 tables.
Dessert was good
Gave them 15%tips, deserved 10% at best
We don't take advantage of the spices and herbs as in other south east asian countries like thai,viet,korean, japanese etc. Recently went back for a vacation and was again disappointed by the lack of flavour and variety. The vegetables are always over cooked in soups or other dishes. OR over salted. It's always best to make your own filipino food and do your own rendition. Or food made by relatives, which are always more tasty because its made with 'love'.
I find that the food made in north america better which is a shame because in the philippines, the vegetables and fish are always more fresh! Which people don't take advantage of. BUT if you ever go to Bohol, you must try Leopoldo's pancit guisado. I think bohol for the most part was an exception! Best food, best atmosphere and laid back.
Love, love, love, Casa Manila! It's the best Filipino food that I have tasted.
food. All the dishes I ordered are too sweet. My advise to the chef is to take it easy on the sugar. Authentic Filipino dishes has very little sugar or none at all.