Today, my family and I decided to treat ourselves to lunch at Mesa Restaurant, and it was everything I needed — good food, good company, and just the right amount of buzz from the mall. Even with all the noise around us, we managed to have a close, intimate lunch, and that’s what I love about Filipino food. It’s all about sharing comfort food with the people who matter most.
We ordered a bunch of dishes, and as always, the Tinapa rice was my absolute favorite. There’s just something about the smoky flavor of the tinapa mixed into the rice that I can’t get enough of. It’s the kind of dish that’s simple, but it hits the spot every time. I could honestly eat it by itself, but with everything else we ordered, it was even better.
One of the more unique dishes we had was squid cooked in its own ink. It looked kind of intimidating with its dark sauce, but the flavor was something else. The squid was tender, and the ink sauce had this rich, savory taste. Topped with a bit of garlic and spring onions, it was a nice contrast to the rest of the meal.
We also got Laing, one of those creamy, coconutty dishes that just screams Filipino comfort food. The taro leaves were so soft, and the crispy fried onions on top added a bit of crunch. It paired so well with the rice, and I loved how the flavors blended together.
And of course, we had to have some fried fish. It was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect with the dipping sauces they served. Everyone at the table kept reaching for more, and it made me so happy to see us all enjoying the meal together.
Mesa Restaurant is one of those places where you can really feel the heart of Filipino cooking. The food is familiar but a little fancy at the same time, without feeling too far from home. Sitting there, sharing these dishes with my family, I was reminded of why I love Filipino cuisine so much. Even with the chaos of the mall around us, we had our little moment of peace, and it was all about the food, the laughter, and being together.
It was a perfect lunch — simple but special, just like the best Filipino meals are.
Keep learning and exploring! Always be curious and never stop learning new things.