Tara na’t magsalu-salo sa Cusina Ni Nanay Maria

Aside from being one of the most beautiful resorts today in the Philippines, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is also home to different cuisines that you may not be aware of. As Filipinos, we are lovers of food from around the world. But still, our love for classic Pinoy food never fades, in spite of many new dishes that are already introduced to us by foreign cultures.

Housed in one of the old buildings in Las Casas is Cusina ni Nanay Maria, a homey restaurant specializing in authentic Filipino cuisine. Remember your lola’s or nanay’s cooking? Savour the traditional specialty dishes and fill your tummy with home-cooked food served with a warm hug of a mom.

Just to make you crave, here are some of their best sellers that we really loved, as you surely will.

Crispy Pata, one of the dishes that are not to be missed in a Pinoy restaurant. Though not juicy enough, the meat of Nanay Maria’s crispy pata got the right flavor a Pinoy-at heart would definitely love. The skin is rispy and yummy, too. And it all goes well with their specially-made dip.

Sinigang na Baboy sa Miso is a sure winner here. This version is perfect for those who would love a bowl of hot, flavorful soup.

• Holiday Reads as Recommended by the Bookish Bunch Book Club
• When She’s Gone by Rea Frey
• Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
• El Mundo Cafe: a new place for your “me time”
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Isdang Talakitok Escabeche. Their seafood escabeche actually depends on what’s the best catch for the day. We’re lucky we were served with talakitok (carangidae) as such is one of the species with naturally flavorful meat.

Pinakbet Bagnet is one of the favorites of the team, though. It’s not very common to top a bowl of pinakbet with bagnet, but Nanany ni Maria obviously want to be extraordinary. The bagnet added flavor that perfectly matched the pinakbet. what a great combination here!

And finally, Tinapa Rice. The one we didn’t expect to finish because we’re on a (fake) diet, but apparently, we forgot to discipline ourselves when we realized one platter was already gone.

Wrapping this review up, Cusina Ni Nanay Maria is a must-visit. Whenever you explore and re-discover the Philippine history, culture, and arts, go get yourself a good set of meal for lunch or dinner. You deserve it!

Related posts: 

• Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar: one little way of time travelling
• Sumptuous dining at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Cusina ni Nanay Maria is located at Casa Unisan, open from 11:00AM to 3:00PM on Monday to Thursday and 11:00AM to 10:00PM on Friday to Sunday.

---