Filipino in Jamaica

[Jim Leff]

I just got a tip for good Filipino restaurant at springfield blvd and jamaica ave. Anyone know it? Anyone wanna check it out and see if it's great and report back for all hounddom?

[DaveCook]

Are you thinking of Salvesam, on Jamaica Ave. somewhat west of Springfield Blvd., in Queens Village? I know them only from a nosh at the most recent Philippine Independence Day Festival, near Madison Square Park, but the full menu they handed me was mouth-watering. Newsday had some nice things to say, too:

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/...

[squid kun]

One sketchy thread two years ago ... http://www.chowhound.com/topics/246581

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Salvesam
216-18 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11428

[Jim Leff]

Yeah, thanks guys, i bet that's it. I'll go check it out.

[DaveCook]

I'm headed out that way this last sunny Monday, October 22, to hunt for chow in Jamaica and Hollis; I expect I'll drop by Salvesam sometime in the late afternoon.

[DaveCook]

Had an excellent, freshly fried version of chicharon bulaklak (though the ruffles that had been sitting awhile at the Philippine Independence Day Festival were mighty good, too); an uncreamed version of laing, taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, so I could eat shoots and leaves; and palabok with a whole lotta sauce (perhaps the chef had been reading Bittman) flavored with chunks of pork and shrimp, and garnished with the usual ground pork, spring onions, and egg. The chef sent out a complimentary flan, too.

I prefer my laing creamier, like my spinach, and I'd rather have more noodles and less sauce in my palabok, but I enjoyed both dishes very much. No quarrels with the bulaklak, except that it was too early to chase it with a beer.

Around 3:30, I was the only customer, though between brief conversations with the hostess, the chef (who stepped out to say hello), and the other two staffers, I gathered that Salvesam does a little more business at lunch, and somewhat more than that at dinner. They've added a few "international touches" to the menu — "balsamic," "marsala," and "alfredo" all show their faces — but I'd be sorry not to return, with a group, for some chicken-and-tamarind soup, ampalaya con carne, and crispy pata.

For MetroCard-carrying Chowhounds like me, the Q1 or Q36 will take you from the 179th St. F terminal very near to the restaurant (I scouted on foot, there and back); the LIRR has a stop not far away, too.

P.S. Once again, the cranky uploader didn't process all my photos; you can see a few more at http://www.eatingintranslation.com/20... .

[bigjeff]

thanks dave, great report. headed to ihawan myself for a "pig"-out soon

[Jim Leff]

Wow, sounds (and looks) great. This place might kick Woodside's food butt...