Taste of Asia: Filipino Restaurant

[mushimushi427]

We tried a different Filipino restaurant for the first time last night, Taste of Asia, on Union Turnpike near Parsons Blvd. It's a small restaurant with a bar frequented by Filipino locals. Glass covered red tablecloths were nothing fancy. We ordered Pinkakbet and Sizzling Squid which were both tasty. We also ordered Ginata-ang Manok, chicken and veggies in coconut milk, almost a soupy stew, that was simple and scrumptious. There was no mistaking the rich chicken stock well flavored with coconut.

The surprise of the evening came at about 8:30pm, when Ellen, a saucy Filipina chanteuse, took the microphone and belted out a few songs in English and Tagalog. She wore red boots, a red vest and a spicy red tam to match. A little kitchy but cute. There was a karaoke screen, but we left before the small crowd warmed up to it.

We'll be back to try more dishes.

[Polecat]

The atmosphere of this place is downright surreal. I never caught the floor show, but halfway expected someone in sequins and glitter to come out of nowhere, perhaps behind red curtains, and belt out a tune. Is there still a silhouette style mural on the right hand wall, or am i thinking of another joint?

Anyhow, perhaps, the one time I went was an off time. There was someone near the entrance, sitting at a table and crunching numbers with a calculator. When I ponied up to the bar, I was one of two customers in the place, and the staff seemed perturbed that I was ordering anything at all. I believe I had the same chicken coconut dish that you did, but was not all that thrilled - I remember the chicken as tasting very dry, despite the stew. That said, one visit - especially at an odd, off hour - is just that. Am glad you dug it; maybe I'll give them another go round.
P.

[mushimushi427]

LOL, the place was certainly surreal! I was sitting right next to the wall so I didn't notice a mural. Ellen didn't wear sequins but her red boots were very, very shiny.

The chicken was definitely moist and tasty, although plain. As we got closer and closer to show time, the restaurant became more crowded and livelier.

[Perkalator]

I've been there twice and the place blows. The food is not that good and the service is downright awful. As far as the atmosphere/decor, it's not surreal, it's just bad taste. For more authentic and better Filipino food in the area, just go down Parsons Blvd towards Hillside, there's a grocery store with a turo-turo (cafeteria style) restaurant in a little strip mall by the Dunkin Donuts. I thing the place is called Nayong Filipino Store.