PH Consul General goes on a gastronomic tour of this Canadian town’s ‘Little Manila’
Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro and members of the Philippine press in Toronto visited three Filipino Restaurant Month (FRM) participants, and tried out what each restaurant had to offer.
First stop was the Casa Manila where the group enjoyed the three Kamayan feast sets, especially curated for Filipino Restaurant Month 2022 (FRM 2022): the Kamayan Premium Mixed Set (chicken crackling chicharon, shrimp inasal skewer, grilled beef ribs or inihaw na baka, crispy pork belly or lechon kawali, BBQ chicken skewers, Kamayan Premium Seafood Set (chicken crackling chicharon, shrimp inasal skewer, milkfish or daing na bangus , crispy baby squid or pritong pusit, coconut ginger vegetables, tropical vegetables with shrimp paste or pinakbet); and Kamayan Premium Vegan Set (vegetable spring rolls, BBQ tofu skewers, tofu and vegetable adobo, coconut ginger vegetables, vegan vegetable chopsuey). Each of the Kamayan Premium Set was served with a choice between steamed or garlic rice, pickled cucumber, tomatoes and papaya slaw, with housemade dipping sauces, and a choice of Casa Manila’s favorite desserts, the Ultimate Halo-Halo, Buko Pandan Con Hielo, or Mais Con Hielo. A Kalamansi Mocktail is also served as beverage. Casa Manila is owned by Chef Mila Nabor-Cuachon.
Second stop was the Philippine lechon hotspot of North York, Wilson’s Haus of Lechon, whose simple dining area and carinderia-style food presentation definitely puts their well-known menu front and center for the steady flow of clients to easily view, choose from, order, and enjoy their favorite lechon dishes cooked in the traditional Cebuano way.
The dish description seemed unassuming but when finally served, the dishes aimed to visually awe and please the palate.
Wilson’s Haus of Lechon is a family-owned and family-run restaurant in Toronto’s “Little Manila,” which has long been one of the go-to places for Filipinos longing for the nostalgic taste of barbequed chicken and pork, as well as crispy pork belly, cooked according to the homecooked recipes of the Martinito family. Its warm and friendly staff ensures that you feel the care Wilson’s Haus of Lechon puts into its food and service.
Last stop was the Republika Restobar and Grill, which specializes in barbecues. For the Filipino Restaurant Month 2022, the Republika Restobar and Grill confidently offered only one prix fixe set consisting of an ukoy appetizer, a main course of lechon baka with rice, and ube ice cream with banana turon for dessert. The dish description seemed unassuming but when finally served, the dishes aimed to visually awe and please the palate. The prix fixe arrived in generous portions and each dish delicious and sure to make you think of a return visit to the restaurant to enjoy them once again.
Photos by Toronto PCG