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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider Pica pica in foodie heaven along the old Pasong Tamo extension

Pica pica in foodie heaven along the old Pasong Tamo extension

Published Oct 2, 2022 10:21 am

Or how Txanton made me feel I was at Mercato San Miguel in the heart of Madrid

My kids Arturo and Danielle are in Spain touring. And just like me, they are foodies on the hunt for new things. And just like me too, every time they taste something delicious, they think of their loved ones. So, both have been sharing photos to the family wishing we were all there to experience their joy. I feel them when it’s like this. Am I envious? Of course!

But I got an invitation from a friend Noel P to a dinner at one of the top Spanish restaurants in Manila that sent my envy away. Txanton is along the old Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati and it serves outstanding and delicious authentic Spanish food. I love the pintxos or the pica pica type of Spanish food. And that’s exactly what we had.

Jamon iberico and select bottles for wine tasting

I arrived early and was famished. So, alone, I started with a hamon spread and some liver pate. With the crusty bread, I was in for a very promising evening. 

It was a night of wine tasting and pairing with friends who are foodies and wine lovers.

We started with a chilled white wine called 2015 Oremus Tokaji Aszu. What a way to open our tastebuds! With that we had Torres De Briz Extremadura 100 percent Bellota plate, a super tabla de queso with ripened paprika, Valdeon goat cheese, manchego, and Mahón cheese. That I enjoyed immensely with their crusty bread. I don’t eat the inner white part. 

We shifted to two reds—El Puntido and Vina Pedrosa. Allowed to breathe for a long time, both were perfect with everything that was laid on the table.

Boquerones and Tortilla de patata
Beef cheeks and Pork iberico medium

Then came the Boquerones, mackerel in Chardonnay vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Slightly chewy and sour, it was very, very good. The salad was so good too. Unique combination. Ensalada con queso or manchego shavings with greens, dressed in a honey mustard vinaigrette. Warm asparagus followed, which I wasn’t too crazy about. I ordered a perfectly cooked tortilla de patata. It was fluffy, a bit moist, and very good. There was a gambas al jillo or garlic shrimps, which came still bubbling in a garlic olive oil sauce. Sarap! Other dishes that came were scallops with pumpkin sauce, bacalao a la Viscaina, and wagyu beef cheeks with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, and white wine sauce. All very good. But the one that stood out to us all was a medium-cooked Secreto Iberico, an acorn-fed Iberian pork secreto cooked in jasper charcoal oven. OMG! So, so delicious! Out of this world! You guys have to try the food here. One of my best meals in a very long time, it had great wine, wonderful company, outstanding and delicious pica pica, and a few main dishes. Wow what an experience! Thank you Noel!

I do miss my two kids but someone soothed that loneliness. I love authentic, well-made Spanish food. It makes feel I was still at Mercato San Miguel in the heart of Madrid!

This is a must place to visit!

Txanton is on the second floor of Alegria Alta at 2294 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. (02) 8877 6928

Check out the schedule for my Japan food tour—Oct. 20 to 25 (Fukuoka/ Hiroshima / Osaka), Nov. 9 to 14 (Fukuoka / Hiroshima / Osaka), Nov. 20 to 25 (Fukuoka / Hiroshima / Osaka) and Dec. 8 to 14 (Hokkaido).

 If interested to join, email: [email protected]

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