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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider The best of Pinoy in Toronto

The best of Pinoy in Toronto

Published Jun 3, 2022 08:30 am

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.

Kamayan Premium Mixed Set
Casa Manila’s Kamayan Premium Vegan Set and Kamayan Premium Mixed Set
MANILA HOUSE Consul General Orontes V. Castro (second from the right) enjoying the prix fixe menu of Casa Manila with (L-R) Mr. Romy Marquez of the Filipino Web Channel, Mr. Federico Ramos of the Children’s Education Funds, Inc., Casa Manila owners Chef Mila Nabor-Cuachon and Rizalde Cuachon, Ms. Baby K. Jimenez, and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor

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.

Wilson’s Haus of Lechon FRM 2022 prix fixe menu which are served with garlic rice and pork belly as side dishes
Façade of Wilson’s Haus of Lechon branch in North York
LECHON OVERSEAS From left: Consul General Orontes V. Castro (second from the right) having a casual early dinner at Wilson’s Haus of Lechon to enjoy its Filipino Restaurant Month 2022 prix fixe offering with Federico Ramos of the Children’s Education Funds, Inc., Romy Marquez of the Filipino Web Channel (standing), Michelle Ramos of The Filipino Reporter, Consul Mary Grace Villamayor, and Baby K. Jimenez

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.

Lechon Baka or barbequed beef with rice on the side
Ukoy with home-made dipping sauce
Ube Ice Cream and Turon for dessert
REPUBLIC TASTING Republika Restobar and Grill owner Jannie Luz-Benico, Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor flanked by the restaurant’s security staff

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.

www.philcongen-toronto.com

Photos by Toronto PCG

Related Tags

Filipino Restaurant Month 2022 food tour Wilson's Haus of Lechon Casa Manila Little Manila Republika Restobar and Grill canada toronto Filipino cuisine Panorama
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