(SPOT.ph) Don’t you love when you happen to come across a treasure trove of great places to eat—a place where the possibilities are endless, and the restaurants just don’t let you down? Molito Commercial Complex in Alabang is one such place, brimming with new gastronomic opportunities.
Now, just for those from the north: We’re not saying your friends aren’t a good enough reason to make the trip. What we are saying is you might as well hit two birds with one stone. And to those of you who already live in the south but haven’t been to these gems—excuse us, what?
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Here are some must-try restaurants in Molito:
Atilla Meat Bar
As new as they are, we already know that Atilla’s going to be the go-to of many for great steak. Their Steak Flight (P1,900/regular striploin, P4,300/premium striploin, P2,300/regular ribeye, P5,100/premium ribeye) is what draws you in, but it’s the Steak Mountain (P910) that keeps you loyal. Wagyu, Argentinian rib cap, and bonito flakes provide all the umami you could possibly want, while pickled shimeji mushrooms give the dish some much-needed acidity. The warm Japanese rice makes it top-notch.
Atilla Meat Bar is at 14B Building 8, Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Cangrejos Locos
If you love your paella—and we know you do—Cangrejos is the place for you. They do things Barcelona-style, meaning that the layer of rice in the paellera is thin, but intensely flavorful. At the risk of sounding like seafood stans—and why wouldn’t you be—we recommend the Cangrejos Locos Paella (P670) with the Roasted Garlic Angulas (P280/100 grams). Every little component contributes to the experience—the crab fat doesn’t overpower the stock-steeped rice, and the salty tang of sun-dried tomatoes in the angluas garlic sauce adds some great bite.
Cangrejos Locos is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Canton Club
The menu (as in the physical menu) is cute on its own, but when it comes to Chinese staples, Canton Club has all you want and dim sum. We love that joke, what can we say? It’s a short menu, so it’s hard to go wrong, but the Canton Club Fried Chicken (P350/half, P700/whole) is a must-try. Come back for the Hot Prawns and Chicken Salad (P400), too!
Canton Club is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Chicha Taqueria
The mix of Tex-Mex and Peruvian sensibilities are what make this taqueria stand out. The bright, wild interiors of Chicha, however, seem to be out to change that, and give you an idea of what the food’s going to be like: Punchy, spicy, erring on the side of the unexpected. The Rocoto de Atun (P430) is so fresh and full of textures you never expected to go together—like cubes of thick sweet potato and almost silky tuna—that you nearly forget about how sour it was actually supposed to be. But do yourself a favor and pour the leche de tigre right on it.
Chicha Taqueria is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Barcino
Barcino’s been around for a while, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their touch—this bodega-esque concept gave the Metro Manila tapas scene a big boost, and the collective craving hasn’t waned since. It might have something to do with how simple they keep things, like with their savory and peppery Gambas al Ajillo (P725), or their massive Desayuno Andaluz (P600), a traditional Andalusian breakfast of toasted bread topped with jamon serrano, paired with fresh tomatoes drizzled with olive oil. While they’re not a new player in the game, they are a contender that’s hard to kill—perhaps because no one’s looking to do that. Everyone’s got a unique tapas experience to offer, and Barcino has made their mark and maintains it quietly.
Barcino is at Unit 5 Molito Lifestyle Extension, Alabang Zapote Road corner Madrigal Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Group & Boiler
The people at Group & Boiler don’t fall into the extreme of people who might look at you funny when you’re not sure what to order—thank goodness. Instead, they are here for even the newest of newbies, so they can feel at ease when it comes to their joe. The food is not to be missed, either: the all-day breakfast portion of the menu might tempt you with the in-house Beef Pastrami (P320). The deep brine-y flavor of this sandwich is softened with white cheddar and mozzarella, but the Paleo Egg Cups (P180) are a great way to sneak veggies into your meal without wincing—the onions and peppers make it a simple but hearty portion.
Group & Boiler is at G/F Molito Lifestyle Center, Madrigal Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Miyazaki Japanese Restaurant
Miyazaki is somehow upscale and laid-back at the same time. The food in general is a good mix of modern and traditional—no frills, apart from what the chef and crew feel fits the theme. But their Ebi Fry (P340/three pieces, P540/five pieces) has exactly what you want—a batter crust that crackles—even after a few minutes. It’s the use of quality ingredients that put Miyazaki so high up on our Top 10 Ebi Tempura list. We also recommend the Maguro Spicy Maki (P380)—tender, spicy tuna sushi, and end your meal with the Apple Teppanyaki with Vanilla Ice Cream (P190), a fun way to finish what may or may not be a fancier meal than you expected to have.
Miyazaki Japanese Restaurant is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Parmigiano
Want dinner and a show? Parmigiano is your guy. Apart from the general appeal of Italian food—and goodness knows we’re familiar with it—they throw in a couple of theatrical tricks. In the case of the Pasta del Parmigiano (P470), they roll out the Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel—imported from Italy, of course—pour alcohol on it, and flambé. Once the flames have died, they pour in the noodles, allowing them to absorb what is now effectively a sauce of cheese and booze. It results in the perfect proportions of cream and salt. Not in the mood for all that flashiness? The Cacio e Pepe (P470) has all the flavor with none of the literal fire.
Parmigiano is at Unit 10 Lifestyle Extension, Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Bungalow Café
This is a no-brainer for those of you with a major sweet tooth, but no one's going to turn down these freshly made doughnuts (P60)—they're on the fluffy side, yet still bring heft and a lot of flavor. The only problem is that they're so pretty, you almost don't want to bite into them, but when you do, you're rewarded with equally airy filling. Be sure to be on the lookout, because they switch the flavors around all the time. Their breakfast selection is pretty damn fine, too—those Maple-Blueberry and Ricotta Pancakes (P350) are no joke.
Bungalow Cafe is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Ramen Yushoken
Can you really bring yourself to walk past this ramen joint when you see it? We’re normally very good at keeping secrets, but this one from Ramen Yushoken just couldn’t be kept on the downlow for very long: The Super Chashu (P550) is an extra-potent take on their signature (and most popular) shoyu broth. Served with optional chili, it feels like the flavor bursts in your mouth when you sip. The highlight of this bowl is the supersized piece of pork, which gives the broth smokiness; the chashu holds its own without collapsing in the soup. No wonder everyone knows about it now.
Ramen Yushoken is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Recovery Food
We’re at an age where hangover cures are indispensable. When the world seems unbearable the day after five too many tequila shots, what you need is a heaping bowl of the Tapa de Morning (P180/regular, P260/Full Recovery). Don’t forget to pour on that sinamak vinegar to make your senses snap right back to life. More of a fish-for-breakfast person? The S.S.T. (P180/regular, P280/Full Recovery), which stands for spicy sweet tuyo, is a go-to for many.
Recovery Food is at Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.