Friday, August 5, 2011

Not So Ordinary But Xtra-Ordinary at XO 46 Bistro Filipino

I'm trying to write something witty and interesting about Spanish and Filipino cuisine.    For some reason I have been struggling with my son's PC, (that is what I am using right now, since he is off to school, woohoo!) I couldn't get the cd-drive to work.   Losing a temper over a piece of machine is not getting me inspired at all...
Okay, wait. I'll try to come up with something.... Let's see here.
With a lot of  restaurants sprouting here and there , sometimes it is hard to decide where to dine to next.   What could a certain bistro have that  others don't?   Would it stand out in the dining industry?
Distinctive Spanish cuisine with a heart, that's what I call XO 46 Bistro Filipino.   The Spain ruled the Philippines for almost 400 years making it the  
strongest culinary influence.   Most of the foods served in fiestas are derived from the Spanish-inspired dishes prepared during the Colonial period which was then adapted by elites.   
Words come next to food, even most of the Filipino words that we know are evidenced by Spain.   One time I was watching TV with my daughters, and Dora the Explorer was on it, realizing that there is a lot of words we share  in common.   So it wouldn't be hard bringing in rich Spanish dishes once again into our dining experiences, even with our kids who have grown up with fast-foods and junk foods which was brought in by the Americans.
That is what XO 46 Bistro Filipino is all about!  Homey, commodious and exquisite warm dishes.   What is so distinct with them is the owner's family-treasured memoirs is shared into their menu.   


Sandee and Andrew Masigan, owners of the bistro, brought in their childhood influences, from Sandee's Bicolandia and Andrew's Spanish lineage.  While Chef C.K. Kalaw, brightens it up.   Chef C.K. used to work with Mandarin Hotel and is a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef. 



If you are still oblivious on trying out any Spanish resto here are some Spanish words we can learn for the food categories, for example: salad (ensaladas), soups (sopas), fish (pescados), seafood (mariscos), meat (carne), etc.  But if you are to go to XO 46 Bistro Filipino, the staff are very accommodating, graciously speaking in Filipino (or English) addressing you as Senyora, Senyor, Senyorioto and Senyorita, they will explain everything you need to know about their menu!   
My visit at the Spanish bounty started off with the house' best puto served with Inasukalang Mantikilya and Aligue Mantikilya, which I both richly smothered on my puto and it took me to my childhood.  Ahhh...
Sopa de Mariscos, a bisque of mixed seafood covered with pastry puff.   The ultimate comfort food, perfect for rainy days and depressing days, how I wished someone could have taught me how to cook this...Oooohhhh!
Gambas al Jilo, shelled shrimps in spicy butter sauce.
Bangus Salpicao, boneless bangus, fried and sauced, then mixed wiith greens.
Rabo de Toro,  ox tails stewed in wine and beef broth and spiced with rosemary. The slow cooking process creates a tender, fall-off-the bone meat that is quite savory.  Laced with scrambled eggs.
Pinakbet with crispy fried pork meat.
And how can we ever forget the Chorizo, a typical Spanish-Filipino viand.   Careful though with these, I recommend this had to be shared if paired with other dishes, eating healthy is still the key.
For the finale, la Última comida, los potres (the desserts), the Manticado, butter ice cream served with ube-leche flan cubes.

Sapin-Sapin, five-layered sticky rice cake topped with toasted coconut flakes with the Manticado which are served with smooth and light Spanish cherry liqueur.  
The liqueur is ought to be poured over the manticado ice cream giving it a kick you'd truly love.  (The picture for this is the last one on this blog)

Truly, X0, Extra-Ordinary! 46 by the way came from the significant date, July 4, 1946, being the original Filipino Independence, where Americans relinquished 
sovereignty over the Philippines. 






XO 46 Bistro Filipino
Ground Floor Le Grand Condominium
130 Valero St.  Salcedo Village
Makati City
Contact number: +632-5536632

7 comments:

  1. I love how your dessert reminds me of the kueh lapis I ate as a kid in Kuala Lumpur. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gee, thanks! Food reminds us a lot of things especially good things in the past!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jimmy form MinnesottaAugust 8, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    It's a good thing restaurants are bringing in Philippines' History into their theme. XO is easy to remember and it seems authentic Filipino cuisine!

    ReplyDelete
  4. yumyummm...i wanna go back soon hayz!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. @ Jimmy, XO indeed is a nice turn away from the typical Fipino/Spanish dishes...very historical indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @ Ning...Tata lets, I'm waiting for them to have their Tsokolateh Eh! Ms. Sandee said they will be adding "meryenda" in their menu soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. someday i will bring my wife here and have some dinner by the candle... the last time i visit valero street is when i fetch my wife where she visit a restaurant and since i was free on that day (client cancelled our meeting).. i was jsut able to invite my wife to watch a movie (no salary yet on my bank)... hopefully, i can dine on this interesting XO....

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear your thoughts on my post, care for a comment?