Review: Sarsá (Kitchen + Bar)
It's graduation season and it's also that time after four years of hardwork to splurge some money on food!
Last April 19, 44th Commencement Exercises of Emilio Aguinaldo College was held in PICC. My brother graduated with a degree of BS in Radiologic Technology. Since the venue is near Mall of Asia Complex we decided to have a reservation at Sarsá the night before. It was a smooth transaction between me and the staff. So after graduation around 8 in the evening, they called to remind me that they only have 15 minutes grace period. We arrived around 8:15 in the evening, menu is served. There are a lot of vacant tables so we got the chance to pick where to seat.
Please keep on reading if you want to know more about Chef JP Anglo's Sarsá.
Ambiance (4/5)
As you enter the restaurant there is an open kitchen where you can see how they prepare and cook the meal. It's a Filipino-modern-ish fusion, there are blackboards where some of the food they offer are written. There are also paintings of different Filipino public figures and actresses like Gretchen Barretto, crying. (I think it was an issue before.) However, I like it with more lights. The lights are located only at the center and the couch on the sides need light too. It also faces the Manila Bay so I think it is fun to drink and spend time with friends there.
Food (3.5/5)
Our mains include, (2) Twice-cooked Pork Belly, (1) Oven Roasted Lechon Kawali, (1) Brainy Pork Sisig, (1) Chicharon Bulaklak Dinuguan, (1) Isaw, (2) Sarsa Batchoy Regular, (1) Sarsa Batchoy Special, (1) Pancit Palabok, (1) Sizzling Kansi, (1) Sizzling Adobo Pusit.
For the dessert and drinks we had Piaya Ice Cream Sandwich, Sizzling Budbud, Buko Guyabano Shake, Ripe Mango Shake, Green Mango Shake, (2) Sago't Gulaman.
I only realized it was really a feast when they had to add two tables while serving the food.
Starting off, my favorite and the best seller, Twice Cooked Pork Belly with guinamos (Negrense bagoong) sa gata and chili garlic sauce. This is a grander version of the common Binagoongan (Bagoong was separated though) but it is more sweeter. It was really good! The pork belly was so tender and juicy. Presentation was perfect.
I am a big fan of Bachoy, I've been dreaming of going to Bacolod and taste what the authentic Batchoy is. It tastes sweet and I felt disappointed because it is really far from what I expected. Noodles and other ingredients were generous however it lacks chicharon. I think it needs an extra salty taste to match my type.
I'm a Sisig fan so I really considered ordering this. I just thought that fusion with sriracha will be a good combo but it's a no-no. Super sriracha feels and no pork brain found.
The only beef we ordered is the Sizzling Kansi, the waiter explained it's a beef and bone marrow and Kansi, a special sauce that's tangy. We gave it a try because it is their best seller. It's not that sour, I liked it.
Let's now proceed with the drinks and desserts, Piaya ice cream was lit! You can choose between three flavors of ice cream, Ube, Chocolate and Vanilla. Plating was perfect because they put caramel filling all over. The Piaya itself was small though. If you're wondering, Sizzling Budbud is a suman with Niyog flakes on top and placed on a sizzling plate, it's unusual hot dessert. It's a good pair with my Green Mango Shake because it balances the sweetness and flavor of green mango. Sagot't gulaman was superb, too. If I was allowed to have another drink, I'll definitely choose it but my Mom told me gastritis might attack so I shared with my brother's.
I skipped the other dishes because I'm already full but my brother loves the Chicharong Bulaklak Dinuguan and Pancit Palabok. I didn't hear any comment on Oven Roasted Lechon Kawali and Sizzling Adobong Pusit from my Lola and my Mom. We all loved our smoothies, simot and sulit!
Oh, I have to brag also my love for their guinamos rice! I know it is the usual bagoong and rice but I'm telling you Chef Jayps aced this experiment. It is sweet, salty and umami. God, I miss it already. Haha!
Price (3.5/5)
A single dish serves two and we had a lot of take out so it's sulit! A bit pricey for a compex Filipino food but if it's a splurge, go. If not, you may not or if you really want to try just order that Twice Cooked Pork Belly and plain rice, SOLVED! Dishes ranges from 250-600PHP. Coolers are 95PHP and up.
Service (5/5)
From the reservation it was all smooth. Upon entering and serving they gave their sweetest smiles, even the chefs inside the open kitchen. They were all attentive, neat-looking and nice. They also made sure we get to taste everything we ordered by staying on the side and handing us from pole to pole the dishes.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Will I come back? Definitely! I will always choose Filipino food over anything. I'd love to visit more Filipino specialty restaurants like Sarsá. I discovered Chef JP Anglo from Kris TV and MasterChef. I knew it myself he is great because Kris Aquino loves him, 'di ba? Plus me and my best friend, Wayne love to stalk his account. The mouth-watering dishes he uploads on Instagram caught our attention. It's presentation and how he is passionate and proud to be Negrense-Filipino chef. Cheers, Chef Jayps! Namit, Sarsá!
Sarsá (Kitchen + Bar)
Second Floor, Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City
You can visit also in: BGC, Legaspi Village, MegaMall, Rockwell and UP Town Center
Follow Chef JP Anglo on Instagran: @chefjayps