Foodee Global Concepts Crawl at Ayala Malls Manila Bay! 2nd Stop: Mesa Filipino Moderne This has always been a family favorite! This is now their 60th branch and Mesa continues to elevate Filipino cuisine and give it a modern twist. From the much-loved Chicken Binakol, to the Suahe on the Rocks, and the mouthwatering Lumpiang Gulay, and of course, the delicious Crispchon, Mesa Filipino Moderne makes every family meal an exquisite celebration! 📌 MESA FILIPINO MODERNE 3F Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Aseana Ave, Entertainment City, Paranaque City @mesaphilippines #mesaphilippines @foodeeglobalconcepts #foodeeglobalconcepts #chizbun #chizbuneats #welovetoeatph (at Mesa Ayala Malls Manila Bay) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5PSOtLnG5T/?igshid=lnnem8lwmxax
Mesa Filipino Moderne Opens 41st Branch in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell
41 down, 9 to go. That is how Mesa Filipino Moderne envisions 2018 as it continues on the road to having 50 branches nationwide. It was barely a month ago when I attended the opening of their 39th outlet in Robinsons Galleria (Read: Mesa Opens Its 39th Branch at Robinsons Galleria). At the rate they are going, Mesa will have its 50th restaurant even before Christmas.
The Hungry Kat attended a special private event for Mesa last June 8, 2018, a day before the new branch officially opened to the public on June 9. Mesa Rockwell is located at the second floor of the Powerplant Mall, right at the heart of the bustling Rockwell Center in Makati. You can find the branch at the new R2 level, a newly-opened wing inside the mall which used to be occupied by the Rockwell Tent. It was actually my first time to visit this new area at Powerplant Mall and Mesa is one of the first restaurants here which has opened its doors to the Rockwell crowd.
Mesa Filipino Moderne opened its first flagship branch in Greenbelt 5 back in 2009 and it has slowly become one of the most well-loved Filipino restaurants in the country. What sets it apart from other Filipino restaurants is that Mesa offers our favorite and classic Filipino dishes with a twist, elevating it to a whole new dining experience. Its success has led to the opening of several other outlets in the past nine years and they are just a few stores away from the big 50.
The restaurant offers a homey and warm native vibe married with modern-industrial designs fit for families and guests ready to enjoy Mesa’s best-selling dishes. Mesa Rockwell has a dining area that can fit up to 90 guests and is lined with unique, eye-catching Rattan accents, wood-finished tables, distinct lighting fixtures and other details reminiscent of classic Filipino houses.
Mesa offers some refreshing beverages to start each journey, including the Watermelon Cooler (P85) and their signature Kamias Cooler (P85).
Just in time for the nation’s Independence Day, Mesa Filipino Moderne is launching its Heritage Meal Bundles to commemorate our Heritage month. These meal bundles are good for up to five persons complete with your favorite heritage-influenced Mesa dishes.
Some of these sets include the Tofu Salad (P255) which is inspired by our oriental neighbors. This has soft bean curd topped with century egg and shrimp.
The Baked Scallops with Garlic Butter (P240) is always highly recommended and one of my favorite starters here at Mesa. These are juicy scallops on a half shell cooked with tons of butter and garlic.
A healthier alternative would be the Gising Gising (P195) with sauteed green and winged beans doused in coconut milk and chili. This dish is a bit spicy, so I had to be careful not eat too much, but spicy-food lovers will definitely enjoy it.
They also have the Tinapa Roll Wrapped with Lettuce (P165) which comes with flaked smoked fish plus tomato, onion, and salted egg.
Another item you will find in the Heritage Meal Bundles is the Sinigang na Salmon Head (P275). This comes with a big salmon head simmered in tamarind broth and fresh local vegetables.
The Chicken and Pork Pochero (P420) is classic favorite that shows our Spanish Heritage. This dish of simmered pork and chicken was introduced to Filipinos by the Spaniards but we have come to love it as our own.
The highlight of any feast at Mesa Philippines is their awesome Crispchon. This is a juicy and flavorful rendition of the suckling pig that can be ordered in 1/6 (P1100), ¼ (P1500), ½ (P2600), and one whole (P4995) serving, depending on the size of your group.
The Crispchon is actually served two ways. For the first way, the pig’s crispy skin is thinly sliced and wrapped inside a malunggay crepe together with wansuy, cucumber and leeks.
You can then choose from among the three sauces available which includes spicy pork liver sauce, garlic mayo, and Rikki’s favorite which is similar to Hoisin sauce.
I had the chance to do my own crispchon wraps and it was easy to just roll the crispy skin inside the malunggay wrappers.
I also experimented with the different sauces to see which one I liked the most. The liver sauce still seems to be the best for the crispchon but the other sauces are good as well.
After finishing the crispchon wrappers, the second way is then served with the remaining roasted pork tossed in chili garlic oil.
For dessert, I had one of their must-try specialties, the Crispy Leche Flan (P75). I have never seen leche flan prepared this way and it is really a great way to end any meal at Mesa Filipino Moderne.
The countdown to 50 continues with the opening of Mesa Rockwell. Wherever you are in Metro Manila or even outside the city, there will be always be a Mesa branch near you, so their outstanding Crispchon is always just a few steps away.
