Where do you guys bring your Balikabayan friends and relatives to enjoy Filipino dishes?
A new concept by The Bistro Group just opened, Siklab is an ode to the diversity of flavors in Filipino cuisine, offering a dining experience that is both satisfyingly familiar and vet vibrantly exciting with its bold takes on the country’s traditional culinary heritage with an approachable modern touch
The restaurant has a sophisticated yet casual ambiance, with sleek, minimalist interiors enhanced by soft shades of brown, gray, and beige. I love the comfortable chairs and couches for more relaxed dining experience with family and friends.
Siklab+ serves everything Filipino flavors that are bold and assertive, teasing and pleasing the palate in multiple ways. They can be sweet, sour, salty and at times spicy but all deeply comforting regardless of the region from where they originated.
The choices are well-curated and even the way the dishes are presented is boldy done, in striking vessels that would make you want to dive into the food without restraint. Start your food journey with faves such as Kuhol in Tanggol, OK na Okoy, Paboritong Sisig and Lumpiang Ubod ng Sarap, among the starters, along with the Pinalutong na Tawilis and Anak ng Tokwa’t Baboy.
A truly Filipino dining experience is not complete without a vegetable dish, and Siklab+ offers local produce-based choices favorites, Gising-Gising Na!, Tortalong, GinisAmpalaya, and the ubiquitous Bet Na Pinakbet among others.
There is a selection of comforting soups, such as the sour Sinigang that comes in choices of pork or milkfish, along with Batangas Bulalo Ala Ehl, and a filling dish of Lola’s Ginisang Munggo made extra special with a crunchy chicharon topping.
With the Philippines surrounded by the sea, food selections at Siklab+ include Siniklabang Tuna belly, Garlicky Squid Adobo. Carnevores who are inclined to feast in hearty 8meat dishes would drool over the KKK: Klasikong Kare-Kare, Pinalutong na Tadyang, Pinoy Bistek, Siniklabang Manok, Crispy Dinuguan, Bopis ni Ima, Panalong Pork BBQ, and of course, the ever-present dish on any true Pinoy restaurant, the Crispy Pata-rrific to name a few. The standard Filipino fiesta fare Kaldereta is given a decidedly different treatment with the use of tender lamb as the main protein (Kalderetang Kordero) Rice please? Not to be missed in any Filipino restaurant is rice. Siklab+’s flavor-packed rice choices such, Bagoong and Chorizo are the perfect accompaniment to any of these viands.
Merienda fare is likewise a gastronomic journey, with Siklab+ offering selections such as, Siklab Special Lomi, PBG: Pancit Bihon Guisado, and Pancit Palabok Cap off a Siklab meal with elevated takes on sweet treats ranging from kakanin (Kalamay Sa Latik and Palitaw), to an innovative take on a classic merienda, the Turon Trio. The Christmas faves Bonggang Bibingka and Put Bumbong are available all-year-round for a festive Filipino Feel. Drink up with unique specialty drinks presented in pretty glasses: Kamias Pineapple Slush, sokolate at Kalamansi, Sikab Gulaman, and with Filipino-themed cocktails such as Ube Kolada, Sierra Madre and Dalandan ng Ale. Experience a comforting and bold taste of home with every visit at Siklab+, opening this August at the 4″ Level, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Follow them on Facebook & Instagram @siklabph.
