During our staycation in Manila last September 11, we decided to have our lunch at SM Mall of Asia. We checked the bayside restaurants first. Then we crossed the footbridge to the mall area. Unknowingly, while I was on the bridge taking pictures of Daniz and the MOA Eye, Jonjie went ahead of us and scouted the area (it’s been years since the last time we’ve been to MOA…so much had change).
After a few minutes, he said there is a restaurant by Chef Jayps. Of course, who wouldn’t know him. He became a household name during his stint with MasterChef Pinoy Edition. But the restaurant, Sarsa Kitchen + Bar, its the first time.
According to the stand menu board located before the entrance,
As far as we remember, Filipinos have always loved putting all kinds of sauces and condiments on their food. The unique eating habit of Filipinos is what led to the creation of SARSA. We thought, why not combine the best local ingredients with a range of new signature sauces to create exciting but familiar tastes?
SARSA features the best of traditional Filipino and Negrense dishes, done with a contemporary touch and using the best local ingredients. Bacolod born chef JP Anglo has created a range of signature sauces to complement and provide a new take on dishes.
We hope you enjoy our dishes and “sarsas”, and that you have as much fun trying different combinations as we had in creating them.
While waiting to be seated, we asked the front desk personnel Sarsa’s “bestseller”. She said, “inasal sisig”. But since we came from Pampanga where “sisig” originated, it was not a choice.
She recommended, Sizzling Kansi (Sizzling Bulalo) and for vegetable, a choice between Roasted Kalabasa with Green Beans or Tortang Talong with Crispy Sardines and Kesong Puti. I inquired, what about Isaw? She replied, yes.
Our Food
As with their tagline "Filipino. Negrense. Namit", the food are mostly Negrense-inspired dishes, and its delicious.
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| Daniz and I love the crunchy Isaw (chicken intestine). Daniz even requested for a second order. I liked it with calamansi and pinakurat vinegar, |
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| Sizzling Kansi (Sizzling Bulalo) with Batwan Gravy |
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| Tortang Talong with Crispy Sardines and Kesong Puti |
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| Sago't Gulaman. I ordered Coke our Server recommended this. And I was glad I listened to her... |
The Dining Area
From our assigned table, we have a good view of the dining and serving area. It was a full house. Most are families having lunch together on a weekend. The comings and goings of the diners and the staff serving food or cleaning the table is an organized chaos. I couldn’t help but admire the energy and stamina of the staff.
While waiting our food to be served, I was able to take some photos of the area and of the two persons I love the most…
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| Simple Table Setting |
Eating Time!
Namit and Sarsarap
The staff's simple black uniform with white print caught my attention. Its front has the word SARSARAP, a blend word coined from "sarsa" and "sarap". The back has NAMIT word on it which is an Ilonggo word for delicious.
I tried many times to capture it because the staff never really stay long in one place. Daday and Daniz thought, during my first few attempts, that I was taking their pictures...
FOOTNOTE:
- Sarsa Kitchen + Bar Branches:
- Makati - Joya Tower, Rockwell Center
- Mandaluyong - Building B, SM Megamall
- Pasay - 2F, South Veranda, SM Mall of Asia
- Quezon City - UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave.
- Taguig - The Forum, BGC
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