"Bayan Ko won us over in 2018 with a great Filipino and Cuban a la carte menu and a BYOB policy. It's since evolved, picking up a liquor license and switching to a $95 five-course prix fixe. But like the only good Godfather sequel, Bayan Ko 2.0 is an excellent follow-up. The creative dishes inspired by the owners’ heritage are still delicious, like black rice arroz caldo that ditches the Filipino soup’s usual chicken for tangy calamansi-butter-poached lobster that might put the bird out of the job. And with wine pairings and caviar-loaded amuse bouches, Bayan Ko successfully channels fancy dinner energy into its small, charming neighborhood spot. There's usually Cuban music playing and the staff might tell you how they're obsessed with the garnacha you just ordered." - john ringor
