Ry Sedrick
Google
Balai Pata presents itself as a Filipino-Spanish fusion restaurant, a concept that is reflected in its vibrant decor. The interior features bold red accents, a mural of a bull, and Filipino touches like a “walis tingting,” creating a unique, if slightly disjointed, ambiance.
The food presentation, however, raises concerns. Rice is served in small, shallow wooden plates with peeling varnish—an odd and possibly unsafe choice. It’s accompanied by Chinese soup spoons, which felt out of place, especially since the soup itself wasn’t served with them.
As for the food, the pinakbet was decent but lacked the punch of shrimp paste, though the pork was tender. The fish soup was fine overall, with a fresh fish head, but the eggplant was unpleasantly chewy. The real standout, as expected, was the crispy pata, which was cooked to perfection and rightly the star of the menu.
Regarding the name, the font design could use improvement. The “i” is easily mistaken for a decorative element, leading unfamiliar diners to misread the name as “Balapata.”
Overall, the food was good and stayed true to Filipino flavors, especially those from the northern regions. However, Filipino cuisine is already an eclectic fusion of Spanish and Chinese influences by nature. For a restaurant claiming to be a Filipino-Spanish fusion, it would have been exciting to see more distinctly Spanish dishes that aren’t traditionally associated with Filipino cuisine. While it offers a solid Filipino dining experience, it misses the mark in delivering the “fusion” aspect it promises.