No photos in my first entry about Café Juanita (http://www.janedchua.com/2008/02/05/mystified-at-cafe-juanita/).  I have eaten her several times but unfortunately, I’m always too eager to eat the grubs to pause and take a photo of the food.  It was my boss birthday and her one-downs decided to treat her for lunch at Café Juanita.  I was dying to order Beef Rendang (my absolute favorite in Café Juanita) but since the size of the dish is not good for sharing, I decided against it.  Again, there were no photos taken of the food.  Will try my best to resist the urge of eating before photography.

On the Table: 

Crème Brulee PHP 89

For Karen, desserts come first.  This was the first dish that came out.  Only Carla and her touched it since I didn’t want to easily ruin my appetite with sugar. 

Catfish and Mango Salad PHP 175

I almost finished this dish, as this is also a usual order when I’m dining here.  The catfish meat was crunchy and meaty and it wasn’t oily at all. 

Kare-Kare PHP 483

The sauce can be thicker but no other complaints. 

Crispy Pork Binagoongan PHP 254

The bagoong had the right balance of salt and sweetness.  The pork was fried to make the skin crispy as oppose to the usual way of cooking it, which is broil. 

Stuffed Laing Bicol PHP 162

A must-order on my next visit 

Two-Way Adobo PHP 382

I didn’t touch the meat but I ate a lot of the pork flakes/floss on top, which is the “other way” to cook it. 

7 Steamed Rice PHP 231 

Dimsum (compliments of the owner.  My boss is a good friend of the owner, who also happens to be a thespian) 

Barely an hour later, we find ourselves at the pantry with a smorgasbord of food again.  This time JHC’s celebration with her division, Programming, Content Marketing and Airtime. 

I went back to Café Juanita Sunday to treat my mom there but the place was fully booked so we settled for Texas Roadhouse.  From the card that Jun Malaluan, restaurant manager, provided me during the visit, the card also bears the logo of SoHo, the Japanese Korean restaurant next to Café Juanita.  Apparently, SoHo is under the same management.  This information makes me so excited to try out SoHo. 

Café Juanita

SoHo Japanese Korean

No. 2 United cor. West Capitol Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

6320357/7101562/09228779894 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/434

The elegance and Filipino-Spanish charm are displayed in the interior elements of the restaurant, Café Juanita.  This refined place serves wonderfully creative dishes, which is a unique mix of cuisines and offers service that is professional and attentive.  Illuminated only by soft lighting, the restaurant might just be owned by a gypsy.  It had several items like lamps that are up for sale –some looked antique.  The distinct pieces feels like it has heritage. 

There is not one dish yet that I’ve tried in Café Juanita that I did not love.  It is one of the top three Filipino restaurants that I’d go to in a heartbeat.  They use combinations of ingredients that complement each other and open the senses to something new and magical. 

Beef Rendang (PHP232++) like I’ve never had it before.  The tender beef cubes had crispy beef strips garnishing similar to adobo flakes, which are popular now.  It wasn’t saucy as you would expect the dish to be, but the entire coconut curry flavor is in the meat itself. 

Pork Binagoongan (PHP152++) took a different image too.  It was served with Binagoongan rice and the pork wasn’t overly basted in Binagoong.   

Catfish with Mango Salad (PHP242++) is small in serving but beautifully prepares your palette before your ordered entrées. 

Sunday Filipino brunch buffet is also offered at PHP395 +5% service charge from 11am-230pm.   

There is an original twist to their creations and the taste leaves your mouth asking for more.   

Café Juanita

No. 2 United St. cor. West Capitol Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

6320357

09165548107

Operation Hours: 530-10pm