After a long work week, you just want to make Friday evening count and a simple dinner sometimes ought to do it… coupled with a good meaningful conversation or just ridiculously silly “it’ll keep you laughing until your dreams” banter. Drove to Kapitolyo to hunt down Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken. Peri Peri or Piri Piri or Pili Pili is the Swahili word for “pepper pepper” which is what is included in the marinade that wraps the chicken before grilling. This pepper is African bird’s eye chili blended with garlic, lemon, herbs, paprika and brushed onto the meat.
Gostoso wasn’t so hard to spot as it is near the line of restaurants where Poco Deli, Lia Cakes are. Same street as Charlie’s Grind and Grill. The interior has a simple industrial but polished look, quirky and red.
I made a beeline to the loo as soon as I entered since my water bag was held for what felt like an eternity in the car. Their washroom has this funny sign which wouldn’t have been the least bit amusing if the door was locked when I turned it and someone was inside. I would have kicked it open. It was that kind of urgent.
When I was more relaxed, I perused the menu on the LCD screen atop the counter where you place your order. Time to tackle another pressing matter… hunger!
On the Table
Half and Half P750 (good for 2-3)
Instead of ordering ala carte meals, the shorter route was to not think and just eat so we got the half and half instead. No, this is not what I order in Starbucks to use the rare times I drink coffee, which is half heavy cream and half whole milk. Gostoso’s Half and Half is their 2-mains platter option that could either be Half Chicken or Slab of Pork or Shrimp Skewers.
If you can’t decide whether to get chicken or shrimp, surf or turf, save yourself trouble and go for both. It is served with 2 olive rice and 2 sides. The platter options allow you to mix and match each dish to your liking. There is an option to get all three called All Three –I almost didn’t get that connection. Gostosos side dishes include your choice of olive rice, creamed corn, creamed spinach, mac n’ cheese, pasta salad and potato gratin.
The Slab of Pork was done well –fork-tender, tasty and had the right amount of fat content to make pork lovers happy without clogging their artery.
I prefer Mac n’ Cheese but enjoyed the Creamed Spinach more. Olive rice could use a little seasoning.
I love spicy Portuguese chicken with peri peri sauce and was rooting for Gostosos to succeed tremendously since it’s the first Peri Peri restaurant in Pasig that I know of. Gostosos chicken was evenly marinated then grilled over an open flame –and it was fairly good.
The flavor profile was there but I feel there’s something amiss in hitting the greatness mark. It was almost there but didn’t quite nail it. I probably also looked for the thick savory sauce with crushed chilies, garlic and lemon I’m used to. I will likely visit again soon to give it another shot.
Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken
51-B East Capitol Drive,
Kapitolyo, Pasig City
(632) 477 7330
Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken Flickr Set
The creamed spinach was a good choice and looked tasty. Kapitolyo is now bustling with lots of restaurants. I used to live there as a child. Too bad, I changed domicile.
The creamed spinach was a good choice and looked tasty. Kapitolyo is now bustling with lots of restaurants. I used to live there as a child. Too bad, I changed domicile.