“Saturday night and the feeling is right, oh what a night.” The evening started off with a dinner at Naxional. It’s been some time since I last hung out with Eric and good thing the bestie invited me out that Saturday since I had zero plans. He and Ruzelle picked me up and off we drove to BGC to check out Naxional. Heard so much good things about the restaurant but somehow, I’ve always ended up at Salvatore Cuomo. Glad that I had a chance to finally check Naxional.
We arrived and the place was quite packed. We had to wait for a table and our holding area was an outside table near the very colorful wall mural.
Thank you Ruzelle for this candid shot. <3
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Couldn’t help myself. Cute bathroom tiles!
Their menu, which also serves as your plate mat, is very easy to grasp and has quite a number of choice items. There is a symbol of an antique watch on the side of the dish which means that it may take a bit longer to serve but Naxional is committing to make the wait worth it. There is also a symbol of a 1939 Norton 500cc motorcycle which means a dish is especially bad ass.
On the Table
Elote (Mexico) Php 195
Chargrilled sweet corn, chili butter, mayo lime, crumbled cheese
I ordered this starter as it sounded all things good. This reminded Ruzelle of the spiced butter corn she had in Jimbaran when they traveled to Bali recently. I knew what she was talking about because I loved that corn. But this Mexican version was so much better. There’s smokiness sparring with the natural sweetness of the corn, the chili butter spikes up your interest while the mayo lime cools it down a bit. The crumbled cheese pulls it all together. Mmm-mm!
Patacones (Puerto Rico) Php 220
Choice of Carne, Cerdo or Camarones. Fried Plantains. Sofrito. Guacamole.
I was a little dressed up that evening so my debate was whether to pick up the patacones or be dainty and use a knife and fork. I say it’s okay to get your hands dirty as you’re wasting time with kubiertos when the dish is this packing. It had ripples of flavors and textures.
The lovebirds
Pollo Peruano (Peru) Php 385
Peruvian Pit Chicken with Corn Rice, Mixed Greens and Chimichurri
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Black Angus Picanha Php 980
300g Brazilian Style Churrasco Steak
Naxional also offers open fire pit grilled meats and all carne dishes come with your choice of two side dishes. The options for side dishes include: fresh corn arepas, fried coated sweet bananas, side salad, yuca fritas, mofongo, charred pineapple, garlic rice, Brazilian fried rice, black beans and rice, yellow corn rice. We ordered their Black Angus steak.
My only little tiny gripe is that the service seems to be a little lukewarm yet frazzled last Saturday. Couldn’t get any of their attention (which is a good thing as I might’ve added more food). Other than that, it was a great dining experience.
Naxional absolutely perked up my appetite for more Latin American cuisine. Definitely let me take on a journey of flavor and pleasure. I can’t wait to go back. Now, I’m off to look for a dinner buddy.
Naxional South American Diner
2/F Uptown Parade, 38th Street corner 9th Avenue,
Uptown Bonifacio, BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila
(02) 946 34 19
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat, 11am-1am; Sun, 8am-10pm
Naxional South American Diner Flickr Set
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