Every time I passed by Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, there’s this small yet cozy Spanish looking restaurant that catches my attention – Restaurante Pia y Damaso – a Subversive Filipino Cuisine.
Last Wednesday, I had chance to understand the story behind Restaurante Pia y Damaso through the owner, Chef Bambi Sy Gobio. The first question asked was, “Why was the place named Restaurante Pia y Damaso?”
Chef Bambi said the restaurant’s idea was mainly from the novel “Noli Me Tangere”. Her brother gave her the name Damaso and encouraged her to make a strong characteristic of a restaurant out of it. Remembering Jose Rizal’s novel, Padre Damaso was one of the notorious characters in the story. Rumor has it that Damaso is the father of Maria Clara from Dona Pia Alba, the wife of Kapitan Tiyago.
Chef Bambi Sy Gobio (center) with bloggers Myrns Roman, Azrael Coladilla, Marco Dennis Esplana and yours truly Karen Tuazon
Talking about the food, Chef Bambi proudly shared that most of the Filipino dishes they serve are from the novel with added twists and character.
We started on the appetizers. She offered Almond Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon. It’s salty, sweet and chewy. Kids will enjoy this for sure.
Almond Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Spanish-Style Sardines with Toasted Pandesal -P220 per serving
I also love their Filo Tart with Pork Asado, Apple Relish (P220). Honestly, this will keep me coming back to Pia y Damaso.
Filo Tart with Pork Asado, Apple Relish
For vegetarians, have a taste of ELIAS – seared marinated CROCODILE from Davao, mixed greens, tomato, caramelized pineapple, crisp shallots and mango cilantro vinaigrette for only P450.
Elias
I have one memorable quote from Noli Me Tangere that I cannot forget. I think it’s already installed in my mind. It was ELIAS saying, “I die without seeing the dawn, brighten over my native land. You who have it to see, welcome it and forget not those who have fallen during the night.”
Another selection is Nga-Nga Beef Salad, made up of chewy beef flakes, green mango pickle, red onions, haw flakes, cilantro, arugula and lettuce.
The salad was created out of Dona Consolacion’s character who loves chewing nga-nga or betel nut in the novel.
How to enjoy eating it? Wrap the beef flakes, mango pickles, red onion and haw flakes with the greens and that’s it.
Nga-Nga Beef Salad
Pia y Damaso also served Smoked Tapang Usa. The deer meat is from Nueva Ecija with green mango pickles, roasted pepper omelette on garlic rice. (P450)
Smoked Tapang Usa
Yes, they serve ostrich dish too and Ostrich Beef Steak is a must try for P600, per serving! The meat is so tender and juicy. Your kids will not notice the are eating ostrich.
Ostrich Beef Steak with Guava Butter
Kare-Kare and Sisig are in the house too!
Kapitan Tiyago’s Kare-Kare
Sisig ni Kabesang Tales
Ode to Heidelberg dish is a tribute to the place where Jose Rizal finished the novel Noli Me Tangere. This is good for 3-4 people for only P1,500.
Ode to Heidleberg
For desserts, the most famous are Sisa’s Dementia and Brazo ni Dona Vicki. They also have Ibarra’s Kiss.
Sisa’s Dementia – P175 per slice
Brazo ni Dona Vicki – P100 per slice
Pia y Damaso also sells whole cakes.
De Espadana Queso de Bola Cheesecake – P220 per slice
Pepay the Dancer’s Halo-Halo
For breakfast, you can start with Bibingka Waffle. I drool over this because of the deliciously made coco jam. Yes, it’s not too sweet and I love how it blends with the waffle and the salty egg on top.
Bibingka Waffle
Tsokolate Eh and Toasted Ensaimada Quezo de Bola is also a good way to start the day. To enjoy this, you should dip the ensaimada on the tsokolate, just like dipping your pandesal on your hot coffee!
Tsokolate Eh & Toasted Ensaimada Quezo de Bola
Coffee is also served for P80.
Coffee
Dishes served at Pia y Damaso have characters and distinction of their own even it’s the most common Kare-Kare. Also, this restaurant serves meat and use products from local produce.
Indeed, Restaurante Pia y Damaso is true to its tagline – Subversive Filipino Cuisine.
Restaurante Pia y Damaso is located at 2nd floor Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. You can like their Facebook Page HERE
I love how they called their menu, named from the character of jose rizal’s noli me tangere. Bibingka waffle and coffee i wanna try that soon
Their menu is quite innovative. I drooled on Kapitan Tiyago’s kare kare and ostrich beefsteak, for sure it taste delish than it looks.
Food looks tempting though i can’t understand the names of many dishes but they are looking yummy. Waffles are looking brilliant.
These are interesting. I haven’t tried crocodile and ostrich meat, but I would love to if I have the chance. The Brazo ni Dona Vicki looks really good.
Haw flakes in a savory dish? That Nga nga beef salad looks interesting with that flavor profile. Also, I love how you eat it like the Korean ssam.
So this is more like a story restaurant – like those Snoopy restaurant etc! I find it very interesting to play along this concept! Will love to try the dishes one day!
Another tempting food post…hahahaha…a good suggestion of place. Next time I’m gonna visit this place.
Yes, the Haw flakes added twists to the Nga-Nga Beef salad.
Hi, Tiffany, I just like to share that the story we Filipinos can reminisce through the foods of Restaurante Pia y Damaso is a novel written by our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The novel, Noli Me Tangere, is one of the triggering points of Philippine uprising against the Spaniards, a century ago.
I’ve been passing by Damaso several times but I have yet to try their food. Their food looks great here and it’s nice to relate on some characters in the Noli and Fili books.
Love the resto’s name. And the foods, wala kang itulak kabigin as they say in our local lingo.. all looks so delicious.
I like the menu names of the dishes. So, how was the smoked tapang usa? Was it tender or tough? I want to try, but afraid it might be too tough for my teeth to chew.
I think the Ostrich Beef Steak with Guava Butter at Restaurante Pia y Damaso is interesting.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Greenbelt. I have always loved the subversive Filipino concept and is one of the reasons why I always bring my balikbayan relatives and friends here.
It is very creative of them to base their menu from a novel. It not only makes it interesting, it somehow leads the consumers to learn something about our history. 🙂
That bacon and dates dish looks da bomb! I just had a similar tapas in a Spanish restaurant here in Singapore last week and loved it much!
I haven’t tried eating here. Everything is mouthwatering!
Bibingka waffles look enticing. I pass by Greenbelt if I go to our office at the Enterprise Center, and truth is, I haven’t really explored much. I could pass by and see how the waffle is though.
It’s a bad idea reading this blog post late at night because it’s making me hungry! I miss Greenbelt as I used to frequent it during the time when I was working in Makati. Next time I visit Manila, I’ll try to go to Restaurante Pia y Damaso.
So many food blogs I’ve read today, makes me wanna walk out my work right now and eat a lot! Such a creative restau!
Aside from the tempting dishes and desserts they offer, what I love most about this resto are the creative names they gave for their meals that History lovers will surely admire! Those who have read Noli and El Fili can relate with the terms!
oh and it’s just in Makati! Cheers!
Wow! A great restaurant which will certainly remind us of Noli! Unique food names as well! Can’t get enough of Sisa’s Dementia! For sure it’s superb delicious and you’ll really get dementia after 🙂
Interesting name and menu. Would love to try the ostrich beef steak. 🙂
Got curious already with the restaurant’s name. Also the tablewares look “spanishy” too. Id love to pay a visit. 🙂
I like how the owners came up with the name! Very nice!
i love the concept of this resto… even the food was named after the olden times.. Filipinism is strongly evident.. and i just love how neat the plates were.. lovely!
These are a bit pricy for my pocket but it looks worth trying. It’s something different. Also, the dishes look very fresh. 🙂
Sumptous food! will definitely try it next time. thanks for sharing! xx
Looks delicious!! The deserts are just so tempting!! 🙂
I’m always passing by this restaurant whenever I’m in Greenbelt. This is just a few tumbling away from my office. hehe Will suggest this one if my friends crave for some deliciously-plated Filipino food. THanks for this post. 🙂
I liked the concept, subversive Filipino cuisine, haha. I would like to try their smoked tapang usa. how was the taste and texture?