Seafood Spots Round-Up

If you’ve decided to forego juicy steaks and slabs of beef to make room for Lent-friendly dishes, don’t despair. Going the meatless route need not automatically equate to bland, flavorless dishes. Aside from Dampa, there are a couple of spots in the metro that pride themselves in creating seafood dishes that are worthy substitutes for your all-meat diet. Here are our picks of the best seafood-serving spots in the metro:

Shanghai Hand-Pulled Noodles

For authentic Shanghainese dishes, check out this hole-in-a-wall spot located at N.S. Amoranto (Retiro), Quezon City. Their noodles are freshly made (pulled in fact, complete with hand acrobatics) and cooked in broth. A must-try is their Fish Noodles (P110) which can be served wet or dry (with no broth). Also try visiting the restaurant after Lent for their Pork and Kuchay Dumplings (P95/14 pcs). This heavenly dish is just as good as other dumplings served in upscale Chinese restaurants but for a whole lot less. You have the option of having them steamed or fried.

Shanghai Hand-Pulled Noodles is located at 411 N.S. Amoranto Sr. Ave. Near Corner D. Tuazon, Quezon City. For inquiries please call 743-0286.

The Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant

If you are craving for some Chinese Lauriat love, head on to The Legend in Roxas Boulevard. The prices on the menu may lean on the steep side but quality is not sacrificed, evident on the plates of first-rate seafood dishes served by the kitchen. Options include the standard Chinese fare of dumplings and Salt and Peppered seafood, but we strongly recommend getting the Fish Lip Soup (P250) and the Steamed Fish Fillet with Ginger and Onion (P260). Both dishes score perfect marks in terms of flavor.

The Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant is located at the Boom na Boom Compound, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. For orders and inquiries, please call 833-1188 or 833-3388.

Emerald Garden

Another Roxas Boulevard spot on the must-visit list is Emerald Garden. The interiors may not invite you to linger inside but the food more than makes up for everything. The Shrimp Salad (P540; good for 12) is a good way to kick off your Lenten meal. The medley of unique but complementary flavors and textures make this dish a winner. Other stand-outs on their seafood menu include the Fried Crab with Sesame Oil (P1000/kilogram; good for 12 people) and the Steamed Lapu Lapu (P1200/kilogram; good for 12). Don’t leave without trying their Honey Taro (P220; good for 3 people). A concoction drizzled with honey and filled with black mongo at the center, this exceptional dessert is a sweet ending to finish off any meal.

Emerald Garden is located at 1170 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila. For orders and inquiries, please call 523-8510 or 523-8515.

Bangus

You know a restaurant is ideal for Lenten eating when it’s named after a fish. But contrary to what the name suggests, the restaurant does not solely serve Bangus dishes. Boasting of a menu with traditional Filipino favorites, Bangus Restaurant also offers praiseworthy-seafood dishes like Sinigang na Hipon (P138), Adobong Sugpo sa Aligue (P298) and Rellenong Alimasag (P175), which are all surprisingly good despite the relatively low price tag. The real highlights of their menu, however, are their Bangus specialties, which include the Bangus Tempura (P198), Grilled Bangus Belly with Sampaloc Candy Sauce (P250) and Bangus Paksiw (P275). Be nice and share the servings.

For a list of all Bangus branches, please click here.

Shinjuku Ramen House

Japanese cuisine is abundant with fish-inspired dishes and one can live on their varied range of Sashimi and Sushi dishes alone. One of the more memorable specialties is the Maguro Sashimi (P250), fresh fish without the ‘fishy’ aftertaste. Another filling option is the Seafood Ramen (P540; good for 4) served with heaps of oysters, squid, salmon, and shrimp.

Shinjuku Ramen House is located at 7853 Makati Ave. cor. Hercules St., Makati City. For reservations and inquiries please call 890-6107.

Wagamamu

Wagamamu is one of those homey family diners with friendly and very accommodating servers. Though essentially a diner that counts burgers, fries and shakes as their specialties, the restaurant also offers Lent-friendly options such as their Grilled Salmon Steak and Fish Fillet Sandwiches. With an average budget of P100-P200, you can already get a full meal. And if your sweet tooth beckons, end your meal with hearty desserts like their Chocolate Mango Crepe and Blueberry Streusel Cheesecake, along with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

Wagamamu is located at 411 N.S. Amoranto Sr. Ave. Near Corner D. Tuazon, Quezon City. For reservations and inquiries please call 749-7108.

Seafood Market and Restaurant

Though the ambience is far from cozy, diners still flock to the place because they get their seafood fresh and cooked just the way you like it. Take your pick of live seafood ranging from fish, lobsters, crabs, and shrimps and let the servers know how you’d like them done. Dining tip to remember: don’t be afraid to let the staff know if you’re not one for MSG or if you’d like a bit more butter on your dish. They’re more than happy to comply with anything (weird or otherwise) that your stomach desires.

Seafood Market and Restaurant is located at 1190 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila. For reservations and inquiries, please call 521-6766.

Antonio’s

Those who plan to head to Tagaytay this Holy Week should try to squeeze in a reservation at Antonio’s. The restaurant did land the 10th spot on the Miele Guide’s Top 20 restaurants in Asia, so Easter or not, dining at this prime spot is a no-brainer. Antonio’s has seafood picks that will surely satisfy your hunger for gourmet food but also fulfill the requirements of going without meat. Start off with the Garlic Scallops or Prawns Fresh Mesclun Salad with Lemon-Truffle Vinaigrette (P350) with vegetables freshly picked from their garden. For the main course, the Grilled Chillean Sea Bass on Linguine with Truffle Clam Sauce (P1100) although expensive, will certainly not disappoint.

Antonio’s is located at Brgy. Neogan, Tagaytay City, Cavite with telephone number (0917) 899-2866.

Artwork by Karl Bustamante.

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• November 6, 2008 -- Antonio’s Lands on Miele Guide’s Top 20