Lamesa: A Lovely Surprise

CEBU, Philippines – Successful Manila-based restaurateur Rikki Dee, owner of over 75 fastfood outlets and 29 restaurants, together with business associate Senator Francis Pangilinan, recently partnered with equally successful Cebuano businessmen Edwin Ortiz, Ato and Gigi Alvarez for the first Lamesa Grill branch outside Metro Manila.

Lamesa is one  of those wonderful, cozy restaurants you dream of discovering tucked away in a shopping mall—North Wing, SM City, in particular.

The real attraction of this chic dining place is the food. For most people, each dish will be an adventure. The menu is large enough to appeal to a variety of tastes.

Everyone will love the different platters such as the lamesa combo, the seafood delights and the all meat ihawan. The choices are varied from halaan, sugpo, tahong, blue marlin and bangus belly, squid, pork spareribs, pork lengua, chicken leg quarter, beef ribs, pork barbeque and a whole lot more. They are so wonderfully tasty and generous that some customers make a meal out of any one platter.

But it would be a mistake to miss the other specialties that come out of this extraordinary kitchen. The sinigang soups of salmon head, hipon, halaan, bulalo and molo   are served piping hot with fragrant clouds of steam. One can also try the assorted rice flavored with either bagoong, seafood or tinapa.

On the advise of our hosts, we put ourselves confidently in their hands and chose the crispchon. Yes you guessed it right, it is lechon de leche deep fried to perfection. Servings can be had in several sizes served with pandan crepes, wansuy, cucumber, and leeks garnishes with a choice of three sauces: garlic, curry mustard, sweet chili, spicy pork liver, wansuy-infused and Rikki’s choice. Truly an interesting concept.

After a hard day of shopping, you will love the change of pace, the distinctive cuisine and the friendly family atmosphere. And when you get your bill, your pocketbook will hardly notice.