MANILA, Philippines - It’s that time of year again. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you’re thinking, where will you take your special someone out for dinner this time? Does it always have to be a candlelit table in a five-star hotel restaurant? More likely, you don’t care to be caught in a cliché. After all, romance is an adventure that reveals itself in the unexpected.
As a rule of thumb, we are warned that on a special date, it is not advisable to order anything that comes with a mallet and a bib, like lobster, for example, or crab.
On the other hand, it would be a true test of elegance to be able to get through such a meal with the least mess and lots of good humor. At Crustasia, the crabs are served already cracked to make it easier for you and your date to keep your poise and enjoy your meal at the same time. “We also provide a crab cracker and picker to help you get the crabmeat,” says operations director Ida Galangco. You also get a small bowl of warm water with a slice of lemon on the side to dip your fingers in. It is still best to use your hands if you truly want to enjoy your crabs.
“Many prefer the claws because it’s the easiest part to eat,” Ida observes, “but the crabmeat from the body is very good, too.” Squeeze the body between your thumb and fingers to open, then use your fork or picker to extract the delicate white crabmeat contained in the body chambers. You soon realize that there is an art to eating crabs.
The man who ate everything, Jeffrey Steingarten, says in his book that “lemon is too assertive for perfectly fresh crab, but a little olive oil is ideal.” Olive oil is a key ingredient in Crustasia’s Crab Maritess, an all-time favorite. “It is cooked with lots of garlic, chili, white wine and olive oil,” Ida explains. “It cannot be any other kind of oil, otherwise it will not taste as good.”
The servings are generous and may be shared. Ida says, “They can order one set to share and get an additional item from our à la carte menu to go with it, like a fish dish such as kingfish or lapu lapu and have it prepared the way they like it, either steamed or deep fried, with sweet and sour sauce or superior soy sauce.” All specials are served with spinach soup, and for dessert, a scoop of ice cream.
“Valentine’s Day is not only for couples,” Ida says. “We usually see lots of families celebrating on that day, too. We’re open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and can extend to 12 midnight on Valentine’s Day.”
There’s a Crustasia near you at: Crustasia ground floor Rockwell Power Plant Mall, 728-5463; Crustasia Alabang Town Center, 2nd Level Corte de las Palmas, 772-2968; Crustasia Thai Shrimp House, Shangri-La Plaza Mall 6th level, The Ledge, 910-4096; Crustasia Trinoma Mall, North Triangle, Quezon City, 901-3607.