Fuss-free, delicious dining at Chef Robert

MANILA, Philippines -  Good food, no matter what time, day, or place, is always welcome, especially when it’s your favorite comfort food. With this in mind and his own penchant for cooking, Robert Tan put up his own restaurant simply called Chef Robert a couple of years ago to offer a foodie haven where anyone’s cravings are sure to be met.

Even with a degree in business already under his belt, chef Robert’s passion for cooking prompted him to take culinary arts as his second course. After immersing himself in various styles of cooking abroad, he went on to work for a local restaurant to help him learn more about the ins and outs of running a food business.

A healthy start: Caesar salad is served with Robert Tan’s own homemade caesar dressing

Initially, Robert thought of putting up a café-type dining outlet but as he delved deeper into this business prospect, he eventually decided to put up a cozy, family-style restaurant specializing in popular Asian dishes with his own unique spin. Along with creating a menu that diners would find enticing, Robert also ensured that his restaurant’s ambience was conducive to a pleasant dining experience. From the lighting to the music and even the free Wi-Fi, he made sure to provide his diners with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that would complement his signature comfort food.

CHEF’S SPECIALS

Crisp to the bite: The crisp tilapia strips is served with a Filipino soy dressing.

Since the restaurant opened two years ago, there have been many additions to its menu, with more on the way this year. While the bestsellers continue to be the Thai green chicken curry (juicy chicken fillets and slices of eggplant soaked in a green chili paste and coconut milk curry base), bangus sisig (available in regular and spicy, it’s a healthier alternative to the popular Pinoy delicacy), Korean beef stew, crisp tilapia strips (good for sharing and served with a Filipino soy dressing), Caesar salad (served with Robert’s own homemade Caesar dressing), wasabi prawns (lightly breaded prawns served with a tangy wasabi dressing), and crisp tofu in Hondashi dressing (topped with bonito flakes); guests at Robert should also check out its bevy of new dishes like the okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake that contains a combination of ham, cheese, and cabbage topped with Japanese dressing, mayonnaise and bonito flakes), stuffed tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet with ham and cheese stuffing topped with Japanese dressing, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes), boneless crispy pata (crispy boneless pork knuckles served with Filipino soy dressing), and the lengua a la pobre (tender slices of ox tongue in a la pobre sauce).

Fish be with you: Boneless crispy pata with Filipino soy dressing

In spite of its wide array of specialty food items, a meal at Chef Robert is actually very affordable — something that the young chef definitely makes an effort to do without sacrificing the quality of the food items that they serve. Aside from affordably priced dishes (with generous servings), Robert also offers daily specials, something that frequent diners look for with each visit.

Robert shares that given his restaurant’s theme of offering the best comfort food, most of the items on their menu are actually special requests from his customers. He and his staff are that accommodating and as an added service, diners can even ask for their meals to be cooked based on their personal taste.

Shrimply delicious: Wasabi prawns are lightly breaded and served with a tangy wasabi dressing.

One of the busiest times of day at Chef Robert (aside from packed weekends) is early in the morning, when customers fill up on the restaurant’s specialty breakfasts. Aside from that, the restaurant’s free Wi-Fi also makes it a favorite among the office crowd, who often lunch there.

This year, Robert is considering venturing into another location so that more foodies can enjoy his mouthwatering specialties, with even more new dishes in the works. The restaurant has also started offering off-site catering services.

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A great end: Blueberry cheesecake

Robert is located at Unit D, 847 Banawe St. cor. Linaw St., Quezon City, Metro Manila. For deliveries and inquiries call, 740-9330, 413-0674; e-mail chef.robert@ymail.com or visit chef-robert.net.