The fave dishes of Wilma Doesnt, Ara Mina and Iza Calzado at Lola Maria's

Why do we even care about what celebrities like to eat? Apart from mere curiosity, some will say that knowing what famous people like to devour is somehow a means of ”connecting” with them. Citing the truism that “people are what they eat,” the star-struck can claim that food preferences are a reflection of a person’s real personality beyond the limelight. And thus, celebrity watchers might like to check out the new entrees at the Lola Maria outlet in The Legend Villas

“The new dishes at Lola Maria Restaurant are special because these were shared by the hotel’s celebrity friends,” says Ginger King-Villavicencio, chief operating officer of The Legend Villas. “Still, we made sure to give each dish that distinct Lola Maria Restaurant twist.”

What exactly is the Lola Maria twist? Ginger sums it up in two words: “Comfort food.” The restaurant has long been a favorite for its handaan- style Filipino buffets. It has a loyal following of diners who enjoy ox-tail kare kare slow cooked to tender and tasty perfection, or chicken galantina and bistek cooked the way it is done at home. The list goes on: Lechon kawali, pinakbet, kinilaw, sinigang na ulo ng salmon sa miso.

Cream dory fillet with crispy pinipig flakes served with a cayenne-mayo dip

Although most are old-time favorites like those our own lolas used to prepare, a standout in the restaurant is something relatively modern, however. Tinapate is exactly what it sounds like — tinapa pate. The spread uses the plebeian tinapa but the delicately flavored cheese-based pate will find favor even among those with “more cultured” tastes.

But we were there to taste the new items on the menu. There was the vegetable quiche favored by fashion designer Randy Ortiz. This consisted of fresh vegetables with a dollop of sour cream on a baked tender pastry crust. The verdict? Nice, but more suited to the figure-conscious set that worry they might not fit into Randy’s beautiful clothes. Hearty eaters might find the quiche too light, too healthy, and too uncomplicated to be truly satisfying.

The surprise? A serving to go with lovely, tiny, tasty pandesal is priced a ridiculously (and deliciously) affordable P168!

Lola Maria’s chef Michael John Li Yao Martinez stays true to Lola Maria Restaurant’s credo of Filipino comfort cuisine.

Fish pinipig was singled out as a favorite of actress and host Iza Calzado and the pinipig was a good idea because it did not overpower the fish. Then, there were prawn cakes of oriental style minced prawns coated with bread crumbs and served with hoisin sauce. “Perfect with cocktails!” says Atoy Llave, King of Body Kits, whose choice this was. He would be the expert since parties by Atoy are popular among the motoring set where “easy-to-eat” is a prerequisite in crowds where there is increased risk of spilling a plateful of comestibles on the shirt-front of the person beside you. Or worse, on his beloved, blinged car! 

Light and healthy: The vegetable quiche

There was cocido, or beef ribs stewed in rich tomato sauce with chorizo and vegetables that came with a garlicky eggplant sauce, a classic superstar that requires no celebrity backing. And best of all, rib-eye marinated and seared with rosemary and fresh garlic P630. The tender slab of US prime beef came with a siding of buttered vegetables. We wholeheartedly agree with actress Ara Mina that this was the best— with or without the accompanying shiitake mushroom gravy

Admittedly, dessert of ube and langka panna cotta (actress Sherilyn Reyes-Tan’s choice) and fried suman at tsokolate (actress/model Wilma Doesnt’s comfort food) were a bit anticlimactic after a big meal. But for a light snack, the ensaymada pudding served with custard, topped with queso de bola and served warm, as Ford Supermodel winner Danica Magpantay likes it, would be perfect.

Keeping the tradition alive: Cocido, served with a side dish of garlicky eggplant mash, is everyone’s favorite.

Overall, the dishes prepared by Legend Hotels chef de parte Michael John Li Yao Martinez stay true to Lola Maria Restaurant’s credo of Filipino comfort cuisine. He tells us that he conscientiously tries his best to replicate traditional flavors so that urbanites in the big city can come home and reconnect with their roots through food. Chef Michael’s own lola should be so proud.

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Lola Maria is at The Legend Villas is at 60 Pioneer corner Madison Streets, Mandaluyong City. Breakfast buffets are available daily from 6 to 10 a.m. for P300. Lunch buffet from Monday-Friday is tagged at P499 and P350 on Saturdays and Sunday. A special chocolate buffet will be held every Saturday and Sunday for the month of February. This is priced at P250 for adults and P180 for children.

For information, call 633-1501 to 10.