Comforting Rainy Day Dishes at Mama Rosa

There's just something about rainy days that make it special. Like the way it triggers fond memories of comforting flavors, a sudden craving that just comes out of nowhere when the skies turn grey.

A steaming hot bowl of Halaan, or a hearty dish of Guinataang Manok, and a rainy day is made so much better. And it always is...at Mama Rosa.

Simple. Honest. Real. It's the kind of cuisine that warms the soul, reconnecting with simpler times, even when the weather has its own plans. And Mama Rosa has a dish that's just perfect for any craving, including a variety of seafood dishes (for more on Mama Rosa's signature seafood dishes, see my previous post, A Sunday Seafood Lunch at Mama Rosa) and many more. Start with Mama Rosa's Halaan (P 120), with sake-spiked Manila clams on a light ginger-flavored broth with pepper leaves. The briny notes of the fresh clams are perfectly balanced by the ginger-flavored broth, vibrant flavors on a rainy day. Or any day, really.

Next, complete your feast with Mama Rosa's new dishes, like the tasty French Beans Oriental (P 220), with ground meat in a sweet and tart sauce with chili for some heat, perfect for a rainy day. The natural crispness of the French beans add a delectable texture to the dish, delivering a subtle sweetness to the rich and savory notes of the ground meat and chili. It's a great side dish to supplement your other dishes, and on a rainy day, the more the merrier...

You can have steamed white rice, or go for the new Squid Ink Rice (P 220), soft and fluffy rice cooked in flavorful squid ink topped with leeks and Chinese chorizo. The distinct flavors of squid ink bursts in your mouth with every bite, punctuated by the sharp notes of leeks and Chinese chorizo, pairing well with the mains.

The comforting Guinataang Manok (P 220), tender chicken stewed in coconut cream with ginger and chunks of raw papaya topped with pepper leaves, is an absolute must-have for a perfect rainy day meal. The delicate flavors of the chicken are kicked up a notch by the richness of the coconut cream, tempered by the comforting heat of the chili and the sweetness of the papaya.

The Pan-Fried Sole (P 420-P 650), delicately fried for a lightly crisp outer layer while remaining soft and tender, served with a side of Ginger Sauce, is yet another new dish to try at Mama Rosa. The subtle flavors of the fish, with its tender white meat, is complemented by the Ginger Sauce, for even more sunny flavors on a rainy day.

When rainy days get you down, no worries. Simply head on over to Mama Rosa and savor the rainy day flavors of simple, honest, and real comfort food. Even on a sunny day...

Mama Rosa Restaurant is located at 9 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City or call 246-9069 extension 876 for inquiries and more information.

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