Laying It All On The Table at Open Table

Simple, uncomplicated, no fuss and just plain good food with real flavors, sometimes you just need to go back to familiar and comforting notes to enjoy a memorable meal. And you can find it in one of Quezon City's newest dining destinations...

Chefs Lara Lopez-Dizon and Neil Manuel lays it all on the table with their honest interpretation of classic American comfort food at Open Table, from sandwiches to burgers, pasta and ribs, right here at the new 2 Lazcano Place in Quezon City. The new dining hub houses a number of food establishments where diners can cross order from the different restaurants, including specialty desserts and coffee shops. Read on for a tasty peek at Open Table's comforting cuisine...

Located at the quiet neighborhood along Scout Lazcano in Quezon City, Open Table Restaurant shares their inspired take on American-style comfort food. Inside Open Table Restaurant, the homey interiors add both warmth and a whole lot of good vibes for an enjoyable dining experience. The fondest memories, after all, happen around the table.

And sumptuous meals from the family table is at the heart of the culinary inspiration for Open Table's spin on American comfort food. Take Open Table's hearty sandwiches, like the Ben's Cheeseburger (P 265) with premium all-beef patty char-grilled and topped with rich aioli dressing, caramelized onions and egg on a soft brioche bun. It's the quintessential all-American favorite, from the hefty char-grilled beef patty with juicy and savory notes capped by hints of smokiness from the grill to the rich aioli dressing, cheese and egg adding layers of flavors. The subtle sweetness of the caramelized onions complete the flavors for a complete and satisfying meal in itself.  

Chefs Lara and Neil take bacon to a whole new level with their Deep-Fried Bacon Sandwich (P 195) with crisp deep-fried battered bacon drizzled with honey mustard on ciabatta served with a side of fries and coleslaw. The light and airy batter complements the bold notes of the bacon, adding that extra layer of crispness with each bite. The richness of the bacon is perfectly tempered by the subtle sweetness and sharp hints of the honey mustard to round off the flavors. It's comforting sandwiches like these that make Open Table one of Quezon City's hidden gems. Other savory sandwiches at Open Table include the Fish & Shrimp Sandwich (P 265), Pork Belly Sandwich (P 245), Cheeseburger Sliders (P 265) and Chicken Sandwich (P 205).

Pasta is one of those must-have dishes when you simply want to feel good and make the day even better, and Open Table has that covered too. The Shrimp Aglio e Olio (P 185) offers clean flavors, a mildly spicy pasta dish tossed in garlic olive oil with plump shrimps and sweet and smoky bell peppers. The briny sweetness of the plump prawns, the sweet smoky hints of the bell peppers and the nutty notes of the garlic olive oil come together in a seamless blend, just what you need to satisfy your pasta craving. Open Table also offers other pasta dishes like the creamy Carbonara (P 255), Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (P 195), Grilled Chicken Pesto (P 255), Shrimp Pasta (P 265), Baked Penne (P 275) and Skillet Lasagna (P 275) for even more tasty options.

But if you're seriously hungry, Open Table's got the goods...

...like the Jerked Chicken (P 245), fork-tender marinated boneless chicken leg quarter served with sauteed rice, salsa and chimichurri. Perfectly char-grilled, the delicate notes of the marinated chicken are kicked up by the rich blend of spices for vibrant notes, perfectly finished by the smokiness of the charred outer layer. It's easy to overcook chicken, but Open Table's got it down to a tee for that tender and juicy texture. The soft and fluffy sauteed rice and fresh salsa pair well with the chicken, with the nutty hints of the chimichurri adding that flavorful punch. This one's a personal favorite.

How about some pork chops? Bring it on. Open Table's Devilled Pork Chops (P 355) does the trick rather nicely with a pair of char-grilled spicy pork chops served with mashed potatoes or rice. Grilled with perfectly charred marks for even more flavor, one bite reminds you why you love pork chops. 

Fork-tender and fall-off-the-bone, you'll definitely want the full slab. Open Table's Full Slab Pork Ribs with Mashed Potato, Corn and Coleslaw is smoked and grilled the way it should be, slow and with a whole lot of patience. And the results are well worth it. The juicy and savory notes of the pork ribs are perfectly layered with hints of subtle sweetness, just that right level of tartness and that familiar smoky finish to complete the flavors of an all-American classic. It's ribs the way I like it, with a dry rub and just a light glaze without being too wet or sticky for pure and clean smoky flavors. Go Solo (P 275 with one side), Sharing (P 435 with two sides) or the full slab with the Family portion (P 775 with three sides), it's your call. But go for the full slab. Trust me.

Still craving for some pork love? Here's a sweet and spicy option with a thick slab of pork, the Honey Tabasco Belly (P 375) with tender pork belly simmered for four hours and draped with sweet and spicy Honey Tabasco glaze, served with Open Table Rice and Coleslaw. Pork always works with just a touch of sweetness, add some spicy heat and you've got another winner from Open Table. The dish is another complete meal in itself, served with Open Table's version of dirty rice. Chefs Lara and Neil described the development of the signature Open Table Rice leading to the current version, helped along by some kitchen miscues resulting in the accidental addition of chili to the rice. And it works. Rice and beans with a nice slab of pork belly, just can't get better than that. And that pretty much sums up the culinary style at Open Table, it's simple, straightforward and honest with real flavors. Stop by for a comforting meal and let Chefs Lara and Neil lay it all on the table for you...at Open Table. 

Open Table is located at 2 Lazcano Place, Scout Lazcano Street corner Mother Ignacia and Scout Magbanua Streets, Diliman, Quezon City or call 819-4880 for inquiries. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/opentableamericanrestaurant/ for more information.

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