Come Home To Comforting Local Flavors, A Homecoming Feast Awaits at Siklab+...

Food they say triggers both memories and emotions taking you to a different place and time with each dish and bite. And if it's home that's on your mind, you'll find it firing up daily at Siklab+ for a flavorful homecoming...

Known for their extensive array of international dining concepts, The Bistro Group takes your next culinary experience much closer to home with the familiar and nostalgic offerings at Siklab+. From all-time and enduring Filipino classics to regional staples, you'll find all the bold yet comforting notes and  flavors you've always loved from the menu prepared fresh from the kitchen. And this holiday season, it's time to come home to traditional local flavors. At Siklab+... (for more on Siklab, see my post Bold Local Flavors Ignite at Siklab+ In Shangri-La Plaza from late last year).

That festive homecoming vibe begins when that first dish is served at Siklab+, and the popular starter Kuhol ni Tangol (P 345-Medium/P 495-Large) with Golden Snails simmered in coconut milk with kangkong or water spinach, ginger, garlic, onion and fiery chilies. The briny nutty and earthy notes of the snails are complemented by the creamy coconut milk with just a whisper of soothing heat from the chilies and mild hints from the various aromatics. 

In between savory bites, the Ensaladang Amapalaya (P 265 Medium/P 395 Large) cleanses the palate with its medley of fresh flavors including thinly sliced ampalaya or bitter melon, red onion, tomatoes, salted egg and cilantro dressed in vibrant ampalaya dressing. Tart with a subtle sweetness, the ampalaya isn't the usual one dimensional flavor profile with predominantly bitter notes. Instead, a delectable sour sweetness made even richer by the salted egg followed by the sharp hints of red onions, tomatoes, cilantro and the special dressing teases the palate with each bite. 

The bold flavors of the north are highlighted with the Poqui Poqui (P 295-Medium/P 425-Large) made with grilled eggplant, sautéed tomatoes, onions and eggs. The vegetable side dish with its smoky sweetness and velvety smooth finish pairs well with many of the signature mains at Siklab+ for a flavorful addition to your sumptuous feast of local flavors. 

The Dinengdeng na Bangus (P 345 Medium/P 595 Large) is another flavorful hit from the north with string beans, okra, eggplant, squash flower, onion, ginger and tomatoes finished with the bold notes of bagoong or fermented shrimp paste topped with bangus or local milkfish. The freshness and subtle sweetness from the mix of vegetables are contrasted by the pronounced sharpness from the bagoong tingling on the palate. The bangus completes the play on familiar local flavors with every sip and bite. 

Then, another mandatory staple in any Filipino feast is mixed up and served on a hot cast iron plate...

...as the Paboritong Pork Sisig (P 355-Medium/P 585-Large) is added to your feast announced by that distinctive sizzle and fragrant aroma. Have your bowl of extra rice ready. 

The delectable play on contrasting textures with soft and crunchy layers and unrestrained pure pork flavors made even richer with egg brings you home right from the first spoonful immediately followed by another. The savory mix of crispy pork ears, tender and juicy pork belly, liver, egg, onions, chilies and crisp fried garlic deliver flavorful burts for another nostalgic taste of home. 

For larger gatherings and groups, you can't go wrong with the Salu-Salo Platters at Siklab+ like the Seafood Platter (P 1,295) with Crispy Tawilis, Bangus a la Bawang, Scallops in Cilantro Garlic Oil, Poqui Poqui and a selection of dips. 

The Seafood Platter brings the local catch of the day to your table with its fresh, clean flavors. And there's more...

The amusingly named Chickboy Platter (P 2,795) with Siniklabang Liempo, Crispy Pata and Pinatisang Manok served with Large Steamed Rice features three of the restaurant's signature pork and chicken specialties in one impressive platter. The juicy grilled pork belly, crunchy pork knuckles and fried chicken flavored with fish sauce are popular renditions on its own and you get all three with the Chickboy Platter and then some. Get-togethers with friends and family become even more memorable with nostalgic local flavors fired up daily at Siklab+. 

And for dessert, Siklab+ stays true to its proudly local theme with the wittingly named Bonggang Bibingka (P 225), a nostalgic rice cake topped with grated coconut, Muscovado sugar, latik, salted egg and cheese...

...and the Triple Chocolate Champorado (P 225), a sticky rice porridge simmered in local tablea chocolate, premium chocolate powder and white chocolate as the syrup to cap a festive feast at Siklab+ sprinkled with crispy dulong for that familiar sweet and salty finish. Dining at Siklab+ always feels like a homecoming with its bold, creative yet uncomplicated approach to local flavors. This Christmas, come home to the flavors you love, firing up daily at Siklab+...

Siklab+ is located at the 4th Level, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza. Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/SiklabBoldlyFilipino and https://www.instagram.com/siklabph/ for more information and updates. 

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