Patio Vera in Marikina - WTF Food Review

A hidden gem around Marikina

Ah! Patio Vera in Calumpang, Marikina! I found this gem thru one of the TV shows in GMA News (PopTalk), I said "it looks sosyalin" so we've decided to visit since it's a busy Sunday evening and we don't want to spend our time in malls.

Patio Vera in Calumpang, Marikina

Thank God for Waze and Google Map we've managed to get here without any problems and luckily for us there is an open parking slot (don't expect though, there is no literal parking lot as you will just work your way in the side of a "one-way road" which is cool because there is a resident spotter who will guide you and find a spot for you. Just be cautious and fold your side mirrors and be kind on the spotter and give him a tip.

The exterior of Patio Vera in Calumpang, Marikina

Located in a residential neighborhood in Calumpang, Marikina, Patio Vera was first an ancestral home that belonged to a once-successful shoemaker before it became a restaurant/shoe and art museum.

Their outside seating is very romantic but...

They have outdoor seating wherein you can dine in their garden which is very beautiful and romantic BUT be wary of the mosquitoes as they are swarming everywhere. This is one of the problems I saw because there are points and pockets of stagnant water around the garden, I think they should think about doing some anti-mosquito campaign because the garden beauty will just be thrown away if you're going to be infested by mosquitoes.

Fresh Lemonade (PHP115)

It happened to us and learned in a hard way as I've decided to choose the outdoor setting, mosquitoes were biting my wife left and right (can't feel a thing because I'm wearing jeans), afraid that we might get disease and a disastrous night, we've requested to be seated indoors, though it's already full, the server is kind enough to make sure we'll get one if there are available.

The menu is basic, not a flashy design, rustic and detailed. They mostly have Pinoy dishes with some twist on their menu and the pricing is fair. I was told that the servings are good for at least 2 persons so it's a win-win. We ordered Crispy Pork (PHP285), Shrimp Adobo in Aligue (PHP425), Tuna Aglio Olio (PHP295), Cream of Mushroom (PHP115), Dinamita (PHP255), Pizza de Marisco (PHP275), Fried Halo Halo (PHP115) and Fresh Lemonade (PHP115).

After ordering, there are still no seats available inside so we still have to wait. When the orders arrived (after a good 15-20 minutes) we were transferred in their semi-indoor (not in the garden) table just beside the counter which is fine because they've opened the industrial fan and faced it on our table which I think helps with the mosquito problem. We've decided to visit the museum just before we've transferred seats. The servers are kind enough to help us transfer our plates around. The museum itself is a plus; it's free, it's beautiful, it's one of a kind (RECOMMENDED IF YOU WILL BRING A DATE WITH YOU).

Cream of Mushroom (PHP115)

The Cream of Mushroom is sumptuous and it has that authentic earthy flavor. Very well seasoned and the consistency is on point.

Pizza de Marisco (PHP275)

Pizza de Marisco is one of my favorites as it has seafood! For those who are not familiar, marisco is the Spanish word for seafood. Everything is served fresh from squid rings, clams, mussels, and eggs whilst sitting on marinara sauce. The crust is baked well and not soggy, albeit small, the pizza overall is one of the stars of the night.

Dinamita (PHP255)

One of my recommended dishes, Dinamita, served with sweet and sour chili sauce. It's basically a plate of wrapped jalapeños stuffed with chorizo and cheese and then fried to crispy perfection, so perfect that it's the only dynamite that you'll want for the rest of your life. It's not that spicy, the cheese will just ooze with just one bite, take it to the next level by dipping it to their sweet and sour chili sauce and it's over!

Crispy Pork (PHP285)

This Crispy Pork is da'bomb! Yes, it looks simple but paired it with the atsara and sauce, give that crispy skin a good dunk and you're good to go. The skin is seasoned very well and then there is a good balance of fat and meat ratio so don't be scared of eating the whole thing.

Shrimp Adobo in Aligue (PHP425)

The Shrimp Adobo in Aligue is a winner, but let me tell you, I'm a little bit disappointed in the serving size. You can taste the aligue sauce showered over the shrimp and you'll be surprised how delicious the result is. The aligue gives that salty and subtle taste that complements the freshness of the shrimp. It's good but not a fan of the serving size and the price.

Tuna Aglio Olio (PHP295)

The Tuna Aglio Olio is my wife's favorite. She's a pasta fan and this one really hits the spot as the pasta is al-dente, the garlic is perfectly roasted - not too bland but not too bitter. The tuna gives an exquisite taste as it splurges with olive oil giving it a nice aroma and fresh taste.

Fried Halo Halo (PHP115)

The Fried Halo Halo is one of their signature desserts. It's beautiful, it's unique and it's delightful!  The crispy crepe enveloping the ice cream, the beans, the langka, the ube? It's too much but we love it. They also have a for sharing size for PHP225.

The food is sumptuous and I concur, the servings are good for 2 persons. I love the presentation and the quality of the dishes. After eating, I was surprised at how they presented us the bill through a high heel shoe that is unique and classy.

Known for their world-class shoemaking, they now present my bill...in a beautifully embellished shoe

Patio Vera holds a classy yet very comfortable ambiance. It is filled with artworks, antique decorations, creative shoes, and beautiful plants. The restaurant mainly serves Filipino and Spanish cuisine which include traditional Filipino cooking methods. It's a great experience and a wonderful night, hopefully, they take care of the mosquito problem in their garden because that place is mystical and romantic.

Location: 70 General F. Santos Street, Calumpang, Marikina City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Contact Number: +63 9054241593 / +632 2390615

• Place 
• Patio Vera holds a classy yet very comfortable ambiance. It has a garden, a museum, a patio and an indoor dining room that is well air-conditioned.
• Street parking - I'm not a fan because it's dangerous and someone might power trip your car and scratch it while walking and it blocks traffic.
• The garden is magical and too beautiful to be infested by mosquitoes. 
• Service 
• The servers are very kind as they really took care of our needs especially when we requested to be transferred. They are very attentive and will serve you with a jolly smile on their faces.
• Price 
• The price is great considering you'll get a fair amount of serving. Although I really hate the serving size of that delicious Shrimp Adobo sa Aligue. I'll let that pass because of the flavor.

Let's rate them, shall we?

Food: 5/5

Ambiance: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Value for money: 4/5

OVERALL: 4/5

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