Crisostomo in Eastwood City, Libis - WTF Food Review

Legit classy Filipino dishes!

Eastwood, Libis - you'll see sorts of restaurants left and right. From the Mediterranean to American restaurants, all sorts of a fast-food chain and a wide variety of food kiosks for you to choose from. One of which is Crisostomo, owned by Chef Florabel Co, named after Crisostomo Ibarra from Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tángere and alliteration of her husband's name, Christopher. Famed for its contemporary take on Filipino dishes - if its Pinoy food you crave, I guess this is the right place for you.

Their menu is very light in the eye and easy to understand as you will be presented with Filipino-related names, some even funny and some giving tribute to Jose Rizal's works. Albeit some dishes were named differently (i.e like a simple Sinigang sa Miso is called Sinigang Zamora) you will have a brief description of the dish plus an image of it.

We ordered Algas de Antonio (PHP195), De Los Santos (PHP1,695), Paella Filipino (PHP450) and Sinigang Zamora - Salmon (PHP495).

The place has a modern interior design, easy in the eye, air-conditioned and has spacious tables. They don't have their own restroom and you'll have to use the mall comfort room which is just beside the restaurant. They also have outside seating and a function room as well.

Algas de Antonio (PHP195)

Algas de Antonio (PHP195) or Enseladang Lato - enselada which means salad in Spanish and Lato is a sea grape which is a type of edible seaweed. Squeeze in the calamansi and don't forget to add the chili and you are in for a tropical treat. It's salty and slimy, don't forget to eat it with onions and tomato to counter the sliminess of the lato.

De Los Santos (PHP1,695)

De Los Santos (PHP1,695) - is a mix of meat and seafood sinugba (or inihaw in Tagalog). It's a mix of pork barbecue, liempo, chicken, squid, bangus, tahong, inihaw na talong and atchara. It's good for, at most 3 persons. The platter is stuffed overall, but I was a bit disappointed with the "binusog na pusit" in the menu, I was expecting a "stuffed" squid but it was just a grilled squid without anything inside.

Paella Filipino (PHP450)

Paella Filipino (PHP450) - it tastes like iodine which definitely comes from the seafood bringing that "taste of the ocean". It's a full dish, you got your paella, prawns, chicken, inihaw na liempo or roasted pork belly, hard-boiled egg and, chorizo.

Sinigang Zamora - Salmon (PHP495)

Sinigang Zamora - Salmon (PHP495) or Sinigang na Salmon sa Miso - my favorite. The rich, sour, hot soup just revitalizes your palate - you can clearly taste the umami element of the miso and the mustasa or mustard leaves provide that texture that you need.

Overall, it was a great experience. I love the Enseladang Lato and the Sinigang Zamora most! Although I was a little bit disappointed with the De Los Santos platter, I hope they clarify their menu or improve the dish next time. I'm excited to come back and try out the rest of the menu items. How about it Crisostomo? Mind sponsoring a meal?

• Food
• I guess they kinda like upgraded the traditional Filipino food and gave it a contemporary makeover, increasing the overall texture, presentation and flavor of the dish - it's definitely something to look forward to!
• Place 
• It's cozy and spacious, having no restroom is not a problem for me as it's just a couple of steps away from the restaurant.
• Service 
• The staff is very pleasing, attentive, accurate and very courteous.
• Price 
• For the price point, the quality of the food is okay as well as the portion.

Let's rate them, shall we?

Food: 4/5

Ambiance: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value for money: 4/5

OVERALL: 4.5/5

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Location: Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City, Philippines

Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Contact Number: +63 2 7092049