I'm told La Mesa has one of the more authentic Filipino offerings, although it's interesting to see chop suey on the menu. Of the two desserts, I much preferred the cassava cake with over the Special Biko with langka and buko (rice cake with slices of young coconut and jackfruit).
This is a nice Filipino restaurant located upstairs from Goulburn Street. My favourite dish is the very indulgent but delicious Crispy Pata (deep fried pork leg) - that skin is super crispy and the pork very tender. Their version of the seafood paella is indeed different to the Spanish version with the addition of coconut cream which I quite liked actually. The service staff are very friendly and happy to give recommendations too. Overall, it was a lovely and filling meal.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
LaMesa has that home away from home feel. Upon entering the restaurant, the look of the place will remind you of coming home to your grandparents’ and you just know you’re about to enjoy good home cooked meals.
We ordered:
• Sinigang na Hipon - I am a sucker for sour tamarind soup and this dish delivered. I can still distinguish the difference from what I used to have in Manila but this one’s pretty close. Plus, the shrimp has that sweet taste to it that makes it a good mix.
• Lechon Kawali - perfectly crispy and just plain sinful. I LOVE THIS!
• Daing na Bangus - Cooked to a crisp and marinated just right. Pro-tip for those who haven’t tried - eat the belly part!
• Lumpiang Sariwa - have to say I’m not a huge fan of this because I felt the wrapper was too thick - but might just be personal preference
• Halo-Halo - the ultimate summer companion! This one’s a must try!
• Sago’t Gulaman - this local pearl cooler is simple yet deliciously refreshing
Overall, I love LaMesa and will keep coming back!
NOTE: They have karaoke nights every last Friday of the month!
Okay I am definitely rating La Mesa based off how much I enjoyed the pork adobo - if you come here you should 110% order either the chicken or pork adobo. This is quite a cute restaurant with fun interiors and a pretty homely vibe. Service here is friendly and the food was brought out to us in a reasonable amount of time. The chicken skewers with the vinegar sauce were delicious, as were the fritters which we ordered vegetarian. The seafood bouillabaisse was really very intense, but the fresh seafood was absolutely fabulous. The curries here are delicious and intense in flavour. I loved the garlic rice too - but avoid it if you are on a date :P I'm looking forward to coming back to try the chicken adobo!
Came with a Filipino friend, and the dishes they picked were amazing! Tamarind soup with a startling but pleasant sour, tender and flavourful crispy para pork leg, with my favourite being the stuffed milkfish. What a treat! Would come here again
Started with beef tapa and okoy, both are really nice. Then got kare kare, sisig, spicy calamary, garlic rice, crispy pata, chicken adobo, and pansit bihon. Finished with halo halo. Friendly staff, nice food esp the crispy pata, sisig and halo halo. But waited quite a bit for the food. But overall, great experience 👍👍
The final stop of the Chinatown Taste Food Tour is at Le Mesa which is a Filipino restaurant. Taste Food Tours is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes diversity and cultural harmony with any profits going back into the cultural hubs in Sydney. As it's the final stop, it seems only fitting that we have dessert although the menu looks really interesting and tempting. I must confess - I have am not an expert when it comes to Filopino food but I definitely have a lot of curiousity.
First time eating Filipino in the city and it was a very nice experience! Favorite dish is always going to be crispy pata (pork) and leche flan. Tonight I got to try halo halo too which was really nice. Would recommend starting with the skewer!
Finn & Filo Downunder
+4.5
My first Filo cuisine experience in restaurant, not at home hahaa. Was extremely amazed the diversity of the flawors. Had beef kare kare, sisig, crispy pata, leche flan... And naturally beer. San Miquel and Red Horse. Extremely friendly staff and fast service. Recommend to go and have a dinner! If looking fir authentic Filo experience, you will love this place!
My first experience with Philippine cuisine. I really like the atmosphere of the restaurant as it gave me an authentic feel of what the Philippine culture is like. For mains, we ordered Pacit Luglug and Crispy Pata. I especially enjoy the Crispy Pata, it's essentially pork with crispy skin and vinegar sauce. We also ordered rice to eat along with the pork.
For dessert, we ordered Turon and Special Biko with Langka and Buko. Out of the two, I really like the Turon which is how I would describe it as spring roll with banana and jackfruit inside, coated with a sweet syrup.
The coconut juice was alright, a little too sweet for my taste - I feel like there is some sort of sweetener in it.
Overall I enjoy the food, atmosphere and it was a solid first experience.
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