Filipino meets Mexican in these fusion restaurants
MADECA The challenge of opening a Mexican restaurant in the Metro is that all others have claims of authenticity. What can you do to distinguish yours from theirs? Madeca bravely addressed this question by creating a unique fusion of Filipino and Mexican food.
Madeca built its menu around a family recipe of a burrito that became a hit with friends and family. Madeca began selling burritos from kiosks in food fairs and soon pounced on the chance to open a dine-in location at The Podium. "We opened in this location by chance," Audrey Dimarucot, one of the proprietors, explains. "We knew we wanted a good location and we grabbed the opportunity," she adds.
A Filipino favorite finds itself wrapped in a soft taco shell with Madeca's Salpicao Tacos (P195). The best-seller is the Sisig Burrito (P225), a hefty meal in itself. You'd be surprised to know that sisig works very well with Mexican rice and salsa. And of course, Filipinos will always go for kanin-at-ulam kind of dishes, as evidenced by another best-seller: the Lechon Kawali Mexikanin (P265). The Burger Steak Mexikanin, another promising dish, is set to debut in the near future.
Madeca also serves some cocktails which is deemed "mall-friendly" or not very high in alcohol content. The resto's Mojito (P135) is a visual treat— creatively served in mason jars with a coaster that looks like a wooden crate. Madeca's Mojito is available in two flavors: dalandan which is tart and works well with the rest of the menu, and guyabano which is milky and good enough to order on its own. For a real head-turner and palate-pleaser, try the frozen Margarita (P150), served in a large, salt-rimmed margarita glass.
With the aim of enticing diners and filling happy tummies with FilipinoMexican fusion cuisine, Madeca's menu is constantly expanding and evolving. New dishes include the very addictive Chicken Chicharon (P175), made in-house using Madeca's very own marinade and deep-fried to a crisp. And check out this quesadilla with a twist: the Eggplant and Cheese Quesadilla (P125).