TARA MONSOD, ANIMAE’S EXECUTIVE CHEF, FIRES UP SAN DIEGO
Another Filipino to be proud of is chef Tara Monsod of Animae Restaurant in San Diego, California, a high-end Asian fusion eatery owned by Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer. As an executive chef, she immediately added Filipino food to the menu while still in her entry position at the establishment.
I included Animae in my trip to the States this year, eager to taste everything on the menu. In addition, I wanted a solid justification of why the restaurant preceded its reputation among the best gourmets I know personally. In short, I came prepared to enjoy every intriguing dish that I should try.
It was a great pleasure that I gave in to my gastronomic desires.
I had Tuna Kinilaw mixed in coconut, calamansi, cilantro, and chili oil, for starters. My main course was Short Rib Kare Kare with long beans, eggplant, and bagoong peanut oil. Lastly, for dessert, it was Pandan Malasadas, a concoction of pandan custard, lemon curd, and ginger sugar. The medley of familiar tastes laced with a hint of something pleasantly different was indeed a superb personal experience.
Chef Tara included other Filipino fare in her Asian dishes: Lechon Kawali with apple paté sarsa, fig, shiso; Salt Spring Guinataang Mussels with coconut, Kabocha squash, baguette and lumpia with wagyu and roasted peppers with a dipping pear sawsawan. And not to be missed is the Ube Sundae that capped my already unforgettable gastronomic adventure.
An excellent restaurant must have no less than exquisite and vibrant cuisine. The quality of the food and its presentation is essential for it to affect people positively. And the chef must live for the moment that her new concoction touches the tongue and perks up the taster’s entire face into one big, satisfied smile.
Chef Tara has placed Filipino food on the international culinary map, judging from the full-house attendance of an all-American group of diners that filled Animae that evening. We have this sense of pride in our country when, halfway around the world, we get to dine in a restaurant where people other than ourselves enjoy the cuisine we grew up with!
Proud to be Pinoy!