By Mariko on 31 August, 2008
If you plan to eat at Amalia’s, make sure it’s during regular mealtimes, and not between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm…unless you’re prepared to sweet talk your way in for a bit of paella.
Pael-yum-yum: Paella Marinara
B and I decided to have a late lunch, because getting up early isn’t exactly on our list of priorities on Sundays. Sunday, I believe, is made for napping, vegging in front of the TV, and eating out…all done after 12:00 noon. So it was a bit of a letdown when, after traveling all the way from QC, we found a “Closed” sign hanging on the glass door. One group was at the tail-end of their meal, and as they exited, I popped my head through the door and asked one waitress, “Pwede?” This despite the sign posted on the door, proclaiming their operating hours. She looked back at the counter where some of her co-workers were. “Nanggaling pa kasi kaming QC eh…” I said. Hey, it was worth a shot. She and the others finally agreed, and I quickly got the rest of me through the door before they changed their minds. B followed, and we settled into a booth lined with pretty cream-colored damask, and with a mosaic pendant lamp hanging overhead.
No visit to a Spanish resto is complete without an order of paella, and since Franco beat me to the Paella Espanola, I got the
Paella Marinara (P235 for one, P440 for three). If the name doesn’t help, this paella is loaded with seafood: fish fillets, mussels, shrimp, and some eggs, green peas, and red pimientos for good measure.
Paella is paella. Maybe I’m just unfortunate, but I don’t think I’ve ever really tried paella that stands out in my memory. Which is not to say that Amalia’s version isn’t good–just not memorable. I did love the crispy portion though, and B mocked me when I scooped it onto my plate and cried “Tutooong!”
We also ordered the Lengua con Setas (P275).
Lengua con Setas
Lengua is a lot like balut–you have no problems eating it until you realize what it is. I read about two people having a conversation about their weird food preferences where one person admitted that she liked ox tongue. The other replied, “Eyew! I don’t want to taste anything that tastes me back!”
I had this in my head as I sliced my lengua, trying to quell the image of dancing taste buds. I really do like the taste of lengua, but sometimes the texture is just too much like…tongue! Almost jelly-like. Not a pleasant texture for someone with a hyperactive imagination.
But the Amalia’s version, simmered in red wine and brown sauce, and served with button mushrooms and an olive (or two) was actually kind of…beefy. I nearly forgot that I was essentially French-ing a cow, as my brother would say. “It’s the way lengua should be,” said B in between bites. I just don’t know if it was him or the ox talking…
I had a pleasant meal, and I couldn’t complain about the food. And I am really thankful to the staff for letting us dine there during what was supposed to be their afternoon break. Would I go back? Probably. Just not any time soon–there are other restaurants to try.
(P.S. If anyone could point me towards paella that could make me forget my name, I’d really appreciate it!)
Amalia’s
Ground Floor
Maga Center
Paseo de Magallanes
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 852 1381
7 A. Aguirre Avenue
BF Homes, Paranaque City
Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 850 3123
LABELS: Amalia's, Manila, Mariko, Restaurants
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comments
Post a commentAUGUST 31, 2008 5:47 PM
jun said...
Just tried a Spanish resto in NYC called Socarrat. I've always thought that it was just us Pinoys who like 'tutong'. Was amused to find out that the Spanish word for tutong is socarrat and they enjoy it as much as we do. They define socarrat as 'that delectable crust that forms on the bottom of a paella pan'
SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 2:28 AM
Mariko said...
Ah, I learned something new today! Yo quiero socarrat! Gracias, Jun!:)
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 1:33 AM
ragamuffin girl said...
Haha I love that: "Frenching a cow":)
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 1:58 AM
mtan said...
The best paella's I've had were made by folks at their homes, so that doesn't help, but if you ever make it up to Claude Tayag's Pampanga home/restaurant, we were served a really good paella there. And lots of tutong/socarrat at the end of it all!
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 11:07 AM
gourmandtales said...
i still love the paella of Casa Armas.. but only in the Malate branch
SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 2:55 AM
Mariko said...
Thanks for the paella tips!:)
SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 9:59 AM
gourmandtales said...
nice place... glad they opened in magallanes
MARCH 16, 2009 4:49 PM
Anonymous said...
GREAT FOOD.... BEST PAELLA....
MARCH 23, 2010 9:02 AM
Twenty One Plates said...
Hi Mariko.
People who have tried our paella say it's good. Not so sure if it's going to be a forget-your-name experience for you but do give our restaurant a try when you find yourself back in Aguirre, BF Homes. ;)
We're on the same strip and side as Amalia's. After the Elizalde intersection. Check out our fan page on facebook to find out more about Twenty One Plates.
Hope to see you soon. ;)
Tinette Miciano
of Twenty One Plates