Crisostomo... Ibarra?

I always look forward to family dinners, especially when it's for a special occasion. This time, there's not much of a "big" celebration, but more of just a random night out with all four of us, plus my sister-in-law.

As a family, this was our first time together at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, so we had to walk around to find something decent and new. We walked by this restaurant called Crisostomo, and thought of giving it a shot.

What actually got me into deciding to just dine in here was their frozen Brazo de Mercedes. But let me go further on that as we go along.

We ordered Sinigang na Baka, Tortang Talong Pie, Kalderetang Kambing, Tortang Alimango, Seafood Kare-Kare, and Kangkong w/ Lechon. I know what you're thinking, we're not on a feast. It's really just the love for food that makes us "normally" order for at least 3-4 viands. This time was a bit "special" so we got more.

From the time we sat on our seats, we were already served with complimentary cornick, which I think, is by far the best I've tasted. Not too salty and at least bigger than the ones we find in foil packs like Boy Bawang. And it's cornick-all-you-can, huh! 

First to arrive was my pick : Tortang Talong Pie. This is like your typical tortang talong, except for the cheddar and kesong puti  (white cheese) that's sprinkled all over the eggplant. Since I'm a lover of cheese, this is certainly one of my best bets in this resto.

Then came Kangkong with Lechon. Nothing too fancy about this dish, so don't be deceived by the name.

Next were : Tortang Alimango - toooo salty, as if eating bagoong; Kalderetang Kambing - which I didn't taste because I don't eat goat meat ESPECIALLY if I know that it's that. My family liked it, though.

Sinigang na Baka came later than the rest. I almost forgot to take a picture... :D I loved it. Meat was lean and soft. Its sourness was puurrfect! If you like the sampalok fruit, maybe you'd like this one, too. And it's no joke how sour it was, just how I like my sinigang to be.

Kare-kare's a classic favorite. But I feel so sorry that it came the least because I was close to being full when it landed on the table. Seafoods were chewy, and yes, tempting, too! (Sorry for the spilled sauce on the sides)

Though I was already full when I finished, I still looked forward to Brazo de Mercedes. Luscious is a great word to describe it.

The service was great, in fact, all staff were attentive to the needs of every customer including us. 

Thumbs up for Crisostomo!