Having discovered a win at Kasa & Kin, it’s no surprise we went back for another round of the enticing Filipino cuisine, this time, at Romulo Café. Rowena Romulo opened her award-winning Kensington restaurant in March 2016. The granddaughter of the late General Carlos P Romulo, the first Romulo Café was founded in Manila in 2009 by Rowena’s sister, Sandie and her husband, as a tribute to their eminent grandfather. There are now three branches in Manila.
It still stands that not many of us Brits are familiar with Filipino food even though it ticks all the much-loved epicurean profile boxes. We in the UK love Indian food with its deep, layered flavours and Filipino cuisine offers those same flavours but with a slightly subtle palate. Spanish food in London has been a steady favourite; Filipino cuisine offers hints of its historic Spanish heritage. We enjoy Chinese and Malaysian food with their exotic combination of ingredients and Filipino cuisine also has truly unique ingredients that both excite and satisfy the palate.
Romulo Café London is located in a former Georgian townhouse where it serves up wonderful traditional dishes passed down the Romulo family. Upon entering, we are warmly greeted by Romulo Café co-founder and partner to Rowena, Chris Joseph. It’s only a Tuesday evening, yet the restaurant is at full capacity with hungry couples and families alike. The majority of the diners being London’s lively Filipino community adding to the restaurant’s sense of comfort and authenticity.
After a refreshing glass of Calamansi (Filipino lemonade) Chris talked us through the menu. It is essential that you do not bypass the starters, because the Sizzling Chicken - Insal Sising might well be the most delicious thing I have tasted all month. Superbly tasty diced chicken thighs marinated in annatto, spices and lemongrass served on a black stone pan - think Asian fajitas. Lumpiang Sariwa (fresh vegetable spring roll) was hands down the most impressive twist on the spring roll we have tasted - a colourful selection of crunchy vegetables wrapped with fresh crepes. Gambas al Ajilo was a delight - a beautiful blend of Spain and Philippines in a tapas dish with grilled large prawns sautéed in olive oil, parsley tomatoes, green chillies and a side of pan de sal crostini.
For the mains, I opted for the Tito Greg’s Beef & Oxtail Kare-Kare while my guests chose the Seafood Medley with egg noodles and Truffled Pork Belly Adobo. These three dishes gave comfort food a whole new dimension- all arrived in a stylish white ceramic bowl, heavy with generous portions and shimmering with flavours oscillating between intense to smoky. The brisket and oxtail dish was fragrant, rich both in texture and flavour, while bok choy, aubergine and green beans stewed in peanut sauce and a side of shrimp paste enhanced the overall taste. Nothing tastes better than crisply-fatted, juicily tender pork belly and Romulo Café’s adobo offering of Dingley Dell pork belly served with black truffle, bok choy and sweet potato, was nothing short of a stunning plate. The Seafood Medley was the main character of the table, a celebration of seafood from the oceans that surround the Filipino Islands. Mixed seafood stir-fried with egg noodles drenched in creamy rich lobster sauce and topped with a ridiculously fleshy half lobster. A simple pairing of the garlic-infused rice added as the perfect complement.
Room for dessert? You bet. We enjoyed the layered Trio of Purple Yam, Rice Cake and Flan - flavoured with sweet purple yam, pandan flavoured rice cake and caramel flan. The Banana Truro was the best finale to this exotic feast. Crispy and decadent spring roll style fritters served alongside a pool of creamy toffee sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Romulo Café isn’t hard to love. The welcoming eatery promises to impress…and it delivers. It’s the ideal place for a memorable culinary experience that you’ll want to return to time and time again.
