Maharlika's Pinoy brunch, sisig get raves in New York
03/12/2012
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| Filipino dishes served with style at Maharlika: Filipino Moderno / Courtesy of MaharlikaNYC |
NEW YORK - "Maharlika: Filipino Moderno" was first known as a pop-up restaurant that opened in Manhattan last year.
Now, it is becoming known as a modern Filipino restaurant introducing Filipino-style brunch to Americans.
"We’re happy that people are embracing brunch. It’s such an American concept and we’re happy that we can put a Filipino kiss on it," said Nicole Ponseca, co-owner of Maharlika.
Instead of Eggs Benedict, Maharlika serves Eggs Benigno, named after the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. The restaurant also offers Eggs Florentine that has been named Eggs Imelda (poached eggs on pan de sal with taro leaves, coconut milk and prawns).
A favorite among brunch-lovers is the "silog" meals such as tocilog and longsilong.
Maharlika's executive chef is Miguel Trinidad, who is originally from the Dominican Republic. He traveled around the Philippines to learn how to cook authentic Filipino dishes.
"We backpacked from Ilocos Norte all the way down to Palawan. It was an amazing experience. The people were beautiful. The island is gorgeous, we couldn’t have been here where we are today if it wasn’t for that experience," Trinidad said.
Because of Maharlika, sizzling sisig has now become a part of New York's international food scene. On its menu, sisig was described as "pig ears, snout, cheek, belly (cooked 3 times—boiled, grilled, sautéed), with sibuyas, garlic, lemon."
Sizzling sisig was named "Best New Food" of Time Out New York, a leading food and entertainment guide in New York.
Maharlika was also named "Best New Restaurant" of Metromix, a well-known entertainment and dining guide in the U.S.
Even the New York Times said Filipino cuisine, an "underdog in Asian cuisine", is now slowly becoming mainstream like Thai and Chinese restaurants.
"I didn’t think we’re gonna be here within a year, but I am so happy that we are," Ponseca said.
Maharlika is also becoming known for its mixed drinks, which are named after famous Filipinos. "Pacquiao's Punch" was named Best Cocktail Drink of America in 2011.
There are also light mixed drinks named after Lea Salonga, Hilda Coronel, Sharon Cuneta and Weng Weng.
When heartthrob Sam Milby visited Maharlika recently, the restaurant's resident drink mixologist Enzo Lim made a special mojito drink named "Sam Milby Swizzle."
The "Sam Milby Swizzle" which features Tanduay Rhum is said to be the next hit drink at Maharlika.
"Wow, I taste good," Milby said.
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| Filipino dishes served with style at Maharlika: Filipino Moderno / Courtesy of MaharlikaNYC |
"We’re gonna put it on a reserve menu. It’s gonna be on a menu of drinks that are gonna be I guess little more difficult to get, a little higher price because of the ingredients. This one as long as we have Tanduay, we can make it," Lim said.
Maharlika was also featured on the popular NBC travel show "1st Look". Host Ali Fedotowsky, also known as 2010's The Bachelorette, recently visited the restaurant to do a feature on it.
Fedotowsky even interviewed Milby about his auditions in New York. The special feature on Maharlika and Milby will be seen on "1st Look" in the U.S. on April 14.
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