because i’m fat: Maharlika…

rich, rosario, louise and i decided that it would be a good idea to hit up the new brunch spot in the east village called Maharlika. there’s been so much buzz around this spot for several reasons; its only a weekend run “pop-up” restaurant, its all filipino cuisine, and of course, the food lives up to all expectations.

we were very lucky, thanks to rich, to get a table – the wait was well worth it. we even got to chat with nicole, one of the owners. as it turns out, she’s the general manager for another williamsburg french restaurant called juliette. the owners of juliette asked for her help to see how they could leverage the use of their other restaurant called leon – nicole decided to take advantage of the opportunity and share her filipino heritage with the rest of nyc and open it up on the weekends to serve, what else other than, filipino dishes!

serving sisig with a side of vinegar and garlic resting for months and months, chicken adobo with a hint of hicama, spam benedict correct with hollandaise sauce on homemade pan de sal – how could Maharlika do any wrong?!

rich and i ordered just about anything with meat, while louise and rosario went the healthier, vegetarian route ordering mango topped french toast and eggplant tortang. oh yes, we each had some bloody mary’s and mango mojitos…. THE FOOD WAS SPECTACULARRRRRRRRRRR.

obviously because i’m filipino, you’d automatically think that i’m just biased as hell when it comes to my own culture’s food. and well, YES, although that may be true, Maharlika is the perfect mix of filipino comfort food along with a hearty, flavorful, and not to mention colorful, assortments of rich ingredients.

nicole, was very gracious in taking some time to sit with us and share her story, even asking rosario to sign the cover of the status mag she gifted them – so sweet! nicole, in return, gave us with some tees as well – i love love love her! i’m looking forward to seeing the growth of Maharlika and can’t wait for it to be a full establishment! i have a feeling i’ll be speaking with her a lot more in the future!

enjoy the photos and if you’re in NYC, don’t forget to go to Maharlika on the weekends: 351 E. 12th St (@ 1st Ave).

FRIEND THEM ON FACEBOOK TOO

pinoy ko!

EGGS BENIGNO (with spam!)

MANGO STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

SIZZLING SISIG

VINEGAR INFUSED WITH GARLIC... rested for 3 months!

ADOBO CHICKEN WINGS

TORTANG TALONG

damage DONE

THANK YOU NICOLE!!!!!!!!!!!

*UPDATED WITH A FEW MORE SHOTS FROM RICH! apparently i didn’t even know enzo (the other owner) added PATIS to our bloody mary’s – no wonder i loved it! bahahaahahaha!

this is enzo!