A slice of Portugal and more at O'sonho

MANILA, Philippines - In this special plate of paella, there’s absolute delight in every bite. After all, it isn’t just any paella. It is O’sonho’s Paella De Frutos Do Mar. In our language, it can just be called seafood paella. But in my palate, it’s more than that.

This paella is true gourmet comfort, a rich blend of spices that sets it apart from all else. There are cumin and saffron, blended and stirred into a bountiful plate of fine long grain rice, mixed with succulent seafood, peas, and black olives. I can go on and on about how good it is, but you simply have to eat it to enjoy it, too!

Now, along with some new delights on the menu, O’sonho recently opened its newest branch on the ground floor of Eastwood Mall. And the place, as any patron can expect, is just as chic and happening as its first branch in Makati.

Back to the menu, there are definitely some new must-try entrees. For me, that would be O’sonho’s barramundi. Barramundi is a fish that’s light and yet has a bit more body and texture than sea bass. In O’sonho’s kitchen, it’s carefully marinated in wine, herbs, and spices, then cooked in butter and olive oil. Served with the restaurant’s creamy mashed potatoes, it is a fish dish that can be so heartwarming and yet so light.

Meanwhile, O’sonho’s classic peri peri chicken never fails to delight. Tender and flavorful with a hint of spice, more peri peri sauce can be added for more flavor and heat. You can also order a whole roast peri peri chicken, which you can have mild, medium or hot.

Other noteworthy dishes at O’sonho are the todos paella de carne (all-meat paella), bacalhau de O’sonho, coffee-marinated roast pork, lamb with Parmesan crusted eggplant, O’sonho jumbo wraps, Portuguese Madeira beef shank, Angus rib eye, jeera meer masala, dry stir-fried paella, bacalhau Portuguesa, espetada de carne, tenderloin steak, pasta marinara, peri peri chicken pasta, Cerveza battered fish and chips, and stuffed almond crusted chicken.

For a sweet, rhapsodic ending, O’sonho has an exquisite tres leches cake you definitely must try. Served cold, two layers of vanilla cake are covered in a thick sauce that’s made of three kinds of milk. Then there’s the scrumptious chocolate ganache cake that is full of fudge goodness. And of course, not to be missed are O’sonho’s almond sans rival and java Toblerone mousse.

Indeed, O’sonho continues to serve Portuguese fusion food that keeps you wanting more.

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O’sonho is located at 20 Jupiter St., Bel Air, Makati and at the ground floor, 1880-5, 1880 building, New Eastwood Mall, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Call 896-3289 (Makati) and 470-1768 (Eastwood).