Name of Food: Dory's Playful Memory
Price: P695
Address of store: Village Tavern, Bonifacio High Street Central
Serving size: Good for 1
Main ingredient: Grouper, pearl barley, Atlantic seaweed
Best served/eaten with: Red wine
Village Tavern's award-winning dish, Dory's Playful Memory, combines succulent fish, pearl barley and Atlantic seaweed into a satisfying meal bursting with flavor. Named after its creator's favorite movie, the dish looks quirky yet elegant at the same time. Created by chef Josh Boutwood, Dory's Playful Memory has won the Gold Award at the 2013 Philippine Culinary Cup.
The fish is fresh and juicy, complemented well with the milky flavor from the infused barley. The barley is perfectly cooked, not too sticky and not too hard either, presenting itself as an ingenious alternative to the usual rice or risotto.
The Atlantic seaweed on top is not just a playful garnish- it also adds an interesting flavor to the dish. Unlike the more common Japanese seaweed, the Atlantic seaweed is different in color. It is also softer and has a subtle spiciness in it. It perfectly complements the milky taste of the fish and the barley. Overall, the Dory's Playful Memory is a satisfying meal whether you're hungry or just want to have an excuse to try out a fancy dish.
For the price of P695, Dory's Playful Memory is a fine dish one should definitely check out- there's a reason why it's award-winning.