MANILA, Philippines - In case you are already running out of ideas on what to get your dad for Father’s Day then instead of buying him a tacky doodad just take him out for lunch or dinner this weekend. What could be better than good ol’ family bonding (at your expense) right? Whether you are cash-strapped or clueless on where to go, here are two restaurant suggestions that you can take your dad––and the rest of your family to celebrate a happy Father’s Day. Hope everyone’s in the mood for some tasty Asian cuisine.
Panciteria Lido Chinese Eatery
While Panciteria Lido does make an effort to provide authentic and traditional Chinese dishes, it also takes pride in being able to transform its once limited menu to one that has something for everyone without straying away from its Chinese roots. Before setting up shop in the North, Panciteria Lido used to be located in Binondo where it was known to be more of a small eatery rather than a casual dining place. In spite of having only a few items on its menu then, diners patronized Panciteria Lido mainly because of Mr. Lido’s now famous pugon-roasted asado. If your dad is a big meat eater, make sure to order this dish for him, less the cholesterol and fat without compromising the flavor, surely he’d appreciate that. Other interesting dishes that you should try are the 3 cups chicken dish, shrimp balls, and Chami special which are some of the more popular items from Panciteria Lido’s menu lineup. The 3 cups chicken is a tasty soup-based dish that is good for the health while the shrimp balls will cater to your craving for deep fried food and the Chami special, a Panciteria Lido original is more known as the restaurant’s high-end version of the pancit.
As for the ambiance, while the old Panciteria Lido only had plain white chairs and modest interiors, the restaurant today now has a more casual dining feel to it which is perfect for families. The interiors are predominantly red with a few unique pieces that showcase the restaurant’s rich Chinese influence. Overall the ambiance here is relaxed and absolutely no frills, perfect for dads who want to enjoy good value for money and prefer cozy restaurants over places that are a tad too formal and stiff for their taste.
Visit Panciteria Lido at Westlife Arcade, West Ave. Q.C. and at SM Fairview.
Rai Rai Ken Ramen House & Sushi Bar
For those who haven’t tried out Rai Rai Ken, this restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Japanese dishes like the Ramen, Donburi, and Sushi which are also the restaurant’s bestsellers. Before filling your table with the usual tempura and teriyaki dishes, make sure to check out Rai Rai Ken’s unique lineup of Ramen dishes starting with the more traditional Shio (Clear Soup Ramen) to something more unique like the Batchoy Ramen and the Sharks Fin Ramen which both fall under the Rai Rai Ken Original ramen lineup.
Given that Filipinos love rice, show your dad the Rai Rai Ken Donburi Delights where he can choose from the Pork Bowl with Kakiage, Beef Bowl with Kakiage, and Unagi Don Set or the usual Chicken Teriyaki Don, Katsudon, and Gyudon rice toppings.
Other interesting Japanese fare that they have here are the Tofu dishes which include the Age tofu Teppan (deep fried tofu with chicken), Atsuyaki Tofu (fried tofu with ground pork and chili sauce); there’s also the Stir Fried Noodle dishes like the Seafood Yaki Udon and the Gomoku Yakisoba; and the restaurant’s popular Bento sets which are great if you want to sample more of Rai Rai Ken’s dishes. Given the generous servings that Rai Rai Ken provides its customers, make sure that you are able to make room for dessert as Rai Rai Ken’s Fried Ice Cream with Fries is also a must try.
Visit Rai Rai Ken at Westlife Arcade, West Ave. Q.C