This Filipino restaurant in London continues to gain popularity for its sumptuous cuisine. Photo from the Port of Manila website.
Port of Manila, a Filipino restaurant located in Hammersmith, London, has gained popularity in this part of the United Kingdom. London locals are trying out all-time favorite Pinoy dishes like Adobo, Okoy, Pinakbet, and Bicol Express. Many have become loyal clients and returned to the food store to enjoy more sumptuous Filipino dishes served there.
Tess Penas, restaurant owner, first thought of putting up a French restaurant business but since she also wanted to showcase the flavors and goodness of Filipino cuisine, she ended up starting a Filipino food store in 2009. “We pursued with a Filipino cuisine because we’ve known that only now..ang dami-daming cuisine dito pero ang Pilipino hindi pa kilala and I know masarap yung pagkain natin. [..there too many cuisines here (London) yet they still don't know about Filipino food and I know ours is delicious],” Penas said.
It turned out to be a good move because in just four months, Tess Penas’ restaurant already received recognition with an AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence in 2009-2010. The restaurant offers casual dining in a charming semi-formal setting. The menu includes a range of Filipino dishes from appetizers like Tinola Soup and Lumpia, to well-plated main dishes like Kaldereta, Lechon Kawali, and Baked Bangus, to name a few. Classic desserts include Leche Flan, Turon, and Halo-Halo. Port of Manila also offers wine and champagne to go with one’s favorite Filipino meal.
The restaurant is now on its third year in business and has been reviewed in local publications. Filipino celebrities like Kapatid Network stars Sharon Cuneta and Derek Ramsay are just two of the VIP guests who have enjoyed dining at Port of Manila.
To know more about Port of Manila, visit their website at http://www.portofmanila.co.uk/
