Modern Filipino Cuisine at Mesa, Greenbelt 5
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There I was, the first to arrive at an intimate meeting with Kiko Pangilinan and a few bloggers. Little did I know that Kiko was one of the owners of MESA, a modern Filipino cuisine restaurant part of La Mesa Grill group of restaurants.
In terms of presentation, price, and the variety of favorite Filipino dishes in the menu, MESA beats most Filipino restaurants out there. On the surface, it might look like yet another fusion cuisine restaurant, but it’s really just the same old Filipino classics served in a different way. Mesa just opened in Greenbelt 5 at the first week of April and while I don’t necessarily support Kiko Pangilinan, this restaurant looks like an interesting alternative to Kamayan Restaurant or Kanin Club.
Our appetizers were a platter of adobo flakes, calamares, crispy shrimp, and crispy tawilis at 350 pesos
What Filipino restaurant wouldn’t have our shelled favorites? These baked scallops doused with rich garlic butter (P 190)are among MESA’s most popular appetizers.
I’ve never had hito flakes and crispy-pulled catfish on a spoon! P180
The appetizers left us wanting more, and the main courses did not disappoint.The Tinapa Rice (P 150, stir-fried rice tossed with smoked fish flakes, tomatoes, and red eggs) was served artfully in a bowl and looks almost too pretty to eat.
Pato Tim (P390) is MESA’s healthier version of the pata tim, but just as delicious.
The crispy boneless tilapia (P290) is a delight to eat, with four dips to choose from.
One of the more unusual offerings at MESA are river shrimp (suwahe) on the rocks at P280.
Fresh, raw river shrimp are placed on a pot of heated rocks and turn pink before your eyes.
Of course there was lechon, but friend to a crisp. You can order a whole lechon for P3,999, 1/2 lechon for P1,999, 1/4 lechon for 1,099, and 1/6th. We had 1/4th a lechon.
You can eat the crispchon wrapped in pandan crepe.
Or if you’re in the mood for something spicy, you can have it tossed in garlic.
The food didn’t stop coming! There was also Pinatayong Manok, “standing” crispy chicken (P 365) carved right at the table.
Kiko had a cute story to tell about this dish. When his daughter Frankie heard him talking about the “Pinatayong Manok”, she gasped “Pinatay yung manok?”
For dessert, we had small servings of cassava cake.
A Sampling of their Menu: Click Thumbnail to enlarge
Contact Mesa
Mesa, Filipino Moderne, Greenbelt 5
Telephone: +632 728 0886
Lamesa Grill, Mall of Asia
Telephone: +632 556-0737
Lamesa Grill, Trinoma
Telephone: +632 916-9047 to 48
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is it better than kanin club?
its my benchmark for filipino food 
As a semi-vegetarian, I like Mesa because of the array of Seafood dishes. Kanin Club has so much deep frying which is not too healthy for me. Love the rice dishes though. , Kanin Club is better in terms of pricing and taste.
I’ve heard only good things about this restaurant. Must try it…thanks for posting!
Mai Mais last blog post..Apple Tamarillo Chutney (Part 2)
we ate here for free!! delicious!!
The Swahe served “On the Rocks” is great. Guaranteed fresh! And the hito flakes appetizer is super a must-try!!!!
Mesa is the best restaurant for me! When eating out with family or friends, I do not order the usual Filipino dishes, because they all taste the same. Yet i tried Sinigang sa Guava and Pineapple,it is the best Sinigang I’ve ever tasted!!! Another must-try, the scallops :p
I love Mesa!
Do you know if they offer franchise to other province?
I got to dine here yesterday & to sum it up – the experience is not that good. Me & my friends preferred to eat here than any other restaurants in Greenbelt to celebrate a special day with my bf – but guess what?! their service is poor. To think that they are serving foreigners and high profiled customers. It took almost half an hour to serve our orders, plus they overlooked our drinks and we’re already eating!!!! Cmon! After following up a couple of times then at last – drinks arrived. My bf didn’t have the privilege to enjoy the bottomless drink. Crews are very inhospitable & they always forgot every single thing. My friend decided to order dessert but canceled it due to long minutes of waiting. On the other side, the food is great, ambiance is good, price is quite reasonable but thumbs down for the service.