All-Pinoy Dishes at SIKLAB

I was thinking if Bistro Group has Filipino restaurants since they serve Chinese cuisine at their Modern Shanghai (MOA, Greenbelt), American dishes at TGIF, Italian at Italiannis, Bulgogi Brothers for Korean cuisine, Watami and Tonkatsu for Japanese. But how about my favorite Filipino cuisine? Then, I was invited to the opening of their newest restaurant located at Greenbelt 3, Level 3, just beside a popular milk tea shop. Finally, Bistro Group serves Filipino favorites with their new restaurant, SIKLAB, a latest addition to their collection of casual dining brands.

Siklab which literally means "to catch fire" or "burst into flames" promises hot-off-the-grill goodness, must-try Pinoy favorites such as Chicken Barbeque and meat-tender Pork Barbeque Skewers. 

First, we had a glassful of healthy beverages. I got the Cucumber Breeze (left/Php110) it has pineapple and cucumber. What do you think my husband will order? Of course he had the Veggie Fruit Blast (right/P110) with mixture of celery, watermelon, apple and orange. Don't worry with the celery, both taste good and refreshing. I'm glad there was no abdominal discomfort after consuming a glass of cucumber breeze which I usually experience in any pineapple drink.

For starter, we had mild-spicy Kuhol Sa Gata (Php215) cooked in coconut milk. I'm not really a fan of spicy food but it's okay to have it once in a while and guess what? I love the Kuhol Sa Gata, a must-try. It's rich and savory you would ask for warm rice. The kuhol, which I seldom see in our table made me feel excited to try it. I think it also deserves a mention that it is being served in a coconut husk for added appeal. 

Serving can be shared by two or three, well depending on your appetite.

Lechon Kawali (Php335) was perfectly cooked, crispy and crunchy, served with achara and calamansi and chili for the toyo-mansi (soy sauce + calamansi) dip.

Siklab's signature dish, Chicken Barbeque  (4 pcs at P455) did not disappoint us! It was indeed one of the best-sellers and highly recommended. Anyway, the meat was tender, it was perfectly marinated for six hours giving a sweet and tangy flavor.  

The Sisig rice (Php245) was good but I personally prefer plain rice as it goes well with all the dishes especially the pinakbet and kuhol sa gata. Basically, it's fried rice topped with pork sisig and scrambled egg. 

Not because Pinakbet (Php 176) has been my all-time favorite Pinoy dish but Siklab's version of Pinakbet was so traditional. It's complete with ingredients we all know of a Pinakbet. All the vegetables were cooked well.  

Siklab's Pinakbet 

The Binagoongang Liempo (Php335) was also pretty good! It has crispy belly with eggplant sauteed in homemade shrimp paste.

Siklab's Binagoongang Liempo

The four dishes were very filling that I didn't have enough space for the the Pork Barbeque Skewers.

Siklab's Pork BBQ Skewers

There were two desserts. We had Biko (Php155) served with white latik and chocolate soil and Turon 2.0 (Php235) with homemade caramelized cone filled with banana compote, langka and macapuno topped with banana and ube ice cream. Both were very good but I personally like Biko.

Siklab's BIKO

Turon 2.0

That afternoon, they prepared a special number depicting true meaning of Siklab. Overall, the food was great, prize was very affordable. I would certainly go back to try other dishes such as the Sinigang na Baka and Sinigang na Salmon, our family favorites Kalderetang Baka, Bulalo and Kare-Kare. It will be a wonderful Sunday lunch date for all of us.

Siklab by The Bistro Group
Level 3, Greenbelt 3,
Makati