South America prides itself on its colorful history, rich culture, and delicious dishes. There is nothing quite more interesting than how they cleverly use spices and herbs, and how they incorporate complex flavors in their meat and dishes. Although there have already been a handful of restaurants in the metro that serve Latin dishes, most of them are already altered to fit the palates of the Filipinos. This has ultimately decreased the authenticity of the dishes, leaving us deprived of the real taste of Latin America’s mouthwatering cuisine.
Naxional South American Diner, a newly opened diner in Uptown Parade, compensates for all of the South American food that we have been missing. Owned by South American citizens who now reside in the Philippines, the restaurant offers a different kind of comfort, giving a homey feel that is very distinct to the Latin culture.
Bandeja Paisa Platter – Php520
Chef Peter Ayson, the diner’s executive chef, describes the restaurant as a place run by a “family”. The dishes on their menu are meticulously prepared to resemble what the owners have in their hometowns. From Venezuelan to Peruvian and Brazilian, Naxional South American Diner offers a diverse set of dishes that covers all 12 countries in South America. These dishes are all created with love and nostalgia, reminding the owners and the chefs of what it feels like to be home. The food definitely does not disappoint with flavors bursting in each bite.
Elote – Php215
One of the must-try dishes at Naxional South American Diner is the Elote: char-grilled sweet corn smothered with chili butter, mayo lime, and crumbled cheese. The taste is nothing but wonderful – a perfect blend of zest, saltiness, and creaminess.
Patacones – Php220
Their Patacones, a Puerto Rican dish, is also a great appetizer. It’s a mixture of meat, fried plantains, sofrito, and guacamole, creating small yet very satisfying starters. This goes well with beer, and can also serve as a great hangover cure after a night of partying at the nearby bars.
For the main course, we were able to try the Bandeja Paisa Platter, which came all the way from Colombia. As the name suggests, the dish is served on a big platter with pieces of griddled steak, chopped crispy pork belly, caramelized plantains, black beans, fried egg, garlic rice, and sweet potato. The serving is quite big, so you can actually split it for two people. What we love about the food is the unique flavor, which is a bit different than what we’re used to, yet perfectly captivates our tastebuds. Everything was nothing but love at first bite.
As for dessert, they have quite a selection to satisfy sweet lovers. The Postres are all created by Chef Cynthia Patos, the Great Dessert Maker from Lifestyle Network’s “The Clash”. We were able to try two of their most coveted desserts, which are the Arroz con Leche and the Dulce De Leche Cheesecake.
Arroz con Leche – Php95
The Arroz con Leche, a dish served warm, is reminiscent of our champorado, except that this one is oozing with creamy and milky goodness. Made from fragrant rice, the dessert is slow cooked with a cinnamon spiced blend, and it has an exceptional taste that doesn’t overwhelm your senses. Chef Cynthia describes this dish as something that reminds her of her childhood, and indeed, we felt like we were comforted and hugged of our own abuela when we ate this dessert.
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake – Php200
The Dulce de Leche cheesecake, on the other hand, is more of something that I would love to have with coffee. The creamy cheesecake is laid on a bed of chocolate graham crust and embraced with a thick dulce de leche. The cake melts in every bite and it was all we could ask for to end our meal.
Of course, a latin meal wouldn’t be complete without its refreshing drinks. They have a great selection of beverages, ranging from their thick avocado shakes to their refreshing strawberry caipirinhas.
Strawberry Caipirinha
If you are curious about what food in South America is like, nothing comes closer than the ones served at Naxional. The food perfectly captures the beauty of the Latin culture, the warmth of the people, and the captivating life of the region. Hands down, Naxional is definitely something worth checking out.
Naxional South American Diner
2nd Floor, Uptown Parade, Megaworld Boulevard, 38th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
(02) 946 34 19
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaxionalSouthAmericanDiner/
Instagram: @naxionaldiner
