Lengua Estofado – Jellybeans in the City

When it comes to dining out, my family’s heart belongs to places that not only serve delicious food but also offer a warm and inviting atmosphere. And that’s precisely why Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant has been a family favorite for years. Not only does this Filipino restaurant chain have an uncanny knack for making us feel right at home even when we’re dining out, it also gave us our first tastes of what would become our go-to dishes.

What sets Conti’s apart from other restaurants is the comforting feeling it evokes. It’s like stepping into the home of a dear friend, where the air is filled with the aroma of delightful dishes that await our taste buds.

The roots of Conti’s run deep, founded in 1997 by sisters Cecille Maranon, Carole Sumulong, and Angie Martinez, whose maiden names were Conti. They started their enterprise accepting orders by phone from their home in Paranaque and later grew the business into an national chain. This family legacy is part of Conti’s identity, and is centered on creating an environment where people can relish good food and wonderful company.

Discovering the Sierra Valley Branch

One of Conti’s newer branches is located in the Sierra Valley Commercial Center in Taytay, Rizal. As this is quite close to my home, I did not hesitate to bring Hubby and Son there for our Saturday brunch to fuel us up for our weekend errands.

This particular branch boasts a spacious and airy setting, complete with ample parking at the back. A few tables are situated outside for al fresco dining but its main dining area and bakeshop are located in the ground floor, while the second floor is occupied by function rooms well suited for private parties and celebrations.

Taking advantage of the chance to unwind and indulge ourselves in a cozy setting, we treated ourselves to a meal that include our Classic Favorites and New Discoveries.

Classic Favorites:

Our family has a knack for gravitating towards our tried-and-true favorites, and Conti’s can always be counted on for Classic Favorites always hit the spot, such as:

Molo Soup (Php135). A hearty broth with wontons filled with a delightful mixture of pork, shrimp, and veggies.

Conti’s Baked Salmon (Php545). My personal weakness, thanks to the symphony of flavors from pink salmon and cream cheese topping perfectly complemented by buttered veggies and Paella rice.

Lengua Estofado (Php485). Hubby’s viand of choice consisting of tender slices of ox tongue in a mushroom sauce, served with buttered vegetables and garlic rice.

Italian Supreme Pasta (Php355). A medley of Italian sausage, tomatoes, bell peppers, and light cream that brought a pizza-like joy to my son’s taste buds.

New Discoveries:

Part of the fun of dining at Conti’s is exploring its new dishes, such as:

Salt & Pepper Calamari (Php285). Well-seasoned crispy battered squid pieces accompanied by a tangy lemon garlic aioli.

Classic Caramel Cake (Php995 whole | Php165 slice). A pillowy-soft sponge cake with silky caramel icing, crowned with white cream kisses and a caramel drizzle.

Delightfully Ours, Delightfully Yours

Our brunch at this Conti’s outlet reminded us of the joy of sharing good food and heartwarming moments. It’s an experience that’s “delightfully ours.” And you know what? it can be “delightfully yours” too!

Drop by this Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant at Sierra Valley Commercial Center, Barangay San Isidro, Taytay Rizal, open daily from 8am to 8pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8091563 or +63 917 8099798.

Conti’s delivers via its website, GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on Conti’s products and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Conti’s:

A get-together that’s delightfully ours at Conti’s, Greenbelt

Comfort food at Conti’s, Century City Mall

7 instances to indulge in Conti’s new Choco Puff and Quattro Formaggi Puff pastries

Ernest Hemingway once cited The Manila Hotel as “the perfect representation of the city, if not the country’s resilience, vitality, versatility and hospitality.”

This certainly is true as the iconic Grand Dame not only evokes the prestige and nostalgia of the old city, but, as its current president Joey Lina put it, it also “is a repository of culture and history.”

And one of the exciting facets of Filipino culture that the hotel regularly sheds light on is Pinoy cuisine.

Fresh off its successful homage to Laguna’s annual food festival, Anilag or Ani ng Laguna, the hotel’s legendary dining destination, Cafe Ilang-Ilang highlights Western Visayan cuisine for the whole month of August.

A Collaboration in Heritage Cuisine

For this month’s feature on regional culinary traditions and innovations, Cafe Ilang-Ilang collaborated with Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza, Jr. Hailing from Western Visayas himself, Chef Tibong is a champion of heritage cuisine and brings the region’s diverse culinary delights to join the cafe’s buffet offerings.

Western Visayas, known as the Food Haven of the Philippines, boasts a vibrant food culture that reflects its rich history, geography, and cultural influences. The partnership between Cafe Ilang-Ilang and Chef Tibong showcases a tapestry of flavors, offering a contemporary twist to classic dishes as well as the region’s local recipes, distinct ingredients, and time-honored cooking techniques.

Top Picks Among the Flavors of Western Visayas

Together with fellow bloggers, I attended a special preview of the Flavors of Western Visayas at The Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ilang-Ilang.

Curious about the heritage dishes to be savored there? Check out my top picks below:

These are just a sampling the delicious flavors of Western Visayas, available on rotation at the Filipino food station of Cafe Ilang-Ilang until August 31.

The International Buffet

If you want to venture out from our homegrown flavors, you can also check out Cafe Ilang-Ilang’s extensive array of cuisines from around the globe. Brace yourself for a mouthwatering journey as you visit each station:

Salads and Breads Station: Vibrant, crisp salads, freshly baked bread, an assortment of cheeses, and delicatessen treats await your eager taste buds.
Churrasco Station: Portuguese-style grilled beef, pork, chicken, lamb, sausages, and seafood skewers, accompanied by a variety of delectable sauces, promise to satisfy your cravings.
Pan-Asian Station: A delightful selection of dim sum, sushi, sashimi, noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries will transport you to the streets of Asia.
Italian Station: Indulge in mouthwatering pizzas and pastas, freshly prepared and cooked to perfection.
Mediterranean Station: Refreshing salads, fresh seafood, halal dishes, and perfectly grilled meats evoke the coastal charm of the Mediterranean.
American Station: Sink your teeth into juicy steaks and tender roasts, epitomizing the hearty flavors of the United States.
Dessert Station: Satisfy your sweet tooth with luscious cakes, pies, pastries, and creamy ice cream that will leave you longing for more.

The dinner buffet at Cafe Ilang-Ilang is available daily from 6 pm to 10 pm. On Sundays to Wednesdays, it is priced at Php3,145 for adults and Php1,572 for children. On Thursdays to Saturdays, the price is Php3,790 for adults and Php1,895 for children. To secure your table, make inquiries, or reservations, contact +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, or send an email to restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

Stay updated on The Manila Hotel’s news and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about The Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ilang-Ilang:

Unveiling the extraordinary: An exclusive preview of the Kurobuta Showcase at The Manila Hotel’s Cafe Ilang-Ilang

A culinary journey at the International Buffet of The Manila Hotel’s Café Ilang-Ilang

Tag: Lengua Estofado

Delightfully Yours: Classic Favorites and New Discoveries at Conti’s, Sierra Valley