biyahera : CORAZON ( the heart of Filipino-Hispano cuisine)

Biyernes, Hunyo 20, 2014

CORAZON ( the heart of Filipino-Hispano cuisine)

Corazon ( Level 4, Edsa Shang East Wing)

For a time, we as a nation breathed and ate Spanish. We adorn our altars with images of saints and heavenly intercessors like Spaniards do. Many of our kababayans speak Creole, a Spanish-based language in places including Zamboanga, Davao, Cotabato and even in some parts of Cavite.

Our cusine is heavily-laden with Spanish influence until now. A result of 300 years Spanish colonization. The name of our country was derived from the name of King Phillip II of Spain. The islands of Samar and Leyte were once called 'Las Islas Filipinas' by Spanish Conquistador Ruy Lopez Villalobos. Eventually, Las Islas Filipinas became what is now known as 'Philippines'.

So it is not surprising that until now, our culture mirrors a great deal of Hispanic influence. We celebrate the new year, Noche Buena, Araw ng mga Patay and Semana Santa (to name a few) because of this influence.

We lay mechado, turon, torta, menudo, longganisa, paella, estofado, dinuguan (again, to name a few) on our table because of this influence. We call squash a calabasa, sweet potato a camote, roasted pig a lechon, margarine a mantequilla, beefsteak a bistek, sausage a chorizo, pork crackling a chicharon and chocolate porridge a champorado. The list is endless that many of us sometimes fail to see what is of Spanish origin from an authentic Filipino.

But Corazon, home of Filipino-Hispano cuisine knows just that. The place embraced the fact that Filipino and Spanish culture go hand in hand, the reality that the other is bland, without the trace of the other.

The creators of Corazon perfectly captured the Filipino palette by serving on its menu well-loved Filipino-Hispano cusine including the all-time favorite paella valenciana, crispy pata, squid in olive oil, molo soup, different variants of sinigang, grilled fish and many other choices.

The menu also boasts of refreshments, usual and new. The calamansi-malunggay juice is spot on. Yet, another marriage of Filipino and Hispanic roots. A healthy option for wellness buffs.

If you're tired of the usual, you might as well head on to Corazon. located at the east wing of Edsa Shangri-la (level 4), you're in for something both nostalgic and new. The crew speaks a Spanish or two and they have nametags with identities ( Maruja, Javier) not their own.

The price is surprisingly lower than expected. For a fine-dining resto inside one of the country's premier and glitziest shopping mall, it is one place to go to.

For Corazon, the heart of the matter is the food itself and the great dining experience that comes with it.

Muy bien. Me gusta mucho.

Voy a regresar. I shall return.