Review on Romulo Café
Set on a small parade of shops in a quiet and largely residential area of Kensington High Street, Romulo Café is the first London sibling of a group of three restaurants established in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The restaurant takes its name from the owner's grandfather Carlos P Romulo, a Nobel Prize-winner who had an illustrious career holding posts such as the Philippine Ambassador to the USA and President of the United Nations General Assembly. Decorated by Design Director Karen Soriano to reflect a family residence, it pays homage to Romulo with walls decorated with lots of pictures of the distinguished man.
The restaurant is divided into four unique areas, the elegant Diplomat's Room where the main dining takes place, The General's Bar serving signature cocktails and original Philippine beers, The Ambassador's Lounge perfect for a leisurely cup of the Philippines' famous barako coffee and bar food, and the CPR Library for private parties.
Taking reins of the kitchen is Lorenzo Maderas, a former Sushisamba chef who takes diners on a culinary journey of Filipino food that is a combination of Spanish, American, Malaysian and Chinese cuisine. Kick off with bangus paté, smoked milkfish spread with orange segments, orange puree, caviar and crostini or from the land there's lechon paksiw bun, slow cooked minced roasted pig in liver sauce served in a steam bun with lettuce. Enticing main courses follow with binagoongang boneless crispy pata, with your choice of regular or smoked deboned crispy pork leg with aubergine salsa and tomato shrimp sauce or pansit palabok, a rice noodle dish with shrimp sauce and topped with mixed seafood, minced pork, crushed pork crackling, scallions, fried garlic and hard boiled eggs. For a sweet-toothed finale enjoy a fried rice cake with coconut cream, dark coconut sauce and coconut ice cream or banana turon, banana fritters served warm with a side of langka ice cream and toffee sauce.
Cuisine
Pan Asian
Chef
Lorenzo Maderas
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm
Dinner: 5.00 - 9.45pm
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express