The long wait is finally over… A new upscale Filipino-Spanish styled restaurant has opened in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood. Tradicionale “Comida Filipina” just opened their doors this weekend with a Friends and Family weekend get together full of fun, food and cocktails.

The menu is full of creativity with Chef Anton Dayrit on the helm of the kitchen sharing his family’s ancestral recipes with bold flavors and full of spice. The restaurant space has a very welcoming atmosphere that just invites you to dig in and start your visit with one of their amazingly fresh and refreshing cocktails. We started this visit with the “rambutan” spritz which was a perfect compliment to the last few weeks of summer here in NYC.

Our server who was meticulous with knowledge of all the dishes made ordering very easy for us as we started the meal with “kinilaw” which is a Filipino styled ceviche with Chef Anton’s callos (a must try!!!) and my favorite dish so far, the Dinuguan tacos…

The entrees served were nothing short of spectacular as well as we started with the lechon pancit canton and made our way to the lamb kaldereta next (which for me was the star of the show). The last dish served was the short rib with gravy which just transported me back to my College days in Manila.

We ended the evening having one more cocktail in their “speakeasy” styled lounge at the back of the restaurant trying their Pomelo concoction and continuing the conversation with friends which made this a truly memorable evening.

#KulinaryaTravels will be back for more…