I chanced upon this restaurant when I passed by Scout Lazcano in Timog on a week night. I thought it was just an ordinary cozy residential hosting a party as it was full of people and lots of cars parked outside.

Yesterday, my friend brought me there to have lunch.

Tucked in the heart of the scout area, the restaurant is owned and operated by the great granddaughter of President Carlos Romulo, hence the name—Romulo Café. Serving Filipino food on a modern plate, the place has a cozy ambiance divided into three dining areas with monochromatic interiors. We were seated in a black & white themed room with a ceiling to floor glass windows. There were rooms on the second floor available for small parties or functions.

On the walls are memorabilia of President Carlos P. Romula.

The menu has an extensive list of Filipino dishes but since it was a lunch for two, we opted to just order soup for starters, pork and veggies for main entrée.

Monggo Soup (P125) serves up to 4. This one is good. Cooked with dried baby shrimps (hibe) and chunks of chicharon.

Pork Belly Humba (P185) serves 2-4. Hmmmm, I was not that happy with this one. The pork is not that tender like the typical slow-cooked humba, sauce is too “chinese asado” like taste.

Bagnet Pakbet (P180) serves 2-3. I like this one and definitely won’t mind ordering again.

We only had cakes for desserts because when we asked for the menu list, the waiter pointed at the cake fridge case. I later found out they have other Filipino desserts such as leche flan and turon with calamansi sherbet (aaargh).

Brazo de Mercedes (P125). Or is it Lemon Brazo de Mercedez? The custard filling is quite lemon-y for my taste but I enjoyed the soft meringue as it was not too sweet.

Sansrival (P135). Chewy, butter-y, just like what a sansrival should be

Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes so I have to come back and try the other menus everyone was raving about—Boneless Crispy Pata Binagoongan, Kare-kare, and the Chicken Relleno.

Until then, Abe will still be keeping its number 1 spot on my palate.?

Romulo Cafe
#32 Scout Lazcano cor. Scout Tuason Street
Tel no: 332-7275

More pictures here.