Lunch with Joe and O

We went to family lunch on Sunday at Casa Armas at the Podium. Now for some die-hard aficionados, some say that Casa Armas is not as good as it used to be, especially after its owner Jesus Armas, (who was good friend of my auntie's) died a couple of years ago.

Segueway story: Jesus Armas flew to Spain to visit his brother who was sick and unfortunately got into a car accident while he was there, pity.

We used to go all the time. When we would go to the Malate branch my dad would always give a little extra to the serenaders so they could play his favorite Spanish songs by tableside. The Podium branch is closest to home so its the most frequented although I did try the Jupiter branch and it was God-awful.

We would pre-order the Iberian chicken, the crabs and sometimes, on a special occasion, like a birthday, the cuchinillo they would cut up with a plate.

Now we just enjoy the tapas and the sangria which is absolutely the best in Manila (I believe because it packs a punch, no pun intended). The gambas is hands down the best I've ever had, with its plump, juicy prawns, perfectly browned garlic and little slivers of spicy green chili- its great to dip the bread into this! Other faves are the bouquerones (fresh anchovy) and the angulas (baby eels), but now the former is bad for my hubby's gout and the latter seems like a sin to eat.

Segueway story: Hubs and I went to Spain for our honeymoon in 2001 and Dad's only bilin was angulas from El Corte Ingles. We went to the supermarket section and couldn't find the angulas anywhere. We had to ask where it was and it turned out to be each can of angulas was kept in a special plastic case that had to be unlocked before purchasing. It was about 25 euros for one. When we told dad, he said not to buy anymore. I think we got him a couple.

Casa Armas Podium is newly renovated, giving it an airy, family-friendly feel. The little boy enjoyed running around in there! On Sunday, we only ordered tapas: jamon Serrano, 3 orders of gambas, salpicao and garlic rice and chicken croquettas. I had some pieces of the salpicao cooked well-done for the little boy who didn't want to eat at all and was sans nanny. Reluctantly he did eat it and with the garlic rice (which he never tried before; he calls all veggies "decorations").

The gambas was as good as ever as was the salpicao. I let Hubs have all the chicken croquettas since I believe he was feeling deprived (no boquerones, no Spanish sardines, no chorizo...all his favorite...) I realized this day that most Spanish food is not good for gout...nor for picky little boys who only like beef and not "decorations"...

Casa Armas Podium

+632.687.3370