25 Seeds is the new farm to table restaurant of Chef Sau del Rosario, located in the heart of historic downtown of San Fernando, Pamapanga. 25 Seeds is inside the Dycaicao ancestral home, carefully restored after 50 years of neglect to preserve as much of the original materials as possible.
You ascend to the 2nd floor via a preserved hardwood stairway, after passing thru a glass door to keep the air conditioning in.
The dining area is spacious and bright with an old world charm. Especially beautiful are the lighted fleur de lys ceiling design, these should be even more beautiful during dinner time.
The restaurant also features it’s own organic garden in the back but is supplemented by small scale farmers to meet the needs of the restaurant.
The menu is not focused on any particular cuisine but there’s a number of familiar dishes from the Filipino dining table given a new interpretation.
Portobello Confit Salad (P295). Arugula, edible flowers, gorgonzola, portobello mushroom, apple shreds drizzled with a balsamic jus. Visually appetizing with earthy flavors contrasted by the gorgonzola and balsamic dressing. A salad I would not mind having again.
Bulanglang. A sinigang soup soured with bayabas/guava. The soup is served sans broth and is finished off table side by the served, artful presentation for a homey dish.
Ensaladang Talong. Grilled eggplant topped with salted egg slices, tomatoes.
Crab Cakes (P275). Big and juicy crab cakes served with spicy Sriracha aioli sauce and baby arugula salad. Suitable for sharing or as a single meal for someone looking for lighter fare.
Salted Egg Fried Chicken (P375). Fried chicken coated in real salted egg, curry leaves and chili. The salted egg coating is generous and you can detect that they use fresh ones and not the powder form. There a fair bit of spice from the chili and more aromatics from the curry leaves. Be sure to use your hands.
Sisig Paella. Paella cooked with banana leaves then topped with a layer of sisig. A decadent rice dish with lots of enjoyable textures. Be sure to squeeze the calamansi to balance it out.
Fried Whole Duck Adobo (P475). Deep fried and served with pinakbet, garlic rice and egg on the side. Pretty good but I still prefer the one from Downtown Cafe over this one.
Steamed Apahap (P475). Steamed in garlic and soy, and topped with carrots and coriander.
25 Seeds Pata Tim (P475). A whole trotter braised in soy, and other spices with french beans, roasted peanuts and banana. This dish screams for plain white rice or some steamed buns at least. Familiar flavors but executed perfectly.
Dessert was a duo of Lechemon and Jackfruit Sansrival. The lechemon is a marriage of a mamon bottom topped with a thick layer of leche flan. A good duo to finish the meal, paired with a cup of coffee.
25 Seeds
2/F Dycaicao Ancestral House,Barangay Sto. Rosario, Angeles,
Pampanga, Philippines Contact No.: (0905) 257-7149
Operating Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Facebook Page: 25 Seeds
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