La Tienda: Frozen in Time

The Manila Trio

Sometimes one is lucky enough to stumble once more over a restaurant that has been frozen in time. A restaurant that is today just as it was ten, maybe even twenty years ago. That restaurant is La Tienda.

When my mom turned 50, my dad, sister and I went around Makati looking for a quaint little restaurant that could host a group of 12-16 - family and my mom's closest friends - and we came across La Tienda. That was 10 years ago.


I thought that La Tienda had already closed. In fact, I think that is the general impression of some people. But believe it, it is not only alive but it is well.

When I craved for hard core Spanish food - very much so that the craving had to be satisfied that day, thanks to the feature on Spanish food on the National Geographic channel - the first resto in mind was La Tienda. Others were suggested - Alba's, Casa Armas - but I am happy I stuck to my first instinct, which delivered in flavor and brought back wonderful memories too!

Of course I had to order what was featured on the show. First, the gazpacho. Who ever thought cold soup could warm one's stomach? In fact, it does not warm as much as it teases you. While others usually mix the contents in (as they did on the tv feature), at La Tienda, it is a do-it-yourself. This soup was lovely and tart from the tomato, more enjoyable with the cucumber, green bell peppers and onions.

Then I absolutely needed to have the Fabada, also featured in NatGeo. While this can be a meal on its own, it makes sense to have this while waiting for the paella, which takes a half hour to prepare. My mom laughed when my sister's boyfriend described it as "a really saucy version of pork and beans". The snooty will snoot but, hey, think about it, hehe.

I preferred the fabada with a side of chorizo just because my mouth craved some contrast. This really did the job because it has all strong flavors: a hint of spiciness, saltiness and even sourness. Check out the oil in it, though.

The wait is worth it, though, once you get your hands on their signature paella. The restaurant actually offers a variety of paella: this classic one with its name, a seafood version, an adobo (yes!) version, a vegetarian version, and of course the classic paella negra - although sometimes this is out of stock, like when we were there, because they could not purchase squid (oddly enough, Alba's across this street had some, which I ordered the next day for a grandparent).

But the best thing about La Tienda is its cozy ambience. Where else can you get music like this still?

Or have very fine food without having to behave yourself and be allowed to goof around like these two?

Goldee and Nico and a couple of breadsticks

Ten years later, we are still creating memories at La Tienda!

My mother, Baby Salcedo the Sexy Senior-ita

LA TIENDA

#43 Polaris Street, Bel Air

890 4123 ; 895 1561

Come as you are or dress for the occasion

Major credit cards accepted

Wheelchair accessible

Reservations recommended but not required

Best on the menu: Paella, Cochinillo 

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. - George Bernard Shaw