BABYRUTH was in town for the Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students Mid-Autumn Chinese Painting exhibit and she stayed another day for a special lunch prepared by chef Patrick Co at his new place, The Asian Cow (at that new building along Mabini Street very at the corner of Quirino Avenue across Penong's), and I got invited.
It was heavenly and too much for just five. (Babyruth, Chona, Rene, Michael, and me).
Imagine a ten-course meal of the yummiest and the best for just five. We gave up at the seventh and told Patrick, enough! That was to leave tummy space for dessert of a heavenly chocolate mousse and cake in a can. Darn, I am imagining it all over again.
The Asian Cow is Chef Patrick's latest addition to his row of restaurants (The Fat Cow and Dairy along Mabini Street), and it's where he whips up a storm with only the best ingredient he even imports to ensure the highest quality. As chefs would agree on, Vietnamese 'patis' is up the fish sauce level that even our favorite Rufina cannot hold a candle to.
As its name says, it serves Asian food.
We had Salmon Ceviche in Cilantro Lime Broth, A5 (yes, A5!) Miyabi Japanese Wagyu Nigiri "Aburi" (seared), and Thai Beef Salad for appetizer. The names alone would drive you giddy, and they are as good. Promise, that Thai Beef Salad is nothing like you have ever tasted in this part of the world. And the Wagyu melts in your mouth.
For the main course, we had Asian Cow Style buttered chicken (lovely but the slices are just too big, it's designed to be eaten as a meal not just a course), Chicken Satay with Pickles and Coconut Cream (those pickles are just so subtle, it simply cleans your palate for more), Kawa & Gyu Fat Kamameshi (that lovely 'tutong [dukot]' was too die for), and an A5 Miyabi Japanese Striploin with pickled seaweed Yakiniku.
Suffice it to say, I'm still salivating now. That should be description enough.
As Babyruth best explains it, Chef Patrick has this deep respect for the ingredients, you can taste the subtle individual flavors and nothing is drowned out.
If you're driving in from Quirino Avenue, turn to Mabini Street (with Penong's at the corner), The Asian Cow is at that white building with a railing on the left.