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Filipinos love good food. It could probably be the main reason why we have one of the most appetizing cuisines on earth. Perhaps the most popular Filipino dishes were invented through the constant search for new flavors and palate-friendly meals enough to satisfy every food craving.
Because of his dad’s love for food, Ala Fiesta was born. Paolo Katigbak generously shared with us how Ala Fiesta was conceived. It was a Friday night when we were scheduled to meet him at their restaurant, the one in YCP Business Center along Ayala Hi-way, Lipa City.
The First Ala Fiesta
Everything started with the opportunity that opened in Fiesta World Mall. When Lipa City’s first ever shopping mall underwent a revamp, the Katigbaks took a risk with high hopes that it would still be on the game despite the unshaken market of its giant competitors. In December 2009, they opened there the first Ala Fiesta. Aside from the festive vibe infused, the name Ala Fiesta is also a tribute to the mall.
Ala Fiesta in Fiesta Mall offers Pinoy express meals with Relyenong Bangus as the best seller. So when you’re quite in a hurry and you’re craving for the best Filipino dishes, Ala Fiesta’s express meals will not disappoint you. With delectable dishes available at reasonable prices, what else can you ask for?
The Restaurant
Paolo shared that his dad was fond of bringing guests to his favorite Filipino restaurants. Until he eventually decided to put up their own so he won’t be taking his guests anywhere else. They searched for the best cooks in town, the Iron Chef style. And after finding the most competent people to complete the crew, in February 2010, the second Ala Fiesta came into being.
The concept of the Ala Fiesta in YCP Business Center is for it to be a “business casual/fine dining restaurant”. Nothing too fancy. It’s great for people looking for a place to meet a client, a prospected business partner, or for those who just want to spend a good dining experience with family or friends.
The restaurant’s interior was designed by an architect who works in Abu Dhabi. No, you won’t be seeing a trace of the Middle East here. Shades of green and tangerine are all over the place, it brightens up everything. The mood is not stiff, which I think the visitors would love. You can just relax and relish the moment while waiting for your food to be served.
For the Love of Pinoy Food
According to Paolo, “everything is paborito”. Most, if not all, of the best Filipino dishes are in the Ala Fiesta menu. And when you say the best ones, that would probably include kare-kare, caldereta, crispy pata. Oh, these were the ones we’ve tried there, plus the bangus ala pobre! (Note: See what the team has to say on the food served to us. Check the reviews below.)
Craving for lutong bahay? Ala Fiesta promises nothing but the kind of dining experience which we Filipinos love. I remember, Ala Fiesta’s kare-kare recipe was from Paolo’s grandma. So if their family has the heart for Filipino cuisine, you can be assured of a delightful gastronomical treat your favorite people would definitely enjoy.
Events Venue
Because of the business-casual concept for Ala Fiesta, YCP has function rooms for events being catered by the restaurant. The one beside Ala Fiesta is intended for smaller events like business meeting or corporate presentation and can occupy 20 persons. The one on the second floor, which is good for 20-60 persons, can be a venue for seminars or for intimate occasions such as birthday parties or reunions.
They don’t charge rent for the use of the function rooms. Rate is P3,000 per hour consumed for the larger one and P1,000 per hour for the smaller one. Food service for an event is buffet style where the charge is per plate. It would be the client’s choice what to include on the menu.
Aside from having function rooms furnished with good facilities, YCP Business Center also has enough and secured parking spaces for the restaurant visitors.
The Team’s Review
Kare-kare will always be on top of the list of my favorite Pinoy dishes. Screaming bias here! Haha. I like Ala Fiesta’s kare-kare because the sauce isn’t very nutty, ‘yun tama lang, not like you’re eating melted peanut butter… the veggies still have that crunch. And the alamang is nothing briny. It’s tasty but it doesn’t overpower the actual kare-kare taste.
And oh, I love the turon! Haha. I prefer turon with langka kasi. Eh sa Ala Fiesta ang cute ng plating ng turon because of the drizzled chocolate sauce, so for me, plus points yun. I wonder if they play music there. Hmmm… They’ve got excellent service. The crew members are nice and polite, that’s good… There you go, dine in at Ala Fiesta and see for yourself why it could be the best restaurant in Lipa City. And Paolo, thank you! — DYAN
Parang nasa bahay lang. Ala Fiesta got it right by serving Batanguenos what we love–yung lutong-bahay na parang si Lola o si Inay ang nagluto. The best one on the menu for me was the kare-kare with alamang (or bagoong as some would call it) and it made every other dish taste better after the thick sauce was mixed with rice. As with the place, Ala Fiesta’s interior was a bit smaller than other restaurants in Lipa. They can also accomodate big groups but you would have to rent out the room next door or the function room upstairs. I think it’s the best place for small lunch/dinner meetings with clients, especially if you are not fond of malls. Overall, 3.5 out 4 stars for me. — JR
I never thought I would eat Kalderetang Kambing. When I’m in a resto, I (most of the time) order for usual favorites like kare-kare, sinigang or lechon. Paolo was right, Napa “meeeee” ako sa sarap ng Ala Fiesta kaldereta when i first tried it. Perhaps, this statement will mean a bunch of good things about my Ala Fiesta dining experience: “Extra rice please!” Talagang FIESTA dito sa Ala Fiesta. Maraming SALAMAT! — GERLIE
We need some pricing info.
You can check their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001236523192 and click the profile picture to have a glimpse of their menu pricing.