Sunday, September 20, 2015

Patio Elmina is Dagupan City's Newest (and PRETTIEST) Nature-themed Restaurant!

IMG_0051
Very delicious pork sisig and rice from Patio Elmina.

Have you ever entered one restaurant in your entire lifetime that made your breath catch on your throat because-- based on what it looks outside-- you didn't expect it to look so darn rustic and charming inside? As I remember last night's dinner with my best guy friend, I smile and think to myself, "Yes, I think I just did."

Located along Jose de Venecia Avenue, Patio Elmina Grill & Restaurant is easy to ignore at first because they had no large signs at all beside the road. In fact, I only found out about the restaurant through my mom, who also knew about it from a friend.

IMG_0033

IMG_0035

IMG_0031
There are cute bangus (milkfish) statues in the parking lot...

IMG_0066
..whose eyes light up at night! So cute!

IMG_0032

IMG_0034

IMG_0067

IMG_0036
There's a bridge over koi-filled water leading to the dining area.

IMG_0055

IMG_0065

IMG_0037
The two-cubicle restroom is a little dirty and mediocre, though. It would have been great if it stuck with the restaurant's theme.

IMG_0054

IMG_0039
Hand washing area.

IMG_0038

IMG_0040

IMG_0061
There's space for a live band. Too bad there wasn't one playing the night that we dined.

IMG_0048

IMG_0056

IMG_0058

IMG_0057

IMG_0062
Inn Asia, a motor inn, is located just behind Patio Elmina. 

IMG_0059

IMG_0060
They have a pool. I hope it's not just for Inn Asia's guests, though. I'd love it if diners could casually eat beside the pool while enjoying the breeze (if there's any).

IMG_0064
Poolside dining area.

IMG_0045
The food here are not only very commendable-- they're very affordable, too!

IMG_0046

IMG_0047

IMG_0051
Pork sisig (Php180.00) and steamed rice (Php25.00 each). I understand that the restaurant's specialty is bangus sisig, but we still went with pork and were thankfully not disappointed. The sisig's portion size is a little bigger than what average restaurants serve, but when it comes to talk like this then the steamed rice takes the cake (one serving is really big)!

IMG_0052
Kare-kareng gulay (Php165.00). Very delicious peanut sauce here-- and they even put in some pieces of beef. Thank you, Patio Elmina!

IMG_0053
Pancit guisado (Php140.00). I want my pancit to be  wet with some sauce, but this one's a  little dry. Still, it tasted really good and has a big portion size!

IMG_0154

IMG_0156
Sinigang na tiyan ng bangus (Php190.00). Beware of fish bones!

IMG_0155
Crispy kare-kare (Php220.00).

Aside from the food above, we also ordered a pitcher of iced tea (Php140.00). We saw that the diners on the table next to ours ordered ensaladang gulay (it was served in a very small porcelain dish; I know I won't be ordering this in the future), pork barbecue (skewered in bamboo; I thought these were very large), and fresh coconut juice (comes with the shell; the waiter informed me that this does not come cold).

One of the things we found convenient for us is that there were not many diners by the time we arrived (5:30 PM). People only started to pop in for dinner at around 7:00 PM and there were still a lot of seats to spare!

Upon coming home, I immediately told my family all about the dining experience and recommended the place to them and to some of my Facebook friends. Aside from the charming interior and the affordable and delicious food, the service was very exceptional! We didn't wait for too long for the food to arrive. The servers were very courteous and well-mannered, always wearing a smile on their faces. They even offered to take pictures of us, and our water glasses were always promptly refilled. It was a delight to dine while being served by them! I'm sold. I love this restaurant so much and I'm definitely coming back! Yep, I definitely am! 

**Patio Elmina Grill & Restaurant is located at Inn Asia along Jose de Venecia Avenue, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. 

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Copyright © 2015 Travel Hard, Hannah!