Looking for a cool place to spend time with your family or barkada has never been this easy when you head down to one of Kapitolyo's hangout places — Gostoso Piri Piri Restaurant. Experience authentic Piri Piri flavors since Gostoso's menu is based around its signature piri piri sauce which is from a generations-old chili recipe from the Alentejo Region south of Portugal.
The restaurant has return customers mainly for their authentic Portuguese barbecue meals and original sauces that aren't something you can make at home. And now, they're also introducing cocktails which you can pair with their growing menu.
They have a shrine especially for their different kinds of sauces: mild and barbecue that's best for chicken and pork, hot that's best mixed with other piri sauce and garlic lemon that's best for seafood and pork.
All their Prato Grande (platters) are served with olive rice, choice of sides and iced tea (good for 3 to 4 people). We got to try the Have It All (P995) Prato Grande which has all the best-sellers on their menu — the herb-infused Piri Piri Chicken, the Porco Gostoso which is a slow-roasted prime rib and the Espeto de Gambas which are succulent shrimp pieces smothered with piri piri sauce.
Given their wide variety of best-sellers, they're always open to introducing more appetizing food fares so they recently collaborated with Him Uy De Baron, executive chef of Nomama and I am Kim to expand its menu and launch new dishes since they believe he understands the concept behind Gostoso. Here are five exciting new chows to try out at Gostoso Piri Piri:
Mushroom and Squash Empanadas (P190)
Crispy on the outside and smooth on the inside. These empanaditas are the vegetarian version of Bolsas (P350) which are mini beef empanadas with black olives and cheese. This one has fresh mushrooms that's slow cooked with squash, spices and gouda cheese. It is then fried until it achieves a golden hue and served with piri dusted sour cream and chopped parsley for an added flavor.
Inverted Nachos (P185)
Since they want to make Gostoso an after work spot, they had to create a couple of unique cocktails together with bar chows to go with it. Served on a sizzling skillet, it is a fundido which is a latin style cheese sauce consisting of their house made ground chorizo and fresh guacamole served with toasted tortilla chips. Best eaten right after it's served on the table so you'll see how gooey the cheese is when you pull a chip.
Tostones (P90)
These are Latin style canapés on fried flattened plantains that has just the right level of crisp to it. The tostones are available in three kinds: chorizo and guacamole, pulled beef bbq piri sauce and mushroom and classic piri sauce. The ground chorizo and guac flavor on top of sweet plantain was a hit on our table especially because it's similar to the Inverted Nachos minus the cheese.
Grilled Tuna in Chorizo and Clam Broth (P230)
A dish so good, its broth can be poured on warm rice and you're good to go. Manila clams sauteed with their own chorizo, garlic and white wine topped with fresh tuna that's been marinated and grilled. Definitely a no-frills dish but has all the taste you're looking for.
Twice Cooked Beef Ribs (P275)
It can't get any better than this! A huge portion of beef ribs that's been braised in a slew of latin spices until fork tender then grilled and served with charred salsa verde for that added smoky flavor.
They have also introduced an interesting lineup of cocktails. We tried the Gostosojito which is their take on the classic mojito — they played it out a bit and added piri liquer. Sounds gross but actually works! The Caramelo on the other hand would be considered as a dessert cocktail and is served with a torched cube caramel which you can bite off of with every sip. The winner among all the drinks is the Ex girlfriend which has all the sweetness of orange and pineapple juice and a hint of bittermelon for that intriguing taste.
Here's great great news for those who are big fans of the Gostoso sauces because they're finally selling them for only P120 for a 150ml bottle. Now you can carry around these sauces because well, they go with just about everything!
Don't fret though. For those who live in the southern part of Metro Manila, Gostoso Piri Piri is also at the Salcedo Market in Makati every Saturday.
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Gostoso Piri Piri Restaurant is located at 51B East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig. Like Gostoso Piri Piri on Facebook, follow them on Instagram or call them at +632 477 7330 for more details.
