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| Big Ben's Kitchen in Imus serves heirloom recipes at its finest |
Only a handful of establishments maintain the
stamp of food mecca in the city—you know, the kind where the food is so good
that people are willing to brave Manila traffic, and sacrifice long waits for
it. With the traffic continuing to worsen, this particular stamp becomes all
the more prestigious. One of the simple pleasures of travel is discovering hole-in-the-wall restaurants or hunting down eateries frequented by locals.
Purple Plum Fairy is happy to stumble upon Big Ben’s
Kitchen through the invitation of my good friend, history enthusiast, tour
guide and fellow foodie, Rence Chan.
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The signage says it all: You've come to the right place, indeed!
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Big Ben's Kitchen genuinely chipped walls and hard wood furniture take you back in time while the aroma of its food, laid out temptingly on their platters, will get your stomach rumbling.
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| The graffiti writings on the wall |
Well-lit, with black and white classic yet
elegant theme along with its graffiti walls where customers can freely scribble
or doodle and make their own marks on, Big Ben Kitchen’s brings to life to a
time and place more subversive than its actual location in Medicion, Imus,
Cavite.
Big Ben's Kitchen heirloom restaurant isn’t just a façade,
though. They actually serve authentic Filipino heirloom recipes with the help
of rock star chef Gene Guttierez, who is the grandson of Teresita Sayoc, an
Imus native who was responsible for bringing the now famous garlicky Imus
longanisa.
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| Big Ben' Kitchen Imus Longanisa re sold at SM Hypermarket, Josephine's, Echo Store and at Resorts World Manila among many others. |
So what makes Big Ben's Kitchen Imus Longanisa different?
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| Notice the difference |
Unlike other foodie joints that seemed to have
sprouted like mushrooms offering outrageous meals along with other gimmicks to
get customer attention, Big Ben Kitchen sticks to the basics. Aside from their
standard selection of heirloom recipes which were handed down from generation
to generation, they also serve comfort foods given with a different twist. If
the classics don’t appeal to you, I am pretty sure there will be something that
will surely catch your fancy.
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| Foodies enjoying the sumptuous lunch at Big Ben's Kitchen |
We came around lunch time which was a really good decision. We've had some of their specialties: Pancit Langlang (which was believed to be our national hero, Jose Rizal's favorite along with Tinola and Pancit Canton in Antigua Toho, Binondo), Menudo, Sinigang na Hipon, Halaan Soup, Kare-kare using pig's face a.k.a. "maskara", Sinampalukang Manok, Chicken Adobo, Pork Hamonado, Pancit Macau, and of course, their best-selling original Imus longanisa. You simply can't go wrong with that, and they are generous in size! Yes, they are good for sharing.
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| Pancit Macau |
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| Menudo cooked in a very traditional way |
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| Melt in your mouth pork mask Kare-kare rich in peanuty sauce paired with classic bagoong |
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| Everyone's favorite: Chicken Pork Adobo |
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| Fork tender Pork Hamonado cooked and simmered in pineapple sauce |
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| Sour comfort broth of Sinigang na Manok |
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| Ginger-based Halaan Soup |
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| Comforting soup of Sinigang na Hipon |
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| Pancit Langlang is said to Be Rizal's favorite dish |
The
food is AMAZING.... full of flavor and great portions.... the staff is
attentive and knowledgeable.... and the atmosphere is refined and
classic... this is the sort of place you will want to enjoy regularly, I
know I will! i wish I live nearby so that I can frequent the place. Unfortunately, I can only afford to visit whenever I find myself in Cavite.
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| Big Ben's Kitchen Imus Longanisa Meal with egg |
Hands down, Big Ben's Kitchen is one of the
best restaurants I've ever been to. Not lying when I say this place is BEYOND
amazing!!
Conveniently located on Medicion, which is about 5 to 10 minutes away from the heart of Imus town plaza where the church and municipality is.
Big Ben's Kitchen menu is
decently priced for an authentic heirloom restaurant, which is expected and the variety is
very decent which I like. This is the kind of restaurant where you'd be happy to take your balikbayan relative or a foreigner friend so that they can be introduced to authentic Filipino comfort foods with some dash of history and culture.
Also worth mentioning is the refreshing and thirst-quenching signature drink called Cucumber Honey Calamansi they had served us. It was so refreshingly good and perfect for the humid weather. You must order it and I assure you, you won't get disappointed. You can enjoy it for dine in or take out as it is also available in easy to carry bottle.
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| Cucumber Honey Calamansi is a signature drink at Big Ben's Kitchen |
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| If you're on-the-go, it is also available in plastic bottle |
I'm not being biased, but I really can't say anything bad about this restraint. The ambiance is very
relaxing which would make for a great family dinner, or a date night! I saw this restaurant during daylight and I had the opportunity to also see it at night, and I'd have to say, the restaurant naturally had a romantic vibe during the night time.
It's worth a try and I'm sure you will not be disappointed! They really have very good deal considering how much food you'll get and also how delicious it
is. Very affordable, great value. Two thumbs-up, indeed!
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| Bottled goodies are also being sold which you can bring even abroad! |
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| Big Ben's Kitchen's version of Silvanas is thicker and bigger than Dumaguete's favorite delicacy |
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| Purple Plum Fairy enjoys a bite of their Silvanas even if I'm diabetic. |
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| Organic Oyster Mushroom Chicharon for Php200 |
Take home a taste of Imus, by shopping on their 'D Original authentic Imus longanisa favored by many locals that sells by the dozen or by kilo. If you do have a sweet tooth, you can also bring home their homemade Silvanas made from cookies and cream bits and layered with buttercream sandwiched.
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| A must-try is their Leche flan with macapuno |
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| Big Ben's Kitchen Sukang Sasa goes perfectly well with their Imus Longanisa |
If Silvanas aren't your thing, try their Leche Flan made from organically grown egg yolks with macapuno shavings and are sold in authentic llanera molds (oval shaped tin molders). For something savory, you can bring home a box of their chili empanada (with longanisa filling). It sells at Php300 for a box with 12 pieces. If you're craving for something crunchy, try their organic mushroom chicharon. For Php200 per pack, for sure, your tummy will be thanking you for it. Perfect for pasalubong, indeed!
Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. Special thanks to Mr. rence Chan and Chef Gene Guttierez and his mom for accommodating us during our visit.
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