Downtown Cafe, Angeles City

1950's was the time of "Rock and Roll, Cadillacs, Jukeboxes and Soda Fountains". It was an era of the baby boomers. Now, it is a distant past that Gen-Xers and the millennial babies can't relate themselves too. Thankfully, there are places like the Downtown Cafe at Nepo Quad, Angeles City, that relive that era and acquaint people on how wonderful those years were.

Downtown Cafe is Claude and Mary Ann Tayag's extension of Bale Dutung. Unlike Bale Dutung that is strictly by reservation, Downtown Cafe is for casual dining. The restaurant recreates and modernize familiar Kapampangan dishes. It surprises our palate with their fresh takes of Pampanga's fares.

FOOD AND PRICE

Trianggulos (P225.00)

Trianggulos are samosas filled with tinapa, spinach, kesong puti and pili nut and served with tomato sofrito dip. This appetizer is perfectly fried to perfection. It is served on absorbent paper to drain excess oil--it can be greasy if not.

Also read: K CAFE @ NEPO QUAD, ANGELES CITY: SUPERB NEW DISHES

Lumpiang Hubad (P140.00)

Fresh spring vegetables on romaine lettuce served with peanut sauce. Simply eat it by wrapping those vegetables with the lettuce. A healthy choice for a calorie conscious diner.

Bringhe na May Tutong (P150.00)

Bringhe is a flavorful Kapampangan's version of paella. But unlike the typical way of preparing it, it is served like a pizza. It is thin and crispy topped with quail eggs, chicken and chorizo bilbao. The sticky rice is a little bland for my taste compared to the usual bringhe so you really have to eat it with all those toppings that where all those flavors come in. This is a must try! You'll never find bringhe served like this.

Check this blog post too: CISAN'S, NEPO QUAD IN ANGELES CITY

Bagoong rice topped with calamares served with pinakbet

Our hungry group originally ordered the Ilocano surf and turf with bagoong rice (P238.00) which includes bangus and bagnet (liempo) with pinakbet. Unfortunately, because of unavailability of some ingredients we were instead offered bagoong rice with calamares and pinakbet.

Fried tilapia fillets (P225.00)

The fried tilapia fillets is served with burong hipon and fresh mustard leaves. This is a classy rendition of a well-loved Kapampangan delicacy. This dish is supposed to be eaten by hand. You wrap the buro with mustard leaves; and eaten together with the fish. I am a little bias on this because it is my favorite. What else can I say but it is bitin because I want more.

You might like this blog post too: CHICKEN PASTIL: A CULINARY JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF MUSLIM CUISINE

Crispy Aromatic Duckling (P420.00)

This duck dish is rubbed with their 9 spice ingredients, steamed and then fried. It is served with mango Salsa. The duck is so tender that immediately fall off from the bones. It is so flavorful. You can eat it the lumpia-style by using the pastry wrapper, adding the mango salsa. You can also eat it with rice.

THE PLACE

The place has its walls painted white and mint green -- cool combination. Old photos and memorabilia are hang on the walls. You'll find lovely photos of Gloria Romero and Pilita Corales when they were still young.

You can dine outside to feel and smell the Angeles City air.

patiently waiting for our orders

DownTown Cafe
Address: Nepo Quad, Angeles City
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Mobile number: 0917 535 9198