Abstaining from meat this Lenten season does not mean putting up with bland, tasteless dishes. Here are some restaurants in Metro Manila where diners can enjoy scrumptious meals sans the pork, chicken, or beef.
Seafood paluto
Those looking for meat-free meals prepared the way they like them can head over to Isla Sugbu Seafood City.
Located at Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig, diners can select from a wide array of fresh and live seafood and have them cooked in a variety of ways such as Salted Egg Shrimp, Oysters topped with Garlic and Cheese, Fresh Crabs in Chili Sauce, Squid in Garlic Teriyaki Sauce, and Steamed Parrot Fish.
Seafood City’s Paluto All-You-Can is available at the promo rate of P888 until May 31. Regular price per head is P1,300.
Light, home-cooked meals
At its Soup and Salad Bar, Cravings serves guiltless pleasures done in its signature home-style cooking.
Start with the simple Grilled Vegetable Salad with sweet grilled vegetables tossed in a light dressing topped with micro herbs. For something more filling, try the German Potato Salad, a Southern style dish dressed with a dijon vinegar dressing, or the festive-looking Rice Salad made with crisp vegetables and soft rice lightly tossed in lemon and olive oil.
For a dose of freshness, there’s the Chicken Waldorf Salad with crunchy green apples, grapes, and celery complemented with cashew then dressed in yogurt and mayonnaise and served on a bed of lettuce.
Pasta lovers will delight in the Pasta Salad made of chilled pasta, olives, and different vegetables tossed in a vinegar and oil-based dressing.
Those who want a seafood dish will enjoy the Tuna Nicoise Salad with its seared sashimi-grade tuna, boiled potatoes, haricot vert, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and tomatoes on a bed of fresh greens and fresh herb vinaigrette.
Cravings’ Soup and Salad Buffet is priced at P299 per head. Diners can avail of this special buffet for free when they order any Cravings main dish.
Go meatless at Max’s
Max’s group of restaurants keeps up with many Filipinos’ tradition of abstaining from meat with meatless alternatives offered at its outlets.
Max’s Restaurant Restaurant is well-stocked with its Rice Bowl meals perfect for the Lenten season such as the Seafood Kare-Kare (P249) which puts a twist to traditional Filipino fare with a fresh mix of shrimp, squid, and fish; Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (P149) with chunky breaded creamy dory fillets; Chopsuey (P169) featuring a healthy mix of fresh vegetables; and the house favorite Max’s Spicy Tofu (P169) with tofu cubes in spicy cream sauce.
On April 12 to 21, Yellow Cab offers its Lenten Bundle which includes one 10-inch Roasted Garlic and Shrimp Pizza, one 10-inch Four Cheese Pizza, one Large Shrimp Alfredo Pasta, and one Large Pesto Pasta for only P999. While Dencio’s serves favorite Filipino seafood fares such as Sinigang na Hipon (P355), Inihaw na Pusit (P325), Krispy Bangus Sisig (P195), and Bangus Lumpia (P175).
Pancake House’s Pan Seared Fish Fillet served with tomato salsa, brown rice pilaf, and side salad, and Fish Rolls served with plain rice and mango salsa may be availed together for only P399. Maple’s caters to those craving pasta with Seafood Aglio Olio, a sumptuous serving of spaghetti with Chilean mussels cooked to perfection. Solo size is at P320 while a full serving meant for sharing is at P560.
For an Oriental treat, sample Teriyaki Boy’s Salmon Tempura with Kakiaage at P379 ala carte, or Salmon Teriyaki drizzled in Teriyaki Boy’s special sauce at P499 ala carte. Or try Sizzlin’ Steak’s Tuna Belly (P255) or Salmon Steak (P449), both served with special cream sauce and sprinkled with spices.