NACI COMFORT FOOD AND DESSERT BAR

I used to pass by this comfort food and dessert bar found at Connecticut Street in Greenhills so when OpenRice Philippines announced that they will be having an event at the said place that I was eyeing for the past month, I was elated and instantly signed-up. An invite arrived thru email and I hastily confirmed on the said date which falls on a Saturday. A great night I was expecting and indeed it happened. Found at the second floor of Fox Square Building which is quite a challenge to find for someone who is not familiar with the street dotted with lots of casual restaurants open to serve you until late in the evening.

With these well-lit and striking pylon light and signages, you will never go wrong with the direction. Pretty helpful!

Got your wheels? Parking is easy as there will be room for your auto reserved only for Naci's guests.

Comfortable dining space awaits you here at Naci. Tables were already prepared with liners and cutleries. At first glance, when I entered the room I thought it was just a medium-sized place but I was wrong as this could also be your next events venue. The management team was actually busy that night preparing for a birthday celebration of one of the people behind the resto. It was Ms. Nadine Nocom, young and pleasant owner of Naci Comfort Food and Dessert Bar who hosted the Eat's A Date event for us. She hospitably joined our table to keep us abreast with the hefty and delicious servings of dishes that kept rushing on our table.

One of the function rooms. This could be your next party destination. I love the vibe!

If you are a certified wine lover and collector then you should probably know these Manny O Wines. Naci therefore is offering cocktails, shooters and wines! Perfect pairing for the comfort food they have on their wide array of dishes on their menu. 

Open Kitchen. This will greet you when you enter the door found at the right side of the restaurant. Not just good air conditioning you will find inside but professional chefs that manage to look every dish very appealing because of their nice plating hence, very tasty, original and honestly comforting as well. I enjoyed seeing them at work and happy with what they are doing. Kitchen is indeed the heart of the restaurant. I ♥ Naci. I learned that it was Chef Ed Quimson who helped develop the menu which is a mix of Spanish, American and Filipino cuisine, a fusion that is extremely comforting. At first I was confused with the fusion thing but I am learning how to appreciate the trend.

Almost every wall from left to right side got something to say. Be inspired with these quotations that speak about food with great sense of humor. They are very noticeable and kindly read them with open heart and mind. 

Shall I now present to you what caused our stomach to protrude big time? These are the best among the best comforting food that Naci shared with us. Ready, set, droooooooooooool!!!!!!!

Appetizer Sampler

See them one by one at closer look...they are great starters. Visually appealing and enticingly good. 

Beef Taco Spring Rolls (PhP 210)

Crispy Spring rolls stuffed with Beef Taco filling, Tomato Salsa served with Sour Cream. 

The taco flavor is very evident. Served warm.

Chorizo and Brie Puffs (PhP 380)

Baked Cream Puffs filled with Spanish Chorizo, Brie and Banana. 

Brie cheese blended well with the two main ingredients. However, the chorizo flavor is subtle for my taste buds.

Buffalo Chicken Wings (PhP 295)

Deep Fried Marinated Chicken Wings with Buffalo Glaze served with Blue Cheese Dip and Celery Sticks. This one is unforgettable. The taste is so powerful that I need steamed white rice to compensate its deep flavor.

Junior Crab Cakes (PhP 280)

Shallow Fried Sautéed Crabmeat Croquettes served with Remoulade and Petite Greens. 

The crab flavor overpowered the general taste of the cake. So strong that one bite-size serving is enough.

Kani Mango Crunch (PhP 200)

Layers of Assorted Greens, Kani, Ripe Mangoes, Cucumber with Crispy Wonton and Vermicelli drizzled with Wasabi Mayo. What was tempting about this appetizer was the wasabi mayo that puts drama to the entire freshly cut veggies and fruity mango.

Smoked Salmon Salad (PhP 290)

Mixed Greens tossed in Honey Lemon Dill Dressing with Smoked Salmon and Parmesan Shavings. 

I bet this was the best salad that I have tasted that night. I particularly love the smoky salmon cut-ups which blended well with the rest of the greens. This I surmise a low calorie dish yet nutrient dense perfect for those on a reducing diet.

Fried Chicken Macaroni Salad (PhP 250) 

Marinated Crispy Chicken Cutlets topped with Macaroni Salad and Crisp Lettuce. 

The cutlets tasted like nuggets and seemed like they were not much marinated. On the other hand, the macaroni salad is just good and simply prepared. It was then I realized that fried chicken could also be a best partner for macaroni salad. A must-try at home. .

Peking Chicken Pizza (PhP 495) 

Made with flaked Roast Chicken, Hoisin Tomato Sauce, Chinese Sausage, Shitake Mushroom and Cheese. When this landed on our side I was having trouble already where on earth will I place even a slightest potion of this pizza in my stomach? With great energy in chatting over with my blogger friends, in no time I was able to manage to have sampled on half of  one slice of pizza. It was too heavy to bear I swear. A fusion of flavor widened my eyes as I cannot really comprehend the taste. All I remember was that chicken and sausage bits followed by cheese are bursting in flavor that it could easily bore me. Maybe I just needed something sweet that time already.

Hey there are still more.... more and more comfort foods arrived on our table as if we are feasting. Well YES! Eating and drinking sumptuously are never bad (sometimes).

Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni (PhP 300)

Classic Flaked Adobo rolled in pasta topped with Béchamel laced with Adobo Sauce and Mozzarella 

Another fusion dish that melts my desire for to die for Naci's desserts. Still have to taste this and the remaining dishes below. So this is a mixture of Filipino and Italian cuisine. Very inspiring and truly hearty in portion and taste.

Nate's Steak and Egg (PhP 385)

A Stack of Seared Beef Patty over Parsley Rice topped with Eggs and Onion Rings served with Chunky Mushroom Gravy. Not all the time you should eat burgers. Better try this creation that is good for sharing already. The awesome size and great plating might catch you drooling over this dish. Gravy was a bit salty for me and kind of perfect match for parsley rice.

Beef Caldereta Lasagna (PhP 310)

Layers of Homemade Pasta and Beef Caldereta Filling topped with Mozarella and served with Garlic Toast. I surely did not miss spoonfuls of this one. I was really bothered with its beefy goodness, cheesy and creamy delight. Not just nice pairing with baguette slices but with plain rice too.

Fox Square Fish Fillet (PhP 360)

Pan Seared Marinated Fish Fillet topped with Fried Banana and served with Crisp Potato Wedges and Lemon Butter Sauce. Served on a large oval plate this was an instant crowd favorite. The citrus flavor of butter sauce topped in a well-cooked and not-so-oily fillet formed an instant craving for me. Had this plate served first I think I could have afforded to want and eat more of it than those which were initially presented. I am beginning to like most of their dishes and that is a breakthrough for me. Yay!

Garlic Rosemary Chicken (PhP 420)

Rosemary Marinated Grilled Chicken served with Gravy, Buttered Vegetables and Parsley Rice.

If there is a wide array of spices presented before me I will always choose star anise, cinnamon and rosemary! That's the reason why I liked this chicken infused with one of the spices included in my favorite list. The serving cut was tender and easy to chew. Mashed potatoes or rice will suit the taste.

Bistek Lechon Kawali (PhP 280)

Double Fried Crispy Pork Belly served with Classic Bistek Sauce and Garlic Rice.

Double frying will make any pork dish tempting most especially if it is a dish that is popular in our food culture.  The layers of fat and meat alternates are so sinful that I cannot resist eating them with lots of freshly prepared onion rings.  I still love Filipino dishes. Nothing beats it. 

Peruvian Chicken Rice (PhP 350) 

Slow Cooked Baked Rice with Chunks of Chicken, Sauteed Capsicums topped with Aioli.

Aioli dressing, capsicum and lemon  made this rice dish an extreme type of comfort food anyone can crave for. It stimulates my senses and made me appreciate Naci's delectable dishes all the more.

Chef's Ed's Pork Shank (PhP 480) 

French cut Pork Shank braised in Onion Soup topped with Melted cheese and served with Petite Bread Basket. It is better off with rice than bread at least for me. This was the very last entree that filled my stomach with much love and comfort. Highly suggested!

Mini Sampler of Naci's Dessert Bar

To cap off such a long and lasting comfort food with foodies, we had these dessert sampler composed of premium bite-size cakes that we shared together.  Cream Puff, Red Velvet, Caramel Cream, Chocolate Ganache, Black and White, Banana Walnut and Pistachio Cake made us go loco for more. I should be tagging along  my girlfriends here who love sweets just like me to experience  more of their exquisite cakes. 

NACI COMFORT FOOD AND DESSERT BAR
2/F Fox Square Bldg. Connecticut St. Greenhills

 San Juan City Metro Manila,

1500 San Juan, Philippines
Mon - Thu: 11:00 am-1:00 am
Fri - Sat: 11:00 am-2:00 am
Sun: 11:00 am-10:00 pm 

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