Pinoy Tres Cuisine — Restaurant in North Island

I was talking to a dear friend in the Philippines who mentioned they were having Laing for lunch. I had not heard of such a dish, but on having it explained, I knew I had to try it. Imagine my delight when I discovered a nearby (well, an hour away lol) Filipino restaurant served it. The staff member at the counter was fun to interact with, which always gives you a good vibe. I got the Laing, of course, and Jayanne got Bicol Express. We just drank the free water, because we are peasants. We then had the bizarre experience of leaving the shop and walking outside to the attached building next door, where the dining area was. The place is clean and humbly decorated. The food tasted great, and Jayanne assured me people of the homeland would be proud. So it was def Filipino food; not so sure it is Filipino serving sizes, though. What is this, a bowl of rice of ants? Lol. Okay, times are tough and all. But what happened to rice is life, guys. On the bright side, the smaller serving size let me fill those gaps with halo-halo. It was yum (not as yum as Ben's Halo Halo in Bongabon, Philippines), but it was the best I have had thus far in NZ. Miniature rice serving aside, it was a great meal, filling, and we both left happy. Will...

I was scouring Google maps to find a place to have lunch. To my delight, I found a Filipino place, which actually closed. But then I saw the Pinoy Tres Cuisine and was happy again! Because it was Anzac Day, she couldn’t open until 1pm. After spending an hour by the lake, I returned excited to eat Filipino food.

I got the pork adobo and it was delicious! Nothing can compare to my mom’s chicken adobo, but the pork one was close enough to take me home. The sauce was really flavorful, especially since there’s pork fat simmered in it. If you love pork belly, then you’ll really like this adobo.

The owners are a husband and wife duo. I spoke with the wife and she was absolutely lovely! She has a bright smile and is very welcoming.

Pinoy Tres is located in a retail space shared by other businesses. There’s only three stools inside and a table outside, so dining in may be difficult. But the lake isn’t far so I can imagine it would be nice to get it for takeaway and eat by the lake.

If you’re curious about Filipino food, definitely check...

We recently dined at Pinoy Tres Cuisine Restaurant and had an amazing experience. The Pancit was flavorful and perfectly cooked, with a great mix of noodles, vegetables, and meats. The Laing was creamy and delicious, with taro leaves in a rich coconut milk sauce.

The Nilaga na Baka was a comforting beef soup, full of tender meat and fresh vegetables. The Caldereta was a standout, with tender beef in a savory tomato sauce.

The food was authentic and delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was welcoming. If you’re looking for great Filipino cuisine, Pinoy Tres Cuisine Restaurant is...