Red Platter — Restaurant in Naga

I went here last night for my mom's birthday celebration. The place is indeed homey. This will definitely suit groups of families and friends who wish to eat out and have authentic Filipino-Bikolano dishes. If you have eaten in Mesa Filipino Moderne Restaurant in Manila, they're almost similar in terms of cuisine offered and are on par with their understandable prices.

I'm glad I did a reservation and made an advance order two days prior (I called their mobile number - their landline numbers do not work) because there were large groups who came in as well. A night before, they also sent me a message to confirm my reservation which I appreciate a lot. They also allowed me to bring (not eat, of course) an outside cake for my mom so we can sing her a happy birthday. I chose not to buy the birthday cake from Red Platter as I find their cakes expensive. I don't want to take a risk too as I haven't really tried any of their cakes yet.

I can say that all of the dishes we ordered were delicious, most especially the Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata, and Sinigang na Salmon Belly. We have picky eaters in our group but they totally enjoyed the food.

We also bought Choco Dome cakes for dessert but we did not like it - overpowering sweetness and the wet textured filling did not really suit our taste.

Their servers, however, lack focus and urgency. We went there 5 minutes earlier from our reservation time and there were still a few customers in. We waited for 15 minutes despite upfrontly saying that we called in. We were not accomodated until I vehemently called again one server's attention. They were not quick to answer anyone's requests and we often see them standing and staring blankly at nowhere.

But so far, I did like it here mainly because of the dishes. I'll...

We ate here last night, and discovered what is possibly the absolute worst Bicol Express in the Philippines. First of all, you cant simply order a dish of Bicol Express, it part of some expensive "sharing" platter for 1500 peso. So we were able to order a small sample dish, and when the server brought it, I thought it was a side dish to another meal. It looked like no Bicol Express I had ever aeen before; it was creamy, like a paste!

We both sampled it, and it was disgustingly salty as if it were pure bagoong (shrimp paste), just horrible.

We also ordered Beef Kare-Kare, and if you could find any beef in it, your name would be Sherlock. Ok, I exagerate...there WAS some beef, but it was mostly eggplant and banana blossom; very little meat.

We asked for more garlic rice, and I think it took about 10 minutes for it to come.

Overall, neither of us were satisfied with the food, it seems like the management is holding back on the meat, despite the high prices. I have to recommend skipping Red Platter.

I guess I can give one positive; the AC was working wonderfully and the place was very cold, which...

Love the food! Recipes are tried and tested, executed perfectly by the kitchen staff! Strongly recommend their Crispy Pasta! Crispy skin with the right amount of gelatinous layer beneath, with fork tender meat. The sauce it comes with, pushes the dish to the next level. I will definitely come back! 5 out of 5!

Other dishes we ordered: Bicol express - This one's authentic, served in a small portion, more like a side dish. 4 out of 5. Camaron - This was so-so. 3 out of 5. Kare-kare - Flavor is okay but the beef tenderness isn't consistent. Bagoong it came with rates higher. 3 out of 3 for the combo. Beef nachos - It's simply nacho chips with beef and cheese, no fancy add ons here BUT it works. 3.5 out of 5.

Other things to note: Service is courteous but takes awhile for food to get here (we did come during a busy...