Harana Cafe — Restaurant in Ashland

When I checked in to my hotel, they gave me a list of restaurants, and I'm so surprised this one wasn't on the list! I'm really glad I thought to sit down and also Google some restaurants nearby. I've never had Filipino food before except from a coworker at a work pot luck, so I was really excited to try something new.

It's a pretty small menu, but I honestly respect a restaurant that focuses on doing a few things really really well, and that's definitely the case at Harana Cafe. This was the first place I ate at in Ashland and honestly none of the other food I've had on this trip can compare; everything was incredibly fresh and so delicious!

The lumpia are clearly fried to order, and so delicious that I was having a hard time being patient enough to wait for them to cool down enough to not burn myself eating them lol. The dipping sauce is so good I could drink it by itself. They look much better in person than they do in the picture I took; by the time I realized my camera was smudged I had eaten them all lol.

The beef mami was like nothing I've had before, incredibly savory and I don't think I've ever had brisket so tender, with a perfect egg. I got the pork belly sisig to take back to the hotel and eat later and even reheated in the microwave it was good, tho I imagine it would be much better fresh.

But honestly the most impressive was the halo halo. I thought I was familiar with the components of halo halo, but apparently not lol. I didn't realize it had jello in it, which ordinarily I absolutely loathe because I can't stand the texture. So when I say that the halo halo here is so good that it's the first time in my life I've been able to eat something with jello in it without gagging, that's high praise lol. Definitely get it with the ube ice cream!

I genuinely can't find a single fault with this restaurant; ordinarily I harp on places that aren't wheelchair accessible, but they were so accommodating that it honestly didn't affect my experience, and that's almost...

Walking by randomly walk in. It’s a small place, immaculate, and immediately smells lovely and I’m greeted and very treated well.. I’m shown the small menu, which is hopeful. I’m helped in understanding the dishes available.

Thinking I’ll have a nosh for later, I ordered some Lumpia, and a main noodle & beef dish. Beef Nami, I believe. Honestly, doesn’t matter what it’s called because as there are only a few items on this menu, I guarantee whatever you get will knock your socks off.

The Lumpia didn’t make the to-go plan. They were just too good. Crispy, light, and flavorful with a lovely sweet/sour dipping sauce. Nom nom nom! No regrets. While trying to pace myself, I save a couple, and the main dish shows up. The meat was super tender, the noodles were perfectly cooked, the broth and garnishes were a delightful play of rich and complex flavors. Of course I finished the lumpia. No to-go lumpia, but now I’m fat and happy. Needless to say I’m going...

Chicken adobo, delicious. Lots of yummy flavored chicken and cute mushrooms plus the sauce/chutney to go on top made the whole taste complex, rich, and dense with flavor. They also accommodated my needing to have quick service but not have to rush eating my food, so I can make an evening show at OSF. also it's very convenient if you are going to OSF because it's across the street from the free 4-hour public parking lot. If I had more time I would have had a cocktail, and if I had more room, I would have tried one of the interesting sounding desserts. The atmosphere is fun. You can sit outside in the walkway to an inner courtyard or inside with fun music and a cute, minimalist decor. Staff were all friendly and welcoming and would chat with you. Can't vouch for if they had been super busy, but the vibe was that they would never be too busy to talk. I would probably try something different, but it would be hard to pass up the...