Les Tadeos Restaurant: Filipino Exotic Food Fare

Sunday, April 01, 2012
Some people may see me as a foodie with safe choices. However, believe it or not, I've had my fair share of exotic dishes -- from the common frog legs, to the rare kilawing langgam (ant ceviche). So when I was invited to try out Les Tadeos, an exotic and Filipino fusion restaurant in Don A. Roces Avenue, Quezon City, I didn't pass up the chance.

Les Tadeos Interior Les Tadeos Restaurant

Les Tadeos is a fairly new restaurant with a simple yet homey interior, one which somehow reminds me of a small local resto bar especially with its dim yellow-tinted lighting. It might not have the ambiance of a full service restaurant, but it definitely has a wide menu of Asian, Filipino and even Italian dishes aside from its selection of exotic food items.

To start off the dinner, we didn't immediately jump in to the exciting dishes. We first had a safe choice for an appetizer, Nachos Four-Way (P180) which is your regular nacho chips topped with 4 kinds of dips -- spinach, meat sauce, cheese and salsa.

Nachos Four-Way P180

Like any other nachos, Les Tadeos' are crispy and savory. Though I usually prefer just cheese and salsa on my nachos, the Nachos Four-Way tasted good and was really packed with lots of flavors. Serving is quite big and is definitely good for sharing.

Les Tadeos Jalapeño P160

We also got to sample the Les Tadeos Jalapeño (P160), deep-fried jalapeño coated with tempura batter and stuffed with meat and cheese. Although I usually have a low tolerance for spicy food, the Les Tadeos Jalapeño had just the right amount of heat for me. I actually enjoyed it, especially the crunchy batter and savory filling.

Kilawin Duo P178

To whet our appetite even more, we had the Kilawin Duo (P178), Les Tadeos' own version of tuna and tanigue (sea bass) kinilaw. I honestly haven't eaten a lot of kinilaw in my life, but I very much enjoyed this duo of fish ceviche which definitely tasted of strong vinegar and spices.

Crocodile Kebab Honey Garlic Chicken P170

We also got to try a new item on Les Tadeos, the Crocodile Kebab which was served with a garlic sauce. It was my first time to try crocodile meat, and I have to say that it tastes like a combination of fish and chicken but with a tougher texture. It doesn't taste bad, but I still prefer my soft, juicy and tender pork, beef and chicken meat so I was very thankful with the Honey Garlic Chicken (P170), tasty chicken wings marinated in a special honey-garlic sauce.

Les Tadeos Baby Back Ribs P170

Taking a visit to the West, we also had the Les Tadeos Baby Back Ribs (P170) -- a chef's special marinated ribs served with Les Tadeos' own take on potato chips. Being a baby back ribs lover, I can say that this was a hit. The meat was tender and the sauce was oh-so-flavorful.

Shrimp & Basil Chiffonade Pizza P170

We also had the Shrimp & Basil Chiffonade Pizza (P170), thin crust pizza topped with shrimp and strips of basil. Even if I am allergic to seafood, I just couldn't say no to this Italian shrimp fest. And I can't help but commend Les Tadeos for not scrimping on the shrimp, and for making a crunchy pizza crust.

After taking a trip to the West, let's go back to the Philippines with a famous Ilocano dish called Dinakdakan (P140). This dish is basically grilled pork with onions, calamansi, mayonnaise and spices, served with a tomato salsa on the side. Although it was my first time to try Dinakdakan, I was definitely sold! It tastes a little similar to kilawin, but had more harmonious flavor.

Dinakdakan P140

I'm sure you're eagerly waiting for the more exotic dishes, so without further ado, here is the Crispy Balot (P150), a trio of good ol' balut but fried into a crisp. We also had the Sizzling Balot (P140), the saucy variety of balut cooked in a sizzling plate.

Crispy Balot P150
Sizzling Balot P140

I grew up eating this popular Philippine delicacy so I definitely know my balut. Although I'd prefer the regular balut for its flavorful juices, I also liked Les Tadeos' balut dishes especially the crispy deep-fried variant.

Crocodile Sisig P290

Being Pinoy, we definitely love sisig so Les Tadeos had cooked up the Crocodile Sisig (P290), an exotic take on one of our all-time favorite pulutan (finger food). Like with the Crocodile Kebab, I can't help but pick up on the chewy and tough quality of the meat. Flavor-wise though, it was as good as most sisigs I've tried.

Sisig con Lengua P175
Sizzling Bituka ng Baboy P130

We also had the Sisig con Lengua (P175) -- sizzling sisig of ox tongue, as well as the Sizzling Bituka ng Baboy (P130) -- another sizzling dish but this time, using chitlins. Despite the difference on the type of offal used, both of these sizzling dishes were equally good. They both have a chewy texture, but the sauces they were cooked in were very flavorful.

THE VERDICT

Les Tadeos is an interesting restaurant to try if you want to have a taste of exotic dishes but can't head over to Angono, Rizal. Although I'd personally visit Les Tadeos for its unusual items, less adventurous eaters can also enjoy the wide variety of food at the restaurant as they also carry other Filipino, and even Western dishes. The restaurant interior may not be very comfortable especially if one is used to air-conditioned and wide, brightly-lit spaces, but for the price, Les Tadeos is definitely worth a visit.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4.5/5
Overall Value - 3.5/5


Les Tadeos Restaurant, Quezon City
97 Don A. Roces Ave.,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 921-7413
Facebook Page

48 comments:

  1. Ok that's weird. Croc meat isn't supposed to be tough. The ones we tried in the Palawan Crocodile farm were so tender and its taste was neutral (although yes, it is a bit on the oily side) that you can't distinguish it from pork. Must have been a bad batch.

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  2. I'd love to try that Les Tadeos Jalapeño. Thanks Sumi

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  3. Gotta give much credit on the shots. Great ;)

    And the food!! @@ :9

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  4. @Ray for En Route: Maybe.. :( It wasn't tough to chew, but it had that gooey, chewy quality to it.. >.<

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  5. The Nachos look good, so do the jalapenos and pizza! I'm not much for the exotic and just looking at the balut already scares me. XD

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  6. So many new dishes! Exciting! Hahaha I'm not sure I want to try the crocodile meat, though. Just sounds weird to me but who knows? I might like it. I have to try it at least once. That photo of the kinilaw made me drool. I absolutely love kinilaw! I want the sizzling balot too. Sana without the cheek. I just want the egg yolk. Also, thank God for the Lengua Sisig. I don't eat the normal sisig so that's a good alternative, I think :D

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  7. Now I'm really curious about the crocodile kebab, that's definitely different, and the Lengua sisig both look delicious! Thanks for the heads up on this resto, will try this soon, and thanks too for visiting my blog!

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  8. There are a lot of restaurants in Manila that I would love to try and probably this will be one of those especially they are serving my favorite dish - Kinilaw!!

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  9. That Shrimp & Basil Chiffonade Pizza looks yummy! I love everything with shrimps. :)

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  10. You are so lucky to be invited and try this delectable dishes. Love your pics.

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  11. the sizzling balot looks so O_____O
    Sisig con Lengua is the only thing that I think I'll eat there. The nachos looks irresistible too.

    Swerte mo naman you get to be invited to try food in restos :>

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  12. Interesting crocodile dish and yung balut. Errr.. I don't like balut talaga. Hahaha! But my mum said I used to loooove it daw. Hehe :P

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  13. We eat crocodile sausages at home all the time. Iba ang texture talaga may gummy-like hehe. ALthough feel ko mas healthy yung original version gn balut kasi boiled, I'm curious how the deep fried ones would fair.

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  14. this resto is definitely worth a try!! personally i would love to try the shrimp and basil chiffonade pizza, dinakdakan and jalapenos. And for my niece Mitch, she would love it for the balut. Co-incidentally we attended a wedding reception in Pampanga last night and she loved the saucy balut. I hope Tadeo's version would be as good!

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  15. I'd love to try the crispy balot! Like you, I also have an appetite for exotic foods. My favorite being grasshoppers, ever tried them? :)

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  16. uy crocodile meat!? i must try! and the price seems to be affordable naman...

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  17. @adventuRoj: I haven't tried grasshoppers yet. Where is it available? Would love to give it a try soon! :D

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  18. This is the perfect place for me when I am hungry!

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  19. didn't know there's such a place like this in qc. will definitely visit one of these days. i'm afraid to try that crocodile sisig. i'm not that adventurous yet.

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  20. ooohh.. crocodile meat! interesting! :)

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  21. OMG!! the place look exquisite! :) love the dishes too... na curious ako sa crocodike kebab. o___O I wonder how crocodile meat tastes. eek. hahahaha :D

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  22. I haven't tried crocs yet but I sure would love to eat one..it's good to have a give and take relationship..you know..they eat us..we eat them..that sort of stuff... uhh, well but really it's more on the revenge side..xp

    About hoppers..I don't think I'm gonna eat one evaahh... they're insects..if you eat one, might as well eat everything the entire insect kingdom have to offer, those insects are rich in protein..(so for muscle builders out there, go crazy on the insects) lol jz kiddin'..or might as well go to thailand and eat on the streets, there are lots of fried insects there..

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  23. yummy looking Les Tadeos Baby Back Ribs :))

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  24. The nachos look good. I am not much of an exotic dish lover, I tend to stick to pork, chicken or seafood for my meat cravings.

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  25. I can't imagine how the Crocodile Kebab looks and tastes... Ewww. But the pics here are really yummy. Lol.

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  26. I love exotic foods too. I mostly have them in China though. They have the most exquisite exotic food ever! :)

    The food looks so yummy. Better try that resto some time soon. (●♡∀♡)

    Time to save up!

    Oh, and I read from one blog that you commented on that you haven't dine at a Korean restaurant. Better try Maru! Love their korean barbecue & kimchi soup <3

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  27. freshly taken... everything looks savory to me and i want to take a bite of all the scrumptious dishes you have here.

    BURP!

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  28. the food looks sooo yummy especially Les Tadeos Jalapeña! i wanna try that too!

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  29. I love to eat but I've never dined in an exotic restaurant. I'm curious about the crocodile meat.

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  30. Very interesting ... however BF is bringing me to a more exotic place na I can't name the place pa. I'll let you know soon.

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  31. nice site!evething looks yummy! now I'm starving :P

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  32. Very interesting menu!
    I am also adventurous with food -- I love balut, and I've tried crocodile meat as well! ;)

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  33. They may be exotic but they still look great, especially that crispy and sizzling balut. :)

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  34. I've never eaten balut in whole!!!!!!!! Haha! I only 'drink' the soup inside it. But anyway, this is exotic indeed! Will definitely try this out ♥

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  35. Juskoooo nagutom ako sa pics! sarap naman nyan! kainggit.

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  36. Crocodile? Yay, exotic nga talaga. Di ko ata kayang kainin unless may suhol. Haha.

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  37. definitely a must-try exotic foods. i miss balut!

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  38. Another yummy entry here. :)
    I wanna try eating exotic foods too. :P

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  39. I would go for the less exotic like crispy balut, not yet ready to try the crocodile meat too. :D

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  40. I'm suddenly missing sisig :( I will try to cook it but with beef (lol) - bravely haha. Looks like a good place for foodies.

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  41. Nachos! I'm craving that for ages! Don't know where could i order. The Kilawin i miss it already. and the one the catched my attention fried balot? Seriously? Haven't tried pa and i wana try it! Looks interesting ah! :D

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  42. Would love to try the crocodile kebab! If it's like chicken it's probably tolerable. Does it have any gaminess?

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  43. wow.....am a foodie at heart. Loved your blog!

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  44. Bad idea to look at this while Im hungry. Haha! Goodluck to me ;)

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