Causeway: Unpretentious Seafood Restaurant

Sunday, February 05, 2012
Chinese cuisine has been a staple for our Chinese-Filipino family. Although it was my birthday, I had to choose a restaurant that's near our place and one which serves Chinese food or else my mom wouldn't come along. I was initially geared more on having a buffet dinner with our 4-piece family, but we ended up in Banawe Quezon City's Causeway Seafood Restaurant. I guess it was also timely as my stomach was craving for some good Chinese food fare.

Causeway Dim Sum

Believe it or not, it was our family's first time at Causeway despite and in spite of the seafood restaurant's continuously growing fame since my folks are not fans of long drives. (If you're curious, a few minutes less than an hour is already quite long for them.) But since the traffic was surprisingly light that evening, we got to the restaurant with nothing but good vibes.

Causeway Seafood Restaurant is not just a Chinese food destination specializing on delicious sea creatures. Above all, they have gained popularity because of the their special discount promo on dimsum items (except Hakaw) when the clock hits 9PM which we wouldn't be able to avail. (It was just nearly 7PM when we arrived.)

However, don't get your hopes up too high with the place's ambiance. They barely have anything interesting going on. If I honestly have to sum it up in a nutshell, the place looks like an old and cramped canteen with air-conditioning units installed. Despite how the place looks though, my family and I just wanted to try their offerings. So off we went to order some dimsum to start the evening meal.

Spareribs with Tausi P68

We first had 2 orders of their Spareribs with Tausi (P68), a dimsum favorite which didn't disappoint us. It may not look as enticing on the photo, but the meat of this dimsum dish was really tender. It was also juicy, very flavorful and wasn't spicy at all.

Fish Head

We also got 2 orders of their Fish Head in Tausi (P68), a dimsum dish I never even dared to try when I was little. I didn't get how my dad can eat such an odd-looking food item. But when I've grown to a teen, I learned to love this succulent Chinese delicacy. It wasn't greasy nor fishy, but was so flavorful and so savory that you'll definitely find yourself sucking out the juices even to the bones.

Chicken Feet P68

Since this is my lil sister's favorite, we got 3 orders of Chicken Feet (P68) which had 3 pieces of foot per serving. Some people may not like the idea of eating any animal's feet, but our family sure loves this steamed delicacy. This dish may not contain a lot of meat, but the puffy skin and soft bones were definitely a good treat. We also like the tasty sauce the whole dish is coated with. Too bad though it was not as spicy as we would've wanted.

Congee P40

While waiting for our ala carte orders, my dad decided to have a Plain Congee (P40) with our dimsum dishes. He said that it was quite good, but it was a little bland for my taste. The crispy wanton pieces were interesting to munch though.

Fish Lip Soup P230

Even before finishing our dimsum items, we were already served our Fish Lip Soup (P230). Don't ask me if there really are fish lips in this dish. But what I know though is this soup had some bamboo shoots, shredded meat, mushrooms and seafood. I have tried quite a lot of fish lip soups in my life, and our family agreed that Causeway's version was quite ordinary. The meat pieces were a little dry too.

Causeway 2 Kinds Fried Rice P250

However, our disappointment on the soup was well made up for by all the dishes which followed suit -- like the Causeway 2 Kinds Fried Rice (P250), a fried rice dish topped with a white savory sauce on one half, and a hot and sour red tomato-based sauce on the other half. My mom and I totally dig this. Both sauces were delicious, and the pork and shrimp toppings were quite generous.

Fried Sparerib with Salt and Pepper P220

We also ordered one of my favorite Chinese dishes, the Fried Sparerib with Salt and Pepper (P220). Every Chinese restaurant we've ordered this dish from didn't fail to satisfy us, and so was the case with Causeway's version. The spareribs were flavorful and slightly crispy on the outside, but succulent on the inside.

Sizzling Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce P280

Although I love my beef with more fats, I just couldn't resist Causeway's Sizzling Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce (P280). The beef was very tender and somehow kind of melts in the mouth. The black pepper sauce was also interesting. The pepper flavor was really strong, but the slightly spicy sauce was also very savory.

Causeway Seafood Hot Pot P270

For our seafood fix, we had the Causeway Seafood Hot Pot (P270) -- a potted dish with sea cucumber, fish, shrimp, squid, clam meat and other seafoods. Being big eaters of sea creatures, we really liked this hot pot item. The seafood ingredients were definitely of generous portions, and the whole dish was very tasty.

Fried Frog Legs with Salt and Pepper P250

Last viand to be served on our table was another one of my favorite dishes -- Fried Frog Legs with Salt and Pepper (P250). Some consider this as an exotic food item, but it's a must-order dish whenever we eat in Chinese restaurants which offer frog legs. I've first had fried frog legs when I was about 7. And since then, I have always loved this chicken-like tasting treat.

Almond Jelly with Lychee

We were already quite full to even try and have desserts, but my mom and I managed to squeeze in some sweets to our already bulging bellies. Mom had an order of Buchi (P58), 4 pieces of bean-filled fried pastry coated with sesame seeds. I, on the other hand, got some Almond Jelly with Lychee.

THE VERDICT

Although the ambiance at Causeway is not something we'd be going back for, their affordable food items definitely deserve another visit. Everything we've ordered -- from the dimsum items, the viands and even the desserts, were all good. And to maximize our next visit to Causeway, we'll make sure to catch their 9PM special discount promo on dimsums.

However, although their business is probably doing well, Causeway can definitely use some improvements in their interior and service departments. Updating the seemingly-old canteen-looking area can entice more diners and assure them of a properly sanitized kitchen. It also wouldn't hurt if the servers will be taught how to smile.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 2/5
Service - 3/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Causeway Seafood Restaurant, Banawe
883 Banawe St. cor. Del Monte Ave.
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 410-8690
Facebook Page

52 comments:

  1. wow, seems like you enjoyed and really did 'immerse' yourself through the whole experience!

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  3. Edited:

    With the food I am viewing, I might forget my name and I won't mind the ambiance in case, haha.
    ---
    PALAGUTOM

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  4. I like chicken feet and the spareribs especially when they're spicy!! a nice review of the resto.. We'll try it some other time.

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  5. in fairness, it's super affordable! :D

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  6. I like the chicken feet.there are really lots of food that I miss from the Philippines.One thing I noticed from their menu is that they all oily ,not healthy food.

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  7. The spareribs with tausi and the Causeway's sizzling beef tenderloin with black pepper sauce images makes me drool on my keyboard.. :P

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  8. Good thing they were able to make you feel good after serving the main course :)

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  9. I miss eating chicken feet "adidas" and the fried frog legs :)

    Ohh its really more fun and yummy in the Philippines :)

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  10. I have tried eating at Causeway Banawe and customers are really satisfied.

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  11. My choices here would be Fried Spare Ribs with Salt and Pepper, Sizzling Beef, Seafood Hot Pot and Fried Frog Legs. As with the ambiance, nah...as long it is clean and comfortable, it doesn't matter to me as long as the food is great.

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  12. It's great that you've finally tried Causeway! Agree, nothing really interesting about their ambiance but it's all about the food right? Haha! :) love their fish head!

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  13. I haven't tried Causeway, I'd love to try their dimsum! :)

    http://dekaphobe.blogspot.com/

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  14. Isn't Causeway a buffet place? =)

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  15. Chicken feet here is the best! It's definitely more fun in the Philippines

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  16. tried Causeway before..never knew they had fried frog legs..we might try that the next time we eat there..exciting! hehe!

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  17. Everything looks so delish!! :)

    If you have time, please join my post birthday blog giveaway here:

    http://vinayabut.blogspot.com/2012/02/post-birthday-blog-giveaway.html

    Thanks :)

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  18. Your posts are always tempting! *dials food delivery*

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  19. I want to try the fried frog legs. I wonder why they have frog dish, if they're seafood Chinese restaurant. Anyways thanks for sharing this blog. :)

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  20. Causeway is also a favorite in our family. The ambiance is nothing too fancy like you said but I kinda like how it's very laid back and canteen-y. hehehe The food is great too for the affordable price. :)

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  21. I've never tried causeway too. I!love fried froglegs. I'll order that when we cost there

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  22. Belated happy birthday :) Too bad the ambiance wasn't that good but oh well it's the food that matters. :)

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  23. Chinese cuisine is very close to my heart as well that I'm kinda confused if I was Chinese or Italian in my past life. LOLs. Hehe!

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  24. I like your resto review. Very detailed and comprehensive. Still, I think I'll skip the "adidas". It just looks too weird to eat. :)

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  25. nice pics. nakakagutom yung sizzling beef tenderloin

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  26. its lunch time now, and lalo ankong naguton sa post mo, hehehe , i do love it

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  27. I love their hakao! I am not sure though if they are still doing it but their dimsums are slashed down in prices at around 9PM or 10PM ata un. Well, except for hakao. :)

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  28. This place reminds me of Makong (Masuki). The place is old and uninteresting, yet the food keeps us coming back for more.

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  29. Oh dear, I just had lunch, but I'm finding myself salivating. Awesome photos!

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  30. I usually order Fried Sparerib with Salt and Pepper too and chicken feet! I've been eating a lot of Chinese food in Peru, where we're currently traveling, but I still prefer the Chinese restos in Pinas!

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  31. wow affordable! :) You really had a tummylicious experience on your birthday! See you again :)

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  32. fried spare ribs and beef look yummy.:)

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  33. I'm not really into "authentic" Chinese food (but I love fusion or fast-food Chinese food... Weird LOL) but the fried spareribs looks good!

    www.joeiandme.com

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  34. i've been to causeway a year ago and i've been wanting to come back - if only i know how! heheh

    anyway, i got you the Versatile Blog Award, Sumi ;)

    check it out here:
    http://euniclyquixotic.blogspot.com/2012/02/there-is-always-first.html

    congrats and keep the wonderful blog posts coming ;)

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  35. grabe natakam ako sa fried chicken..
    ayaw nyo ng hakaw at shark's fin? hehe

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  36. Sarap ng food ah ... sana makapunta kami ni funnyman dyan.

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  37. @Eunica: You are so sweet! Thank you so much for the award. *hugs*

    @Chyng: Fried spareribs ata yun.. XD Btw, nawala na sa isip ko yung hakaw and shark's fin. Nakita ko pa lang yung fried frog legs sa menu dun na talaga ko naka-focus! haha.. But we'll definitely order hakaw, siomai and dumplings next time.. :)

    @Kathy Ngo: Let me know how it goes ah ;) I think you'd like the food too kahit di posh ang place.

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  38. am totally drooling right now...gusto ko ma try yung frog legs...ehehhe!

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  39. alam mo, one thing i'm not good at pagdating sa photography is food! i can't master the lighting still needs practice... your shots are really great. if you did not describe the restaurant i would think na nasa first class resto ka.. galing ng pictures!! and i love chinese food too! ;)

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  40. We don't eat chinese food much.. but wow, fish lip soup and frog legs? XD I guess I eat with my eyes first always.

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  41. My favorite in this resto is their rotating cart of dim sums and of course, hakao!

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  42. I love Causeway especially their chicken feet.

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  43. Causeway serves the best dimsum! :)

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  44. I wanna try Fried Sparerib with Salt and Pepper.. :))

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  45. Causeway has been one of my fave chinese restaurants ever!!! Love your review! Now I'm curious with the 2 way fried rice! Never had it!

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  46. I'm familiar of Causeway because it is very near from our place (1 ride only). But we haven't tried it out because hindi namin alam kung masarap. Thanks for this review, Sumi alam na namin oorderin namin hehe!

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