Push Admin

Makati eats: Fantaste, a favorite among Chinese nationals, should also appeal to Pinoys

Article (news)

Joko Magalong-De Veyra

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/exterior.jpg"/><figcaption>Fantaste is a favorite among Chinese nationals in Makati.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Chinese restaurants are popping around the metro. From Hunan to seafood restaurants, an array of never-seen-before options are available not only to the many Chinese nationals living in Metro Manila, but also to Filipinos. </p><p>Claypot rice -- rice cooked with toppings in a clay pot -- is one of those options. </p><p>Fantaste, a restaurant at the corner of Valero and Rufino Streets in Salcedo Village in Makati, gives a fast-casual spin to this slow-cooked Chinese treasure, making it a great option for quick hefty meals in the central business district. (Fantaste also delivers to Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Pasay.)</p><p>The restaurant uses a specialized machine to heat non-stick bowls in lieu of the usual method that usually takes more than 30 minutes. While the 15- to 20-minute process results in rice bowls that have no burnt crust that one usually associates with clay pot rice, the Fantaste recipes are still rooted in Cantonese cuisine and proudly cooked by Chinese chefs. </p><p>Founders Joan Yang and Alice Jiang were very adamant about staying on course with this taste, sharing that one of the reasons why they started Fantaste was because they were looking for a Chinese restaurant that would remind them of home. </p><p>“We adopt the traditional fresh, crisp, tender, and smooth flavor of Cantonese cuisine which incorporates the unique local style of clay pot rice. It also combines the tastes of various countries to create a variety of exquisite and rich dishes. Here, you can experience the perfect combination of traditional and modern Hong Kong style culture,” shared Yang. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/interiors.jpg"/><figcaption>Fantaste is a favorite among Chinese nationals in Makati.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>On travels abroad, a restaurant filled with locals is a good indicator of the taste of the food. In Fantaste, Chinese make up 80% of their clientele, which may vouch for the authenticity of the dishes. After marking its first anniversary last July though, the restaurant aims to increase its Filipino clientele. </p><p>“We simply want Filipinos to experience the authentic and nutritious claypot rice cooked by our native Chinese chefs. Rice is a staple food both here and in China, and Filipinos are already familiar with the taste of Chinese food,” noted Jiang. </p><p>With prices very competitive for their location, Fantaste offers about 15 varieties of Claypot rice bowls with new items like a Braised Beef Brisket (P340) and Stir-Fried Squid in Soy Sauce (P320). </p><p>If you’re not in the mood for some claypot rice, don’t fret as there are appetizers, breakfast, and even soup options in its menu. </p><p>Here are our recommended dishes in Fantaste: </p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats1.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats2.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats3.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats4.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats5.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats6.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats7.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/04/eats8.jpg"/></div></div><div class="slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Fried Meat with Chili (P260): With three of its other founders from Hunan, this dish doesn’t scrimp on the heat factor nor does it get to the level where it burns your taste buds. Easy to finish a bowl of rice with this spicy meat!</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Stir Fried Cumin Beef (P300): Less spicy heat-wise but more laden with spice, this bestselling dish gets top marks in balancing cumin and spicy heat, the richness of beef, with intriguing garlic stems providing a delicious textural element.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Eggplant with Minced Pork (P240): This filling claypot bowl had eggplant cut in thick chunks that provided sweet and earthy flavors that played against the savory richness of minced pork.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Mushroom and Chicken (P260): A bestseller for a reason. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly dish, choose this mushroom and chicken claypot dish. It’s like a drier Chinese-style chicken ala king that doesn’t scrimp on the mushrooms. We recommend that you ask for extra sauce.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Pork Stomach with Chicken Soup (P150): A soup usually served during Chinese New Year, it’s a labor-intensive dish that involves thoroughly cleaning a pig’s stomach. In Fantaste, you don’t have to bother with all that! Rich and creamy without any strange back notes, if you’ve been craving for this treat, Fantaste is where you find it.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Cantonese Steamed Vermicelli Roll (P150): Part of the breakfast menu, this is simple food, done right. It’s deceptively heavy on the tummy, and it takes quite the appetite to finish slurping on these thin wide sheets of rice noodles dressed in soy, oyster sauce, oil, veggies and some scrambled egg.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Fried Noodles with Three Shreds (P150): Not your typical pansit canton, this had thinner noodles that still retained a bit of their crispiness and loaded with vegetables, shredded meat (perhaps chicken, pork, and egg), and, surprisingly, luncheon meat.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Drinks: There are so many lesser known drink options in Fantaste. You can choose from herbal drinks like gulaman-tasting Wong Lo Kat, fuzzy Peach Soda, to a fresh yogurt drink that comes with fresh fruit jams to mix before you sip.</p></div></div></div><p>Fantaste is found at the ground floor of Easton Place at the corner of Valero and Rufino Sts. in Makati. </p>

<p>Fantaste gives a fast-casual spin to the slow-cooked Chinese claypot rice, making it a great option for fast hefty meals in urban Makati. </p>

Fantaste gives a fast-casual spin to the slow-cooked Chinese claypot rice, making it a great option for fast hefty meals in urban Makati.