Restaurants serving Filipino food are a dime a dozen here in Metro Manila, and what sets them apart is their unique style. Some focus on fusion cuisine, others are charming holes-in-the-wall, and some highlight regional specialties.
What fascinated me about Dekada, a restaurant in Glorietta 3, is how it pays tribute to significant events in Philippine history. The establishment specifically celebrates the country’s transformation since the Spanish era.
Dekada opened on June 12, 2013, and I was invited by Teta last September 26 to check out the place.
Dekada Magwagi Set
The bloggers and I were served the Magwagi Family Set, which is good for six people and priced at P1,990.00. They also offer à la carte dishes.
I found reading their menu quite entertaining — it felt like I had hit the rewind button and was suddenly back in my Philippine History class. Although we were served a set meal, I’ll still share the à la carte prices of each dish from the set.
Yamashita (Sinigang na Sugpo sa Kamias P 389)
While tamarind is commonly used to give this dish its signature sourness, Dekada uses kamias instead, giving the soup a distinct tart kick. In this dish, kamias is like a hidden treasure — hence the name, Yamashita!
Want to try a different approach of sinigang? Try Sinigang Corned Beef of Sentro 1771.
Rizal (Lechong Manok P 578)
The chicken absorbed the rich flavor of the lemongrass, which is what made me enjoy this simple dish. Additionally, the chicken meat was tender and not dry.
Dominicano (Adobo Rice P 268)
Of course, a typical Filipino meal wouldn’t be complete without rice. What we had was the exotic Dominicano. Perhaps the adobo crispy flakes are reminiscent of a Dominican’s curly hair?
Laguna Salad (P 128)
The salad is on the lower right of the photo. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a separate picture of it since it was served on the side. Nevertheless, it features green and yellow mangoes along with diced tomatoes.
Aguinaldo (Twice Cooked Adobo P 389)
I’m not usually a fan of adobo, yet among all the dishes we had, this Twice Cooked Adobo stood out as the best. Even the whole garlic cloves were enjoyable to eat without worrying about bad breath afterward. The dish has a sweet and rich sauce, a combination that made me crave it even more!
Murphy (Crispy Pla-pla with Eggplant P 289)
The well-behaved Murphy balanced the entire meal — at least for me. It’s crispy and thin.
Sakay (Bicol Express P 289)
Dekada gave this particular dish a twist by serving the pork whole, similar to Lechon Kawali, and separating the sauce. Diners can generously pour the creamy coconut milk and shrimp paste sauce over the meat or use it as a dip. Voilà! You now have a modern-day Bicol Express!
Puto Bumbong with Cheese (P 148)
This glutinous purple rice with shredded coconut, muscovado sugar, and cheese is truly an explosion of flavors. I highly recommend it to foreigners.
Proclamation No. 1081 (Buko Halo Halo Espesyal P 138)
I was in awe when this one was served because it’s beautiful.
The place has dim lighting and wooden chairs, while the rest of the interiors exude a European vibe. The prices were reasonable, as the restaurant offers generous servings, so I would give them a high score in this regard. The food is neither too salty nor too sweet, which could be an advantage if their target market is those in their 40s or older. Furthermore, the waitstaff were courteous.
Ambiance: 3/5
Price: 5/5
Serving: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Dekada address:Glorietta 3, Ayala Makati
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but not swayed to write positive reviews. Photo watermark is named after my old site.
