New Pinoy Restaurant a Hit among Non-Filipino Customers

Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

UNION, N.J. – A newly-opened Filipino restaurant joins the growing Filipino food movement on the east coast.

“Calesa” opened its doors Wednesday in Union, New Jersey, home to more than 7,500 Filipinos.

Named after the kalesa or karitela, a horse drawn carriage popularized in the Philippines in the 18th century, Calesa owners promise customers a traditional Filipino dining experience.

“Fine dining kami, nakita mo naman ang ambience namin, it’s really true blue Filipino, from yung mga decorations, galing pang Philippines yan lahat,” said Miriam Agana Averill, the owner of Calesa, said.

From classic embutido, lechon kawali, or pancit, Calesa serves traditional Filipino food but a little less salt and a little less oily, attracting many locals and even non-Filipino diners.

Griffin Buser of New Jersey said, “All the food were very good, well-seasoned. Service is great. Everyone looks really great. The place is really well decorated. It’s just a great first experience.”

Amy Samson added, “This will be good because when we have visitors, we have a presentable restaurant, which we could bring here. We don’t have to go to New York. This is nice, very nice.”

The best part of the Filipino dining experience is saved for last.

While halo-halo and leche flans are the usual dessert favorites, a Calesa original mango cheesecake is sure to hit the spot.

“Sa bahay experiment, experiment. Why don’t we try this? Why don’t we try that? Something that’s different na Filipino din, so why don’t we put Mangoes in it? So yun that’s where it started,” said Averill.

The Filipino dining experience is not complete without a sampling of the Filipino talent. Calesa also features local singers such as Pilipinas Got Talent’s Geo Rebucas, also known as the Mariah Carey of the Philippines.

Calesa owners said the restaurant will also feature kamayan-style dining and Filipino buffet in the next few weeks.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)