I already live in Quezon City but places like Katipunan are already too far for me. When I venture a trip there, it’s usually for something important.
It’s also hard to navigate your way around when your way up north so when at a loss where to park your hungry self (The trip itself will make YOU ravenous), The Barn at Tipsy Pig is a good bet.
Located at the sprawling U.P. Town Center, The Barn is a different iteration of Tipsy Pig at Capitol Commons. The wooden rustic interiors are present, marked by the criss-cross wooden bars and the homey feel. A disclaimer though, The Barn claims that it doesn’t serve your usual, grandma’s cooking comfort food.
What is it they serve up exactly? Call it a revamped version of clique and posse favorites. The Potato Shrimp Balls (P280), for instance, is easy to pass around to prep you for some drinks. A large wooden deep dish carries The Barn Salad( P290), a not-so-healthy but enjoyable option with bacon vinaigrette. Mmm, bacon.
The Farmhouse Pizza (P420) isn’t a bad option also with prosciutto and arugula on a thin crust that is light and unoffensive to the palette. But don’t expect it to fill you up. On the other hand, you can get your appetite really going with the Butter Garlic Chicken (P650), a whole chicken swimming in clarified butter and garlic chips. This one was an easy favorite and a good choice for when you don’t want to venture out of your gastronomic comfort zone.
The main event for me comes courtesy of dishes like the Crab Mac & Cheese (P395) and the Beef Shank (P495). The Crab Mac and Cheese is your favorite macaroni made better with a generous helping of crab fat. Sinful but without any pretense. Same goes for the Beef Shank with its divinely soft beef. Think bulalo without the soup. It’s filling and definitely deserves a cup of rice. For something a little less savory but still good, you can go for the Brown Butter Tanique (P395) which is cooked just right for that juicy flavor that’s enhanced with the accompanying mashed squash.
All of these dishes are meant to serve at least two so it’s either for those who need to recharge after a long tiring day or for a group of friends looking to kick back to some drinks but not without taking away from eating heartily.
So if you find yourself a little lost in the area, The Barn at Tipsy Pig won’t exactly take you home but will help you fuel up enough for the next trip.
The Barn by Tipsy Pig. Level I, Phase II, U.P. Town Center, 216 Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City. Open from Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. For reservations, contact (02) 981 1386. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
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