Elias got its name from a character in Dr. Jose Rizal’s book, Noli Me Tangere. Check the menu and you will find dishes named after characters, places, and events in Noli and El Filibusterismo. These sent me funny memories of my high school teachers— our Noli teacher who always called our year ‘Terd Jer’ and the terror, may her soul rest in peace, who made me wish I won’t be called to recite because I never really read Fili until periodical exams. I also got reminded of my Rizal Course professor who was very passionate about Rizal. Her eyes say it all. [Inside joke there, sorry.] Of course, I have better memories of my teachers than these, but I am more fond of the funny ones. I’m pretty sure you can relate.
Going
back to Elias, the restaurant’s design— from the chandeliers, to the huge
tables, wooden chairs, and paintings— was something tangible of how I imagined colonial
houses during their glory days. I have been to several of its kind
but I find them in a lifeless state. Elias was full of life and I felt like being
in a party during the colonial period. We noticed that the plywood they used
for the walls and chairs did not have a finishing of either paint
or varnish. But it did not make it less than decent. It was not too glitzy to be
intimidating, but not lacking in elegance to be trashy.
After
we made ourselves comfortable in a table for two, we gave the waiter our order.
It took a while for the food to arrive but they served a small bowl of cornicks
for us to munch on while we wait. We agreed that the cornicks were good. We even
fought for the last pieces. [hahaha] Maybe it tasted ordinary but we were
either too hungry to be deceived that it was more than the usual cornicks or we
considered everything that day special.
 |
| Tiago's Triumph, P325 |
First
to arrive on the table was Tiago’s Triumph (P325), which was described in the
menu as oysters with spinach and bacon. That was an erratic description. There
was neither spinach nor bacon on the oysters. Just cheese. Albeit the absence
of the spinach and bacon, it was okay. Saved by the cheese, I must say.
It
was actually my first time to eat oysters because if you happen to pass by
Talaba in Cavite, you wouldn’t want to eat this. [HAHA] But I take the blame for ordering oysters because
I thought it tasted like baked scallops. Oysters were too squishy and smelled
fishy. We managed to finish this, though, but I wouldn’t recommend this unless
you are an oyster lover.
 |
| Calamares ni Tales, P225 |
Next
served was Calamares ni Tales (P225). We had to order something we knew we
would like come what may. We have tasted a lot of calamares from different
restos that we can no longer pin point which was better. Tyrone describes it as
fresh, crispy but tender. I agree. There was also something special about its
bread crumbs. I later on read on the menu that the squid rings were coated in
desiccated coconut, which I think made it taste different. It came with a
garlic mayo though the dish was good enough without it. We used the dip
with the oysters, instead.
 |
| Salome's Secret, P295 |
By
the time the binusog na pusit dish called Salome’s Secret (P295) arrived, I
thought we were headed for another disappointment because the squid was a
little bit tough and chewy. But who would have thought that its sweet sauce
would make Salome’s Secret our favorite? Remember when I said here that I don’t
like sweet viands? I take it back.
 |
| Adobo Rice, P250 |
Last
served was the Adobo Rice (P250), which was a bowl of rice goodness! It was
topped with adobo flakes and salted egg. It was actually a few weeks after we
dined there that I realized it was salted egg. I was about to compliment here
that the tofu was good and did not feel like I bited into a sponge. [haha] Good
thing I checked the price online and was able to read that it was salted egg
and not tofu.
When
we finished everything, dessert was served. I chose to have Iday (P180), suman
with chocolate fondue, because I am fondly called such. It was good but I would
rather have “latik fondue” instead of chocolate. Tyrone ordered Halo-halo ni
Elias (P95) in lieu of a drink. He secretly sipped from my bottomless iced tea
(P95).
 |
| Iday with Chocolate Fondue, P180 |
 |
| Halo Halo n i Elias, P95 |
I
wanted to try the Sorbetero sa San Diego. The sorbetes cart was a bit out of
place if you ask me, but it made the restaurant more charming. Unfortunately we
were already too full for this. Talking about charm, we placed our payment
inside the rooster (picture below). And just when we thought the charm ended
when we paid the bill, I went to the C.R. and found more things I thought
were nice.
Our
bill reached a little over P1,400 but we paid only half the price. ;)
Elias
was a good choice to celebrate our fifth anniversary. We had a great time
catching up and doing what we do best together— talking, laughing, and eating. I
plan to go back some other time because I want to try most of their food, especially the weird pizzas like Laing Pizza. Perhaps when there is a family occasion and
someone’s willing to pick up the tab or if I’m with my friends. It’s pricey but
the experience is worth it.
***
I
would like to thank you for those five wonderful years. We withstood the
complications of being in a long distance relationship, add to that the
immaturity that came with our age. [haha] But still I thank you because we are
growing in age together (quite literally) to become better people. And thank
you for being my special best friend, who tirelessly hears me rant and dream
over and over again. The special best friend whom I’d never hesitate to cry to
over my failures, disappointments and frustrations. You would probably think
it’s already late when you get to read this but I’m telling you, this message
is timeless. Thank you, clown, and good luck! :*
ELIAS
North East Superblock, Upper Ground Level
Bonifacio High Street Central
30th Avenue corner 7th Avenue
Fort Bonifacio Global City
Open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM
(02) 546 7977
Check out their menu here!
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