Pinoy couple brings ‘unli-rice’ concept to Abu Dhabi

For their second venture, Rice Overdose, the couple —  Joseph Ronald Calara and Maria Eleanor Calara — decided to bring the concept of unlimited rice or unli-rice to the UAE.

“New concept ang itinayo kasi malapit sa TFKR ang pwesto na nakuha namin,” said Joseph, 32, in an email, referring to The Filipino Kitchen Restaurant, the couple's first restaurant.

“Kaya nag-isip kami ng ibang concept na malayo sa TFKR na kayang i-cater kahit ibang lahi,” he said.

He said most of the expenses used for establishing Rice Overdose were sourced from the profits of The Filipino Kitchen Restaurant.

“Mga 70% ng ginamit namin para maitayo ang ‘Rice Overdose’ ay galing sa profit ng TFKR,” he said.

Four variants

Rice Overdose serves the Philippines' staple food in either binagoongan, bistek, adobo, or plain variant.

“Ang mga main dishes ay may kasama nang rice na kahit ano sa apat na pagpipilian. Bukod dito, ang way ng pag-serve namin ng pagkain ay nakalagay sa chopping board and jars,” Joseph said.

Asked on what steps they are taking to avoid wastage, Joseph said: “We are asking the customers first how much more they need to avoid wastage.”

“We are also not giving them a bulk of rice on the first serving,” he added. “We are only giving what is enough for one person that’s why the wastage of rice is lessened.”

Tatak Pinoy

The couple also made sure that the restaurant still has its distinct Filipino appeal.

“Nilagyan namin siya ng ‘Tatak Pinoy.’ Nag-angkat kami ng machine galing Pilipinas para makapagluto ng puto bumbong at bibingka. Sa ibang resto kasi ay seasonal lang ang pagbebenta nito,” he said.

The restaurant also serves “dirty” ice cream or sorbetes from the Philippines.

“Nag-angkat din kami ng ice cream cart galing Pilipinas at ng gumagawa ng ice cream,” Ronald said. “Gusto kasi talaga namin dalhin dito ang mga hinahanap ng Pinoy.”

Rice Overdose also serves "Lackjaw Burger," a three-layered burger patty with cheese and in-house sauce.

“Ang mga pagkain po namin na sineserve ay mas masarap kainin ng naka-kamay. [Pero] nagbibigay kami ng gloves, kutsara o tinidor upon request,” Ronald said. —KBK, GMA News