Green is in: The 'Pop Talk' healthy restaurant review

Who says healthy food can't be yummy?

Nutritious and well-balanced meals are hard to find especially when you're dining out — but that doesn't mean they aren't available. In fact, more restaurants now offer organic meals made with pesticide-free ingredients.

However, some people are still skeptical if organic food can taste as good as the meals that they're used to. To prove otherwise, “Pop Talk” visited three restaurants that offer both nutritious and delicious food choices.

Here's “Pop Talk's” healthy resto review with food blogger Patty Laurel, foodie Niko Castro and TV host Lyn Ching-Pascual.



Green Pastures
4/F East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza, Mandaluyong City
Price range: P150 to P550

The grass is definitely greener at Green Pastures, where food is said to be 100 percent organic, unique and tasty. This newly established restaurant at Shangri-la Mall advocates the farm-to-table movement by serving dishes made from fresh, locally-produced organic ingredients. "Everything in this resto is very well thought of and very original," shares Chef Robby Goco, owner of Green Pastures. "Ang target ng Green Pastures ay ang mga taong ayaw ng kumain ng processed food."

Indeed, people who want to dig in to something healthier could sample Green Pasture's Farmhouse Salad — made with kombu roast chicken, goat cheese, eggs, and mangoes or the Squash Blossom, which Patty and Nico especially loved.

Green Pastures doesn't only cater to vegetarians. Meat-eaters could try the 80/20 Burger, which is made of 80 percent Wagyu beef and 20 percent pancetta; the Duck You, which is fries made from duck fat; or the Pork Pate, which is made from organic bacon.





The restaurant is almost always packed, but its overall environment remains cozy and warm. "Of course it really matters na maganda ang place," Lyn commented. "Ako for me ha, the ambience really counts kasi kung ang ganda ng pagkain mo pero pangit ang lugar mo, people wouldn’t go, 'di ba?"

The lines in the resto might be long and the selection might be pricier than others but Niko assured that the food is worth it. "The price comes with the location, with the lasa ng food and most of all 'yung concept niya kasi is talagang napakaganda because they make their own ingredients."

Final verdict: 9 pop points

Nuezca Café
53 Maginhawa St. cor. Mahusay St. UP Village, Quezon City
Price range: P89 to P550



Some people equate healthy diets with vegetarianism, but it's also possible to enjoy your favorite meat dishes without sacrificing your health. At Nuezca Café, every chicken, beef and pork recipe is made from meat that comes straight from the restaurant's free range farm in San Felipe, Zambales. "From our own farm, kami ‘yung nagpapalaki ng organic chicken at pork and then gusto namin, Filipino food," explained Nuezca Café owner Millinia Nuezca. "We don’t use shortcuts and MSG."



Some of Nuezca Café's specialties include the Organic Bulalo, Organic Lechong Kawali, Stuffed Chicken Breast, Pininyahang Manok, Kare-kare, and Sisig Chicken. It only took the “Pop Talk” reviewers a few bites to distinguish between organic and processed meat. "Dahil ang pinapakain sa kanila ay organic ... malinis ang lasa," said Tonipet.



Nuezca Café keeps their meals simple yet tasty. "Masarap kasi ... not a lot of seasonings. It keeps a lot to the meat," Patty pointed out. "'Yung flavor very realistic. Kumbaga wala masyadong drama."

"Nakakatuwa kasi organic siya pero Filipino resto," Patty said. "Kasi parang it’s hard to find an organic [resto] na Pinoy. Kasi pag narinig mo organic, iisipin mo Caucasian, mga very Western, but no. We're branching out to the Philippines."

Final verdict: 9 pop points



Likha Diwa
1 Lt. J. Francisco St. Brgy, Krus na Ligas, Quezon City
Price range: P85 to P150

A longtime favorite among health-conscious diners, Likha Diwa has been serving healthy dishes made from organically-grown vegetables since 1999. The recipe for their longevity and success: delicious healthy meals at affordable prices.



Likha Diwa's popular dishes include the Vegetable Moussaka, Pechay Balls, Vegetarian Kare-kare, Stuffed Cabbage, Shiitake Strips and the Vegan Chocolate Cake. Since the restaurant is located near UP Diliman, its price range is tailored to the budgets of college students. Even so, Likha Diwa doesn't scrimp on quality. "Masarap yung moussaka. To think wala siyang meat, very tasty. Kahit 'di ka vegetarian, for a meat eater it’s tasty," Patty remarked.



Another plus for the reviewers is the overall atmosphere of the restaurant, which Patty likened to a secret hideaway located in a busy street. Lyn agreed, "Pinaka-gusto ko dito sa lugar na 'to is mismong the place. Ang ambience niya is perfect for the food. 'Di ba very artsy. Para akong nasa Japan in a sense."

Final verdict: 7 pop points

Check out more food reviews by "Pop Talk," which airs Saturday nights at 8:00 PM on GMA News TV:

• "Pop Talk" reviews three 24-hour breakfast spots
• "Pop Talk" reviews three restaurants your children will love
• "Pop Talk" reviews three Metro Manila ramen houses

Follow "Pop Talk" on Facebook and Twitter.

–Lara Gonzales/PF/CM, GMA News