Modern Pinoy resto opens in Sydney

Crispy pata, Negros Island rum, and fancy turon await Filipinos and Australians alike with the opening of Rey’s Place in Darlinghurst, billed as Sydney's first modern Filipino restaurant.

Restaurant owner Jonathan Bayad told Australian lifestyle site Broadsheet that he and chef Shaun Oligo aimed to modernize the presentation of traditional Filipino food and use local ingredients without altering their true tastes.

"Ito ay isang lugar ng mga paghahalo, mga kakaibang kumbinasyon ng lasa, masarap na salpakan ng mga paborito, at sumisipang mga inumin," the restaurant's webpage said.

"Kung saan ang silangan at kanluran ay nagtagpo, mga foodie na may alam ay nakikitambay sa mga hipster, at ang gabi ay uma-apir sa umaga bawat minuto."

Among the food they gave a twist to are lechon, served with a sauce with charred chicken livers; char-grilled corn smeared with garlic butter and chili; and deep-fried chicken wings stuffed with chicken adobo mousse.

Turon with bananas poached in demerara syrup and served with ube parfait were also recommended with any of the cocktails infused with Don Papa Rum from Negros.

Filipino expats looking for traditional-looking food may seek out the drinking food of La Mesa in Haymarket and or the sisig and pata of Sizzling Fillo in Lidcombe.

La Mesa, a 15-year-old Filipino restaurant, features familiar staples for inuman like pata and sisig and food considered exotic abroad, but familiar to Pinoy tables like dinuguan, sitsarong isaw, tokwa't baboy, and kilawin.

Sizzling Fillo meanwhile, also has sisig and pata, but also features tapa for picking off while dining companions sing their heart out at the readily-available karaoke machine. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News