Apr 9, 2010
Ambula: Pampango Rice Toppings
Rating:
5 stars (out of 5)
Food Type: Pampango cuisine
Specialty: Sinigang na Ulo-Ulo
Location: 102 Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Tagline: Pampango Rice Toppings
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am - 11pm
Local Tel: 436-3244
A Competitive Environment
The area around UP Village is very competitive when it comes to budget meals. Make that twice as competitive along the main artery, Maginhawa Street. That strip is littered by many food places that thrived and died. If you see any eating place that's been around for a while, it can only mean they know what they're doing. Students from UP and neighboring schools are alway out for the biggest bang on their food money. For any eating place to survive, they have to be PRICED COMPETITIVELY and TASTE GOOD - a formidable challenge in these inflationary times.
View Ambula - Pampango Rice Toppings in a larger map
Rice Toppings
With its open spread facing Maginhawa St., you can't miss Ambula - it's been around the block quite a bit. In the local lingo, it's maaliwalas. It was recommended by my Dad, who's another self-styled food critic himself. Upon trying their rice toppings, I gave it a fair nod..."may K". I've been a frequent eater since.
Rey Roy
Rey Roy, the afable hands-on owner, told me that he hired the cook from another successful restaurant along the strip and cranked the food offering into higher gear. With his know-how in Ulo-Ulo dishes from his previous resto, Paseo Grill and Restaurant (Visayas Ave., Q.C.), he reintroduced the Ulo-Ulo Sinigang (think: lemon grass soup with salmon head) at a promo price of P125.
Bang for the Buck
P125? Sounded pricey for a fish soup but when I tried it, I was, "WHOA!". It was huge...good for 2 people. The soup was tasty, the fish was fresh and done just right. One thing good about salmon head is that there's hardly any waste. Most of the head is fish meat. By the time I was done, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. This meal really did it for me.
Ending Thoughts
If you live around the block, you have to try this. If it's out of your way, make it along your way...it's worth the trip!
--- TheLoneRider
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