When I am in dire need of Comfort Food (Define: Home cooked meals that can take my sadness away), I would do all lengths to get a sweet bite of comfort food. One time I was craving for caldereta, I googled up a pinoy recipe and attempted to cook it in my kitchen, I ended up eating a bowl of simmered beef with tomato sauce. Another time, I drove all the way to Tagaytay for a sumptuous LZM bangus meal. In extreme cases, I would go home to Naga City just to eat bicol style adobo, inihaw, bulalo, and lechon. Yum!
Ok, I’m such a crazy foodie! But now, the food god has been nice to me, and it’s all because of Petra & Pilar! The place is marketed as a high-style / sosyal carinderia offering honest to goodness filipino - spanish meals. It’s a typical turo - turo, you choose the meals that are displayed in the counter. Then, the waiters serve it warmed. Since most of the comfort food meals I crave are usually offered in typical and (not so sanitized) carinderias, this place is a blessing with its very clean dining area and a chic ambience. The place also smells good, like wafting chocolate!

What attracted me to this place is its very flavorful, homey and affordable meals. The menu is prepared by Chef Ed Quimson, a reknowned chef in Manila in partnership with Katrina Ponce Enrile. Among the meals I’ve tried are the Beef Kalitiran (P110), Caldereta (P130), Sisig (P120), and Tahong (P55); and they’ve always remained in my To Order list.
Beef Kalitiran is Petra and Pilar’s best seller. Quoting MarketMan “kalitiran is referred to as either beef chuck, brisket, possibly flank steak, etc.” The very tender beef is served with a very tasteful brown sauce. The serving is good for two person, but the meal is so great that you would be able to finish a plateful.

I could definitely taste Comfort in the Caldereta. The meat is cooked to perfection with its rich and zesty sauce topped with cheese. I could even finish another cup of rice just for the sauce!

For the first time, I was able to try a Sisig which is not sizzling! I wasn’t able to take a picture since it looks so pale. What’s good about the sisig is its non-greasy taste, yet, there’s still a spicy kick.
The Tahong came as a surprise to me! For only 55 pesos, I get to enoy a soup-based tahong, which I can usually eat at home only . Most Restaurants usually served the tahong baked.

Petra and Pilar also offer sa variety of desserts which I will try on my next visit. You can also buy Delimondo products here, I heard the Corned beef is a Winner!

Phew! I am already craving for another Petra and Pilar meal. My flat is just 50meters away from the place, that’s why it’s my ultimate source of comfort food!
Petra & Pilar is located at the Ground Floor of the JAKA Center Building, Export Ave. corner Pasong Tamo, Makati City with telephone number 887-5168.