DUBAI: Remember the aromatic whiff of that bistek Tagalog from your kitchen at home that your mom was cooking? Or how about that garlicky tapa your lola used to prepare in the morning? Delightful days, wasn’t? What if I tell you there is an eatery in Dubai that serves Filipino food with a side of nostalgia? And it’s so aptly named, Kusina ni Nanay.
The moment I stepped inside the very homey cafeteria-style restaurant of Kusina ni Nanay, I knew it serves good Pinoy food. Why? Imagine, it was a sunny day, the restaurant was not in plain view but it was jampacked.
Diners come from as far as Abu Dhabi, having spent an hour and a half driving just to enjoy the place and its offers. Now, that is very telling about what the restaurant actually serves even without having to try any of their food yet.
A restaurant born out of love Nestled on the quiet community of Dubai International City, Kusina ni Nanay has been delighting Pinoy and foreign diners with authentic Filipino cuisines prepared and cooked the Halal way since December 2010. “The food served in this restaurant is cooked with love because this was born out of my love for my mother who has passed away,” Heidi Pimentel Aquino, owner and founder of Kusina ni Nanay told The Filipino Times. “I want to keep the legacy of my mom by maintaining her original recipes and keeping the important ingredients of love and dedication on her passion for cooking,” she added.
Aside from sharing the recipes of her mom through the food served in Kusina ni Nanay, Aquino also said she wants to help Filipinos eat the right food despite the busy life in the UAE. “Filipinos have no time to cook, karamihan pagod na. For example, gusto mo magluto ng Menudo, ilang sangkap ang kailangan mong bilihin.
So nag costing ako, I am an accountant and I said kahit kumita lang ng konti basta ma-cater from low earner to the high earner Pinoys okay na. Basta, we know we helped and make Pinoys life easier in a way we can and at the same time earn just right” she said. “I don’t want it to be an occasional food for Filipinos but I want us to serve daily healthy meals that are affordable,” she added. VERDICT: Masarap yan, luto ni ‘Nay eh! First thing’s first, as soon as you grab the menu, and sit down at Kusina ni Nanay’s restaurant, order Heidi’s original garlicky Chicken Saya for appetizer.
This is a good start that will give you extreme happiness while you wait for the rest of your food. Kare-Kare sa Palayok and Sinigang na Hipon are some of the items in the main food menu you wouldn’t want to miss. It’s classic Filipino dishes we can’t remove on our list.
Their sizzling Chicken Sisig is also a must try. The blend of spiciness, sourness, and saltiness as well as the aroma are just perfect. It makes you want to have more than three extra scoops of rice. For the kids and kidsat- heart, let’s not forget the saucy Chicken Barbeque.
Relyenong Bangus is also “sulit” because it is perfect for sharing. Approximately three or more people can have it. It is stuffed, meaty and with a golden crisp. It is actually one of the best Relyenong Bangus in town, not soggy but oh-so yummy! The Bistek Tagalog garnished with caramelized onion rings is one of my favorites.
These tender paperthin slices of beef steaks perfectly marinated in soy sauce, citrus and other spices, was the dish that made me flash back the good ‘ol days. The aroma alone evokes so many memories. For the dessert, order their fresh buko pandan served in a real coconut.
Kusina ni Nanay also does home and office deliveries free of charge. For just Dh 15 you can have a lunch with main dish, side dish, rice and beverage. The restaurant is open 8 am to 3 am, all week. Visit them at these locations today: X-04 England Cluster, Dubai International City; Dubai Investments Park; and Qasmia, Sharjah. A new branch in JAFZA Dubai is opening in July.
The restaurant also accept party reservations and functions and an eat-all-you-can buffet and dessert bar with a complimentary water and coffee/ tea is priced for only Dh 50. For inquiries, call 044508420 and 044508421 or email them at orders@ kusinaninanay.com. Explore their menu at kusinaninanayuae.com.
