As Filipinos comprise of almost 1 million individuals here in the UAE, it’s no surprise why more and more restaurants are jumping into the craze of coming up with authentic Filipino dishes and servings. But the challenge is maintaining the consistency of the quality of the Pinoy taste, which is exactly what The Daily at the Rove Trade Centre literally brings to the table.
The Filipino Times team had a chance to sample their classic boodle fight: it is a course complete from a filling warm Lomi soup, after which the main course laid out on fresh banana leaves on a wide plate is served for the diners. Here’s our impression of their Pinoy boodle fight experience of their restaurant which is located at Satwa near the Al Jafiliya Metro station.
The Ambiance
Upon visiting The Daily at the Rove Trade Centre, the place itself is very wide and spacious for groups of people to enjoy dining in. The staff is also well-trained and adept in giving choices for food selections not just for Filipinos but for various nationalities as well. With an attentive staff and a place that’s conducive to set that eating mood, your senses will be excited enough to look forward to the actual meals that will be served in a few minutes.
The Food
We were first served with their Lomi soup. The warm, creamy taste revs up your palates for the upcoming mountain of servings for your boodle fight.
The boodle fight itself is reminiscent of your boodle fights back in the Philippines. Served on fresh green banana leaves, you’re bound to be overwhelmed with the selection of viands that include Chicken Barbecue, Chicken Inasal, Fried Calamares, with an assortment of seafood offerings including fish, crabs, mussels, shrimps, squids, with a side of Ensaladang Mangga (Mango Salad) and two selections of their house sauces: BBQ and Special Vinegar.
When asked how they conceptualized the boodle fight, Chef Francis Navarro of The Daily at Rove Trade Centre said that they draw inspiration from various locations in the Philippines in their efforts to serve their best meals in one plate. “Compared sa iba, para sa akin kasi ang ginawa namin sa boodle fight mix yan dun sa different areas sa atin sa Pilipinas. Meron inasal, barbecue, mga sikat na barbecue sa Pinas, pero lahat yan, galing sa Pinas. Para ma-feel nila yung panlasa ng Pilipino talaga,” said Navarro.
And wow was he right on point with the description! The Chicken Barbecue and Calamares will remind you of your favorite Filipino restaurants back home while the taste of their Chicken Inasal will take you to Bacolod where it originated. Their grilled seafood offerings will remind you of your trips near the beaches – whether that’s Palawan, Boracay, Puerto Princesa or anywhere else as the seafood tasted like it was just caught from the sea, cleaned, cooked, and grilled to perfection!
The dishes are already tasty on their own – but when paired with the sauces and the salad, the taste just augments to another level with each bite!
Apart from their Boodle Fight, Chef Navarro shares that other expats also visit them for their other specialties. “Best seller namin dito sa The Daily ay Burger, Food Truck Burger tsaka salad – Salmon Nicoise, barbecue, calamares, and seafood also. Masarap din daw talaga yung sauce namin,” said Navarro.
The Verdict
“Punta na po kayo dito sa Rove Trade Centre Satwa Al Jafilya station, malapit kami rito. Kung gusto nyong makatikim ng lutong Pinoy, punta na kayo dito… tara na!,” invites Chef Navarro.
For families or groups of friends planning to dine out, if you want to have a taste of authentic dishes from the Philippines, The Daily at the Rove Trade Centre should be on top of your list to try out!
The Daily at the Rove Trade Centre is located at Satwa near the Al Jafiliya Metro station.
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