One restaurant shines out the most when you’re in the mood for some Filipino food. Patio Filipino on El Camino Real, San Bruno, is where anyone can gather for a heavenly meal. 

I was pulled inside with the delightful smell of garlic vinegar, and calamansi and when being seated, I noticed the vibrant room with each table filled with families of generations all enjoying a family meal. And hence, on the word “family meal,” everything on the menu is served in family-sized portions.

I decided to order traditional cuisines, Pancit Canton, Sizzling Pork Sisig, Lechon Kawali, and steamed rice. I was astonished to see my food ready after five minutes. So I made my plate, a spoonful of everything, the glistening Pancit Canton, the spicy Pork Sisig, the crunchy Lechon Kawali, and rice drizzled with Lechon Kawali sauce. 

As I took the first bite, I paused. At that moment, I saw palm trees, jeepneys, and the philippine islands. Then I returned to reality and started shoveling spoonfuls of food in my mouth. The Pancit Canton had the perfect sour blend, while the Lechon Kawali brought a delightful crunchy sensation. 

The Pork Sisig mixed with the steamed rice got the correct kick and coolness. When I was full I noticed I had a tremendous amount of food left. This left me both happy and sad. Happy because I get to bring leftovers but sad because I have to share them. 

As a Filipino, it’s incredibly grueling to choose between home cooking and a restaurant’s cooking. But during this holiday season, all I want for Christmas is another plate of food from Patio Filipino.