Guess the Restaurant.....it's Zarlito's

The Missus hasn't been feeling real well, and all those cravings have kicked in, so we went out and had a bunch of food, and a took a bunch of photos. Since I received a few Emails asking for another "guess it" contest, I thought I'd do it again.

So here goes. In this case you can either guess the restaurant or name the 7 dishes - I'll name the eighth for you. If you name both the restaurant and the dishes I'll send you an Espresso drink coupon from Peet's. But remember, take the chance and you've got to get both correct. Or you can either name all 8 dishes, or the restaurant, and I'll send you a cup of Peet's. First seven correct Email answers win!

Personally, I think this one is too easy.

Here are the dishes

1: Kare Kare($6.50) - We both found the Kare Kare broth to be very mild, and somewhat underwhelming. There were 4 large pieces of oxtail, which were soft and flavorful, along with the eggplant. In what we found was a recurring theme, Zarlitos goes for the "meat-lover" in all of us, to make up for flavor short comings.

2: Nilagang Baka($6.50).

The broth was very light and mild in flavor. The Missus corrected the flavor with a healthy dose of Bagoong Alamang(shrimp paste). As with the Kare Kare, there was meat in abundance, though the beef was on the dry and tough side.

3: Sinigang Sinampalukan(Chicken, not Baboy - $6.50). Though not "sour" enough for the Missus, She still enjoyed the broth. This version was made with Chicken Drumettes and Wings, quite a few of them(I ate them all), and I really thought they tasted pretty good.

4: Pancit Palabok($6.20). Really bad, bland, oily, with under cooked noodles.

5: Whole Crispy Pata($15.00)

Personally, I though this Crispy Pata(boiled in seasonings, than deep fried Pork Leg) was superior to the version at Villa Manila. The skin of the Pata had a perfect crunch, with the wonderful pork flavor coming through. I could have done with more "gelatin", but man it was good. The Missus thought the flavoring of the meat was weak. My response? "Meat? What meat?"(I could only eat about 4 bites before Pata-guilt took over) Frankie loved the remains of the Pata, and even took it to bed with Him......

6: Lechon Kawali($6.50) Nice portion size, but the lechon had been sitting for a while and had lost much of the crunch. Though not very oily, we both thought the flavor to be on the weak side. Still quite a bit of lechon, here.

7: Daing Bangus($6.50). The Missus loves a good boneless Daing, and enjoyed this large piece.

8: Here's the "freebie"...he-he-he, it's Rice, of course!

At Zarlitos, you pretty much get what you pay for. Most dishes are under $7(taxes already added in), and there's quite a bit of meat in most of the soups. Of course, there's that Pata......

Of course the restaurant is in San Diego.

I'll return with the prices of the dishes, as well as our impressions tomorrow.

As usual 1 winner per IP address. This one is easy, don't give away the answers. You can either gamble and try to name all 7 dishes(you don't have to be "perfect") and the restaurant. Or just name either the 7 dishes OR the restaurant.

The restaurant is.......

Yes, Zarlitos Family Restaurant in National City.

Zarlitos Family Restaurant
505 East 8th St.
National City, CA 91950

Congrats to Ed who guessed Zarlitos correctly, and Denny who got all the dishes, especially the Sinigang Sinampalukan.

Comments

[rachel]

1.kare-kare
2.beef nilaga
3.pork sinigang
4.pancit palabok
5.crispy pata
6.lechon kawali
7.fried (also marinated?)bangus (milkfish)
8.kanin (rice) (...duh)

I would guess the restaurant but I don't live in San Diego.

[Ed]

Um, rachel, I believe Kirk did not want the answers to the dishes revealed...

[Passionate Eater]

The pictures are exquisite Kirk! (Thanks Rachel for the hints, you did the right thing!)

[RONW]

shessh, Rachel. Eating too much kangaroo steaks and Great White fish-n-chips.

[Cathy]

The plates are the real clue. I know. But people have to play....since we can't go on any airplane trips...or do anything anymore. (Although the Perseid Meteor shower will be visible in SD Friday night from 8:30-11pm and peak on Saturday night)...

[Jean]

Kirk, could it be Goldielocks?

[dave]

i am going to guess whatever rachel said.

[Rod]

Long time reader, first time to comment. Hi! I just wanted to say that I love love love your food blog!

And those pictures are making me hungry.... Wait, the majority of your pictures make me hungry. =) Thanks for all the great suggestions!

[Aileen]

mmmm.. kare kare.. i haven't had that in awhile, i think you've just helped me decide what to make for dinner tonight =) is that at villa manila? i don't go out much for filipino food since i usually prefer my own cooking heh

[Aileen]

i should learn to read directions thoroughly... lol sorry for posting it and not emailing, but i'm pretty sure i'm incorrect as the table settings don't look familiar.

[Jane]

I don't know the place but the dishes look great.

[Connie]

1. kare-kare
2. nilagang baka (beef)
3. sinigang na baboy (pork) or maybe fish head
4. pancit palabok or pancit luglog
5. crispy pata
6. lechon kawali
7. daing na bangus

[Cathy]

NOW...Kirk, go back and right across the street on 8th at that corner....the whole reason I *ever* stopped in that neighborhood...The signage used to read: "Max's, the House that Fried Chicken Built"

....and you know I had to....

[Rey]

So how was the Kare-Kare? Did it have chunks of beef or Oxtail like it's supposed to? I've never really gotten past the itLOG dishes since I usually go to Zarlitos late at night/early morning, and my cravings usually dictate something breakfast-like.

[nhbilly]

Looks good...Yum

[Kirk]

Hey Everybody - Thanks for hanging in there, I'm finishing up tonight! Thanks to everyone who participated!

[Jack]

I saw this a few days ago but decided to see how many would get it correctly. Haven't been to Zarlito's in awhile....

[Kirk]

Hi Jack - So you would've gotten all of them correct, right??? ;o)

[milgwimper]

Jusat looking at the pictures are adding weight to my hips. Too bad most of the falvour was weak, but the pictures are making me drool.

[Jack]

Heh....you bet, l had all of them correct! I just couldn't place the table cloths.

Too bad about the palabok. I am very picky about this dish as I use to make it from scratch at my Mom's restaurant from pots full of shrimp shells.