22 Prime's Cochinillo Asado

Feasting on a plate 

By Nico Erle Ciriaco 

 22 Prime, listed among the top five Philippine restaurants by the international Miele Guide in its 2011-2012 editions, and the city’s best steak specialty restaurant according to the Internet poll conducted by Spot.Ph’s Goldspot Awards forum, will delight diners with its latest culinary offering that features the Cochinillo Asado. Gently cooked to crisp and tender perfection, the mouth-watering slow-roasted suckling pig dish is served with mushroom and garlic-roasted potatoes, spring asparagus shoots, and homemade peach chutney. “We cured the meat for 20 hours with a number of spices including cumin, cloves and nutmeg and cooked it inside a vacuum bag. With this process, the meat softens naturally aside from giving it more flair and flavor than the traditional tedious way of preparing it,” shared executive chef Louis Chikiamco during an intimate media sampling. “The peach chutney is used as sauce for the cochinillo plating. The chutney gives it a refreshing edge. Peach and pork are very good friends; also with apples and apricots. Mango, on the other hand, agrees well with seafood,” added the amiable executive chef, who studied and did internship in France. He finished his degree at the Institut Paul Bocuse and did a tour of duty in Mexico after a stint in France prior to heading home. The delicious entrée set comes with freshly stewed Sopa de Ajo, Spanish garlic and pimento broth embellished with poached egg, bacon bits and broken peppercorns; as well as a sampler of desserts comprised of the mouse cake Chocolate Marquise with Crème Anglaise, the crème brulee concoction Coconut & Pineaaple panna cota, and a medley of tropical fruits Macedoine slathered with mint syrup! Simply delicious! Those with sweet tooth would be delighted to satisfy their cravings more with the petit fours and mignardises that come with the after-dinner coffee or tea. The bread basket that is served with this set comes with a bevy of dips that you can all savor or mix & match. There’s white bean dip, olive oil & pesto, and chicken liver pate. The Cochinillo Asado set meal is priced at P1,850 (excluding taxes) and serves two covers. For table reservations, simply call the restaurant through phone nos. 719-6822 and/719-6888 or email fbds@discovery.com.ph. The 22 Prime Restaurant is located on the 22nd Floor of Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center.