LIME 88: Street Food With a Twist

Location is one of the key factors that will determine if a new establishment will click or not. But sometimes, this key factor tend to lose its credibility as there are some establishments that sprung out of the middle of nowhere but still is jampacked with people. One good example of this is Lime 8. Lime 88 is in one of the dark streets in Mandaluyong wherein nobody will ever think that this restaurant will survive, but it did and I was amazed. So? is the location still is a key factor in determining ones success?

This is my first time to try Lime 88. This was discovered by Eng in one of the blogsites that he read a few months ago. It was just a residential area, a house to be exact, converted into a restaurant. And guess who we saw there? Melissa Riggs, one of the teen celebrities here in the Philippines. People actually travels either take the public transport or drive their own vehicles just to be able to experience what Lime 88 can give. With its tagline: Street Food served with a twist, it is in fact served with a twist. The food is exquisitely delicious. However thinks that longganiza and salted egg will go together in cheese and tomato sauce? In fact, to my surprise, it did. They have a Longganiza and Salted Egg Pizza. Amazing isnt it? Talk about fusion and serving the food with a definite twist.

Another is their Kare-Kare. Kare-Kare is a native dish with peanut sauce here in the Philippines but Lime 88 has their own rendition. They serve Kare-Kare using Osso Bucco (Beef Shank). With the vegetables carefully lined below the Osso Bucco. Osso Bucco if I am not mistaken is a huge bone with bone marrow on the center with a huge chunk of meat attached to the bone, a beef shank. The taste is really delicious. I never liked ordering Kare-Kare in restaurants because the Kare-Kare of mom and my auntie so far is the best of them all (http://jonas321.blogspot.com/search/label/Kare-Kare). But this one is also delicious and very appetizing.

Another dish that we ordered is chicken breast stuffed with Kesong Puti (White Cottage Cheese) a native cheese here in the Philippines and also Kang Kong (Ipomoea aquatic) also a native vegetable in Southeast Asia. Who would ever imagine that you can stuff Kesong Puti with Kang Kong inside a chicken. Served on a bed of mashed potato.

We tried the Pork Kebab as well. We thought that this is the most boring dish that we ordered since what can you do with a Pork Kebab right? I am not expecting anything different from this dish but when it came out, my stomach grumbled yet again. The presentation is fabulous and the taste is equally fabolous as well. Pork kebab is self explanatory but the dip and the accompanied crispy mediterrenean bread on the side really complimented the whole dish.

And the surprise doesn't end there; with the pics that I just shared one will think, this is definitely another expensive restaurant that "The Jonas Chronicles" featured. Guess again! This price is not at all expensive. The price ranges from Php 180.00 to Php 250.00 depending on the dish. It is very very afforadable. The presentation is quite unique and creative, the location is quite extraordinary and the taste of the food is wonderful. One must try Lime 88, it is highly recommended.

Lime 88 is located at # 160 San Rafael St. Mandaluyong City. Tel. No. (632) 553-7515.

Directions: Pass by Mandaluyong circle, if you are coming from San Juan and Shaw Blvd. this is via 9 de Pebrero St. Turn right when you see Tapa King. Go straight and slow down when you see China Bank because this is where you will turn right. You will then see the signage of Lime 88 on your right side. Enjoy!!