I TRIED to eat at the place a few months back, but it was full. Like every chair was occupied. The food on display was enticing, and so was the price, but sorry. People were all busy eating, there was no sign that anyone was about to finish anytime soon. Last Saturday morning I came to know why. I was meandering, not really knowing where to go at a little before 12 noon when I remembered to check out the place.
There was just two tables and around five seats taken. Yey! The place is that organic restaurant named Balay Verde right outside Anytime Fitness Center of Abreeza Mall. You have to walk toward the fitness center's entrance to see it. Balay Verde serves ala carte wraps and juices and bread, and... buffet.
I first checked on what's on the buffet table, but quickly grabbed a plate upon seeing a steaming warmer pot of paksiw na matang tuna. Oh, by the way, their buffet costs P299 with bottomless fresh tea.
There were others like kare-kare, mongo soup, grilled tuna panga, tortang talong, and some other stuff, but my mind and tummy were so focused on the matang tuna that I paired with camote tops salad, banana heart salad, and what turned out to be my fave among the three -- green mango with mint leaves salad. That minty zing to the sourness of the green mango mixed with the paksiw na tuna was just perfect. There's a little less salt in their food, and I like it.
That's just to warn those who expect the saltiness of fastfood. Just ask for condiments. The place only has five tiny square tables with regular chairs and around four long tables with high chairs. It's a sharing thing, not unless you have reserved and are in a big group. If you're coming in alone, you are advised to "makisingit ka nalang kung saan bakante". So, I made "singit" at a long table with a young woman and a much older man already seated. As I looked up, voila!
It was Stephen Antig of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association and his daughter for some bonding time with the grandchildren (who were not yet around). He picked up my bill. Wiiiiii! Treat or no treat, I'm going back. But I'm going to make sure I arrive before the lunch crowd comes in. By the time I was done last Saturday, the place had filled up with many more trying to get it.