COCONUTS HOTSPOT—Livestock is owned by a family in the hog farm business. No surprise, then, that this restaurant specializes in nose to tail pork dishes. The menu boasts family heirloom favorites and are likely to be comfort food served straight up without frills. It’s food you’d love to share with family and friends.
THE LOOK
Situated on a street corner, Livestock is easy to find: Just look for their big-size logo of a pig’s silhouette. Huge, see-through windows entice you to come in. Inside, the restaurant evokes a gastropub vibe with a large bar displaying an ample amount of bottles. It’s actually the focal point of the dining area, which also features a large flatscreen TV. The tables and chairs are comfortable and there’s adequate spacing in between. The high ceiling lends a touch of extravagance to the place. The ground level is the main dining area, while the outer fringes of the second and third floors are more suitable for those who are here for drinks.
THE GRUB
Ever had crispy pata that melts in your mouth? We’ve tried crispy pata from different restaurants and neighborhood take-out spots in our lifetime, but Livestock’s version (PHP580) tops all that. The meat is so tender that it’s served with a popsicle stick instead of a knife—it’s all you’ll need to tear through it. The skin is extra crisp and cracks with the slightest touch. A special pepper and spice rub evenly coats the soft meat, enhancing the mild pork flavor. No wonder this is their signature dish.
There’s also Chicharon 3 Kinds (PHP260): a platter of bulaklak, bituka and chicken skin that sounds like a triple-bypass. The Crackling Pork Belly, freshly roasted pork belly with herbs, is available in three sizes: 300g (PHP290), 500g (PHP490), and 1k (PHP895) servings.
One of their specialties we’d like to try soon, because it looked so good in the menu, is the Coffee Bourbon Ribs (PHP490), a half-slab of pork ribs covered in Livestock’s secret barbecue sauce. For the month of July they are offering two bottles of Bavaria Premium Beer for only PHP99. The Holland import is new to the market and delivers a smooth, crisp and clean flavor.
Livestock’s specialties are just too many to enjoy in one sitting. Pork sometimes get a bad rep and eating it is actually not good for some people. But in reality, there really is no “bad” food. Just “bad serving quantities” and “bad self-discipline.” Pork is to be enjoyed, but as with most things, moderation is best.
NOTES:
Cost: Approximately PHP300-PHP350/ head for food and drinks
Cleanliness: Dining area is clean. Restroom is okay but can use some tidying up as the day progresses.
Service: Staff are courteous and attentive.
Sound level: Low volume contemporary pop music is played. The flatscreen TV was on mute, but watching local news channel could be a downer because of all the scams and calamities being reported. How about keeping it on a movie, sport or music channel?
Lighting: Chic and cozy, with a bar-like ambiance.
Livestock Restaurant and Bar, 34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, Bgy South Triangle, Quezon City; +63 2 3320409, www.facebook.com/livestockmics. Daily 11am-2am.
Photo from Livetock’s Facebook Page.
This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila. For more food stories, visit http://manila..coconuts.co.
