COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Despite a sizeable Indian-Filipino community in Metro Manila, Indian food has yet to become a household word here. Due to cultural differences, preconceptions and force of habit, the average Pinoy would rather go for traditional and familiar fare like Japanese, American and Italian cuisine.
That said, the few Indian restaurants that are around do good business and some, like Swagat, attract a varied and loyal crowd especially during lunch and dinner weekdays when it fills up with office workers and expats.
THE LOOK
This unassuming restaurant with a red and white signage is located on the busy side street of Rada Street in Makati. Upon entering, the smell of spices will put your olfactory senses on alert.
Inside the tightly packed restaurant are basic chairs and tables adorned with Indian-inspired tablecloth and a flower vase. On the walls are images of Indian culture and a flatscreen monitor that plays Bollywood movies.
At the back end is the kitchen, where all the magical flavors come together.
On the way to the restroom, you can partly see the kitchen interiors and see tall spice bottles with no labels. It seems cooking is done here by experience, heart and through the mastery of each ingredient.
THE GRUB
Our favorite item here are the machchi masala (PHP130) and green chicken curry (PHP160), which we usually take with buttered roti.
As with their other dishes, you can customize the level of spiciness.
The machchi—fish—masala is always served hot off the pan. The soft white meat is cooked just right, retaining its succulent and sweet seafood flavor. Even if the red sauce is bursting with spices and tomatoes, it does not overpower the natural fish taste.
The green chicken curry always make us order extra roti (PHP10). Its basil-infused sauce is amazing and we can’t seem to get enough of it. It actually wouldn’t matter if it were served with chicken, beef, pork or fish.
For drinks I recommend the mango or strawberry lassi, a sweetend yogurt drink flavored with milk (PHP70) and mango or strawberry (PHP70).
If you are in the mood for something new and interesting, I suggest you visit Swagat and discover the reasons why this small restaurant is considered as one of Metro Manila’s best restaurants.
NOTES
Price: PHP250-450 for food and drinks.
Service: Good. Though it will be very hard to call the attention of wait staff on peak hours.
Cleanliness: Could use some tidying up.
Lighting: Just right. Dining at night makes the place a little more relaxing and charming.
Coconuts Manila dined anonymously and paid for this meal.
Swagat Indian Cuisine, 119 Rada St (FCC Building), Legaspi Village, Makati City; www.facebook.com/swagatmakati, +63 2 5015079. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat 9am-9am. Photo: Swagat’s Facebook Page.
