‘Qui’ to a fine meal

The food scene north of the metro has always been alive with novel choices, and for a year now, one place has drawn attention for its Pan Asian cuisine, enjoyed within a beautifully restored 1950s ancestral home.

Qui Pan Asian Brasserie is a welcome sight for anyone seeking to dine outside of the mall setting, desires good food and a homey setting that adds depth to the flavors on the plate.

The address, 14 Castillejas Street, Valencia, Quezon City, used to be that of the family Panlaqui. Today, everyone can bask in the warm hospitality within its walls, where meals become an experience from the first dish to the last.

Being from QC, our family finally got to visit the restaurant we had often seen passing by the road on which it stands. Parking was plentiful before noon, though it rapidly filled up while we were enjoying lunch.

Through a small path to the front door where we were ushered in like family, we stepped into inviting interiors reminiscent of elegant homes used to entertaining guests. The ground floor has two long tables for groups, with a view of the bar where drinks are prepared. A corner becomes space for a performer or two, to entertain guests during evening meals.

Up the stairs, a spacious room is set with tables from groups or couples, with natural light streaming in from wide windows. A VIP room ensconced in a corner can accommodate up to 10 people comfortably.

The menu offers a challenge anyone would love to have: what to order from choices so tempting, you could plan many visits to come.

This is because “Qui’s menu draws from the depth and diversity of Asian cuisine, thoughtfully interpreted through a modern brasserie lens,” we learn. The familiar becomes surprising, with Pork and Shrimp Dumplings, for example, served on a bed of flavorful house-made chili oil and herb emulsion so good you want to ask for bread or white rice to mop it off to the last dregs.

This particular dish is among a few appetizers served by Qui. The menu reads like a mini book, with a little history of the place, and the dishes described accurately.

As we had ordered our meal ahead, the dishes kept coming, and before long, we were enjoying Hokkaido Corn and Clam Chowder, thick with cream, sweet corn, and garlic butter clams; Steak and Watermelon Salad, crisp greens with refreshing cubes of watermelon and savory chunks of steak; Asian BBQ Platter, with various sauces to experiment with; and Roast Pork Belly and Creamed Spinach, tender meat and crisp skin making every bite heavenly, indeed.

A specialty that we plan to try next time is the Crispy Pan-Laksa, “a festive platter of Manila and Malaysian noodles, crispy vermicelli, pan-seared shrimps, diced pork, ground pork, grilled squid, premium fish balls and fried tofu.” On this mound of noodles, a server pours coconut shrimp bisque and mixes it up, ready to be savored.

Another popular starter, we learned is the Krapow Sisig Nachos, which could be perfect for the cocktails and mocktails that Qui also specializes in.

Qui’s mains reflect its confidence in blending cultures and techniques, with various culinary cultures coming together so creatively and intuitively in every plate.

Lovers of Filipino food will not be disappointed, with Ima’s Bulalo Pochero, Crispy Pork Kare-Kare and Qui’s Pork Binagoongan tempting the appetite.

Conversations rolled as tables filled up, from a group of friends, to families celebrating a birthday, to clubs and couples making time for each other. At night, we are told the place transforms into a vibrant venue, as drinks are served up with a flourish and music accompanies every memorable bite.

Having had a taste of its food and quality of service, we made plans to return to this old family home once more.