Michi Photostory

But after trying their food last December, I blamed myself for not buying the voucher. Sinayang ko yung chance, ngayon pa na may community quarantine and I’m not sure kung kailan maibabalik ang buffet nila. Huhuhu Just this month, we visited their restaurant during weekends and no buffet offering.

Would you believe that Alba Restaurante Español has been around since 1952? Wow, almost seven decades na but they only have few branches, you can find their restaurant in Bel-Air Makati, Tomas Morato, Estancia Mall, Prism Plaza, and Westgate Center. This restaurant was founded by Señor Anastacio de Alba who came from Avila, Spain. 

Last December, we were planning for our New Year’s potluck and I told my husband na bumili na lang kami. Ayaw ko na magluto, napagod na ko nung Christmas. Hehehe! He wanted lechon and I suggested Alba’s Cochinillo so he called the restaurant but at that time, they are not accepting orders pa. They are not sure and will inform us if they will accept orders. Fortunately, they called and we paid for our reservation. My husband picked up the cochinillo at the restaurant, we did not ask kung may delivery. 

It was our first time buying cochinillo so maliit pala talaga siya. I remember, marami naawa when I posted this on my social media. Life is short for the suckling pig because it is being roasted between the ages of two and six weeks. After I’ve learned this, napaisip ako, next time I will just buy per kilo ng lechon or lechon belly. But the taste of cochinillo is really good, it is crispy, tender, and flavorful. One whole is PHP6000 and it is good for 12 people. 

I went with my husband when we paid for the reservation and while at the restaurant, I saw the different cold cuts and cheese. Wow, this is perfect for our New Year’s Eve because I don’t want to cook, so I bought a few packs for our DIY Charcuterie. I purchased Salchichon, Pamplona, Jamon Serrano, Tocino, Chorizo de Bilbao and Los Molinos Tempranillo (Wine). My charcuterie was a hit so now we know where to buy our cold cuts. 

Chorizo de Bilbao PHP125 per 100 grams 

Pamplona P160 per 100 grams 

Salchichon P160 per 100 grams 

Butifarra PHP110 per 100 grams 

Jamon Serrano PHP330 per 100 grams 

Tocino PHP130 per 100 grams 

My son and I like the Chorizo de Bilbao, I sliced and sauteed this in olive oil. Sometimes, I add this to Chicken Afritada. We liked the Salchichon and Pamplona too, meron na kami instant yummy sandwich, I just need bread, meat, and mozzarella cheese then toast it in the oven toaster. The Jamon Serrano and Tocino are too salty for our taste but we still eat this kasi sayang but I have no plans to repurchase. During our last visit to Alba, I bought a few packs of cold cuts, and this time I added Butifarra, I will just update this post once we tried it. 

We’ve been planning for our wedding anniversary getaway or food trip but I guess it is still impossible for now. The day before Valentine’s day we went to Landers for grocery, this was the third time that I went to the grocery since the community quarantine started. Then after our grocery, my husband and I went to Alba for lunch, instant date na rin for our anniversary. 

We don’t have any reservations but we’re glad that they were able to accommodate us. We’ve seen other tables with “Reserved” signs so mukhang marami na kumakain sa labas. You need to scan the QR code and answer the health declaration form, I was having a hard time doing this because the form is not appearing on my phone after I scanned it. Good thing that my husband has two phones so I used his other phone para makapagscan ako ng QR code.

Upon seated, they gave us the menu, it was so thick that we just scanned it and order the house specialty Paella Valenciana PHP580 and Lengua Sevillana PHP500, the meal is good for 2-3 persons and the cooking time is 30 minutes. While waiting, they served complimentary bread. I really appreciate this kind of gesture because we have something to eat while waiting for our meal. 

They served our meal on time and we were so delighted with our order like I’ve said before I’m not fond of paella but after tasting the Paella Valenciana of Alba, nagbago na pananaw ko sa buhay. Hehehe! I like their paella, it is already a complete meal. I’m planning to buy this again kapag may occasions. I love Lengua and their lengua sevillana did not disappoint me, in fact, favorite ko na agad. 

We tried to finish our food pero hindi kaya so may take-out pa kami sa anak ko. Nagustuhan din niya yung paella and lengua, sorry na lang siya hindi niya natikman yung Tarta de Queso PHP160. Parang nagsisi pa kami na isa lang order namin dessert, bitin sa amin ni hubby kasi nagshare lang kami. Hehehe I’m not sure if they are selling whole cake, I’ll check na lang when we dine in again. 

Lengua Sevillana - Stewed ox-tongue with mushroom & olives in rich sherry brown sauce 

Paella Valenciana - Valenciana rice dish with chicken, pork, seafood & vegetables

Tarta de Queso Alba’s- classic cheesecake 

Ever since I discovered Alba, it became my go-to restaurant if ever we are in the Alabang area because I like the food and service. So last December, after our grocery trip, off we went to Alba, and luckily, there is still an available table for us kasi nakareserved na talaga yung mga tables. It was our first time upstairs and medyo masikip pero okay siya kung irereserve mo lahat ng tables for intimate gathering.

Without checking the menu, I already knew what to order kasi nga favorite namin yung Lengua Sevillana and I am a creature of habit kaya lagi same order ko. Hehehe! So for our family of three, we ordered Lengua Sevillana PHP650, Plain Rice PHP60, and Solomillo a la Pobre PHP700 + Service Charge. 

Solomillo a la Pobre - Classic grilled beef tenderloin with olive oil garlic sauce. 

The Lengua Sevillana is good for sharing but the Solomillo a la Pobre is good for one person lang pero hinati namin sa tatlo so we can all try the steak. hehehe! After trying this one, may bago na ko favorite. Hehehe! At least, nadagdagan na yung options ko. We’re supposed to order Tarta de Queso Alba’s para matikman ng anak ko kaso busog na kami.