Abe for exquisite Capampangan cuisine

I am happy to start my gastronomic chronicles early in 2019 as I had a new foodie discovery on the first Friday of the year. And what a good choice it was -- Abe, a Capampangan restaurant at SM Megamall (with several other branches). It's been existing for a few years, yes, but it was my first time to dine at this modern-traditional restaurant that belongs to The LJC Group of the late famed restaurateur-journalist Lorenzo "Larry" J. Cruz. Thanks to my nephew, who treated his mom and me to an advanced birthday lunch in between post-Christmas shopping, 
I finally sampled Abe's exquisite dishes. 

Our orders:

Paco fern and tomato salad, P185.
A great, healthy starter of fresh leaves, tomatoes 
and sliced salted egg.

Bamboo rice, P325.
I was really hungry, I didn't mind finding out what was in the rice. Haha! I just remember the pleasant bamboo smell and that we loved how the rice tasted.

Tuna panga sa bawang, P345.
We raved about this one -- deep fried pieces of tuna head topped 
with lots of toasted garlic. Yum!

Ginataang langka at pusit, P375.
This seafood-veggie dish cooked in coconut milk could have been really, really good if it weren't bland. A bit more salt and we would have loved it more.

Maruya ni Maria, 150.
What's different about Abe's maruya is that it isn't made with saba but with lakatan banana, thus, it's a notch higher in sweetness and much yummier. And being crowned with vanilla ice cream makes this dessert heavenly and a perfect ending to our meal.

Dalandan juice, 135.

My sister's hot citrus drink.

Americano, 99.
My drink -- a super strong cup of joe -- so strong I had to ask 
the server to add some hot water to it.

 Wine on every table
We didn't open our bottle :)

Interiors

Abe at the 3rd Level of Mega Fashion Mall, SM Megamall Expansion Building D

Was I glad to finally try Abe coz id heard about how good their food was. No mistaken word, we really loved what we had. Great ambiance, too -- no crowd, no noisy diners, and a whiff of simple elegance. I would love to bring the 
whole family over to Abe someday soon!