Diner's Den: Gastronomic fusion at Tomas Morato

There never really is a catchall place that has almost every type of food. Fortunately, there is a place that offers just that — a place that fuses the exotic flavors of the East and the exciting tastes of the West. Located on the bustling street of Tomas Morato in Quezon City is the quaint Diner’s Den. Launched just a year ago, Diner’s Den is in a class of its own. Upon entering the charming café, the warmth of the color combination of brown and orange immediately gives that “at home” atmosphere, but at the same time, a touch of minty green is thrown in as a third color to provide a little bit of wintriness to balance the feel of the place. MANILA, Philippines - Restaurants these days tend to be restrictive when it comes to the food they serve. When a group wants to eat out, the usual question is what type of food they want to eat.

“It was my brother who designed the place,” explains Michelle Ong, owner of Diner’s Den. “We wanted to have that homey feel so the customers could relax and enjoy the food and the ambiance.”

Diner’s Den was not Ong’s first venture into the food business. She owned the restaurant Shinhwa Café at The Podium. But the entrepreneur in her kept her going and her experiences in Singapore inspired her to open another restaurant; thus, the birth of Diner’s Den.

Time for noodles: The pesto prawn pasta is a spaghetti dish made with fresh prawns sautéed in pesto and garlic.

“I worked in a café in Singapore and that’s where I got the idea,” she says. “The company I worked for had that concept, so I thought it might be good to introduce it in the Philippines.”

The concept of Diner’s Den is the fusion of East and West. The menu is half-Asian, half-European; you flip the menu and there’s a pasta section, then you flip it again and there’s a noodle section. It is a totally different experience seeing pasta and noodles side by side, but the concept works. The items on the menu harmoniously blend and complement each other, providing a unique dining experience.

“All the items on the menu are my favorites,” says Ong. “I had the final say on what would be included in it.”

The pesto prawn pasta is a great dish to start your gastronomic journey at Diner’s Den. The swirly spaghetti is made from fresh prawns sautéed in pesto and garlic. Pasta lovers would surely love this seafood delight.

For rice lovers, Diner’s Den offers the fried dory with binagoongan rice. The deep-fried dory is cooked to perfection. Together with the flavorful binagoongan rice, the two make a delicious combination. The fish paste and fresh mango salsa provide an added kick to the already satisfying dish.

The restaurant’s fusion theme is highlighted in their bestseller: the Hong Kong cheese pork chop, a rice meal topped with thick slices of fried pork chop mixed with red and white sauce covered in a layer of melted cheese. At first bite you would think you are eating lasagna because of the red and white sauce, but then the soft and warm feel of the rice immediately follows, making the eating experience a one-of-a-kind combination of east and west.

Aside from lunch and dinner, Diner’s Den also serves breakfast. The longganisa meal is a classic touch that was added to the menu and the coffee and cappuccino by Danesi — an Italian coffee brand — are also great supplements to the morning meals.

The cappuccino is full of flavor and its aroma just sets the right mood for those who like working in an environment filled with the inviting smell of coffee. The cappuccino is creamy and frothy and its sweet taste is sure to perk you up. For writers who want an ambiance that is quaint and warm, Diner’s Den is a perfect place to park your laptop and jot the day away. The friendly staff was very warm and accommodating and every request is given with a smile. 

Perfect ending: Cappuccino by Danesi

Continuing with the restaurant’s theme of fusion, coffee is served side by side with alcoholic beverages. It really is a catchall restaurant that serves you coffee during breakfast and beer at night. You don’t have to transfer to another place; the restaurant will be able to accommodate all your food cravings.

Don’t let the fusion fool you: the food is great and doesn’t scrimp on the ingredients. What would particularly surprise a first-time diner would be the servings of the food. It is so much more than what you paid for. The food is cheap but the quality is impeccable.

The restaurant has all the ingredients to become really big and take on the many established dining places that have saturated the Tomas Morato area. But what really set the place apart are its unique menu, the friendly staff, the inviting ambiance and the fantastic food. All these create a unique dining experience that is sure to make you want to go back time and time again.