Revisiting the Rada Market

We had time and a car at our disposal that weekend, so we decided to drive to the regular Sunday (Organic) Market in Makati. It is bounded by Gamboa, Rada and Legaspi streets and at past 9 a.m. it was just starting to get busy. Business looked okay to us, although some stall owners feel they can do better. But what enterprise does not need a boost these days?

Anyway, this is a neat complex of fresh produce, ready-to-eat food, garments and home decor, spread out with enough elbow room for shoppers to makes move from one stall to another easily and comfortably. Immediately we got some luscious mangoes from Pangasinan and they turned out to be very sweet. They were at P70 a kilo, same price as the lovely melons. We moved on to the Sasso chicken stand (P260 a kilo) but decided not to get any. We are happy with Magnolia.

We found this gracious lady called Rosemarie whose company is Mantequilla, as in Spanish margarine (butter), and yes, her products include the very Iberian (traditional) tortillas (thick omelets) in three variants, patata, (potatoes) cheese and chorizo from P120 to P140 each. She also carries Becky’s (of Vito Cruz) breads, pan de sal at P35 a dozen. She also offers sugar-free pancakes at P85 a pack of 5. Call cel no. 0920-938-7157.

We can’t drop in on this market without saying ‘Hello’ to Tita Cely of the original Sumptuous Palayok Buffet. She has de-activated her restaurant business but keeps a place at Market!Market! and does her thing here at the Sunday market. Trust Tita Cely to come up with the most taba bangus, swimming in paksiw broth and ginger chili. We could not resist her dinuguan (P100 a tub) nor could we ignore the crabs swimming in coconut milk. Half a crab costs P195 while the whole is priced at P390.

Other food attractions are: Bailon’s whose specialties are lumpia (pity but as they spoil easily, so we decided not to get any) at P15 and P25 and empanadas; a collection of dried fish including the brood’s favorite, danggit and jumbo sized tuyo; Emily’s crab omelet in shells, at P40 each, kikiam at P30 and all-fish (stuffing) bangus relleno for P160. Another store, Bangus Station, has bigger relleno at P290 and P170, the larger one weighing nearly 750 gms. FishDa is where we discovered the versatility of the tilapia. They have "internationalized" the fish into dishes like Cajun, sweet-baked, fillet Normandy and smoked with mushrooms. They’ve done it into kare-kare as well. Truly innovative for a company which started in 2004, but which has supplied tilapia to Manila and neighboring towns for 27 years. The grilled hito looked temptingly mouth-watering at P120 for the big and P50 for the small one.

Sometime ago, at a 5-star hotel food festival, we were served the most delicious ensaymada. Well, we found it here in the Sunday market and it is called Kapampangan Classic Ensaymada which melts in the mouth with a rich buttery taste. Melisa mans the store and she explained that the family has preserved the recipe of their lola, Inang Salud Dayrit Santos of San Fernando, Pampanga. They also have plantanilla, which are egg rolls with latik. Call 837-0842. From Popadas we got taco salad at P50 per. They have a varied fare including Arroz Valenciana and pasta dishes. Tel 726-5409.

Finally there’s El Rey chorizo in the market, specifically at Makati Supermarket in Alabang from where our friend Jo immediately called us with this information. They are sold individually or by the big can. Now we can do our paella, Arroz al a Cubana, cocido (pochero) and all those dishes requiring this very flavorful Spanish sausage. Believe it or not, as we mentioned before, this product is from Omaha, U.S.A.

We’re missing Victoria Bangus sardines from the stores, but discovered a bottled version manufactured by Saranggani, which should be good. We will let you know. Those living in the vicinity of the Sucat exit in Parañaque will be happy to know that Shopwise is now in their midst, operating right on the main road. It’s a few meters away from the intersection, on the right, if you are coming from the North.

Happy shopping! * * * E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected]