An Abundance Of Flavors At Cafe Lidia

Being in the business for almost 4 years was not seen by Cafe Lidia as an opportunity to lie low. Instead, they consistently showed their loyal patrons that from day one, they are the best restaurant to go to when you’re in Marikina. 

We were given the privilege of visiting the city’s hidden pride. From the outside, it looks a bit plain, but upon entering, jaws will drop at the sight that welcomes you. The dim lights, the warm interior, and the cozy atmosphere will welcome you inside Cafe Lidia (pronounced Li-dia), a sure sign that this will be a good night. 

Cafe Lidia serves Italian dishes that everyone will definitely love. We started the feast with the House Salad and the Chicken Waldorf Salad. Both salads are fresh and unique. The House Salad tastes a bit sour because of the vinaigrette, while the Waldorf Salad has that hint of sweetness because of the dressing and the apple. The nuts also complement the overall taste. 

The Grilled Pork Belly became an instant highlight for the night because of its mouthwatering aroma. There’s no way one can resist its perfectly smokey taste and tender meat. We simply can’t find anything imperfect with Cafe Lidia’s Grilled Pork Belly. Next came the Porchetta, fried liempo with java rice and special sauce. This doesn’t taste like the usual liempo because the skin is fried to perfection, making it very crispy while the meat is still soft with every bite. 

Like the Grilled Pork Belly, the Buffalo Wings are as smokey and as flavorful. When it arrived at the table, its smell instantly caught our attention. You won’t even need the bleu cheese to enhance the flavor of the wings. Restaurant Manager Neneth Mercado explains that this dish started as an appetizer, but then people realized that it goes well with plain rice, so instead of ordering it as an appetizer, Cafe Lidia’s loyal patrons grown to love their buffalo wings as one of the main courses. 

Since Cafe Lidia caters to Italian cuisine, pizza, and pasta will never go missing from the menu. The House Special Pizza and the Pepperoni Pizza are just two of the many different pizza flavors that Cafe Lidia has, yet we are more than satisfied. The crust is thinly made, and it is not too crispy, not too chewy. It is well baked, and the explosion of flavors is undeniable! 

Pasta is popular at Cafe Lidia. They have a long list of pasta dishes in olive oil, tomato sauce, cream sauce, or baked pasta on their menu. We got to taste the Mixed Seafood Marinara and the Pasta Alfredo. The Mixed Seafood Marinara was so good because the seafood was perfectly cooked. The shrimp and the clams are chewy, soft, and fresh. The tomato base is not too sour, and it goes well with a hint of spiciness. The Pasta Alfredo is creamy, and the parmesan cheese creates an exciting sensation on the palate. 

Cafe Lidia is not just about pasta and pizzas because they also have sandwiches. For the people going on a diet, they have the Clubhouse Sandwich. This may look very sinful because of the ham, bacon, and cheese, but don’t be fooled because it actually uses bread that is not too heavy on the stomach. It’s like being full without the bloated feeling in the tummy. 

Beef dishes are also abundant in Cafe Lidia and one of them is the Dad’s Special. No one has seen it as special when it was brought out because it is among the last dishes to be served, but we were wrong in judging. The meat is very flavorful and tender. You won’t even need a fork or a knife to cut it. It is not too salty nor too bland.

Cafe Lidia didn’t stop with the dishes; they also have shakes that they call “Freeze.” The Chocolate Freeze and the Caramel Freeze were served, and they’re great thirst quenchers. Both are not too sweet that we won’t be able to finish it. Two thumbs up for both drinks! 

The menu itself makes no one wonder why Cafe Lidia has become one of the hottest places in Marikina. Boy, they have a lot of choices on their menu, and everything, as in everything, is just to die for! Expensive dishes are not their thing, so you don’t have to worry if you’re going to dine here on a tight budget with your friends or family. Come visit Cafe Lidia now at 64 Calderon Street, Calumpang, Marikina. 

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