Maru's Food Lounge: Mamburao's Hidden Gem

It's been a while since I posted on this blog but this place is really blogworthy.

A place I visited three days in a row.

For those who will be passing by or staying in Mamburao, this the ONLY place that is a must-try.

It was my first time to go to Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and honestly, I am totally clueless about the place and blog posts about the place is really a handful. Normally, when I go to a place for the first time, I check online the what-to-do's of a place so that's where I came across of Maru's. It has a FB page and few reviews from blogs, good reviews actually. I put it on my almost non-existent list of where-to's in Mamburao.

I went there for lunch. I think I was lucky that the tricycle driver knew of the place because it seems that many locals are not aware of Maru's.

When I alighted the tricycle, dogs greeted me and yeah. I have a great fear of dogs. bad sign? and there was an overgrowth of grass around the parking area of the restaurant. I initially thought that this resto has closed down already but on a second thought, I just read on their FB page a Happy Father's Day post so no. I straighten up, walk straight into the resto but there is no one at the counter, at the bar and no one is dining. uh-oh! Good thing a couple went in rang the bell at the counter and voila! a lady appeared from the backroom. lesson learned: a bell always has a purpose.

I ordered a Burger Overload, Crisscut Fries and Pink Frostie Cooler. bestsellers.

After ordering, I check around the resto and found some interesting stuff.

interesting porch.

CLOSER LOOK: CORALS!

the alfresco area with a classy and cozy beach hut vibe.

Then jazz/lounge music started playing from the speakers. The music completed the vibe. The acoustics was nice. really nice. I actually sat in a spot where you can fully appreciate the music.

After a while, the crisscut fries was served together with the Pink Frostie. I was sold with the presentation alone. After 2 pictures, my burger was served. Boy! I didn't expect it to be that big.

crisscut fries and pink frostie

my pretty lunch.

For the taste, I was really blown away by the crisscut fries. The fries itself was nice, crispy and seasoned well but what took it a notch higher was the dip. it's like a ranch but has an oooooomph! in it. I promise that I can eat their crisscut fries forever.

The Burger Overload was surprisingly good too. It looked really uninspiring at first because of the bulky bun. I didn't even know how to eat that monster. No wonder the burger was served with a knife and fork. Basically, the Burger Overload is a double cheeseburger with mushrooms and egg and for 98 pesos. It's a steal!

The Pink Frostie was very refreshing. It's a mix of strawberry and some fruit I can't pinpoint topped with cream and shaved ice.

I finished everything even the plate and it just costed me P200!

I was fortunate to meet the manager, Miss Evianne and gave me their printed menu. They deliver within the town proper by the way.

The following day, I texted the number on the menu at 10AM for an advance order. I wanted to try the Fricassee, the Lasagna and the Banana Crepe. At 12nn, I went to the restaurant and Ms. Evianne greeted me and ushered me on the same table I ate. I ordered the Orange Twist Cooler for my drink.

My orders did not take long since I ordered in advance. good thinking. The Fricassee was served first. I was actually expecting a glazed chicken with a cream sauce but no. Maru's Fricassee looks similar to a pastel or an ala king. Eventually, my order was complete. Ms. Evianne sat with me and told me she feels bad when she sees someone eating alone so she asked if she can be a company and have a little chit-chat. Really nice.

Chicken Fricassee and Orange Twist

Lasagna and Banana Crepe

Maru's Fricassee is a piece of heaven. I love cream based dishes and this was the fairest of them all. The Lasagna was spot on. I hate lasagna with soggy or thick noodles. Theirs is al dente. The sauce is well blended. not too sour, not too sweet. just awesome goodness. They run out of banana so they offered me a Mango Crepe instead. Better! If they'll just put a cream and a mango syrup on it it will be marvelous but nonetheless the crepe was divine. The Orange Twist is a revelation. Banana and Orange topped with cream/milk and ice. who knew right?

While eating, she shared stories, trivia and plans for their restaurant. I learned that the restaurant and the food was all conceptualized and built by Mrs. Tejada, former Tourism Officer of Mamburao with the help of her daughter, Evianne. Take note, the owner doesn't have any formal training in the culinary arts, only an adventurous and creative mind. Their menu is different from the usual in Mamburao. NO PANCIT, LOMI and SILOG meals here y'all. A restaurant that is truly Mamburao's. The Fricassee was an heirloom recipe and was once served only during special occasions. The Pink Frostie was actually a concoction of apple and strawberry. The Mambu-Rice was created to be a Mamburao signature and this and that. I also met Mrs. Tejada when I was about to leave. What I am excited about is their plans to have an accomodation within their property at the beachfront! 

For my last day at Mamburao, I decided to spend the afternoon at Maru's and watch the sunset at their beachfront. I ordered the Mambu-rice, Crisscut Fries and Perk. The Perk was served first. I'm a chocoholic and this one is a choco and coffee infusion cooler. Just one sip and I'm in heaven and it's only 38 pesos. Beat that Starbucks! This is my drink. I didn't even noticed that I finished the drink even before my food orders came so I ordered another one. Yeah! It's that good. The Mambu-Rice was served next and it I was surprised it has a fried chicken on the side. I don't remember I ordered chicken. Oh well. Maybe this is free. Just a waft of the rice, you know it will be good. Well, it's not good. It's out-of-this-worldly good. If there is a word beyond wow that's how I can describe the Mambu-Rice. Those moments you can't help but close your eyes and feel the burst of flavor in your mouth. At first glance, it looks like a Chao Fan from Chowking with the ham and bacon bits but I tell you this is the BEST mixed rice. ever. It's so flavorful and has this different dimension that you can't possibly explain and that was just the Mambu-Rice. The fried chicken was just as flavorful. A match made in heaven. The dish was served again with their zingy/tangy side dish. Tried to combine the Mambu rice, the chicken and the side dish in one spoonful. I'm beyond speechless. For the, Crisscut Fries, I finished it in a minute. sooooo sooooo goood!

PERK. Yep. the other glass was also mine.

Mambu-Rice and Fried Chicken.

lanterns and their signature white fence.

While eating, Evianne or Beanne sat with me again and told me that the Mambu-Rice was on the house. W-O-W! After I finished eating my meal, she gave me a Pudding as a token of appreciation. I was already happy with the free Mambu-Rice and another treat? Happiness! It was sooo good that I didn't even bother to take a picture of it. I just quipped to her "You are so unfair, bakit walang hindi masarap dito?"  Wait. Did I mention that their food is really good? yeah. ok.   

After eating, I got the chance to have a glimpse of their beachfront but wasn't able to linger longer because the rain poured so I just had a chat with Tita Elma and Beanne (feeling close?) about the restaurant, Mamburao, future plans and bit of this and that. At that point, I realized that I never been this attached to a restaurant. I felt welcomed. I felt home. If you'll get the chance to talk with them you'll discover why. A reason to come back to the sleeping capital.

TRIVIA: MAMBU-RICE is MAMBU-RICE not just because of the namesake. Ask Tita Elma and you'll see that it is really Mamburao's very own. :)

For me, this IS the best restaurant in Mindoro outside Metro Manila. Considering the stellar food quality that won't cost an arm, a place near the sea with the perfect music and cozy ambiance. Thanks to the resourceful, innovative and out-of-the-box mind of Mrs. Tejada, Mamburao has a place that is extremely worth raving about. 


Maru's Food Lounge
Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
09267556833