Sinamak? Why, Yes Please…to Both

Wondering what the two sinamak-s is all about?  You’ll get your explanation in, 3, 2, … You see, sinamak is vinegar infused with a bajillion spices (at least, that’s how I would like my sinamak =D…That’s how Beth would like it, too and she can take the heat when it comes to chili infused vinegar, but not me.  No comment about vinegar – of any kind – from Karla.  As you would expect from our resident baker, it’s all about the sweets.  *hihi).

Sinamak sinamak *harhar

In Baguio City, Sinamak is also a restaurant. Located along Legarda Road on the same side where Chaya Japanese Restaurant is, you’re just a few steps from scrumptious Philippine cuisine (if Japanese fare is not your cup of tea).

Sinamak beverages

I saw a photo of sinamak (the vinegar) on foodspotting.com and I just had to have a taste of that.  Yes, if only to get a spoonful of that potent seasoning, I pestered Race into picking that restaurant for lunch that day.  When he finally gave in, we were a long way from the lunch bell.  With a fantastic offering of Pinoy comfort food (dinengdeng, sinigang) and also some special dishes (shrimp curry, chicken inadobo sa gata and butter garlic crabs), I expected the Sinamak (the restaurant) foodstuff to be sold out.

Sinamak (vinegar) and Sinamak dishes (“,)

Luckily, we were able to get the binagoongang ribs (what a nice twist right?  Not just cubes of meat cooked in shrimp paste but actual ribs you can eat a la lollipop.)  We also got a veggie viand – the adobong kangkong.  I would’ve wanted to get the stuffed tomatoes (imagine what those would look like in photos.  Oh so cute!  Eeeeiiii!) but considering that we were late, we’d have to come back for that another time.

Binagoongang Ribs \m/

Anyway, the two viands were enough.  Both dishes were packed with so much flavor that one order of plain rice (per person) didn’t hack it.  There were lots to go around with just the shrimp paste sticking to the pork ribs.  Also, every stalk of kangkong wilted into the soy sauce beautifully.  Zing went my tongue with every spoonful with rice.

Zingy adobong kangkong *zing!

Of course, I got a taste of the sinamak (the vinegar)…more than a taste even, I tipped the bottle to fill a bowl with vinegar \m/.  Taking a sip from the bowl, sake like, I was in heaven.  I used the vinegar as a dip for the pieces of meat that I carved away from the ribs.  Meanwhile, Race was eating in reverent silence… a good indication of what his thoughts were about the Sinamak (the restaurant) food.

Us relishing in Sinamak (vinegar and restaurant offering =D)

I also have to mention my Sinamak drink (no, not the vinegar *heeharhar =b; but the restaurant’s signature drink).  It was called the citrus quencher (so dramatic, right? =D).  Aside from beautiful round slices of orange plopped into the glass, it also had cucumber slices.  That gave the beverage an awesome tang.  It wasn’t that strong but my, did that hint of cucumber add to the refreshing quality of the drink.

Citrus Quencher… and iced tea photobomb =))

Before we even finished our meal, the rain started to pour.  It wasn’t a problem because Sinamak (the restaurant) was a very cosy place to hang out; wooden panels, lanterns hanging from the ceiling and the walls casting a soft orange glow on the table – oh so dreamy.  We listened to the rain pitter-patter on the roof as well as the seminar that the owner was giving to some people.  (From what I eves dropped *heeee, she had a sideline of helping those who wanted to get jobs abroad.  Want to go to Canada?  She can brief you on what to do.  She sounded really experienced.  I wanted to pack my bags right there. *harhar)

Sinamak scene and my lantern fascination. ^^,

It took the rain some time to let up.  Twenty minutes in, I was ready to order another dish (pasta kaldereta).  Not because I was hungry again but just because I was embarrassed thinking that we overstayed our welcome at Sinamak.  The staff assured me, it was okay and it was really coming down like cats and dogs out there so we continued to wait (with coffee, anyway).  When it finally stopped and we were ready to go, the owner asked us about the food.  I told her, it was superb and that we’d be back for the stuffed tomatoes and the other dishes (yes, the vinegar too) soon.

X marks Sinamak for good food (not just zingy spiced vinegar ^^,) in Baguio.

Food: 

Service:  Thanks for giving us shelter from the strong rain, Sinamak people! (“,)

Ambiance: 

Price: 

Sinamak

363 Legarda Road

Baguio City, Philippines

0907 507 2965

facebook.com/pages/Sinamak/179919858735557