Barrio Fiesta - Los Angeles

After I was disappointed by the last three Philippines restaurants, I had really hoped that Barrio Fiesta would break my unfortunate stripe and guess what? It did. When I first went to the waiting area, I liked the vibe. There were various pieces of art on the display of the light sculptures of a man and a woman dressed in traditional Filipino Garb to the funky wood carved chairs and table to the rectangular mirror, which also a colorfully carved “Barrio Fiesta” or neighborhood party. The two main dining rooms to the left of waiting had brightly painted walls that were cheerful, as well as these really interesting chairs that were black with a rounded flowered back and differentiated by different colored seat cushions. Even the waiters were dressed in eye-catching barongs, the embroidered formal garments that are usually worn by Filipino men for a special occasion or wedding. When I first saw the waiters, I looked around the dining room to see if it was a kind of wedding reception before I realized that the Barongs were actually what the waiters were wearing. Perhaps the Barongs are a way to sign that every meal in Barrio Fiesta is a special occasion? If so, that's a pretty good subliminal message. For my first meal there, my dining room partner and I shared 3 dishes: paksiw na lechon (roasted pork cooked in vinegar, herbs and spices), guinataang shrimps (boiled in coconut milk) and garlic fried rice. I liked the brown sauce from Paksiw. Unfortunately, the one complaint I had about this court was that there was not enough actual meat. It was too hard on bones and fat. At least the meat that was there was tender. The shrimp dish was wonderful and the coconut sauce was so good that I literally roasted my rice with it. What the garlic fried rice, with more garlic, would have been even better. For dessert I had the Halo-Halo (Halogen-Eis with evaporated milk, sweetened beans and fruit and ice) and what this Halo-Halo-stellar was made for me that the ice was so finely shaved that it was relatively easy to mix the ice, milk, ice cream and all other ingredients together, unlike an ice pick to do the work. It was a perfect way to finish my meal. For my second visit there I came with a larger group and this time we sat in the room right from the waiting zone. Compared to the bright color of the two other dining rooms, this room seemed like a cave with its dark orange walls. Hopefully, the look is temporary. With 11 in my group this time we ordered 10 different dishes. From the 10, my four favs included: Lumpia Shanghai (fried egg rolls with ground pork) – crispy, roasted to a beautiful golden brown, pork filling was moist and surprisingly the egg rolls were not as oily as fried foods could sometimes get Crispy Pata (deep roasted pork ankle) – the skin was deliciously refined as pork was also delicate I also liked, like the Sinbala, a large plate of various grilled meats and seafood that came to shrimp sauce with a variety of sauces of vinegar with inlaid carrots. The addition of Quail eggs to our Chicken Adobo dish was something I have never seen before, so that was a unique touch and the vinegar, soy, garlic-based sauce was perfect to pour on my rice. I didn't even have to eat the chicken. The sauce was enough. The 4 remaining dishes consisted of two different types of fried rice, pinakbet (vegel, pork and shrimp cooked in shrimp sauce) and Kare Kare (oxtail, pork and tripe cooked in peanut sauce). Although not my favorites, these dishes were still quite good. The only comment I have is the Kare Kare. The sauce did not taste as a peanut as I would like and I didn't think there were enough vegetables. I also want to note three things. While Pansit Malabon is on the menu, they don't serve it, so don't bother it. That was a little annoying. Also compared to other Filipino restaurants I had, the prices are higher, but the portions and quality of the food are enough to guarantee them. Finally, reservations are taken only for 10 or more. Overall, I enjoyed my meal in Barrio Fiesta. The service was good and with some exceptions, the food was excellent. I would definitely go back and recommend these restaurants for both family and friends.

Very colorful and fun atmosphere. Unforgettable restaurant in Eagle Rock. Second time in a Filipino restaurant, so I can't be for authenticity, but it was recommended by others by the Phillipines. Service a little slow, but good. Good Kare is available what I didn't try. Will definitely go back.

I'm surprised I never checked this place. Barrio Fiesta is excellent. I visited here with a friend of Manila and his wife, and they are also fans. Barrio Fiesta is a beautiful, casual sit-down pinoy restaurant in the Eagle Rock area. I only tried from three dishes from their menu, but I two of them were wonderful: pork pigs (with pork ear, onions, carrots, which were cooked quickly in vinegar, pepper and soya) and shrimps (boiled in garlic, lemon and seasoned sauce). I was just so-so with the Kare war as I like to have a stronger peanut fan, but again the sisig and the shrimp gambas were delicious. The service is nice and friendly, and you can make reservations. I like Salakot Sizzle and Grill better in the Silverlake Historic Filipinotown area, but Barrio Fiesta is still a must visit, authentic Pinoy restaurant. Your menu is also quite extensive and I look forward to my return to try some of their other offers, such as sinus, crispy pata, tokwa’t baboy, laing, inihaw na pusit, inihaw na bangus, and of course their desserts!