Rediscovering Marikina 2: PDA

One of crumb trails earliest entries was about a place in Marikina. Among the cities in Metro Manila, Marikina has become one of the most progressive. But what sets it aside from other cities is its cleanliness. The discipline of its citizens is also exceptional. But apart from these, there’s a lot more to discover in Marikina. And one of them is Pan de Amerika (PDA).

Pan de Amerikana embodies quality dining experience. The concept of the restaurant is meant to make every diner feel at ease. The ambiance is a fusion of European, Asian and Filipiniana that blended well together, creating a homey environment and a perfect garden set up. Unlike other concept dining places, Pan de Amerikana is not restrictive. Guests are free to wander around while waiting for their food to be served and linger some more after they have finished eating. And speaking of food, the restaurant serves authentic Marikina dishes and other Filipino foods. Marikina boasts of its Everlasting and Waknatoy. Everlasting is similar to embotido but it is placed and cooked in a “llanera.” It is named as such because it in the olden days, this dish is ever present in festivities and gatherings. Waknatoy on the other hand is like menudo. And like everlasting, it is also always on the table of almost every family gathering. The Chinese settlers in Marikina during that time would always complain and say, “Ito na naman? Wak na `toy!” (This dish again? No, not this dish again!). Other notable dishes in Pan de Amerikana are the Ilocano sarabasab, Bicolano express-laing, Cebuano sinugba and sisig rice. But the taste of these foods is not the only reason to dine at Pan de Amerikana. With a very nice ambiance, you’ll be surprised at how affordable their meals are.

Some of the things to look forward to at Pan de Amerikana

More than a place to eat, Pan de Amerikana is also an educational facility. As an added attraction, people can play chess for free. There are rows and rows of tables embedded or etched with a chessboard. Chess pieces are also available near the counter, which people can use. They just have to return them afterwards. But that’s not all! Kids can start appreciating chess also despite their young age through Pan de Amerikana’s giant chessboard. The big chess pieces, according to Mr. Jun Salvador of Pan de Amerikana, are instructional materials, like those used in Russia, Canada and Singapore.

The giant chessboard

The restaurant is also a haven for Marikina artists. There is an art session in Pan de Amerika every Tuesday and artists can display their pieces there until they are sold.

But why is the restaurant named Pan de Amerikana? What started it all?

Before the restaurant, Pan de Amerikana used to be a bakery selling 1950’s pandesal. It is different from the pandesal we are familiar with because its main ingredient is whole wheat flour and it is cooked using firewood, so the taste is really different. The size of the bread is big and sold for only five pesos and fifty centavos (Php5.50) a piece. They also sell a loaf-like pandesal (pandesal pan Amerikano) for fifty-five pesos (Php55.00). The pan Amerikano and Marikina are among the basis for the name of the restaurant.

Other attractions at Pan de Amerikana are the tree house, the rope bridge, and it offers free Wi-Fi service. Pan de Amerikana is located at 92 Ordoñez Street, Concepcion Dos, Marikana City. You may reach the restaurant at 475-2398. It is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sundays.

For more photos of Pan de Amerikana, click here.

Tags: Manila, Marikina, Pan de Amerikana, pandesal, Philippines