For decades, there was only a handful of Pinoy restaurants—Kamayan, Galing-galing, Tipanan and Barrio Fiesta (which to me still has the best crispy pata). Many have come and gone. Only a few have remained.

Restaurants with foreign concepts have been more fortunate. Many have flourished.

When they opened Café Metro, Mikey and Ria de Guzman wanted a well-presented, inexpensive Pinoy dining place. That restaurant eventually became Recipes, which still serves affordable and good Pinoy food.

I believe that Pinoys will always go back to Pinoy food. It’s something we can eat every day.

With that in mind, we opened Wooden Spoon in Katipunan, Quezon City. I was surprised by the overwhelming response. We were declared the best Pinoy restaurant the year we opened.

That encouraged us to put up two more, at Rockwell and in Pasig. After a few years, only Rockwell stands and is doing quite well, I must say.

Other Pinoy restaurants that have come up with salable concepts are Manam and Locavore.

Seventh season

“Foodprints,” which airs on ABS-CBN Lifestyle Network Wednesdays at 8 p.m., is on its seventh season. It has enabled me to go around the country where I have discovered regional cuisine and other savory delights. This is not work but play to me. I love doing this.

There are some dishes that have made such an impact on me that I have tried to recreate them in my new restaurant.

“Casa Daza” is my other show on Metro Channel. It is a cooking show. It is also the name of my restaurant at the UP Town Center in Katipunan.

My philosophy is to surprise the diner. Familiar flavors, unusual dishes. Everyone loves a surprise. That’s what I believe I’ve done at Casa Daza. That’s why I drive to great distances just to discover new flavors.

Among the best sellers at Casa Daza is Crab Pancit. This was a dish we used to serve at Aux Iles Philippines in Paris. Another is Century Egg Salad, which I created out of my experience with other Asian cuisine.

Gyoza fried and wrapped in chicken skin is another dish I learned from my Japanese tours.

Other bestsellers: Bicol Express, Dinakdakan (whose recipe I learned from the kitchen of Rudy Fariñas of Laoag), Lechon Kawali with KBL (kamatis, bagoong, lasona), Humba, Beef Kare-Kare, Beef Curry, Casa Daza Chicken, Sinampalukan Manok, Stuffed Pechay, Sigarilyas, Puso ng Saging, or a simple freshly stir-fried Adobong Kangkong with Lechon Bites.

Empanadas are also a hot item.

A new dish is Black Pansit. Although it’ll get your lips black, it is a must.

I have booths at the Alabang Town Center, Ayala Feliz, Star Mall Edsa and Alabang, and Robinsons Manila.

Casa Daza at UP Town Center; tel. (02) 87202290 or 0917-1490021

Food tours: Korea, Nov. 4-9; Hokkaido, Japan, Dec. 4-9

Email [email protected]