Alqueria in SM Mega Fashion Hall: 9 things to try

MANILA, Philippines – The restaurant formerly known as Boqueria is now called Alqueria, due to a business decision by the partners. But its soul is in the food, not its name – and that hasn’t changed.

Tapas, or small plates, are prominently featured on the menu, but the highlights come in the form of longtime favorites – including the staple paella and the tempting, succulent cochinillo. 

Ambience is a key factor here – it’s best to sit inside, near the windows for a great view, away from the mayhem outside. (READ: Touring Linguini Fini and 5 other Mega Fashion Hall restaurants) 

Heading the kitchen at Alqueria is Adrian Nieto, who grew up in Linyola, just outside Barcelona, Spain. Many of the recipes of the menu items, he said, were handed down to him from members of his family – the cochinillo from his grandmother, the fabada or bean stew from his uncle, the paella from his mother. 

(RELATED: READ: Ippudo in Manila: 7 things to try) 

Here are just a few things to try: 

1. Tabla de Jamon en Queso (P628)

Spanish ham (jamon), chorizo, and cheese 

2. Ensalada Mista (P328) 

A salad made of lettuce, tomatoes, bell pepper in honey-balsamic vinegar dressing  

3. Paella Quezo Manchego (P398) 

Paella topped with a generous serving of thick, melted cheese.  

4.  Lengua Estofada (P398) 

A favorite to order in Spanish restaurants, this is ox tongue in mushroom-based sauce

5. Cochinillo (P4998)

Oven-baked young (21-day old) suckling pig, the crowning glory on the menu.  

The cochinillo is usually served whole, then (dramatically) cut into pieces using a ceramic plate, the way it’s done in Spain. This action shows guests the tenderness of the roast pork.

Adrian Nieto said that the plate is often thrown onto the floor after cutting – though he didn’t do this at the media event. 

Watch a server (not Nieto) serve up cochinillo in this Instavideo, taken before Boqueria was renamed. 

 

6. Paella Marinera (P798)

Seafood Paella

7. Fabada Asturiana (P158)

White beans, chorizo chicken, pork and beef broth. 

8. Bacalao a la Vizcaina (P538)

Salted cod in tomato sauce.  

9. Churros (3 pcs: P168, 5 pcs: P248)

Alqueria serves churros with 3 dips, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.

You can also get chocolate churros: P238 for 3 pieces, P308 for 5 pieces. 

Alqueria is part of the SumoSam group of restaurants owned by Marvin Agustin, Ricky Laudico, and Raymund Magdaluyo, and Alqueria also brought in partners Liz Uy, Mylene Dizon, Agot Isidro, and Charo Santos.  

The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of Mega Fashion Hall. – Rappler.com

All photos by Manman Dejeto/Rappler