According to Max’s of Manila Dillingham branch manager Elizabeth Joven, the restaurant really prides itself on being a family-friendly eatery. Because of such ethos, Max’s of Manila likes to create a special menu just for the holiday season. The restaurant also will be open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
“We always are here for our customers,” Joven says.
But in order to get a chance to try the holiday specials, you’d better hurry; they’re only available through New Year’s Day. Joven explains that the menu is filled with good eats that are renowned holiday dishes in the Philippines.
“These are special dishes that you don’t normally cook at home because it takes a while to prepare,” she says. “We wanted to bring back classics that Grandma used to make.”
The seasonal menu is comprised of three dishes, including Seafood Paella ($25.95), which features shrimp, mussels and calamari topped with egg over a bed of rice.
“We cook Seafood Paella with olive oil, and then we serve it really, really hot,” Joven says.
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- Pata Tim ($16.95)
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- Seafood Paella ($25.95)
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- Rellenong Bangus ($25)
The whole family can dig into the dish, as one order easily serves four or five people.
Max’s holiday menu also includes Rellenong Bangus ($25), also known as stuffed milkfish.
“First, we debone the fish,” explains Joven. “And then you cook the meat, and add ingredients such as carrots, peas, eggs, raisin and ground pork. Last, but not least, the meat is placed back in its original skin, and deep-fried.”
The final holiday special is Pata Tim ($16.95), a beer-braised pork hock, which is accented with banana blossom and fried basil leaf.
“We could have used a vinegar or soy sauce, but we opt to use beer for a little kick. The beer makes the meat more flavorful and more tender,” Joven says.
All of the holiday menu items are available for dine-in or takeout.
Time is of the essence, so head to Max’s of Manila for an authentic taste of the Philippines.
Max’s of Manila
801 Dillingham Blvd. (also located in Waipahu)
599-5033
Daily, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96817
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