I’ve been to Netong’s Original Special Batchoy inside the
Lapaz Public Market many times but I’ve never chanced upon their pata. Finally,
one rainy Sunday afternoon, the “elusive” pata has been conquered! It was
unplanned – I was eyeing the Pancit Noname at Lapaz Bakeshop but it was already
taken off menu when I inquired so I was off to Netong’s.
There, a gigantic “kalaha” (frying pan) filled with the
cholesteriffically appetizing pata welcomed my visit. Before I was informed
that it’s only during Sundays that Netong’s serves their own pata recipe, on
other days it’s another. Also it’s linaga during the morning and this Mon-Sat
pata is served around 3pm onward. So I was just in time for Netong’s very own
recipe.
There are two pata orders – for Php20 you get that piece of
skin only and for Php40 you get the one with bones. After much debating in my
thoughts, I got two orders of that skin-only pata, I was after quantity that
time. Service was prompt and just a few minutes after settling on the table, my
order came.
It was only then I realized that I should have ordered both
variants in order to complete my pata photo ops. Good thing the amiable Lapaz batchoy
maker that time said yes to my request of ordering “pata with bones” for photo
ops only. Thus after 5 minutes or so that piece of bone “oozing” with cartilage
and skin went back to the kalaha.
I find the pata skin still gummy for I was really expecting
and hoping for the one that melts in the mouth. Also the broth was “sanitized”
for it was just light but still tasted good yet I was hoping for the one that
was so rich that it sticks to the sides of the mouth. Despite this I had two
orders of rice to go with Netong’s pata and it was still a very buy – delicious
and affordable.
It was indeed another satisfying lunch – filling in my
craving for so long for both my appetite and of course for my blog. And I’ll
surely be back and hungry for more.