I was invited to experience a special Chef’s Tasting Menu at Lola Restaurant which is located at Bodega Ridge on Galiano Island. Chef Elmark Andres is of Filipino heritage who blends Southeast Asian flavours with Pacific Northwest and Gulf Islands ingredients.

The restaurant is named after Chef Elmark’s “Lola” (grandmother in Tagalog), honouring the role his grandmother played in shaping his approach to flavour and comfort food.

We had the pleasure to dine there recently over the Tasting Menu that covered much of the current menu and more. The restaurant is currently open on Friday and Saturday nights, and often may be closed if there are any weddings at the resort, so check open dates and make reservations in advance. I will note my favourite dishes below.

1st course

Pan de Sal with fermented smoked butter (favourite)

2nd course

Albacore tuna tostada

3rd course

Sun seeker Oysters with a thai dipping sauce

And

Filipino Kinilaw, a raw scallop ceviche with black sesame rice crackers (favourite)

4th course

Crispy rice & Pomelo salad, such a refreshing delicious salad with SE Asian herbs, lemongrass, mango, taro, Thai chili, Calamansi galangal vinaigrette (favourite)

5th course

Tito’s fried chicken bite (favourite)

6th course

Tokwa’t Talong with crispy tofu and eggplant with garlic sweet soy sauce, shaved papaya and Thai basil (favourite)

7th course

Beef Kulma a delicious dish with coconut braised beef brisket, snow pea and crispy shallots (favourite)

8th course

Pork collar with rice

9th course

Leche flan with the passion fruit (favourite)

Lola Restaurant is located at 120 Manastee Rd, Galiano Island.

By: Richard Wolak