It’s impossible to miss the California-cool energy of Lasita, a Filipino rotisserie and natural wine destination, that emanates a jovial energy throughout Chinatown’s Far East Plaza. At night, diners spill out of its orange-drenched dining room onto a patio
in the plaza as aromatic plates of chicken inasal and pork belly lechon emerge from inside, flanked by clinking wine glasses and steaming bowls of rice. Lasita takes a more casual approach than its predecessor, Lasa, with a menu that works for nearly everyone — find plenty of vegan and gluten-free dishes that make the place feel even more inclusive. It has become a rare versatile destination for everything from a Monday night glass of wine to an impressive out-of-town family dinner that doesn’t rack up an intimidating bill.
What to order
- Ginataang kalabasa nestles slices of soft, skin-on kabocha squash on a nest of kale laing with a tangle of vegetal leaves long-simmered in coconut milk. Burnt coconut brings the suggestion of smoke, while pepitas add a welcome crunch.
- Sizzlin’ Shroom Sisig swaps pork for springy blue oyster mushrooms, which get cooked down with red onion and chile in a sturdy cast iron pan; a squeeze of lemon brightens the earthy fungi. Always a fried egg on top, whose runny yolk seeps into the crannies of the mushrooms, forming its own viscous sauce.
- You’re here for rotisserie, whether chicken inasal or pork belly lechon ends up on the table (or even better, both). The inasal comes with half a Mary’s chicken that you have to break down at the table paired with a garlicky mojo sauce reminiscent of Zankou Chicken’s garlic sauce and toyomansi, a blend of soy sauce and calamansi. (If you’re like me, ask to take any chicken carcass leftovers home and make soup the next day.) Lechon wraps thick cuts of pork belly around lemongrass, garlic, spring onion, and ginger; the rounds arrive with a golden-brown, crackly skin that audibly crunches with each slice.
- Chicken fat rice pairs with everything on the menu, whether spooning yolk-kissed sisig over the grains or using it to sop up the rest of the coconut milk from the kalabasa. For vegans, garlic fried rice does the same job.
- No matter how many courses precede it, meals at Lasita should end with buko pandan sago. A cooling, creamy coconut pandan sago gets showered with coconut that obscures layers of strawberry-rhubarb and coconut whip.
To drink
Natural wine goes hand in hand with rotisserie at Lasita. A glowing wine fridge at the edge of the dining room holds bottles spanning Sicilian skin-contact, easy-drinking Spanish chilled reds and sparkling Portuguese whites. A handful of wines are available by the glass, with more by the bottle. Don’t expect what is listed online to match the in-restaurant selections; Lasita often rotates the selection.
Insider tip
If dining with a group between 7 and 10 people, Lasita offers a “pamilya style” menu meant for sharing. For $53 per person, the set meal includes hits such as pork belly lechon, chicken inasal, sinigang shrimp chips, and chicken fat rice.
