Lasita

Walk into Lasita on any given evening and you’ll immediately sense that you’ve arrived somewhere special. This Chinatown gem occupies a vibrant corner of Far East Plaza, where tables of friends gather around bottles of funky orange wine and platters of golden rotisserie chicken. The energy is infectious—there’s no awkward warming-up period here because the party has already started.

The menu centers on expertly executed Filipino comfort food, with the chicken inasal serving as the undisputed star. This lemongrass and garlic-rubbed bird arrives with intoxicating aromas and a complexity that only deepens with each bite. The accompanying sauces—a garlicky vinegar mojo and a fiery fermented chili salsita—transform an already excellent dish into something transcendent. Don’t skip the pork belly lechon either, with its aromatics of ginger and lemongrass balanced against impossibly crispy skin. For lighter moments between the meat parade, the pancit kang kong offers refreshing balance with its delicate noodles and bright calamansi notes.

What sets Lasita apart is its complete rejection of dining formality. There are no reservations, no prescribed ordering sequence, no pressure to rush. You can linger over bottles of natural wine before eventually flagging down your server for that whole branzino. Solo diners get their chicken quickly, while dates that are going unexpectedly well can stretch the evening indefinitely. This flexibility creates an atmosphere where the food and company take center stage.

Whether you’re planning a first date, gathering your closest friends, or simply craving some of the best Filipino food in the city, Lasita delivers an experience that feels more like a house party than a restaurant. Just save room for the calamansi cream pie—no matter how full you think you are, that tangy custard with salted whipped cream is worth every bite.