not so impressed with PAN DE AMERIKANA

This was part of the itinerary we had during our photowalk of Marikina a few months ago. http://www.pusangkalye.net/2011/03/marikina-photowalk-appreciating-city.html. It is one of the attractions of the city which both food bloggers and travel enthusiasts seek. For some reasons, people get curious with the place which is quite popular, not just in Marikina but in the whole Metro Manila as well ---PAN de AMERIKANA.

PAN DE AMERIKANA Marikina

The first thing you notice about the restaurant is its facade.Pan Amerikana definitely is a standout on that  aspect. On the building, it states 1950's. This means a long tradition for the bakery it originally was.The restaurant wing came later. I heard from my blogger friend Ada that this was the first Pan de Amerikana store.Another branch opened in Katipunan later on with a different theme. (inverted car)

As for the one in Marikina,it's CHESS Themed. But you don't get to see that unless you enter because the giant chess pieces and the ROMAN AMPITHEATER inspired stage is in the restaurant itself. It is very famous. It has been featured in several tv shows and newspapers. So next time you see somebody camwhoring with giant chess pieces---that's probably taken in Pan de Amerikana So far, haven't heard of any other restaurant with such attraction. Oh, btw, there are also other chess related collections within the restaurant. I guess its the personal collection of the owner, and let me guess, I think he is a fan of the game.hahaha

So there, the facade, the chess theme, and the ambiance inside the restaurant is really something that makes this place a standout. It would definitely fall on the category of expensive restaurants, less the aircoditioning unit. Or so I thought.Such was my shock when we ordered our meal. We were there for lunch so we ordered vegetable salad, laing, menudo and their bestseller, EVERLASTING which is the only significant thing I tasted.

The bestseller EVERLASTING
bloggers Cris & Ada

Upon eating, that's when I realized why the food is cheap. The taste also comes cheap. I thought the whole setup, I mean the lovely atmosphere in the restaurant and the poor food don't add up. As a paying customer, I say i am willing to pay a little more for a better tasting food. At least one that fits the restaurant's setup. Eating in Pan de Amerikana is like eating on a sidewalk food stand offering home cooked meals.

On our way out, we dropped by their bakery to buy pandesal and  which I really love. They are more expensive than the one's you see in an ordinary bakery but definitely worth the price. Ada said it's what Pan de Americana is well known for---it's bakeshop.That makes sense, it was after all, originally a bakeshop.

Overall, the experience was pleasant. I enjoyed taking photos in the GIANT CHESSBOARD area and the bread. Other than that, the food was just so so. If you live near the area and/or you happen to be wandering around Marikina, I would suggest this place. But if you are,say, like me who lives in Binangonan  Rizal and you would go to this place only for the sake of experience, it's not worth the effort. Yes, I was not so impressed with Pan de Amerikana.


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LOCATION: 92 Ordonez St. Concepcion Dos, 1800 Marikina, Philippines