Dampa of the South: trying Market Basket’s seafood bestsellers

PRAWN THERMIDOR

CRAB FAT FRIED RICE

MUSSELS MARINAIRE

CHILI and GARLIC CRAB

FISH CEVICHES

PARMESAN TACOS

FRUITS and NUTS SALAD

POMELO SALAD

MARKET BASKET'S INTERIOR

PATIO FACING RIVERSIDE

Published in Byahilo.com

http://byahilo.com/index.php/2017/04/29/dampa-of-the-south-trying-market-baskets-seafood-bestsellers/

I CONSIDER MYSELF a seafood person foremost—I can’t imagine life not waking up to the smell of crispy danggit in the morning, or the reveling delight that is in my mother’s sarchadong dalagang bukid for lunch; and, at night, going to my favorite sashimi joints in Little Tokyo to let the week pass by.

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With that said, I am also a fan of dampa-palutuan, places where the wet market and restaurants are under one roof. I didn’t mind growing up in a family whose fallback plan was always the Pasay dampa whenever a family occasion like birthdays, or… other birthdays, came up. And Market Basket in Alabang, Muntinlupa City is no different—I loved Market Basket, Riverpark’s popular dampa’-style restaurant. Market Basket will be making headways this year with its new menu. And I got the chance to try the restaurant’s new dishes, as well as its bestsellers.

• Pomelo Salad

The pomelo salad is a Southeast Asian delicacy. While common in the Philippines as a ceviche, it’s a full-meal in other countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. Market Basket’s version is tangy, sweet, and herby. It was the perfect appetizer for the series of dishes that followed.

• Fruits and Nuts Salad

Almond clusters, fruit slices, grape, diced mangoes lime juice and purple lettuce make this dish a well-balanced snack or even desert.

• Fish Ceviches

A new item in Market Basket’s menu, the fish ceviche makes a great snack. Bangus fish ceviche served on toasted tortilla chips then garnished with salad dressing. Great for wine and deep, heartfelt conversations, too.

• Parmesan Tacos

One of Market Basket’s new dishes for this year. Parmesan cheese melted then toasted to saddle Market Basket’s version of the Mexican taco ingredients—roast beef, tomatoes and aragula leaves, onions and lime juice. The toasted parmesan doesn’t come on strong too, making way for other the other flavors. The parmesan taco is unique and is a must when you’re at Market Garden.

• Chili and Garlic Crab

The chili crab is one of the favorites at Market Basket. The crabs are imported daily from the neighboring province of Cavite. First, the crabs are steamed, then cooked with peppercorns, lemons, toasted garlic and chilies.

• Mussels Marinaire

The Mussels Marinaire is my favorite in the menu. Mussels baked with creamy tartare sauce and herbs is as basic at it can get, but the softness and sweetness of the mussel meat will make a long-lasting impression for anyone.

• Prawn Themidor

The Prawn Thermidor is the piece de resistance of Market Basket’s newest menu—baked prawn meat with melted, gooey, parmesan cheese and a bit of tomato sauce with a side of purple lettuce and. Inspired by the French dish, the Lobster Thermidor, Market Basket’s Prawn Thermidor is a must for any seafood lover.

• Crab Fat Fried Rice

And what better way to pair these delicious seafood dishes than with seafood rice! The crab fat fried rice of Market Basket may look too flavorful and strong at first, but it is actually light; there isn’t much crab fat put into the rice for a balanced and healthy mix.