I was invited by Deal Dozen to critic for a restaurant that sounded as unique as the food it served; The Frazzled Cook.

The very definition of frazzled means to be “worn out” or to be “put in a state of extreme physical or nervous fatigue” Fortunately, this feeling was a far cry from what my night would be. Neatly tucked away in Luna Mencias, One might say this could be one of San Juan’s most best kept secrets.

Going through the doors, my eyes were greeted with solid, colorful walls, light and dark furniture and a collection of beautiful chandeliers. The tables were generously spaced. The ambience was Filipino and conventional, which is not a sarcasm!

Imagine the shock on my face to find Hello Kitty tableware (pictured below) in such a upscale setting. A wide grin began to form on my face and I knew from that moment on this was not just “some other fancy restaurant” Somehow, I felt like i was eating happily within the comforts of my home

Here are some of the chef’s signature dishes: 

Sauteed Squid Salad and Homemade Iced Tea

The squid salad was one of the best! It uplifts your taste buds instantly! Juicy squid with its savory taste combined with the sweetness of the vinaigrette and tanginess of the mango slices on the side; while the homemade iced tea gave us a sweet, light feeling of happiness; with its peach flavor and foamy texture at the top. 

Tenderloin Steak and Sausage Pizza

Personally this was the highlight of the night! Two of my favorite foods, steak and pizza, married into one sumptuous smorgasbord. The two cheeses brought out the full meaty flavor of the steak. 

Paella Negra

The waiters and the chef politely informed me that they were serving their signature dish. Clearly, paella is a rice dish, but their unique version has so much toppings on top, one wonders where the rice is. Do not forget to garnish it with lemon!

Other dishes include:

Corn and Chops

Being conscious of my weight, I just had to break my diet when the waiter served us this huge tender juicy pork chop slapped with a special BBQ sauce and paired with sliced corn on the cobs. It was worth my diet sacrifice.

Spicy Cajun Fish Fillet

Finally the “piste de resistance”. This dish captured the real essence of cajun and more! Spicy and delicious, the fish was cooked to perfection. The veggie sidings had good texture and the rice was pleasantly paired to leave one with a full feeling. The dish was actually big enough to serve 2 so do not forget to bring a friend.  

And for dessert: The famous Pancake ala Mode

What looks like a simple pancake with ice cream on top was actually a sweet surprise waiting to tease my taste buds to silliness. A must try!

Whether you are on a family outing, a friendly get together or a romantic date, The Frazzled Cook provides home cooked comfort foods leaving our tongues frazzled, in a great way.

 

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