Friday, August 26, 2016

Exile on Main Street


Welcome to Exile in Katipunan!



Exile on Main Street's Katipunan branch opened only late last year, but their first branch, which is located in Malate, has been around for four years already.
Exile on Main St.
Compared to the one in Malate, their new branch is more spacious and can cater to more clients. Even though it is basically just one big room, they've divided the restaurant into three themes: Artsy, Sexy, and Black and White.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
First, Artsy. The Artsy Room makes use of old wooden door panels on the walls and the tables.
Exile on Main St.
The chairs are handpainted, each with its unique design.
Exile on Main St.
Even the owners did some painting themselves, though they didn't tell us which ones. I did have my favorites though, for example, this joker one!
Exile on Main St.
I love the idea of painting the chairs, since it gives the chairs its own personality. I wish I could have painted one too, not tht I'm a good painter or anything. Haha.
Exile on Main St.
On one side, they have artworks from different artists on display. Everything's actually for sale, and the proceeds? They all go to the artists, every single peso. It's Exile's way of giving back and helping the community that helped them as well.
Exile on Main St.
Next is the Sexy Room. The Sexy room is basically an all-shades-of-pink room. It's very girly, with gold framed mirrors hanging on the wall, and would you believe, shoes on the ceiling!
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
I think Exile is one of those places where it matters where you sit (like sitting beside the window or away from the restroom), because it can affect your mood or how you're feeling. It's kind of inspiring, really.
Exile on Main St.
Lastly, the Black and White Room. This room also features art, but a different medium. Personally, it feels more out-of-this-world. See those chairs sticking out of the wall? I imagine a time when the walls weren't there, then one day, some black goo appeared out of nowhere and hardened. And that was it. The story of the Black and White Room (in my head, at least).
Exile on Main St.
Another feature they have are these three red doors. At first, Mae and I thought they were the restrooms, we just couldn't figure out which one was for the male and which one for the female.
Exile on Main St.
Turns out, there aren't any rooms behind them!
Exile on Main St.
Behind one of the doors is 3D art, and the other featured Rolling Stones merchandise, including the album where they got the restaurant's name from - Exile on Main Street! 
Exile on Main St.
There's just so much to see at Exile!


Calamansi Iced Tea (P35)
all-natural iced tea brewed from tea leaves
Exile on Main St.
I don't normally order iced tea when I eat out since restaurants often offer powdered drinks then sell them at a high price. But at Exile, the iced tea is brewed from tea leaves so it's all natural.

Gimme Shitake (P135)
Exile on Main St.
This is the first time I've tried fried shiitake and it's crazy good, especially since it is encrusted in chive crumbs and served with garlic wasabi mayo dip!

Longganisa Con Sinta (P125)
Exile on Main St.
When you turn longganisa into fried dumplings, I already know I'll like it! It's not too oily, and it's served with black vinegar and salsa.  I tried them both and I like it with vinegar better. Note: this is coming from someone who hates black vinegar. Haha

Grunge Nachos (P175)
Exile on Main St.
It's only the third dish and already I'm impressed! Exile serves unique/uncommon dishes at affordable prices. My sister has eaten at their Malate branch before and she loves their food. She calls it "student-meals" and I agree, because of how affordable they are. But when it comes to the menu and the taste, it's pretty awesome.
Exile on Main St.
Their Grunge Nachos is something that I know Tim will love. Tim orders nachos from different restaurants all the time (it's his favorite appetizer) and I think this one will stand out because of its special salsa made with diced green mangoes and apples, and the Torn and Frayed pulled pork on the side.
Exile on Main St.
Torn & Frayed (P160)
Exile on Main St.
The Torn and Frayed can be ordered on its own. It's pulled pork steed in a heady plum, soy, and sesame sauce with caramelized ginger and garlic. It doesn't look like a lot - you'll probably just skip through it while browsing the menu - but I am telling you, you have to try this at least once. It's good eaten on its own or eith rice, but I prefer it alone so I can enjoy its flavor all the more. It's not too salty plus there's a lot of pulled pork in there, I swear.

Exile also has what they call the Frequent Flyer Chicks. If you're a fan of chicken wings, then this is for you. They have three flavors, all inspired by different places.

China
spicy savory soy sauce and honey coating
Exile on Main St.
Texas
smoky tomato-based barbecue sauce
Exile on Main St.
Java
creamy satay or peanut sauce
Exile on Main St.
Out of the three, my favorite is the Texas because ot reminds me of the sauce that Rack's uses for their ribs!

Drunken Dory (P130)
Exile on Main St.
I know, I know, it doesn't look very appetizing, but if you're looking for a filling dish under P150, this is it. This cream dory is coated in Cerveza Negra batter and pared with a refreshing lemon caper sauce. You can opt to change the sauce at no additional cost!
Exile on Main St.
Baboy O' Riley (P135)
Exile on Main St.
Crispy liempo with rice served with any sauce you want. I recommend the black vinegar and salsa because the liempo is really crispy, it's almost like chicharon (and we all know chicharon is better with vinegar!)

Monggo Tinapa Mo! (P95)
Exile on Main St.
For a crazy low price of 95 pesos, you get a huge bowl of this classic hearty dish consisting of monggo beans, malunggay, and smoked fish topped with chicharon. It's their only soup offering, but it's one that you have to order because it is so good!! It's healthy, too (if you take away the chicharon haha). Oh and yes, it's served with rice. 
Exile on Main St.
If you want to save money, you can split one with a friend then just add another cup of rice to the order! 
Exile on Main St.
For the pasta, they have three kinds - pesto, white sauce, and red sauce.

Tinapesto (P145)
Exile on Main St.
For the pesto, they have plain pesto and the Tinapesto, which has a serving of tinapa or smoked fish (hence the name). The pesto sauce is made in house with fresh basil leaves, garlic, parmesan cheese, extra virgin oil, and nuts.
Exile on Main St.
The White Stripes (P155)
Exile on Main St.
The White Stripes is their pasta tossed in roasted garlic and basil cream sauce topped with fennel sausages. This is the perfect choice for those who prefer cream based pasta. It's not that heavy since it's not as creamy and saucy as other similar dishes.
Exile on Main St.
Dorytos (P180)
pasta cooked in tomato and cream sauce with herbs and seafood broth, topped with a pan-seared fish
Exile on Main St.
I love the name of this one! It's no secret why they gave it the name, this dish has a huge serving of dory on top! This is their red sauce offering - tomato and cream sauce with herbs and seafood broth. I've never heard of anything like it before. Again, it's not heavy because the broth kind of waters it down a bit, but it's not that saucy either.
Exile on Main St.
Personally, I like my pasta with a lots of sauce and cheese, but these weren't bad at all.

4'Shroom Pie (P120)
Exile on Main St.
This is probably the dish I was most excited to try, since it's all about mushrooms!! Inside this eggless pie is a mix of enoki, button, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms in herbed cheese sauce. It was very creamy, so plus points for that. I'm totally coming back to get my own pie, one that I won't have to share with anyone! :P
Exile on Main St.
Finally, onto dessert!

Y Tu Mama Brownie (P85)
Dutch cocoa, semisweet chocolate and walnuts served with caramel sauce
Exile on Main St.
No-Eggs-Were-Harmed Choco Banana Cake Wifudge (P45)
A slice of moist choco banana cake topped with our homemade choco peanut butter fudge
Exile on Main St.
Both were really, really good, but my favorite has to be the more sinful one, the Y Tu Mama Brownie! I just loved all that caramel syrup over the ice cream! To have your dessert ala mode, just add 50 pesos for a scoop of Exile Creamery.


Exile Creamery Co.
Exile produly makes their own ice cream. It is churned in small batches and made with pure cream, whole milk, eggs, sugar, homemade vanilla extract, and more! Even the add-ons like cookies and cakes are made by their team. The flavors they offer aren't the usual ones, I mean, I don't think you can find these anywhere else. It's definitely one of the reasons why you should visit Exile on Main Street in Malate and Katipunan! :)

P.S. my favorites are Mad Tea Party and Milk and Cookies!
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main Street is located at 299 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
-
For more food adventures, like and follow Life in Technicolor on Facebook and Instagram!

Exile On Main St. Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato