Maginhawa’s Provenciano serves timeless Filipino flavors in every plate

Locals of the Diliman area in Quezon City have Filipino-style restaurant Provenciano as their favorite dining spot. With a menu decked with classic local meals elevated with Provenciano’s own unique arrangements, it’s hard to miss out on this Maginhawa restaurant. 

The ambiance is a harmonious cacophony of clanking dishes, bustling waiters, and dining patrons. Wooden and Abaca furniture, Spanish-esque tiles, and colorful pendant lights ornament the establishment. There’s enough space to house maybe more than ten parties of patrons, with an al fresco area welcoming guests by the storefront. At first impression, it’s the typical, homey Filipino-style restaurant.

Kain na!

The menu offers various local dishes under different categories namely Pampagana; Sopas; Luntian; Ihaw-ihaw; Baboy, Manok, Baka, at iba pa; Lamang Dagat; Sari-Saring Sinigang; Adobo Espesyal, Gulayan, Kanin, Meriendahan, Panghimagas, and Mga Inumin. It took about twenty minutes in total for all of our four orders to arrive, starting with the pampagana.

Kinilaw na Tanigue (P475)

The Kinilaw na Tanigue (P475) was the perfect appetizer to start off the night – the raw Spanish mackerel was soft, the vinegar marinade was the right amount of tangy, and the plate presentation was simple yet inviting. The serving was good for two.

Chinoy Pako Salad (P350)

Next up for appetizers was the Chinoy Pako Salad (P350) which was a concoction of pako (fern), cherry tomatoes, salted egg, and mango, served with a couple pieces of chips and a vinegar dressing on the side. The salad was good on its own without the dressing, but the vinegar added a tart punch to each bite. I think the mangoes elevated the flavors of this dish, adding a layer of sweetness to the otherwise sour and savory salad. 

Dinuguan at Puto (P245)

There's nothing more classic than the traditional duo of Dinuguan at Puto (P245). Another dish saturated with vinegar, the Dinuguan was rich, thick, and the epitome of a quintessential Filipino merienda, especially when its savory taste is paired with the sweetness of soft puto. 

Adobong Balut (P310)

The last thing to be served was the Adobong Balut (P310). While often eaten as a snack, the balut was the main course of the evening. Naturally, I paired this ulam with white rice. The flavors of garlic, vinegar, and soy sauce from the marinade was quite overpowering, and for me, the taste of the balut was lacking – my tastebuds almost couldn't recognize it. It's definitely one of the more enticing items on the menu but maybe I expected too much because personally, it didn't meet my expectations, and although still tasty, I wouldn't order it again like I would the rest of the dishes. 

Overall verdict? If you're craving Filipino cuisine and looking for a resto with value for money meals, Provenciano is a place to consider. Their countless menu items also make it easy to keep returning to try different dishes every new visit. From my experience, there are definitely more hits than misses with the food offered, and that gives me enough reason to come back for more. 

Provenciano is located at 110 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City. They are open daily from 10:30AM to 10:00PM.