Primero Casa Filipino: Affordable Filipino Buffet in Quezon City

After a month of blog post drought, let's get back to regular programming, shall we? Now, although I'm not the biggest fan of Filipino cuisine, I appreciate hearty Pinoy dishes both cooked traditionally and creatively. And this my friends is what I experienced and enjoyed at Primero Casa Filipino, an eat-all-you-can Filipino cuisine destination in Quezon City.

Located at Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Street, Primero Casa Filipino was once known as Chef Laudico's Casa Filipino. But with a new chef and management in the house, this literally house-turned-restaurant serves a new menu of a variety of Filipino dishes with great service, and a homey, classy and sophisticated ambiance to boot.

And while the place definitely looks like an expensive restaurant, the good news is, dining here is actually very affordable. For P398 on weekdays and P498 on weekends, even your average Juan can visit Primero Casa Filipino and indulge once in a while.

The Buffet Spread

We visited Primero Casa Filipino on a Friday night so we were lucky to catch their seafood weekend dinner buffet. But first, let me take you on a tour of their buffet spread.

These treats are Sisig Shooters, a really creative take on our traditional sisig which doesn't only look good, but taste delish as well. The sinful pork meat sits atop a crispy wanton and you have to pour the sauce from the shot glass before savoring every bite.

While I enjoyed the Sisig Shooters, these Egg Salad appetizers won my heart and palate even harder. I've always been a fan of the regular egg salad, but these deconstructed take on my favorite is even better! Infused with a rolled crispy wanton, these babies are such a tease that a piece will never be enough. Check my plates later!

I personally don't like coleslaw nor pineapples that much, but I was amazed that I actually enjoyed these tropical-tasting and refreshing mini Hawaiian Coleslaw. Just who would have thought that putting two things I dislike together would create something I'd love?

For salad lovers, there's also a Pinoy Salad Station where you can create your own colorful ensemble. And while I'm a salad lover myself, I decided to skip this to give way for more of the meal starters. As you know, I try to pace myself when eating in buffets.

If you want some light carbs to gear things up, a piece or two of Stuffed Pandesal can be the answer. Unlike ordinary pandesal, these treats are stuffed with creamy shiitake mushrooms which make every bite more enjoyable even if you eat them on their own.

There's also the Tomato Pizza which can satisfy both the pizza lovers and the vegetarians. However, while I liked the blend of flavors, I think this would be loads better if they make it thin crust. By then, I feel like this can be a sure crowd pleaser.

Another set of interesting appetizers at Primero Casa Filipino are these hors d'oeuvre.

Baked Aubergine and Cumin

Mustasa Wrap

Steamed Tofu Cake

I was so curious when I saw these plates of bite-size meal starters as they weren't your usual appetizers in buffets. I got one of each, but it was the Mustasa Wrap with honey mustard sauce that reigned supreme. The savory meat filling enveloped in a bundle of mustard leaves was just something new yet still as enticing to my taste buds.

Fried Lumpiang Shanghai

Baked Oyster in Bechamel Sauce

I'm not so sure if these Baked Oyster in Bechamel Sauce are only available during the weekends. But if you see them, make sure to get a piece or two. They were said to be baked, but they still tasted quite raw. Good thing I'm used to eating raw oysters.

Now, let's move on to the soups and main dishes of the night.

Beef Nilaga and Seafood Chowder

And since it was seafood night, there were also these seafood-infused goodies.

Since I love both seafood and kare-kare, I liked this Seafood Kare-Kare rendition. The kare-kare itself was flavorful and peanuty, with or without the bagoong. The mussels, clams and vegetables were all cooked perfectly too.

While I am a sucker for crabs, I was quite disappointed with these Chili Crabs. Don't get me wrong, they're very tasty and will definitely make your P498 worthwhile. However, since I'm used to eating the freshest (live) crabs, I'm not that easy to please especially with frozen crabs which meat will tend to easily fall apart.

The Buttered Shrimp was okay, while the Seafood Paella Rice may still need some improvement as it was a little too sticky and mushy for my liking. Props to the chef though for cooking the seafood pieces perfectly. Honestly, I indulged in the seafood pieces from this rice dish more than the other seafood-infused items.

Then there were also the regular offerings at Primero Casa Filipino. Note though that their buffet menu goes on a cycle so some might not be there if you visit on other days.

Vegetable Pritata and Steamed Vegetables

Another memorable dish of the night was the Bicol Express Pasta. I love creative dishes, and this just made use of both creativity and one my favorite Filipino dishes -- bicol express. Now, who would have thought that bicol express and pasta can be combined not just in one sentence, but even in one word? The harmony of that creamy coconuty note, chilies and nicely-cooked pasta will definitely be remembered.

Fish Fillet in Bell Pepper Adobado and Braised Chicken BBQ

There were also entrées for both fish lovers and chicken lovers. However, I think the food warming system left the fish dry in the inside. As for the chicken, I wasn't able to try it out since I was on a chicken-eating hiatus. (Blame the home for feeding me chicken daily.)

Here's where you can choose to feast upon the healthiest or the deadliest among them.

Steamed Maya-Maya

Roasted Angus Beef (My default choice!)

Zubuchon

I've actually tried all these three and I rank the Roasted Angus Beef first, the Zubuchon second, and the Steamed Maya-Maya last. They were actually equally good, but in the end, it'll all come down to taste preference. And, I just love my beef. Yum!

As for desserts, here are the items I've spotted at Primero Casa Filipino.

Cherry Cake

Native Palitaw

Suman Panna Cotta

Brownies

Rhum Balls

Chocolate fondue and fruit slices

Tapioca with Langka Sauce

Halo-Halo Shooters

Cappuccino

We've tried almost every dessert item, but the ones which made a huge impression were the Suman Panna Cotta, Rhum Balls, and Halo-Halo Shooter. Oh, and the small cup of Cappuccino deserves a mention too since I enjoyed it as well.

My Plates (What I Got)

I know this post is already very long. But let me just share with you some photos of my plates since I've taken and edited them. It would be a waste not to include them here.

Steamed Tofu Cake, Mustasa Wrap, Baked Aubergine and Cumin, and Fried Lumpiang Shanghai

Pandesal stuffing; Egg Salad, Mustasa Wrap, Tomato Pizza, Stuffed Pandesal, and Hawaiian Coleslaw

Bicol Express Pasta, Egg Salad, Baked Oyster with Bechamel Sauce, and Vegetable Pritata

Seafood Kare-Kare, Seafood Paella Rice, Fish Fillet in Bell Pepper Adobado, Buttered Shrimp and Steamed Vegetables

Egg Salad, Chili Crab, Zubuchon, and Roasted Angus Beef

Brownie, Suman Panna Cotta, Rhum Ball and Cherry Cake

Halo-Halo Shooter, and Chocolate & Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream

Tekali Shot from the bar

THE VERDICT

While I don't usually enjoy dining in Filipino restaurants, let alone Filipino buffets, I was surprised that I found my palate enjoying at Primero Casa Filipino. Although they don't offer a buffet spread as extensive as those of hotels, or those luxury eat-all-you-can destinations, Primero Casa Filipino still carries a good variety of not just ordinary Filipino fare, but also of creative dishes. And with friendly servers, a nice and elegant ambiance, plus a buffet rate that won't leave a hole in your pocket, I definitely recommend Primero Casa Filipino to anyone looking for an affordable yet good quality Filipino buffet.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4.5/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Primero Casa Filipino, Quezon City
26 Scout Torillo cor. Scout Fernandez St.,
Sacred Heart, Quezon City
(02) 921-2448; 921-1850; (0917) 851-2272
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