Description
Patio Filipino, one of the Bay Area's toniest Filipino restaurants, is also one of its busiest. By 7:30 p.m., the room is hopping: Ten-person family outings next to two-top romantic dates. Birthday parties that spill out of the side room. Waiters weaving through the San Bruno restaurant wielding elaborately garnished platters of fried milkfish and cast-iron plates of sizzling sisig that sputter and smoke, filling the room with the smell of spiced pork. The restaurant's signature crispy pata is the size of a butternut squash, tender pork hock meat wrapped in bubbly skin. Also worth ordering: the ginataang (vegetables cooked in coconut milk); the clear, tart sinigangs (tamarind-soured soups); and the beef caldereta, shortribs braised down with tomatoes, peppers, and a little peanut butter.
