Anako brings delicious, modern Filipino cuisine to Little River
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The only dish missing is the noodles. Photo: Sommer Brugal/Axios
Put Anako on your list of restaurants to try if it isn't already.
Why it matters: The Little River restaurant offering a modern take on Filipino cuisine opened last month after much anticipation — and it absolutely lived up to our expectations (at least after just one visit).
Fun fact: It's from the team behind Sili, the now-closed pop-up that also offered modern Filipino at Wynwood's 1-800 Lucky Food Hall.
The vibe: Your neighborhood go-to spot — perfect for a casual dinner with a friend or a special occasion.
- The deep plum-colored walls give it a relaxing, intimate feel; the open kitchen concept provided that elevated dining experience.
State of plate: The menu is split into sections: bites, to share, large plates and desserts. Diners are encouraged to enjoy the dishes family style.
- For drinks, we tried an orange wine and the Sili Margarita, which wasn't too sweet and had a nice kick.
Dig in: I went with my friend Ali and we opted for the Palengke Salad ($21), Chili Prawn Noodles ($36) and Kare Kare ($48). We couldn't pick our favorite.
- The salad: The assortment of greens, herbs and citrus was light and refreshing with a lovely crunch. The herbs (basil, dill, mint) really come through.
- The 'noods: Dare I say…perfect? The egg noodles were glossy, while the seasonal mushrooms, prawns and chili crumbs offered lovely textures.
- The meat: The slow-braised oxtail falls off the bone. This dish comes with rice, so you'll want to drench your bowl with a few spoonfuls of the peanut curry sauce.
The intrigue: The Kare Kare comes with a fermented shrimp paste on the side. We were told a little goes a long way, so we expected heat.
- Nope! Salty (think: sardines from the can). Add a pinch to your dish for that umami flavor.
The bottom line: It's on the pricier side for a dinner for two, but it's worth it for a meal that lives up to the hype.