Phil Lempert TODAY Food Editor • Profile • E-mail

This recipe for bistek — a traditional Filipino dish — was “stolen with permission” from chef Drey Roxas of Palencia in San Francisco. Bistek comes in many variations; in this case it is comprised of thinly sliced rib-eye sautéed with caramelized onions, garlic, soy and fresh lemon juice, served with fried potatoes.

The restaurant name of “Palencia” is the owners’ surname as well as a small town in northern Spain. Tying in the strong Spanish influences in the Philippines, it is pronounced “Pa-lén-si-a” and also pronounced by Filipinos as “Pa-lén-sha”.

Filipino cuisine in San Francisco and beyond has yet to be truly celebrated. Palencia restaurant fills the niche of upscale Filipino cuisine in San Francisco’s eclectic restaurant scene and is an answer to the rising desire among Filipino-Americans to have a proper representation of their culture.

Through its cuisine and ambiance, Palencia creates an experience of Filipino culture — bringing tastes of new flavors through familiar ingredients and a warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant for diners to enjoy and Filipinos to call home.

Sean Nolan

Palencia offers authentic Filipino cuisine prepared carefully with healthy and responsible cooking alternatives. Ecologically farmed meats and poultry as well as produce from local farms are used whenever possible. Native ingredients such as vinegar, shrimp paste and fish sauce come directly from the Philippines.

About the chef:
At Palencia, 25-year-old executive chef Drey Roxas maintains the flavors of Spain and Asia, which strongly influence Filipino cuisine, while incorporating native Filipino ingredients and techniques. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Roxas received his culinary degree from California Culinary Academy in 2003. Immediately afterward he worked at the Shangri-La Hotel in Manila. Roxas’ menu at Palencia incorporates bright, fresh flavors along with the deep, rich national dishes of the Philippines.

Palencia
3870 17th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94114
www.palenciasf.com

Bistek is served at Palencia for $12.95.

Want to nominate your favorite restaurant dish for a “Steal This Recipe” feature? Just e-mail with the name of the restaurant, city and state, and the dish you would like to have re-created. Want to know more about Phil and food? Visit his Web site at www.supermarketguru.com.

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