Daddy-named Food Brands

As with many food businesses, the concept behind Papi Pares at The Grid in Rockwell was
culled from nostalgia. “We initially thought of putting up a Pinoy food concept that is very
approachable,” says chef Patrick Go. “Then I remembered how I used to eat pares with my
parents. They would usually bring home some for dinner.”

Taking inspiration from family meals growing up, Go comes up with a braised beef stew recipe that tastes to that of his memories and twists it to produce an innovative line. Pares makes for a clever product as it can be eaten any of day. Also, it can be part of a very well-balanced dish, along with garlic rice and beef broth.

To make theirs a cut above the rest, they use different kinds of meat to achieve interest in every bite. “We wanted to have that tender meat with a bit of texture while also getting that fatty mouth feel. We also serve it with a smoked egg and pork chicharron that give it a very unique flavor profile.” To add variety, they don’t only pair their pares with rice. Customers can also have it as a noodle soup or in another protein—fried chicken pares or lechon kawali pares. The catchy name came after the dish was formulated, and yes, it had to do something with dads (papi is a colloquial term for daddy) and the strictness that comes with teaching discipline. “We rolled with the idea of the father being strict with what the family usually gets at home for lunch or dinner, whether it be home cooked food, restaurant food, or turo-turo food,” he says.

The Moment Group, responsible for restaurants such as Manam, 8Cuts and Din Tai Fung, had
a different fatherly figure in mind when it came to their brand. “We had this vision of a cool tito in our heads, the one everybody the family loves to be around because he brings the good vibes. Like our bilaos of pancit, he’s the life of the party,” says Maita Quesada, Group PR Head of The Moment Group.

Rolled out last December, the Moment Group’s only celebratory brand is the stuff Filipino
parties are built around. “The one thing atop any table in all Filipino celebrations is a bilao of
pancit, and we were inspired by Manam’s flavor profiles to bring you a very dedicated, pancit- forward brand that you’ll hopefully want to have on your family’s dining tables,” says co-founder Abba Napa.

And what’s best is the items found under their new brand, Papa Pancitan, comes in sharing-size bilaos, befitting of any occasion. pancits, ulams, and minatamis specials come in bilao-sizes fit for every group. There’s a slew of various beloved pancits such as Canton, Bihon, Sisig, Palabok and even Pinoy-style Spaghetti. For those looking for something new and exciting, they have Pancit Sisig, Crispy Pancit Palabok, and Pancit Squid Negra w/ Garlic Aioli.
Noodles aren’t the only ones in the menu. They have family-sized slams the House Lumpiang
Shanghai and House Pork BBQ, as well as desserts such as Papa's Ube Cheese Balls with Coco Drizzle.