A taste of the world

GET a taste of Spain, Mexico, Italy and Thailand and would you believe Tondo on your lunch hour. Mundial, the newest self-service restaurant on bustling Tomas Morato, serves world cuisine suited to Filipino taste. Mundial means global but also translates into an upbeat, bright, cheery dining experience complemented by great service and full-flavored platters of cuisine from around the world.

Rice galore

Filipinos the world over are known to be rice eaters. And no meal is complete without rice so Mundial satisfies that craving and so much more --- fine-tasting, full meals like meat, chicken or seafood with flavored rice and vegetable sidings as prepared by various countries. There is Firenze or Capri which is Risotto al Funghi (Rice with mushrooms) complemented by chicken Florentine or red snapper with herb butter and pasta salad; Segovia, Paella Rice with tenderloin salpicado and pimiento potatoes; Guadalajara or Tijuana, Mexican Pueblo Rice with a vegetable taco or a chicken enchilada and chili con carne; or a Laguna, Batangas or Kawit, the local flavor of good old Garlic Rice with a choice of shredded pork adobo, pork barbecue or squid barbecue. All meals come in huge, brightly-colored platters and filling enough to satisfy the cravings of two ladies with a medium appetite.

Yuppies and mommies

Mundial is the baby of the Pineda family whose patriarch Nandi has always had a passion for cooking and great food. His youngest son Chook is in charge of the restaurant’s day-to-day operations, the kitchen and commissary while his girlfriend Cris Crisol is involved in the marketing and quality control of the 50-70 seat diner.

Since it was opened three months ago, visitors from banks, offices and nearby television studios kept streaming in. "It's reasonably priced and has excellent food," one customer commented. Cris tells us that majority of the crowd are young professionals who need to get back to the office yet want to have a good, quick meal in pleasant surroundings. We noted that service at Mundial is brisk and the staff is attentive to the diners’ needs. Working moms who don't have the time to cook and want to take something home for dinner also comprise a large part of their clientele. "It's an alternative to burgers and pizza," Cris adds. A second branch, set to open on the last week of March at the Shangri-La Metrolink, will surely meet the needs of harried commuters on their way to the MRT.

Earth-friendly

Cris, an avowed environmentalist, tells us that the dishes at Mundial are cooked with olive oil and the freshest ingredients. "We have our own herb garden at the back of the commissary," she proudly notes. Take-out dishes are not in your regular styrofoam containers but in microwaveable ones--- ready for heating and eating.

The comfort rooms at Mundial are noteworthy as its doors have been artistically designed by Cris herself --- a play on the name "woman" and "man" written beautifully in various languages. The toilets feature the half-flush/full flush system to conserve water.

Mundial's interiors are done in cheery lime and cool apple green with contemporary, stylish furniture, stainless steel accents and halogen track lighting. Its floor-to-ceiling window in front of the restaurant, eliminates or minimizes the need for indoor lighting during the day.

Something for everyone

Though the restaurant has both smoking and non-smoking areas, huge and efficient filters hanging from the ceiling assure diners that they do not come out of Mundial smelling of food or cigarette smoke. On the day we were there, seated right across us were three women puffing away yet when we left the place, there was nary a trace of smoke on our clothing.

At present, access to Mundial is via a steel ramp, which is good for disabled persons. It’s a fun place for families to dine on weekends. Moms who are health-conscious and watch their weight will be delighted with Oriental Salad, heap of greens and mandarin slices with a delectable dressing. Children will enjoy the super delicious fresh tomato and basil pasta (very healthy and yummy with, take note, real fresh tomatoes, not the canned variety). Dads and teeners can select from a wide array of rice dishes or healthy sandwiches --- Kani sandwich (crab sandwich) with Wasabi Mayo is a hit.

A meal at Mundial is not complete unless you partake of Nandi Pineda's famous Engano, a heavenly dessert made of cream patisserie and sponge cake. As the name suggests, it's sooo good that it will certainly lure you to break that diet.

Liven up your lunch break at this festive dining place. Where else can you get an affordable, delectable taste of the world in just an hour?

Mundial is located in the heart of Tomas Morato, QC.