JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale

Text by Nikka Sarthou and Photos by Michael Angelo Chua

“You want a bowl?” 

Juana Bowl is actually a playful take on that phrase, which proprietor, Monch Bernabe, conceptualized around eight years ago. The name is apt for the brand that highlights Spanish food. 

In the Mercato markets though, Juana Bowl is famous for its U.S. Rib-Eye Steak, which comes in a 220-gram serving and is reasonably priced at P190. Monch shares that her family really likes steak that even her little boy can finish a hefty serving of it. 

It is not your usual weekend market fare, and thus, it has attracted all kinds of meat lovers—not just growing boys. Where else can you get a nice piece of steak for that price? The secret is getting it from a direct supplier. 

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

Just like in high-end restaurants, Juana Bowl asks its customers how they want their steak done before cooking it on the spot. The cook simply seasons it with salt and pepper and serves it with some house-blend gravy. It sounds plain but it is a nice way to showcase the quality of the meat. Aside from being tasty, what makes this an easy eat is that it gives a tender bite with each delicious mouthful.

Another must-try in the menu is the Norwegian Pink Salmon, which is a good option for those who want to go meatless. The serving size of the fish is enough to satisfy a big appetite and it is affordably priced at P190 as well. Once cooked, just squeeze a wedge of lemon to add some tang to it. I like that it is a very filling meal and healthy, too. 

With this food business, Monch is able to showcase her love for cooking. She has always been into food since she is a nutritionist. She is also married to a guy who likes to cook, Boybie, who comes from a family that has a catering business. It seems like love for food is really in their blood.

Other notable dishes are the Grilled Tanigue and Malted Pork Ribs (a recipe created by Monch herself). Aside from these regular meals, Juana Bowl also offers value meals that come in smaller servings of around 100 grams per viand and practically priced at P110 only.

Next time hunger strikes, grab a bowl of one of these meals to satisfy your cravings.

JUANA BOWL?

Telephone number: (+63 2) 542-7996 (Mercato), (+63 2) 998-2177 (Mezza Norte), (+63 2) 994-5673 (Cucina Andare)
Mobile number: (+63 916) 702-2078 
Email: boybie2009@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/juanabowl

Available at Midnight Mercato, Cucina Andare, Mezza Norte and Levante:

MIDNIGHT MERCATO
Address: Corner of 34th & 8th avenue (near MC Home Depot), BGC , Taguig
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph or mercatocentraleph@gmail.com
Operating hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am 

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

MEZZA NORTE
Address: Trinoma’s Mindanao open parking lot, corner of Mindanao and North Ave., Quezon City
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatonorth.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

LEVANTE
Address: Eastwood Citywalk 2 (in front of Café Bene and CBTL, near the cinema)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@levanteeastwood.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, 6pm-3am

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.