Mañana: A Review

Station 2, Boracay Island (Visayas)

I was on a diet. We all were. We told ourselves that we had to be fit and in fighting form for our beach trip. The problem is that travelling (especially on a hot summer day) can make a person hungry. Very hungry. Within minutes of landing on Boracay’s famed white shoreline, my friends and I found ourselves ducking gratefully into the cool shade of Mañana, a quaint Mexican restaurant on Station 2. Adios, diet!

We were so hungry that we barely looked at the menu and just pointed to the pictures of edible-looking burritos and nachos. Our poker-faced waiter suggested that we try the Comida Corrida (the Chef’s Daily Special). Yes…yes…we said, not bothering to ask what it was. Bring it on. Starving folks usually agree to anything.

The food that arrived at our table did not disappoint. In addition to the Comida Corrida (which turned out to be a platter containing an assortment of Mexican goodies like chicken fajita, cheese quesadilla, bean burrito, tortillas de papa, and arroz a la Mexicana), we also ordered Nachos, and the Burrito Platter. The Nachos were topped with a generous amount of ground beef and cheese sauce. As a bonus, it also came with four (refillable!) kinds of dips (salsas, guacamole and my favorite, a piquant chili sauce). The Burrito Platter was very filling as the two burritos (one chicken and one beef) were loaded with rice, vegetables and refried beans. I cannot emphasize enough that THESE. DISHES. ARE. HUGE. If you plan to eat at this restaurant, bring a friend. Bring two friends. Each order is meant for sharing!

Quite fittingly, the word “mañana” means “tomorrow” in Spanish. I guarantee that as you and your friends eat that burrito, and sip that ice-cold margarita, you’ll tell yourself that, well, the diet can wait until tomorrow. Today, you eat.