It's almost impossible to not have lechon in any Filipino party. The whole roasted pig symbolizes the delicious revelry over milestones from a family member's graduation to someone's homecoming. The achievement can be anything for as long as it merits the gathering of loved ones over something as delicious as lechon. In the Philippines, it's always the star of the feast and dining guests queue more than once towards the venue's lechon carving station just to have a plate of its crispy skin and succulent meat.









Lunch of Lechon and More At Trellis

Since the month of May is considered a time of fiestas, a special lunch of crispy lechon and various Filipino dishes was arranged by a friend at Trellis. The restaurant in Quezon City was the venue of a feast that included the stellar presence of the unique Lechon Gallena by Leonardo's Lechon. If you still don't know, the brand is a leading lechon distributor and has been for more than 70 years in San Juan even before it officially became a city.




Hello, Lechon Gallena!

The Lechon Gallena is truly unique for being stuffed with flavors that one won't normally expect. Once carved open, the pit-roasted treat will show you herbs and spices, potatoes, and even whole chickens. It's that loaded with more than just the roasted body. The good news is that it's just one lechon variant from a list of other variants that include the carnivore and the drunken lechon which you can also order at Leonardo's Lechon.

With Lechon Gallena, you're not just in for a delicious surprise. You're also bound to be satisfied by its quality that pedestrian-tasting lechon brands in Metro Manila can't provide. It's crispy-crackling on the outside and succulent-savory on the inside. There's a heightened richness in flavor when feasting over a Lechon Gallena regardless of the lechon size ordered.


There's a heightened richness in flavor when feasting over a Lechon Gallena regardless of the lechon size ordered.

Dinuguan

Simply dip a piece of that treat on an accompanying liver sauce and you're good to go. It's definitely more than a taste of the traditional Lechon Tagalog. If that loaded surprise doesn't match the extravagant reason for the party, whatever milestone that may be, I don't know what else will!

Lechon Sizes To Order

Order one depending on your party need. For intimate gatherings, a De Leche (3 to 4 kg.) or Small (5 to 8 kg.) will satisfy the dining troop. For bigger parties, you may opt for Medium (30 to 60 kg.) or Large (60 to 100 kg.). The Lechon Gallena is available in De Leche (great for 10 to 15 people) for Php5,300 and Large (more than 80 people) for Php11,600.

Dinuguan Bonus

A terrific bonus per lechon order is the inclusion of the supplier's tasty Dinuguan, another Filipino party staple. Now, that's a real treat that's worth your money!


A terrific bonus per lechon order is the inclusion of the supplier's tasty Dinuguan

Kare-kare

Pork Sisig

Buro

Upping the ante of the feast is the set of Filipino dishes that were served at Trellis.



Full-blown Fiesta At Trellis

Upping the ante of the feast is the set of Filipino dishes that were served at Trellis. This is because the fiesta mood wouldn't be complete without the presence of other dishes. At the lunch venue, party diners were treated to a sizzling plate of Pork Sisig, the appetizing Kapampangan-favorite Buro (Tagalog for "preserve") and a hefty version of its signature Kare-kare which was actually prepared with real peanuts.

If you're in Manila and suddenly have an appetite for lechon, you no longer have to fly all the way to Cebu for one. Leonardo's Lechon can satiate your craving. With Nard Aquino at the helm of the business, the family tradition of offering patrons the crispiest skin on the right sliver of fat and juiciest pork continues and can still be relied upon for more parties to come.


For lechon orders, call Leonardo's Lechon at (02) 724-3068. For more information, you may also check its official website here. Distributor address: 89 J. Basa Street, San Juan City, Philippines

You can reach Trellis at (02) 924-1057. Restaurant address: 40 Matalino St., corner Kalayaan Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Photography by Aubrey Gacer