A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

New Restaurant And Bar Radar: Maharlika, Zio, Highland Park

Courtesy Bradley Hawks/Amuse BoucheMaharlika: After successful stints as a weekends-only pop up in temporary spaces around the city, this Filipino restaurant has finally found a permanent home on First Ave, furthering the East Village's transformation into a mini-Manila.Maharlika offers up homestyle Filipino cuisine with a bit of flair and a whole lot of loveâmuch like the Olive Garden, when you're here, you're family. Don't be surprised when owner/bartender/waitress Nicole Ponseca comes over bearing samples of her homemade chili vinegar to dip your garlicky longanisa sausage into, or dares you to down a warm balut, or fertilized duck egg (baby bones and all). Other hearty fare includes a sizzling platter of sisgâgrilled bits of pig ears, snout, and belly sautÃ©ed with onions, garlic, lemon and topped with a raw egg; and heaping bowls of arroz caldo, the Pinoy answer to chicken soup, studded with ginger and garlic. The space is tiny and warm, with none of the dreaded space-aged decor that seems so prevalent in many Southeast Asian East Village restaurants these days. (Jamie Feldmar) 111 First Avenue, 646-392-7880 — Gothamist

Published Aug 18, 2011

Modified Aug 22, 2011

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Click on the photos for details on a few new restaurants opening around town, including Filipino food at Maharlika in the East Village, wide-ranging Italian at Zio Ristorante in the Flatiron district, and the sprawling gastropub Highland Park in Murray Hill.