Filipino fast-casual restaurant Barkada is opening Saturday in the Fore Street space that was last home to Paper Tiger.
The new restaurant at 425 Fore St. seats 25 customers inside and another 25 outdoors. Chefs and co-owners Nicole and Ben Bowers are presenting a build-your-own bowl concept based on classic Filipino foods like chicken adobo, lechon (roast pork) and bistek (beef), along with sides like lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) and pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish.
In addition to customizable bowls, Barkada offers several signature bowls based on its featured proteins, popular combinations they road-tested on the Barkada food truck they launched last summer. The food truck will shut down for now, though the chefs will also offer catering services this fall.
The beverage program includes soft drinks, Asian and local beers, and an ube pina colada slush.
Nicole Bowers is a native of the Philippines who met her husband in New York City while they both attended the Institute of Culinary Education. Their business partners in Barkada are Margaret and Luka Dow.
Margaret Dow noted that Nicole Bowers’ parents own five restaurants in the Philippines. “So it’s definitely a taste of home,” Dow said.
Barkada is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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