Ka Lui Restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Located along Rizal Avenue, about 5 to 10 minutes away from La Charica, the restaurant is made of bamboo and is tastefully decorated. Mel has dined here many years ago with a group of reporters and the staff of Congressman Abueg. It was called Lui Y at that time. He said a lot seemed to have changed in the interiors, but the rule of leaving your footwear by the door remains. So, this isn't new.
 |
| Foot shots |
It is recommended to call for reservations as early as you can, as this is a very popular spot. They have two batches for dinner, and we took a slot in the 6:15 batch. The next one is at 8:30. When we arrived, we were asked to remove our shoes and slippers and these were stored in a locker by the entrance. We walked barefoot to our table. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that you need to request for the squatting table if you want it. This is the low table with pillows as seats. There are only two of them, I noticed.
 |
| Capiz windows add to the natural ambience |
We got the regular table. We ordered Grilled Squid, Palawan Seafood Sisig, Sashimi, Eel in Coconut Milk and Blue Marlin. Everything was delicious.
 |
| Eel with coconut milk |
 |
| Palawan seafood sisig |
Even the shakes were colorful, especially the Four Seasons Shake my daughter Fides ordered. You'd feel like the four different fruits that make up the drink were blended separately and poured one after the other in the tall glass. They're all made of fresh fruits, mind you. The shakes were topped with a slice of watermelon or pineapple.
 |
| Assortment of colorful drinks |
 |
| Yummy avocado shake |
After dinner, we were reluctant to go. We went around the restaurant, surveying the paintings and ethnic decors. There's an anteroom that served as a gallery for framed pastels and oil paintings. From that area, you can see the stage - a wooden elevated platform with hanging vines and a sunken portion filled with dried leaves. I never got around to asking the staff, but we assume Ka Lui hosts some gigs or open mic sessions on certain days, and this serves as the stage.
 |
| Onstage: City hobbits on a romantic pose |
I thought we've seen everything. Entering the ladies' room shocked me even more. I could stay there for the next 30 minutes! So cozy. It had chairs and a table for lounging. The cubicles were elevated by three steps.
 |
Can you believe this is inside the ladies' room?
Note the knob hole in the cubicle door (above left). |
The cubicle door had a unique locking system. When the cubicle is empty, you see a hole where a knob should be and you can look inside. You'd think it was some kind of pervert's idea of "back-to-basics". But go inside, and you'll see a wooden bar attached to the back of the door and instructions to bring down the bar when locking it. Once you bring the bar down to the small wedge in the door frame, it closes the hole, indicating to people outside that the cubicle is occupied.
We were truly charmed by Ka Lui. I'd say it had all the elements of a Filipino restaurant in a paradise haven like Palawan. More diners, resorts, and houses in the Philippines should be designed this way, to make them cooler and more comfortable for people to live or stay in. I'm glad I chose Ka Lui to be our first dinner venue in this trip.
For reservations, call Ka Lui at (048) 4332580.
