Come to Kumare! Filipino Restaurant + Bakery

Assorted Kumare baked goods & pastries

Being a Filipina and a food blogger, I am expected to know all of the local Filipino restaurants and bakeries in town. Well, I'm getting there;)

Today was my first visit to Richmond's Kumare Restaurant + Bakery and I was lucky to meet the General Manager, Tita Mary Loa.  She was tending the front of the house and was gracious to give me a brief history of the year-old restaurant.

Did you know: Kumare, is a term of endearment for Filipinas among close female friends and kumpare is used among males. 

Kumare's dining area

Tita Mary emphasized that Kumare aims to set a higher standard for Philippine dining by having an in-house bakery and offering a made-to-order menu in a friendly, clean and modern setting. A refreshing approach from what's normally associated with Filipino restaurants.

Tita Mary with the Buko Pie

Ube Macapuno Cake

Tita Mary introduced me to their specialities, buko (young coconut) pie and ube macapuno (purple yam and sweetened young coconut) cake, both baked from scratch by her daughter, Margaret (also known as Joy).  

Kumare Empanadas

I was then drawn to their empanadas sitting on top of the dessert display. Mounds of golden, flaky meat turnovers, generously filled with your choice of pork or chicken. After exchanging contact information, in hopes to get a chance to make a "foodieo" with Joy creating one of her signature desserts, I ordered half a dozen empanadas to go.

Empanadas are the perfect snack on the go!

Kumare is conveniently located by Richmond Centre and the Brighouse Skytrain station with ample free parking. I will definitely come back, bringing my family and friends. Like me, I know they'll enjoy Kumare's warm and inviting atmosphere while eating delicious Filipino food that come in generous portions at reasonable prices.

Kumare Restaurant + Bakery
8130 Park Road
Richmond, BC  V6Y 1T1

Recap: 2012 Philippine Days Festival!

This recap video is a whirlwind snapshot of a two-day Philippine Days Festival celebration held at the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver on June 9-10, 2012. Hosted by MV-PACES (Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts & Culture Exposition Society) and generously sponsored by Globe Telecom & Duty Free Philippines.

Commemorating the 114th Philippine Independence Day, we got to experience the delicious array of Filipino specialities including empanadas, chicharon bulaklak, pancit, lumpia, BBQ meat skewers and so much more. There were talented dancing and singing performances that would have impressed the toughest of IDOL judges. 

To end the festivities, Philippines hottest superstar sensations, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford, captivated hundreds of screaming fans with their enchanting voices, dance moves, humour and charisma. An outstanding performance we were thrilled to have seen.

We look forward to next year's Philippine Days Festival and hope you will join us in the party! Mahbuhay!