Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Perla. The chicken, the fish, and the pork belly was outstanding. All of it was very moist and tender and the vegetables and rice were amazing. I can't really pinpoint my favorite part of the meal because it was all so good. The dessert was very good, for those who like chocolate , it was a dessert made in heaven. For those who want to experience an authentic Filipino meal, I highly recommend it and even those who are not seeking out an authentic Filipino meal and want to try something different. I also highly recommend it.
Great experience! Food was good. BYOB
As others have mentioned it is family style, BYOB, and you can eat with your hands if you would like.What was good:The veggies and rice were very good. As a table of 6 people we ate all the veggies that were put out for us. The lumpia was also all eaten. There was rice leftover which I took home and made a very good veggie fried rice. Large family portion left everyone full.What was okay:All the meats. Chicken was the best of the bunch, and was okay. The pork was very dry and I soaked the pieces I had in the sauce on the table. Fish was fine.Fun experience but probably will not go again.
Filipino enthusiasts / expats looking for authentic flavors or elevated experience should beware and not set expectations high. Food can be considered “Filipino light” at best and okay if the Filipino labeling did not bring a minimum expectation to those who are seeking it. There was nothing spectacular standing out and often a let down at each corner. Price point does not match the menu Choice, taste or atmosphere and honestly mostly hiding behind The kamayan gimmick.
Food was excellent. From the fish to the veg and rice. Just be prepared to take a take home box filled to the brim. The amount of food is insane, but I'm definitely not complaining about leftovers of such good food!
The food was so good, definitely will go again.
Food was absolutely delicious and flavorful. Really unique eating experience especially by Philly standards. Will come again.
*HIGHLY RECOMMEND**4.5 Stars*If you want to try a traditional Filipino feast eaten in the traditional Filipino way with your hands, you should definitely check this place out. Perla offers Kamayan dinner, multi course meal with food served on banana leaf and meant to be eaten with your hand. For just $45 per person, this feast is definitely worth the value. You get an appetizer, main course, and a dessert. The main course includes rice, vegetables cooked in coconut oil, fried Pompano, half chicken inasal, fried Pork belly, and lumpia. The chicken was the best chicken I’ve ever eaten in my life, the skin so crispy and the meat so tender and juicy all around including the white meat. Literally every single part of this chicken was delicious. The pompano fish is pretty good too. The pork belly was too crispy and kinda dry. The vegetables were pretty good, but the rice was just okay. The dessert is a chocolate coconut budino which I did not like, was a bit too salty for me. Overall, I love the experience and majority of the meal was very good, minus a couple of items here and there.*VERDICT*Definitely would come back again just for the chicken
We had a really wonderful meal here. Food was great and the folks helping us were super friendly. Garlic rice and the chicken were our favorite bites of the meal. Looking forward to trying again sometime in the future.
Great place, reservations required. BYOB. Currently serving only kamayan (no full menu); but it makes for a great meal and time with friends and family. Sat next to a first date couple, the meal and atmosphere fostered conversation!