Kansi Gets a Completely Different Treatment
BACOLOD - One of Casita de Val's most interesting contributions to Bacolod's food scene is its creative use of kansi, a beloved Negrense dish traditionally associated with beef shank, bone marrow, batuan, and a sour broth. The restaurant's Kansi Steak takes those familiar flavors in another direction, featuring tender beef shanks served with batuan gravy, onions, and fried garlic. The Bacolod Food Hunters specifically praised the dish and noted the richness of the bone marrow when combined with the gravy. The restaurant also offers Kansi Sisig, transforming the familiar regional flavor profile into a crispier, meatier preparation with salty, sour, and spicy notes. For visitors who already know traditional kansi, these two dishes offer an interesting way to experience a familiar Negrense flavor through a very different presentation.
A Menu That Travels From Negros to Spain
Casita de Val does not stop with local cuisine, and its menu includes several dishes influenced by Spanish cooking. Callos a la Madrileña, for example, combines ox tripe and ox tail with tomato sauce, garbanzos, black olives, and Spanish beef chorizo. The dish was specifically praised in The Bacolod Food Hunters' review for its rich and flavorful character. The restaurant's menu also included several duck preparations, including Pato Tin, pan-seared duck breast, and duck leg confit, while Lengua with creamy mushroom sauce provided another option for diners looking for a substantial meal. This mixture of Filipino, Spanish, and Western influences gives Casita de Val a menu that feels distinctly different from restaurants focused on only one culinary tradition.
Even the Dessert Has Its Own Personality
Casita de Val's unusual menu continues into its desserts, where familiar European-style preparations are paired with Filipino-inspired ingredients. One example documented by The Bacolod Food Hunters is the restaurant's Panna Cotta & Bandi, which combines panna cotta with caramelized candied peanuts. The restaurant's atmosphere also contributes to its identity, with the same feature describing an open-air dining area beneath a large tree, bright interiors, murals, and a distinctive grandfather clock. Casita de Val has also promoted itself as a venue for private celebrations and described its dining concept as having a Filipino-Spanish character. For visitors, the combination of unusual dishes and a distinctive setting makes Casita de Val an interesting destination for discovering another layer of Bacolod's culinary personality.
