Fish sauce in my cocktail at Maharlika Filipino Moderna in New York—yes, please!

This was my second time visiting Maharlika Filipino Moderna, which I recently learned is pronounced “mah-HAR-lee-kah” with an emphasis on the second syllable.Maharlika was where I tried my first cocktail with fish sauce back in 2013. I was nervous to try it at first, but my cousin pointed out I got fish sauce tattooed on me, I had to try it. Not being one to turn something down, I said yes, and it changed my life. Maharlika’s fish sauce michelada was proof fish sauce could be done in cocktails.The Filipino fish sauce michelada is a play on the Mexican michelada and contains lime juice, hot sauce, banana ketchup, San Miguel Lite beer, and, of course, fish sauce. It’s refreshing yet savory, funky but palatable.We ordered the sisig and chicken and blue waffles (!). Sisig is a dish consisting of pork nose, face, and tail, and served with steamed rice. The chicken and waffles is a Filipino version of the popular southern regional dish with waffles made of purple yams (not the VD), fermented anchovy butter, and coconut syrup. Sadly, they did not have any chicken cracklin’s on hand (think fried chicken skin with a vinegar dipping sauce). The chicken and blue waffles were fantastic, especially with the slightly familiar yet foreign flavors of anchovy butter and coconut syrup. The sisig was good, but I mainly like it for its texture rather than flavor.Maharlika does modern Filipino foods with a twist, admirable for their bold creativity. It’s the kind of vision I’d want for my own restaurant.Maharlika Filipino Moderna111 1st Ave. (At E. 7th St.)New York, NY 10003Phone: +1 646 392-7880