Bayan Ko

Bayan Ko won us over (and many Ravenswoodians) in 2018 with a great Filipino and Cuban a la carte menu and a BYOB policy we fully utilized. It has since evolved, picking up a liquor license and switching to a $95 five-course prix fixe. But like the only good Godfather sequel, Bayan Ko 2.0 is an excellent follow-up. The creative dishes inspired by the owners’ heritage are still delicious. Black rice arroz caldo ditches the Filipino soup’s usual chicken for tangy calamansi-butter-poached lobster that might put the bird out of the job. Crispy lechon comes with zippy Cuban mojo, Creole sauce, and a fluffy tamal. And with wine pairings and caviar-loaded amuse bouches, Bayan Ko successfully channels fancy dinner energy into a small, charming neighborhood spot. There's usually Cuban music playing and the staff might talk to you about how they're currently obsessed with the garnacha you just ordered.

photo credit: Joe Munsayac