"Snug Filipino restaurant for communing with food. Two words completely summarize my experience here: wow and stuffed . Definitely recommend making a reservation in advance even if you 're just seating two as the restaurant is quite small, and you might not survive the food envy of watching others eat as you wait. Most tables are two-seaters but they can be combined for a larger group. Currently Perla is only offering their kamayan, or communal eaten-by-hand, menu but this strategy has been paying off even despite not being the most COVID-proof dining. Between diners, the tables are wiped down, layered with plastic wrap, and then large banana leaves that serve as both tablecloth and plate. Your waiter will ask for allergies and offer utensils for food, but I recommend the tried and true traditional experience. It 'll be all you can do to stop yourself from unceremoniously sticking your paws into the pile of aromatic coconut rice that appears on the table before the lumpia, vegetables and meat land. Yes, that is a whole-a fried fish. There 's a little something for everyone, especially when you can mix and match the sauces. If you pay a visit to the single-occupancy bathroom in the back you can sneak a peek into the kitchen where enticing sounds and smells tell of the delicacies that emerge. Leave room for the chocolate coconut boudino served at the end, a perfectly snack-sized, creamy and not-too-sweet treat to top off the meal. And the only time you 'll get utensils if you haven 't opted for them already. Know that this style of eating encourages you to get personal with your food and messy dining IS encouraged. Just wash your hands before you leave."
