“Pondahans” through time have been integrated in the small town local community alongside barrio halls and town plaza, where local events and meetings have been held while savoring the home cooked specialties and offerings. Unlike their formal counterparts, “pondahans” lend a relaxed, unassuming mood and ambience for the locals to gather while non-chalantly enjoying food, drinks, and talk. More recently, “pondahans” have joined the integrated transport systems by becoming a food stop and hangout for busy transport drivers and travelers.
HCM, Inc is proud to pay tribute to this timeless Filipino concept of everyday life by creating a restaurant concept which comes from the same spirit of gathering, food, and interaction in California – “Pondahan Fusion Restaurant, Café & Bar” in the heavily Filipino populated area of West Covina, California.
“Pondahan Fusion Restaurant, Café & Bar” lends a unique and friendly atmosphere that blends flavor, effects, texture, sights and sounds that provide a different dining experience. “Pondahan” is the culmination of Pochie and Lelizabeth Crisostomo’s passion, Pochie with his natural talent and craft to create and build sights and sounds and amazing cozy lights blended with Lelizabeth’s culinary flare for everything home-cooked, from original recipes of old as well as gourmet secrets. Throw in the mix of their youngest daughter Meribelle’s formal training as a college student majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Restaurant Manager Regina Gumatay's attention to detail, and the artistic food presentation of Main Chef Art Sudoy together with his crew of two other chefs and one line chef, “Pondahan” indeed stands out unique from the rest of California’s restaurants.
Taking their inspiration from their lush residence in Walnut, California as a theme for the restaurant, the Crisostomosos have captured a masterpiece cozy dining experience, complete with pleasant ambient music, friendly hospitable staff, and subdued romantic lights. Guests are greeted by clay water pots surrounded by green plants and the friendly smile of the staff – Filipino hospitality of the Pondahan; inspired by the flavor of Pampanga and Malabon’s favorite cuisine blended and fused together with a dash of Asian and Western fare, it just feels like small town Philippines has arrived in California.
(Pondahan Fusion Restaurant Café & Bar is located at 535 S. California Avenue, West Covina, California 91790.)
Tel (626) 856_0416 and
(626) 826-7222