Walking into Pinoy, the first Filipino restaurant in Baton Rouge, is like standing center stage in a 1972 funhouse. Lime green trims the windows and walls, mirrors double the space, and a wrap-around bar gives an organic feel to the Sherwood Forest-area eatery. Friends Val and Jojo, who met at a Filipino prayer group in 2006, wanted to open a festive restaurant and karaoke bar targeting families who enjoy rocking together. Think Thai Kitchen but brighter and more Americanized. Heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine, the Filipinos know how to cook pork. The barbecue pork kabob (pictured), for example, tastes like something your friends would put together at an LSU tailgate party. The pancit canton, egg noodles with vegetables in a buttery sauce, is a distant reminder of Grandmother’s southern comfort food. Experience Pinoy on Friday and Saturday evenings to hear the music of “Big Bro,” James Taylor’s Filipino brother, and enjoy $1 draft beer. —Rebecca Breeden
New Filipino restaurant delivers fun, food
