8 new Bay Area alfresco restaurants for summer-fall dining
Briefly

Tropa, located in Lafayette, is a modern Filipino restaurant opened by Chef JB Balingit. The menu showcases Filipino flavors influenced by Spanish, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese culinary traditions. Recommendations include oxtail kare-kare and Filipino barbeque. Balingit infused personal memorabilia into the restaurant's design, creating an inviting atmosphere around an old mulberry tree. The restaurant accommodates 35 outdoor diners and is open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, with plans for a Sunday brunch. Balingit aims to share his cultural heritage through Tropa's offerings.
Chef JB Balingit's newest restaurant is Tropa, a modern Filipino restaurant located in Lafayette. The menu reflects a rich blend of Filipino flavors influenced by various cultures, including Spanish and Indian.
For newcomers to Filipino cuisine, Balingit recommends trying the oxtail kare-kare, a stew with peanut butter sauce, and Filipino barbeque, which pairs well with beer.
Balingit curated the Tropa space with memorabilia from the Philippines, and the outdoor patio, seating 35, is designed around an old mulberry tree.
Tropa is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, with plans for a Sunday brunch. The restaurant marks a personal and cultural journey for Balingit as he reconnects with his heritage.
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