“What you experience at Bad Saint is really an amalgam,” says owner Genevieve Villamora who co-owns the restaurant — one of the 38 best in America — with chef Tom Cunanan. Villamora gives credit to Cunana’s vision, love of Filipino food, and personal experiences with the cuisine as what continues to bring the Washington DC restaurant forward.
I remember when I first heard about Bad Saint: it was not long after the restaurant opened in 2015, and a friend had told me that people were lining up for hours to try this Filipino restaurant — the first time I ever heard of anyone doing such a thing. I knew I had to stop by for a visit for an episode of Halo Halo — Eater’s four-part series that explores the changing landscape of Filipino food in America. In my conversations with the owners, I learn more about the experience they strive to provide for their diners, many of whom have never tried Filipino food before.
Click here to meet Halo Halo host Francesca Manto | Subscribe to Eater on YouTube
