In the 1990s, the East Village was a veritable little Manila. Filipino businesses congregated here, partly because many area hospitals had hired workers from abroad to fill their staffing needs. But over the past decade, many of the old-time Pinoy eateries—like Elvie's Turo-Turo, Krystal's Café, and Pistahan—shuttered, and getting one's fix required riding the No. 7 train to Woodside. Thanks, though, to Sa Aming Nayon (which means "in our hometown")—a new casual spot on First Avenue—home-style Filipino cooking has triumphantly returned to the neighborhood. You won't encounter the two sparsely decorated dining rooms—each seating about 20 and painted electric red—in Architectural Digest anytime soon. But fear not. Trek to the back patio, where you'll be greeted by a pergola wrapped in verdant foliage and a resplendent selection of potted plants. This tranquil space easily ranks among the city's top restaurant secret gardens. Order a couple of refreshing coconut juices ($2.50)—which come with jellylike slivers of the young fruit—and you've got yourself a little piece of island living. Just pretend the humming of nearby air conditioners is the sound of Pacific waves.
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