Where to Read Mia P. Manansala’s Murder Mysteries—and What to Eat While You’re There
Leslie Hiquiana with Mia P. Manansala’s book Guilt and Ginataan at Albany Park’s Restoried Bookshop.
By Leslie Hiquiana with Allison Yates
What’s one of the best ways to bring books to life? Besides running routes built by stories, like we do at Read & Run Chicago, eating what characters eat–savoring the smells, flavors, and textures of foods featured in books–connects us viscerally with whatever story we’re currently devouring.
And there’s one Chicagoland-based author who gives us the ultimate excuse to pair books with delicious food: Mia P. Manansala. In her mystery series Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries set in fictitious Shady Palms, Illinois, main character Lila Macapagal and her family run Tita Rosie’s Kitchen, a community hub full of Filipinx dishes. Ever multi-talented, the family also helps local police solve crimes. Between the salivating descriptions of favorite foods to the heartwarming love stories and mysteries, the series is both a pageturner and a celebration of Filipinx culture.
Read & Run Chicago volunteer and foodie Leslie Hiquiana rounded up a few of the best Chicago restaurants and cafes to pair with each of the five mysteries in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series.
Grab the book from your local public library branch or online on our Bookshop.org affiliate page, find a cozy seat, and enjoy bringing Mia’s fun-filled mysteries to life. Here’s where to read Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries–and what to eat while you’re there.
Book 1: Arsenic and Adobo
Arsenic and Adobo sets the foundation of the series. In this book, we meet Tita Rosie and the calendar crew and Mia describes Tita Rosie’s restaurant. Her descriptions felt so similar to Flipino markets and restaurants that I grew up going to. There are two places I highly recommend reading this book:
Uncle Mike’s Place: This pairing was a no brainer! Tita Rosie? Uncle Mike? Same, same! Regardless, Uncle Mike’s Place in West Town is beloved by Chicagoans all over the city. Nothing is better than starting the day with a breakfast platter of garlic rice (probably some of the best), longanisa, and a bangus (fried fish). The restaurant gives the same ambience described in the book, at Tita Rosie’s restaurant pre-glowup. It reminds me of sitting in my Lola’s kitchen in the Philippines, sitting in front of a fan (no AC!) playing on the gameboy while we wait for dinner.
SUBO Filipino Kitchen: This Albany Park restaurant is no frills, all flavor. This reminds me of family dinners growing up. The adobo is flavorful and nostalgic. The salmon sinigang is my absolute favorite dish. It’s tangy, salty, and there is so much salmon per serving—delicious!
Book 2: Homicide and Halo-Halo
This was the last book I read in the series, for absolutely no reason! Though reading the series in order allows you to meet all the characters at the author’s intended time, it’s my experience there’s no stress if you jump around. The story in Homicide and Halo-Halo focuses on Bernadette, Lila’s teenage nemesis. This book spends time talking about Lila’s back story and the competitive wedge between Lila and Bernadette. Their relationship is complex and relatable, as Lila tries to help Bernadette clear her name. The pairing for this book is Mano Modern cafe because this is what I imagine as Lila, Adeena, and Elena’s cafe! Also, bonus—their adobo bowl is delicious and the recipe in the back of this book for grilled adobo wings, sound equally tasty!
Leslie Hiquiana at Mano Modern Cafe in West Town holding Mia P. Manansala’s Homicide and Halo-Halo.
Mano Modern Cafe: This West Town restaurant is what I imagine Lily, Adeena, and Elena’s cafe starts off as. It’s a bright space, with a relaxed vibe. I personally love the all day silogs and the rice bowls give you a taste of the Philippines for every dietary restriction! It’s such a great neighborhood spot!
Book 3: Blackmail and Bibingka
Blackmail and Bibingka focuses on Lila’s cousin, Ronnie. He buys the local winery and plans to introduce fruit wines based on fruit in the Philippines. They often reference Lambanog (which is GROSS—basically rubbing alcohol, if I may be dramatic). The perfect place to read this book is a restaurant that serves both delicious and Filipino-inspired cocktails.
Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant: Aside from the other great cocktails at this Michelin Bib Gourmand award winner and James Beard semifinalist spot in Ravenswood—the ube colada sounds delicious—I also recommend sipping the calamansi sour as you read. Growing up, my dad always said to drink calamansi tea when we feel sick, and this is something I still do today!
Book 4: Murder and Mamon
In Murder and Mamon, Lila finally starts to hit her stride with her cafe. She works with her two best friends, Adeena and Elena, to provide delicious treats and specialty drinks. Based on her success and growing confidence, the obvious place I recommend you dive into Murder and Mamon is a cozy Ravenswood garden unit cafe specializing in delicious Filipino-inspired speciality drinks.
Side Practice Coffee: Literally everything here is amazing. I love that its a community space, I love all the drinks here, and I love that they sell merch (hello, Manila Matcha hat—so cute!).
Join us: Read & Run Chicago community members are meeting at Side Practice Coffee on Sunday, April 13 for a community meetup to sample the Filipino-inspired speciality drinks and discuss Murder and Mamon. Read the book ahead of time and join us for a morning of books, coffee, and supporting a small Chicago business. RSVP here.
Book 5: Guilt and Ginataan
Guilt and Ginataan begins at the town’s local corn festival—how Illinois of them, right?—and focuses on the fictitious town of Shady Palms and its community. Slide into the story over baked goods at a locally-owned cafe.
Umaga Bakehouse: Nothing is better than starting the day with toasted pandesal and coffee. North Mayfair’s Umaga Bakehouse carries so many treats and it's a great place to explore the range of Filipino bakery treats, especially if you’re new this cuisine. I enjoy how they merge Filipino flavors with contemporary ideas. My own personal favorites are their Spanish bread and Ensemada.
Leslie Hiquiana is a special education teacher and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. While most of her time is spent working with children, she loves to read, run, explore new restaurants, and cuddle at home with her dog, Estevan. Follow her on Instagram at @lhiquiana.