FOOD REVIEWS MANILA

Le Petit Chéri: A Darling French Place at Molito, Alabang

2013-05-21T21:33:00.002+08:00

I believe having a little lunch by yourself every now and then is healthy for one's soul, oui?

I'm on a constant lookout for happy places, places---usually restaurants, cafés or bookstores---where I find comfort and contentment (apart from my home) even for a couple of hours. Usually these spots have a serene and relaxing atmosphere, serve coffee, and don't make me feel like I have to leave right away. Books are a plus, albeit I have my own personal library in my Note 2, so I'm not so worried.

Living in the South, I would always pass by and notice Le Petit Chéri whenever I'm in the area. One particular morning, I was already hungry, having run errands around Alabang. My last stop was at Molito, and Le Petit Chéri was one of the very few restaurants that were open before 12 noon. In fact, I believe they open as early as breakfast time.

The place was spaceous and bright, with the sun shining through the big picture windows, muted only by the light Roman shades that covered them. A glass display showcased different cakes, pastries and macarons, while on top stood a pretty Eiffel Tower figurine. They sold little ones just like it, as well as different French-inspired mugs, as seen under the grand winding staircase leading up to the mezzanine.

Shrimp Bisque (P160)

I hurriedly perused the menu for something warm and savory to fill my stomach before I eat something heavy, and the Shrimp Bisque quickly caught my eye. A pottage of shrimp purée, tomatoes, white wine and brandy, the flavors were robust, and bordering on briny, yet it was exactly that why I kept putting spoonful after spoonful into my famished mouth. A couple of shrimps curbed the richness when included in certain bites, while the cream added a little dimension to the flavors at hand.

Coq Au Vin (P268)

You couldn't get any more French than with the Coq Au Vin (pronounced as kōk ō van), and so I went ahead and tried it. Tender chicken that was rich with its juices and herbs, it was cooked in brandy and red wine sauce, and served with haricots verts (green beans) and rice pilaf. The combination of flavors were a delightful and palatable one, so much so that I kept dousing each piece of bare chicken meat with the sauce. The mushrooms were a great touch, a certain earthiness to end each lovely bite with.

Calamansi Iced Tea (P75) and Créme Caramel Latte (P110)

The iced tea had a tincture of zesty calamansi that made me breeze through it like cold water after a morning exercise. I still had dessert in mind so I ordered for another beverage, something coffee based yet still cold. The caramel in this Créme Caramel Latte was lost on me; nonetheless, I still enjoyed the drink.

While waiting for dessert, I trekked up the staircase to take a peek at the mezzanine. It was filled with more tables, and a large bookshelf occupied the wall on the right. On display were business books, children's books, and books on lifestyle and design, catering to every crowd. Further ahead was a function room, also with its own bookshelf. Several paintings adorned one wall overlooking the dining area below.

Le Petit Chéri (P198)

From a top view, such massive size could very well pass for a hamburger...

...only, I didn't order one.

It was the biggest macaron I have seen; even bigger than the ones in The Cake Club. Just like it though, the discs were a bit dry. A crunch precedes a dollop of cream that washes through your mouth, bringing with it pieces of dried fruits and nuts. I thought there was too much Chantilly cream for my own good, and lacking of sweet tooth that I am, no amount of nuts or candied fruits erased the saccharine taste on my palate fast enough. The orange and pineapple compote did help at first, bringing with them some faint traces of acidic tang, but I still couldn't bear to finish the whole thing. Oh yes, it was an eye candy, albeit for the likes of me, this Le Petit Chéri macaron was simply just that.

See how lovely it is to spend all morning---or afternoon---in here?

Despite being disappointed with the dessert, I would definitely go back here again. Good, affordable French food, plus a very nice and relaxing ambiance, it's pretty hard to find such a combination elsewhere.

Le Petit Chéri
Spot: Molito Lifestyle Mall, Madrigal Ave. cor. Commerce St., Alabang, Muntinlupa
Contact Nos.: 0917-511-0138 or 403-6354
Facebook: facebook.com/LePetitCheri

Great Shawarma by Shawarma Guys at The Fort Strip

2013-05-17T21:28:00.002+08:00

In the mood for some shawarma...

When I was about to go to BGC a couple of weeks back, I asked my husband if he wanted something from there. He told me he wanted some food, something for an afternoon snack. I immediately thought about Shawarma Guys, and how many of my friends were raving about it.

I was pretty familiar with its location since I already saw it before, when I dined at the Early Bird Breakfast Club, which was just a stone's throw away. The place was pretty big for a shawarma joint, but I heard it could get pretty crowded at night; hence, maybe the need for such space. Good thing I always have my trusty Note 2 with me so I could get some food shots whenever I don't have my DSLR.

Chicken Shawarma (P140)

I originally wanted to order the Beef Shawarma, just to get a gauge on how this one compares with other ones I've tried before. Too bad, they've run out of stock that time; the URBN Bar crowd seemed to have wiped out their supply just the night before. So I opted for the Chicken Shawarma instead. Large chicken pieces (as opposed to others' small diced ones) are wrapped in a soft pita bread, together with some veggies and creamy garlic sauce. Though I'm not one for persian/indian/mediterranean-inspired food, this I have to say, was pretty good.

Sisig Shawarma (P140)

The moment I tasted the Sisig Shawarma, I stopped feeling bad about not having the Beef. Crunchy and meaty, this flavorful variant had some delicious fat bits to go with all the porcine meat. A little spicy note even greeted you at the end of each bite. Douse some yogurt sauce for more depth of flavor, or if you want a bit more kick, get some salsa dip in it.

My husband enjoyed this so much, and couldn't get over how good the pita bread is. I couldn't agree more. I'm still curious about the Beef Shawarma, but I don't think I'll go back without having the Sisig Shawarma again. Plus, I'm also curious about their Kebab Meals.

Shawarma Guys
Spot: G/F Fort Pointe Bldg. The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Contact Nos.: 966-8838 or 0917-891-4333
Facebook: facebook.com/ShawarmaGuys

There's No Gelato Like Bono!

2013-05-14T21:42:00.000+08:00

I don't even remember having this good a gelato in Firenze.

Admittedly, that was more than a decade ago, and my palate wasn't developed in even the most remote sense, so comparing it might be meaningless. But, this I know for sure: Bono makes the best gelato I have ever tasted in my whole adulthood memory, and granted I haven't tried every single one in the country, I've still had my share.

It was a surprise to find out Bono's location---SM Makati---considering the premium products they're selling. One would usually assume such artisanal shops to be located in the likes of Greenbelt, Rockwell, Shangri-La or some similar uncrowded mall catering to the A and B market. Maybe I'm just bitter 'coz it didn't open somewhere near to my place like Alabang Town Center. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, I got a chance to get a grand tour of the place. Yes, grand, not because the place was huge, but because the equipment and the ingredients were fit for royalty. The first thing that caught my eye when I arrived was this cool infographic mural that pretty much summed up what Bono was all about.

Apparently, one of the most important things that sets Bono apart from its competitors was the fact that it only uses the finest fresh ingredients. No artificial flavorings and colorings, no preservatives; not now, not ever. Such a strict maintenance of quality is the reason why their gelatos are never more than 12-20 hours old. Hence, they have these daily day-end discounts to get rid of the few remaining ones, and boy, do they get rid of them fast! People just love their gelatos, and with good reason.

Aside from that, they use a gelato machine called Cattabriga EFFE, which is supposedly the Rolls Royce of gelato machines. Only 2 exist in the country, and both of them are in this very store. The owners, in fact, have studied at a gelato university (I didn't believe there was such a thing the first time I heard it, either) in Bologna, Italy, so they could learn how create it in the true Italian way.

You'll also notice that unlike other gelaterias wherein colorful mountains of gelatos are displayed for all the world to see, Bono uses what they call Pozzetto cabinets to store their gelato. A stainless lid covers each container, and at first glance, you wouldn't even see the gelato itself even when uncovered, unless you're tall. Peering inside, one can see that the frozen goodness is buried deep to preserve the temperature, and to decrease air and light contamination, which might compromise its quality.

There was some freshly churned Stracciatella (see cover photo) that afternoon, and one bite immediately sent me to a euphoric state. I've tasted silky ice cream/gelato, but never this silky. It was so velvety smooth, it was the ultimate embodiment of the term "melt-in-your-mouth". The chocolate shavings provided some nice minimal texture to it.

This was a great prelude of more good things to come, so let's start the show...

Usually, vanilla is the plainest of flavors, albeit not necessarily in terms of taste. It does have a large following nonetheless, and I'm pretty sure fans will love Bono's Vaniglia version because this one is impregnated with Tahitian vanilla beans. Try rolling of a scoop in between your tongue and palate, and you will feel them. Lovely!

Pistachio flavors in any food, whether it be ice cream, cake, etc., has this unique and vibrant green color that is lacking in Bono's Pistacchio. Why? Because this one is made up of the real thing and none of those food colorings, thereby creating a much pallid tint. But hey, I'd go for substance over color anytime. And with the abundance of pistachios in every scoop, this is definitely a winner in my book.

I'm not so fond of the Cereal and Milk simply because I don't like the taste of crushed or nearly soggy cereals. It's a personal thing, and I know many others who love this one.

Malted Milk has this rich dried milk peppered with crushed Maltesers. It definitely has a sweet note, but not overly so, and has great texture from the famous chocolate and malt spheres.

The Fragola is actually made up of real California strawberries. Don't expect something sweet as this has the legitimate tart taste of the aforementioned fruit.

Eating the Lavande is like literally eating some Lavender flowers. If I were to eat them, this is exactly how I envisioned it to taste like. The experience was something else, and with the flavor so intriguing, I found myself vying for another spoonful every minute or so.

This is probably my least favorite since I don't like plain chocolates or fudge, and I don't have any proclivity for brownies. However, if you do, you'll probably go for this Brownie Fudge, especially since it has lots of brownie bits.

Another very toothsome variant is the Coffee Honeycomb. It has a pronounced coffee taste (at this point, I wasn't expecting anything less), laced with sporadic chocolate-covered coffee crunch bits for a nice tincture of sweetness.

You have tasted ube halaya, right? In halo-halo (not the ice cream) or probably plain partnered with macapuno. Now imagine it cold... Bono's Chunky Ube is exactly that. Grainy yet smooth. Don't even ask, I have no idea how they made it that way. As you are now aware, they inculcate their ingredients with a passion that you just get it real, stripped bare of all pretensions. Bottomline: authentic.

The Movie Night, so far, is my absolute favorite! Isn't the favoritism obvious? You know I have a salty/savory tooth, and the most I can have of anything sweet is if it's married with something salty. So it's a no-brainer that I would fall for this one, which contains chocolate chips, potato chips and caramel. The combination is just so good, it's quite easy to fall in love with it and stay addicted to it.

As much as I love Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter spread, somehow, I just didn't connect with this Speculoos flavor. Even I am not sure why. I keep thinking maybe it was because of the overload of flavors, I really can't tell. I have to try this again soon, at the very least to settle the matter.

I must have said it a thousand times -- I hate pure chocolate anything. That's why I have no idea how this Cioccolato has captured my fancy. It's 70% pure dark chocolate and just has this declaring taste that leaves you wanting more. The bold flavor is so in-your-face, but in a very good way. That's a lot coming from the woman with no sweet tooth.

The Chocolate Peperoncino has the same rich chocolate goodness as the Cioccolato, only this one has a surprising kick. A spicy note kind of knocks you out, but as you recover some split seconds after, it only makes you want to go for more. You can see that this particular gelato has a certain glaze to it. There is an explanation for it, albeit I was too busy eating to really digest that piece of information.

Aside from gelatos, Bono offers sorbetti as well. This is the Coco Lychee Sorbetto, which tastes like real coconuts, so much so that it overpowers whatever lychee flavor that lies within.

The Piña Colada had me thinking of the beach the instant it hit my mouth. There, lying back on a white plastic beach chair overlooking the ocean, hiding from the bright summer sun under a big, colorful beach umbrella. This has alcohol content, obviously, so sorry, not for minors.

Another great flavor is the Chili Tamarind, which has this initial strong, sour taste followed quickly by that nice kick that was frankly quite interesting. It was certainly a delicious interplay of sour and spicy.

By the time we were done tasting all the flavors, I was so full. But if you were to give me another cup, I wouldn't decline. That's how much I loved Bono! As a matter of fact, I had another round of Movie Night. That's how much I loved that flavor!

I think the fact that gelato has a higher temperature than ice cream helps in giving you that full flavor without burning your tongue from the coldness. It actually lets you taste the gelato first before the cold sensation hits your senses.

One more good thing about Bono is how they keep on concocting new flavors. They don't believe in complacency and that's a very good thing. Good news for us gelato lovers. And even bigger news is that they have introductory discount prices for these new flavors for a week. Kudos Bono!

And so, the next time I was in Bono, I went for a double scoop of the Pistacchio and Movie Night (I warned you I love that flavor). Ahhh, bliss!

Another time I was there, I tried one of the new flavors -- Malted Cookie Dough. It was uber creamy with a milky flavor so defined, it made me feel like a kid. I also got to try their Strawberries and Prosecco Sorbetto, which was tart and refreshing, having this hint of alcohol; and the Lemon Basil, which had this zesty coolness to it. I ended up getting a pint of the---yes, you guessed it right---Movie Night. Obviously, a cup was no longer enough for me. (Gasp!) But wait, wait, wait, you'd want to hear this: having a pint doesn't make me feel guilty because their gelato has way less butterfat than ice cream. Ha!

You have to wait for about 15 minutes for them to blast freeze it first, though. Better yet, leave it with them while you shop, then just come back to get it when you're about to go home to preserve the temperature. And did I mention, they also do deliveries. Wheee!

UPDATE: I went again to Bono and tried another new flavor -- Taho! Sooo good! Tasted like the real thing, not at all surprising now that I've become used to Bono's high quality products, but I'm still in awe how they made it such. It had this silken tofu-flavored base and came with the thick sugar syrup of this well-loved Filipino snack. Plus pearls, don't forget the sago pearls. How real can you get??

I also got to taste the Peanut Butter Crunch, which had a robust peanut-y taste.

And yes, I did order another pint of Movie Night. Don't judge! Funny how one of the male crew completed my sentence when I said, "I'd like to order one pint of..."

"Movie Night, Ma'am?" he goes, smiling knowingly. Hahaha!

After Bono, every other gelato in town seemed to distantly fade away, as if in a fairytale wherein finding the true King reveals the hidden real image of the fake one. I mean, where else can you taste gelato with flavors that make you feel like you're eating the actual thing?? You have got to try Bono, you're missing half of your life if you don't. THAT GOOD!!!

Bono Artisanal Gelato
Spot: 2/F SM Makati
Contact No.: 551-0587
Facebook: facebook.com/BonoGelato

FRM Bites: Mickey and Minnie Mouse @ Krispy Kreme

2013-05-11T20:12:00.001+08:00

It's the Mickey Mouse doughnut house, come inside, it's fun inside... (sorry, couldn't resist).

My daughter adores Minnie Mouse. She gets all excited at the sight of anything Minnie (or even Mickey) -- toys, clothes, shoes, accessories, books and even food! Naturally, when I saw Krispy Kreme offering Mickey and Minnie-shaped doughnuts, I just had to buy them.

I ordered a box of six and got the Bubblegum (blue); Powdered Iced Filled which had the powdered sugar in the shape of Mickey's face; Cotton Candy (pink); Dark Chocolate with Minnie's ribbonmade out of chocolate that was hard to nibble on, by the way; Mickey Sprinkles which was too sweet for my taste; and the Lemon Kreme, which turned out to be my favorite. I totally adored the light, zesty lemon flavor that balanced well with the doughnut's natural saccharine taste. The kreme inside was a nice surprise as well.

My older daughter wished there was an original glazed-flavored Mickey since that was her favorite. I would have wanted one, too, since that flavor was one of the least sweet ones they have; unfortunately, they had none of that.

I think this is part of their Easter collection, but it's still available in their stores. The crew was even sweet enough to give me two of their balloons for my daughters.

Spotted at: Bonifacio High Street, BGC

Have you tried the other Mickey doughnut flavors? What flavor did you like best?

Conti's: South's Pride and Joy

2013-05-08T19:37:00.000+08:00

Great comfort food born from the South...

It's been far too long since I've last dined in at Conti's. Sometimes, being a food blogger means that you tend to eat at restaurants you haven't tried yet; ergo, less chances of eating at your "usuals". So one time, while waiting for my daughter to finish with her workshop classes, I snagged the opportunity to revisit one of my favorite comfort food places.

I distinctly remember how my family used to spend weekends having lunch or dinner at Dates and Nuts, a small, popular restaurant in BF Homes, famous for its lasagna, roast beef, and frothy iced tea, among others. I'm not really sure who from the management started it, but several years later, Conti's was born, bringing with it some of Dates and Nuts' signature dishes.

This branch in ATC served mostly cakes and pastries with just a few sandwich, pasta and salad items. If you're hankering for their rice dishes and other heavy meals, you might want to head for their branch in Westgate, Alabang.

Cheese Puff (P27)

I was really hungry so I decided to get something light to fill my tummy while waiting for my order lest I get a migraine from hunger. The Cheese Puff had this flaky puff pastry which was warm, and pillowy soft when bitten into. The cheese filling was on the sweet side, a bit nice for something to tease your appetite with.

Lasagna (P210)

Feeling nostalgic, I ordered their Lasagna. It was still exactly how I remembered it. Sweet, meaty, and really filling, it was the perfect pasta to attract both child and adult palates. The amount of that gooey cheese was just right for all the meat inside; each bite was a perfect vehicle back to childhood.

Mocha Frappe (P125)

I was craving for cold coffee so I tried their Mocha Frappe. Tastewise, I had nothing to complain about. The mocha taste was spot on with that needed hint of coffee. The serving could use some improvement, though. The beverage filled just up to three quarters of the cup, and everything from that level up was just whipped cream, hence, the drink was good for only about six or seven sips, leaving me with nothing more midway into my dish.

Overall, it was nice eating at Conti's again. I miss their Roast Beef, Baked Prawns, Beef Teppanyaki, Shrimp Supreme Sandwich and Mango Royale Salad, and I wish they bring back their Arroz ala Cubana. I need to head over to one of their bigger branches soon and satisfy my cravings.

Conti's Bakery and Cafe
Spot: G/F Corte de las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa
Contact No.: 556-7720
Facebook: facebook.com/contispastryshopandrestaurant

Where to Get Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter... NOW??

2013-05-06T18:07:00.002+08:00

Where do you buy your cookie butter stash?

The clamor for speculoos spread or cookie butter is insane. And it doesn't seem to be on the verge of stopping anytime soon. It used to be that Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter was available at The Blue Kitchen with branches in Power Plant Mall and Shangri-La Plaza, but now, even they are always out of stock. People's current options are (1) to buy abroad, wherein you need a passport, a US visa and a plane ticket, just to get a hold of that green or red-labeled jar (and even there, they're almost always out of stock as well; the possible reason: people hoarding then sending them all to Manila, hehe!); and (2) to buy via online sites like LorenaAndLoreta, which takes about at least a month of waiting.

Surprisingly, I liked TJ's Cookie Butter. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'd know that I don't have a sweet tooth. At first I was skeptical about tasting it when the hype came out, but when my cousin let me try it, I was hooked. Many people say that Lotus Biscoff Spread is better and way tastier, albeit I have yet to try it. Until then, this will suffice.

Imagine my glee when I came to know about a local shop (that's reasonably near my place!!) from a friend, which sells loads of Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter, both creamy and crunchy kind. Now, I have a feeling that I'll regret this the moment I find myself visiting that shop again, only to discover that it, too, can't handle the growing number of demand from cookie butter addicts. But, what am I a food blogger for if I can't share food finds with my fellow foodies, right?

So, where to get Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter now---not in a month; not after spending about P50,000 for a plane ticket---as in now?? (Well, you might want to consider about 30 minutes travel time if you're from Makati, longer if you're from the North.) Shortcrust, a cakeshop located in BF Homes, Parañaque, sells these gems. It's just along Aguirre Ave. right beside Academy One ballet school and Starbucks, near the Presentation of the Child Jesus Church. They're almost always well-stocked, but of course it would be great if you'd call them up first before going, especially if you're all the way from Quezon City or somewhere far North, just to be sure that you don't waste your time, toll and gas.

It's P450 a jar, pretty steep if you consider that it's just about P160 in the US, but (1) we're not in the US; and (2) people generally can't afford to go there on a regular basis, at least not as regular as their cookie butter craving dictates. It may also be more expensive than those sold over the internet, but it's your choice: pay about P350 plus P60 shipping fee totaling to P410, and wait for about a month before getting it, or pay P450 plus gas (and toll for those who live far enough), and get it now. Weigh whatever works better for you and go for it. Now let me go back to devouring my new bottle of TJ's Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter. :)

P.S.
In case you're a Lotus Biscoff Spread fan, you can still get your speculoos spread fix from LorenaAndLoreta!

Shortcrust by Peachy Juban
Spot: Academy One Bldg. 293 A. Aguirre Ave. cor. Gov. Santos, BF Homes, Parañaque City
Contact Nos.: 820-5406 or 0920-9184324
Facebook: facebook.com/Shortcrust-by-Peachy-Juban

Mitsuyado Sei-Men: The House of Tsukemen

2013-05-04T10:45:00.000+08:00

The first time I've heard---and tried---cheese in ramen, and double cheese at that!

Outside, Mitsuyado Sei-Men looked like any other ramen shop, or any other regular restaurant for that matter. But, once you step in, that's when the magic happens. Suddenly, you're in some side street or alleyway in Japan, lined up with ramen shops, noodle carts and wooden tables balancing on cobblestoned pavements. Old Japanese lanterns hang from awnings and roof eaves, and there's even a bicycle hanging in one corner.

Spicy Chicken Skin and Chicken Karaage (P190)

We started off with the Spicy Chicken Skin, which had a nice kick to whet the appetite. It was really good. The Chicken Karaage was this crisp boneless chicken, and the guys loved it paired with beer.

Gyoza (P180) and Ebi Tempura (P280)

The gyoza was one of the best in Manila, albeit a little on the sebaceous side. Each piece was big and had an abundance of minced pork, where its juices oozed with each bite. The wrapper was comparably thin, and the seared part was a bit crisp, which was nice. The tempura, on the other hand, while also crisp and had a thin batter, was just your run-of-the-mill type.

There are two function rooms available for large groups.

Marutoku Tsukemen (P340 regular; P380 large) and Double Cheese Tsukemen (P340 regular; P380 large)

Both the Marutoku and Double Cheese Tsukemen had the same savory and palatable broth. It had this rich and very tasty flavor that satisfied my savory tooth. It was so addicting that even though the noodles were good, I found myself scooping out the last drops from my bowl.

The difference between the two dishes was that the Marutoku had Char-siu (tender slices of pork) and Aji-tama (Japanese egg), while the Double Cheese had, obviously, parmesan and cheese sauce instead. For the Double Cheese, the noodles were served al dente. On the other hand, for the Marutoku, we had the colder noodles, which was thinner, but still al dente.

To eat Tsukemen, grab some noodles with your chopsticks, dip them into the broth, and slurp away!

Char-siu Ramen (P360 regular; P400 large) and Aji-tama (P30)

The Char-siu Ramen was also a favorite. It had these fork-tender huge pork pieces in a nice, warm, and comforting broth. Not as flavorful as the Tsukemens', but still good.

I just went gaga over these Japanese eggs, that I had to order more... twice! And I would have ordered again and again, if I had lost all my manners, which fortunately I didn't. Man, it was sooo good! You definitely have to try this! Served a bit cold, the golden yolk was soft and glided smoothly over the palate. The flavor was unmistakable, it was certainly not your ordinary egg.

Spicy Miso Ramen (P280 regular; P320 large) and Tan Tan Ramen (P280 regular; P320 large)

I found the Spicy Miso Ramen too spicy. I love a little kick, but this was too much. I'd be more inclined to go for the Tan Tan Ramen, which was somehow redolent of spicy noodles with sesame and peanut sauce. It had the right amount spiciness, as well as nuttiness, giving it a more balanced taste.

Seafood Ae-soba and Ika Sumi Ae-soba

I didn't care much for the Ae-soba noodles. The Seafood had these plump shrimps, while the Ika Sumi had bits and pieces of squid with squid ink sauce. Both were good and had some citrusy notes, but really took a backseat alongside the other ramen dishes.

Hakata Ramen (P380) and Ika Sumi Ramen

I'm not really fond of squid ink so I found the Ika Sumi Ramen to be just so-so. In fairness, the broth was tasty and lacked that fishy taste, still it wasn't something I would order again. What I loved was the Hakata Ramen. It had a thicker broth, that was totally milky and creamy. I could just slurp on this soup for several hours! Which is how long it takes to make it, that's why the bowls are limited to just a few number a day.

From a lot of vacant tables, the house became full in a span of 30 minutes.

Hawaiian Blue Kakigori (P90), Cream Anmitsu (P150), Strawberry Kakigori (P90), Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (P90) and Mini Halo Halo (P150)

After that noodle feast, next came the desserts. I loved everything from the sweet blue and pink shaved ice, to the coffee jelly and halo halo. The Cream Anmitsu was a treat with different sliced fruits, red beans and vanilla ice cream drizzled with a sweet syrup.

Choux Cream

This was just one of the pastries offered by Yamato Bakery Cafe, which is right beside Mitsuyado, both owned by the UCC Group. Watch out for my post on more of their goodies.

Kirin Beer (P140) and Hitachino Nest White Ale (P300)

I'm not a beer person, totally not. Even when let to taste the finest beer known to men, I still would hate it. The Kirin Beer had a light taste, that was at least drinkable for several sips. The Hitachino Nest White Ale, though supposedly had a sweet and smooth finish, I found a bit strong for my taste. No matter, I'm really not the person to ask about beers. I'd take hard drinks over beers anytime.

Mitsuyado Sei-Men is definitely one of the best ramen shops I've tried. I love how hearty and flavorful their broths are. Try to come a bit earlier in the evenings 'coz the place can get quite full, fast.

Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Spot: 22 Jupiter St., Bgy. Bel-Air, Makati
Contact No.: 511-1390
Facebook: facebook.com/Mitsuyado.seimen

Pinkerton: Ice Cream and Bacon

2013-04-30T21:40:00.000+08:00

Everything tastes better with bacon... ??

Pinkerton seemed to elude me. The first time I thought I had the chance to try out this brand was when I saw that it was being offered at Hai Chix and Steaks. Unfortunately, they were, at that time, out of stock. When I had recently dined at East in Rustan's Makati, I failed to try out Pinkerton as well, and with good reason. I've been hankering for Bono for weeks, and I wasn't about to let anything get in the way.

Finally, the ice cream gods must have took pity on me, for while queueing at Rustan's Supermarket in Rockwell, I saw Pinkerton's small chest freezer by one of the checkout counters. I giddily scanned the available flavors, on the lookout for the Dulce de Leche Sea Salt. It looked as if the gods were teasing me, as there was none to be found. After a short internal debate, I settled on the Candied Maple Bacon, thinking that I could still get that sweet-salty fix.

Candied Maple Bacon (P320)

Oh, it was sweet and salty alright, but not the good, balanced kind. The first bite hit me with too much bacon bits, and as I slowly swirled the frozen dessert around my palate, the base tasted like butter -- cold butter. I wanted it to satiate my hunger for some soothing coldness, and I got none of that. Instead of revivifying, like what I expected an ice cream would and should, it just made me ache for some ice-cold water, and fast.

Apparently, not everything tastes better with bacon. And with the heat threatening to keep my body temperature high and my temper short, this wasn't helping to cool me down one bit. I'm still not giving up on Pinkerton, though. I believe they have a flavor or two that I would love. Maybe I'll get the Mango Basil Sorbet next time, or I hope they would have the Dulce de Leche Sea Salt. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Spotted at: G/F Rustan's Supermarket Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

Can somebody please tell me a good flavor of Pinkerton?

Maple: A Sweet Place for Breakfast

2013-04-27T20:34:00.005+08:00

The sophisticated (and pricier) version of the much loved Pancake House...

We've always been loyal patrons of Pancake House for what seems like forever. I'd remember trips to the original branch beside the old Magallanes Theater right after hearing mass. I would alternate between Spaghetti and a couple of their Pancakes, though more often than not, it would be the former to be shared with my brother. Throughout the years, it has remained one of my go-to places for comfort food. I just have to say that the best Pancake House branch is the one in ATC. Not that I'm biased just 'coz I've been going there since I was in grade school, but really, their food (especially the spaghetti) and their service are both still unmatched by other branches.

It comes as no surprise that Maple would be in my bucket list after hearing that the same group behind Pancake House is its creator. Armed with an interest in discovering more breakfast places in the metro, I rallied up my mom and daughter for some brunch.

Tucked in the second level of the newly revamped San Antonio Plaza Arcade, Maple can seat about 8 - 10 groups inside, and 3 more at their al fresco dining area. A huge maple tree decal on the wooden-framed glass doors serves to welcome you. The whole place seems to be a bit cramped when you take notice of how closely the tables are put together, but then the splashes of sunlight coming from the picture windows pretty much make up for it, making the place brighter and somehow bigger.

The interiors are a smattering of wood, orange and crimson.

Even the placemats follow the shape of a maple leaf.

Rows of different maple(?) syrup dressed in different hues sit by the window.

The menu is reminiscent of an old hardbound book---the collector's edition kind---with a deep mahogany and gold finish. Inside is a short story of Maple and a little girl named Emily Maplewood.

The prices might come as a bit of a shock, especially when you're used to Pancake House's, but do remember that the servings are damn big, and almost everything can be shared by at least two people.

Waffle from The Big Maple Breakfast (P540)

The Big Maple Breakfast actually includes either three buttermilk pancakes or one giant Belgian waffle, and I chose the latter just because. Next time may be a different story, but then I liked the waffle so much so we'll see. Yes the waffle was pretty big, but what won me over was that it had this slightly crisp exterior that gave way to a tender interior that was light and buttery as it was warm. It was kind of like an elevated version of Pancake House's own waffles. I kept on dabbing each bite with that melting buttercream, and dousing each one in that classic pancake syrup.

Maple bacon, breakfast sausage, country fries and two farm fresh eggs, also part of The Big Maple Breakfast.

This big breakfast did not end there. It also comprises two strips of Maple bacon, which had this hint of sweetness amid its slightly salty character; two breakfast sausages---tender, juicy and savory---much smoother in consistency than local sausages; country fries that were perfectly crisped and certainly addicting; and finally, two farm fresh eggs cooked however way you liked.

Prime Rib Tapa (P520)

We didn't expect the beef to be this big; it was humongous! The meatiness was apparent, and so were the tasty fatty portions that came with it. Bold and beefy in every way, the tapa had this robust taste that was salty enough to get your appetite going. There were, however, some sinewy parts that were still forgivable if you just continue to focus on the taste. With two eggs and rice, this is definitely one hearty meal -- one that you would actually crave for.

Bourbon Bread Pudding (P220)

I don't know what came over me. Perhaps due to several missed opportunities of trying out some bread pudding in hotel buffets, or maybe it was just too good looking in its menu picture to pass up, whatever it was that made me erringly decide to go with this for dessert, suffice it to say, I wasn't happy. Not that it was bad, it was actually nice, but obviously way too sweet for my taste. I always skipped bread pudding in buffets for a reason, and apparently, somewhere in my excitement, I temporarily forgot. All I wanted was to have that beautiful dish, sadly at the expense of my savory tooth.

If I had a sweet tooth, this would have been a different story. Thick slices (chunks, really) of sweet bread, softened by the Bourbon sauce they're drenched in, lay in a heap in the middle of a black iron skillet. Atop is a splattering of confectioners' sugar, as well as three slices of peaches. The rich, toothsome sauce satisfies all your saccharine cravings. Unfortunately, it's just not for me. In retrospect, I should have opted to have it ala mode to lessen the sweetness I suppose.

Dining al fresco...

Maple's breakfast items are spot on, if you could go past the prices. If you really think about the serving portions, though, they become pretty reasonable. Dine with a friend so you can share both the food and the bill. As for the desserts, I think I have to go back and try some other stuff. I still see a few more main dishes I want to try anyway.

Maple
Spot: 2/F San Antonio Plaza Arcade, 50 McKinley Road, Forbes Park, Makati City
Contact No.: 621-6211
Facebook: facebook.com/MapleRestaurantPH
Twitter: @MaplePH

Revisiting the East

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000+08:00

After a morning of exercise in the South and some shopping in the Center of the metro, I decided to revisit the East.

Chicken Bulgogi (P290)

Tucked away in the heart of Rustan's Makati, the East is a little restaurant that serves creative Asian cuisine. They serve some Korean dishes like bulgogi and Korean style pancakes, some Thai food like Pad Thai noodles, some Chinese victuals like Binondo Lomi, some Singaporean fare like the Roasted Hainanese Chicken Rice, some Filipino dishes like the Lapu-Lapu with Tamarind sauce, and a lot of Japanese ones such as sushi, sashimi, and donburi. They also offer salads, sandwiches, coffee, tea and wine.

I barely remember what I've ordered here before, being that it was a few years ago. Perusing the menu, the Chicken Bulgogi caught my eye and instantly formed images in my mind that had my mouth watering already. While it had that sweet savory taste I was hankering for at that moment, I realized I would have loved it better had it been beef instead of chicken. Sadly, they didn't have that.

The Signature Iced Tea (P80) pretty much tasted like any other house iced tea, with its sweet mix of syrup. I did spot some flavors of Pinkerton Ice Cream. I was really, really tempted to order the Dulce de Leche Sea Salt, but decided against it at the last minute. I had planned on heading to Bono and stuffing my face with gelato (I was craving for it for several weeks already, for crying out loud!), and I wasn't about to let any sudden temptation derail my plans. I'm gonna get you next time Pinkerton, don't worry!

East Creative Asian Cuisine
Spot: 3/F Rustan's Makati, Ayala Center, Makati
Contact No.: 812-0233

Macarons from Chateau de France

2013-04-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

Finding a rainbow of French sweetness, in an SM supermarket of all places.

Chateau de France. A mere mention whips me up into a Parisian dream where streets overflow with tables and chairs, each cafe emitting wondrous aroma of freshly baked breads, perhaps a loaf of baguette or some buttery, flaky croissants. A whiff of coffee follows, and you're doomed to just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

But then I jolt back to reality, 'coz in this boulangerie, there are no wicker chairs or little round tables holding cups of cafe au lait and newspapers. Here, we have only a grocery store for a view and artificial fluorescent lights to bask in. No matter, I'm just here for the macarons; the cheese I leave for next time.

I get a box of six, and I start with the Orange, which had a nice balanced zest to it. Next I grab the Pistachio, its nutty flavor definitely there, albeit subdued. The Fig reminds me of one of my childhood snacks, the Fig Newton, only this is much softer. I counted on the Raspberry to be my favorite, but the tartness I hanker for is lost on me. It is nothing but sweet, and sweet is unfortunately not high up on my food list. Good thing my next bite-the Lemon-has a strong citrusy taste that overrides whatever saccharinity is left on my palate. The last one is the Chocolate which had this dark, slightly bitter taste. The macarons generally have a delicate shell which crumbles to the slight hold of your index finger and thumb. Beneath the shell lies a very soft ruffled circumference known as the foot of the macaron, which is a bit moist and melts easily with the touch of your tongue. Theirs is definitely not like others that feel hollow when you bite into it, this one comes with more, shall I say, "meat".

Aside from macarons, Chateau de France also proffers different types of bread and pastries, a variety of cheeses, and charcuterie. They also serve some sandwiches, salads, quiche and drinks. A touch of Paris in the middle of Makati.

Chateau de France
Spot: G/F SM Supermarket, SM Makati

Vanilla Cupcake Bakery: A Pretty Little Cupcake Wonderland

2013-04-18T20:22:00.002+08:00

A sweet afternoon in Town...

I've already seen Vanilla Cupcake Bakery at Glorietta a couple of months back, though I didn't try it then since I just came from an event, and was too full to take another bite. Here in ATC, I've seen it for a couple of weeks already, and though intrigued, I was always in a hurry, hence, no time to actually take a peek and indulge in a bite or two.

colorful al fresco area

When I finally did get around to doing so, pastels of pink, green and blue greeted me by the door. I was about to go inside, when something colorful in my peripheral vision made me stop to get a closer look. Couches, wingback chairs, distressed wooden ones, and a bench, all sporting different hues and patterns were set up al fresco. It made me almost dine outside, but the scorching heat had not numbed my mind of sensible thoughts, so inside I went after snapping away.

Inside, it was just as pretty. Thank God for my Note 2; it comes in handy especially when I don't have a DSLR with me. I ordered a few cupcakes and proceeded to do a spontaneous photo shoot.

Tea sets in pastel on an aqua dresser table; its backdrop a mural of a wooden China cabinet filled with porcelain plates and more tea sets.

I love this wingback chair by the corner donning a colorful patchwork design.

The place is bright and cheery with lovely mismatched chairs and upholstery.

Chocolate Nutella (P85)

The first cupcake arrived just as I was snapping my last shot. This was my daughter's order; I have mentioned before that she just adores Nutella. She did enjoy the first few bites, albeit she did mention it doesn't taste like Nutella at all. I forked in a dollop of icing and agreed. The sponge was a bit dry as well. Halfway through, she pushed the pretty plate aside, and told me it was becoming too sweet for her to finish.

Bubble Gum (P88)

This pretty pink one adorned with multicolored heart candies was my baby's pick. The icing was sweet though not overly so, but the sponge cake was still a bit dry.

Apple Iced Tea (P75)

Dark olive green in color, the apple iced tea came with bobbing brunoise-cut apple bits. Saccharine in taste, it had a sharp flavor reminiscent of artificial apple syrup. In hindsight, I should have opted for the Strawberry variant or maybe some cold coffee.

Banoffee Cup-cake or cake in a cup (P95)

This was more like cake in a jar. Let's see, it had too much icing which overpowered the bananas; I had to dig them up like I was looking for buried treasure amid some treacly butterscotch(?). I'm not too fond of graham generally, so having it in abundance didn't score some brownie points. I did like the jar concept though, pretty cute I'd say.

Luscious Salted Caramel (P60)

This was my favorite, and not at all surprising, if you know me well. I have a thing for salty-sweet flavors, it's the only thing that makes something sweet bearable for a longer period of time. The cake was moist this time, and that made me happy. The frosting was drizzled with caramel, and had a sharper flavor than most versions, but I still like it just the same. And, I finished the whole cupcake! Can you believe it? Me, finish a whole cupcake?! That's a pretty rare feat so it must account for something.

I'm not really a cupcake person; I've mentioned how I don't have a sweet tooth, probably a million times already. Suffice it to say, most people would perhaps deem good those cupcakes that I would have otherwise passed up or ignored. So I hope you take all of my comments here with a pinch of salt, especially those who do have a sweet tooth.

Still, I see a few more that I'm willing to try, especially lounging in some pretty little seat, with my e-reader on one hand and an iced mocha on the other. This little wonderland proves to be a pretty place to pass away the time.

Vanilla Cupcake Bakery
Spot: Upper Ground Level, Corte de las Palmas, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
Facebook: facebook.com/Vanilla-Cupcake-Bakery

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I Finally Ate at Bannaple

2013-04-14T17:43:00.000+08:00

More than just cakes...

I love eating by myself at restaurants. I'm not one of those people who needs to have someone with them just to eat. I even like going to the movies by myself as much as going to one with my family. I guess when you're a working mom, whose daily activities always involve either kids clamoring for your attention, employees discussing business tasks, or clients inquiring via phone or internet, solitary peace becomes a much welcome respite. Don't get me wrong, I love all these blessings, but it's also good to have some me-time every once in a while.

For the summer, I enrolled my daughter in a theater workshop, so lately, I find myself going solo for lunch, while waiting for her class to finish. Which is nice. I haven't had time to myself like this in recent memory.

One such solo flight found me inside of Banapple, sitting on one of their white wrought iron chairs, perusing the menu atop their bumpy wrought iron table. For all the hype that surrounded this when it was new, and considering this was open at ATC for a relatively long time already, I'm not sure why I haven't tried it before. Maybe it was due to the fact that when I had the chance to feast on a couple of their cakes given by my sister-in-law some months back, I found them too sweet for my taste, thus not really helping in getting me to try more. It was only when my cousin recently told me that they served good savory food as well, that I finally thought about trying it out.

I was hungry, and I wanted some meat, so I scanned their menu and zoomed in on a couple of their offerings. When I called one of the waitstaff to give my order, she informed me that I had to go to the counter and order it there myself along with the payment; in short, it was pretty much (semi?) self-service in here. I couldn't understand the reason for sitting a diner at a table, only to have him or her stand up and go to the counter a little while after. I mean, they serve the food as it comes out in the kitchen anyway, so why not take the order as well, while they're at it. It's not as if it's a fast food place where you go directly to the counter, pay and wait for your food there, too. What happened to going the extra mile?

Anyway, I still did as I was told, and trudged toward the counter. I opted for the salpicao, banoffee pie and iced tea.

For something salpicao, the Salpicao Rafael (P190; see cover photo) bordered on sweet, but I'm not really complaining. The beef was tender, mixed in with sporadic beef fat that lent a nicer flavor to it. There were also some button mushrooms drenched in the same sweet, garlicky sauce.

The Home Made Iced Tea (P60) was sickeningly sweet, I had to point the end of my straw at the cluster of ice just to dilute the strong treacly taste.

For dessert, I wanted to try the Banoffee Pie (P95). Cold cream occupied the upper half of the cake slice, while chunks of bananas resided on the lower half. The interlayer of caramel had a different kind of sweetness, and curls of dark chocolate provided a needed break from it all. It was good, but I really wish they'd lessen the cream that became too cloying.

I was pretty surprised to see their dishes were very affordable, ranging from P120 to P195; their cake slices, less than to just a little over a hundred bucks. I just hope they consider taking the customers' orders for that value added service in the future.

Spotted: G/F The Garden (New Wing) Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa

What dishes, savory and sweet, do you eat at Banapple?

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Reacquainting Myself With Cravings

2013-04-11T21:09:00.000+08:00

A nice, unexpected surprise...

You know, I haven't been to Cravings in years. If I'm not mistaken, my last visit must have been more than a decade ago. I don't even remember what food they serve, or if they served something I liked (well, probably not if I haven't gone there in ages). I remotely recall ordering one of their pasta dishes before, but don't ask me what it was.

Anyway, my mom yanked me toward Cravings, one time when we were debating on where to eat at Shangri-La. She had just been there a few weeks before, and was kind of satisfied with their food, so she wanted me to try it again.

Salad Buffet

Their menu had a list of dishes with descriptions that sent my mouth salivating. They had Rib-Eye Steak, Bacon Cordon Bleu, Roast Beef with Mushroom Sauce, and a lot more. Another thing that caught my eye and got me excited was the fact that these dishes already came with soup and salad buffet -- the same one that we passed by on the way to our table. I think they also had ala carte dishes that you could upgrade to include the said buffet for just an additional P95, if I remember correctly. Not bad!

After much thought, I finally settled for the Tenderloin Tips (P375), which, I have to say was pretty darn good. A burst of savory, beefy goodness greets your mouth upon first bite, injected with bits of garlic here and there. The serving was good enough for one, but if you have a hearty appetite, then just be grateful it does come with unlimited soup and salad.

My mom went for the Chicken and Tongue Pastel (P365), which was surprisingly good, too. A large square-shaped puff pastry covered the entire bowl of piping hot stew. Setting it aside, it uncovered tender chicken and tongue chunks lay submerged in a creamy pottage, with the occasional diced carrots and potatoes. The thick sauce was so delightful that I had to go back for dinner rolls at the buffet spread just so I can have something to dip into it.

The Soup and Salad Buffet was great, and was even better than what some hotel buffets offer. We then capped off the dishes with a lovely glass of Blueberry Iced Tea (P75). I wish more restaurants would offer this particular variant.

Spotted: 5th/F Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City

Have you been to Cravings? Let me know what other dishes there are worth trying.

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A Cup and A Slice at CBTL

2013-04-08T19:53:00.000+08:00

Have I ever mentioned my love for coffee?

I usually prefer my coffee to be on the sweet side, so I usually go for those flavored ones. CBTL's White Chocolate Dream Latte was warm and perfect for what I was craving for that afternoon. The froth outlined my upper lip as the hot liquid trailed deliciously down my throat.

The slice of Chocolate Fudge Cake was my daughter's. Yes, you're right, I don't have a predilection for plain chocolate anything, so minutes had passed before I finally took in a forkful. In all fairness, it was good... because it wasn't cloying at all. Chocolate sponge with a spread of dark chocolate in between layers. I ended up having a few more bites before I noticed the dagger looks my daughter was sending my way.

I really love it when I get to have time to drink a cup of good coffee, and forget about the urgent matters even just for awhile, don't you?

Spotted at: Ground Floor Asian Hospital, Alabang, Muntinlupa

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Magnolia Flavor House and a Bit of Nostalgia

2013-04-05T14:29:00.001+08:00

Stepping back in time...

I've only known about the old Magnolia place from bits and pieces my parents would randomly talk about. Once when we were in the area, I suggested going to Robinsons Magnolia, and my mom excitedly pointed out eating at Magnolia Flavor House. Wanted to walk down memory lane, maybe, but I wasn't about to say no to a good-sounding establishment I haven't tried yet.

The place was this standalone, oval structure located at the open grounds of the mall. The set-up was pretty simple, but exuded a nostalgic vibe. We opted for a table inside instead of al fresco to cool down.

The kids easily opted for ice cream and candies and went for the Thor's Almighty Crepe (P190). I didn't get to taste the crepe, but if messy little hands and ice cream for mustaches were any indication, I'd say they pretty much enjoyed this one.

A bright purple ice cream juxtaposed with a canary yellow one immediately caught my eyes and held my gaze on the white, ceramic boat in front of me. I was ecstatic to see the sliced bananas covered in chocolate syrup and drizzled with nuts in Magnolia's Banana Split (P240). I'm not a fan of too much whipped cream on anything, and so I pushed most of it to the side with my dessert spoon. Overall, I was kind of disappointed with the flavors, particularly with the taste of each one. Every variant, I have tasted better from other brands. How could this be? Memory serves that I used to love Magnolia when I was a kid. Tubs and tubs were stored in our freezer, and piling scoop after scoop in my pink Hello Kitty mug spelled happiness. Maybe it's a matter of palate change or maybe I didn't have options back then. Whatever it is, I'd rather have Pancake House's version any day. Simpler, yet the ice cream scoops were good (I believe they use Nestle).

I remember ordering Banana Overload (P175), and was quite disappointed when my order came and my first bite consisted of a cookie crumble?! I'm not really a cookie fan so the incorporation of this pastry into my beloved frozen dessert came as a not-so-good surprise; scratch that, it was a bad surprise. On top of that, the ice cream was melting, which made the cookie soft in an unpleasant way. I didn't say anything at that time since I also tasted bananas and thought maybe it really had cookies, too, which I just hadn't noticed in the menu. A second look at their menu later however, showed that cookies were only part of the Cookie Monster's--another ice cream waffle variant--ingredients; maybe the people behind the counter got confused and mixed it all up.

I appreciated the Chocolate Sundae (P75) not for the taste of its scoop, but more for its simplicity and how it is a trademark of classic ice cream parlors. The chocolate itself was okay (as I've previously mentioned, I'm not a fan of plain chocolate ice cream or plain chocolate anything for that matter), but combined with the chopped nuts that tumbled slowly down a sloping trail blazed by chocolate syrup, and the whipped cream on which a lone crimson cherry nestled, it still felt comforting. The pretzel stick was an added treat, an additional texture if nothing else.

The Four Cheese Pizza (P290) was okay, nothing unusual in this thin-crusted pie. I wasn't expecting anything more since it wasn't a flagship product anyway.

I may seem to have stepped back in time, but I figured maybe I have moved on. Apart from some new flavors they concoct every few months or so that pique my interest, Magnolia will be just that, a part of my childhood memory. That won't stop me from trying out new combinations that Magnolia comes up with, but for tried and tested ones, I'm all for Selecta. For a decade now, I've yet to find a flavor that can overthrow Selecta's Coffee Crumble from the top of my commercial ice cream list. Magnolia has the same one, but the taste very subdued in comparison. Moreover, I haven't even mentioned the artisanal ones yet---Carmen's Best, Pinkerton, Sebastian's, Merry Moo, Fog City, etc.---more than I can count, so really, mediocrity can be very fatal in this field.

Still, trying out this place was an experience. If you're a Magnolia fan, I'm sure you will love it here. I must say though, I still love their Pinipig Crunch and Twin Popsies.

Magnolia Flavor House
Spot: Ground Level Robinsons Magnolia (outside grounds), Aurora Blvd. cor. Dona M. Hemady St. New Manila, QC
Facebook: facebook.com/Magnolia-Flavor-House

FRM Bites: Cafe Mary Grace

2013-03-29T07:30:00.000+08:00

Vigan Longganisa and Kesong Puti Sandwich

This is my favorite sandwich at Mary Grace. Just the melding of the salty, strong flavor of Vigan Longganisa with that soft, distinct taste of Kesong Puti brings some sort of comfort and satisfaction. The clean greens and acidity of the tomatoes are more just an icing to the stars of the dish. I even like the chips and the aioli dip that come with it.

Vigan Longganisa and Sangria Iced Tea

The rice counterpart, on the other hand, had too much of a strong flavor for me. That, or maybe I'm just not fond of that strong garlic taste of the rice when paired with such a robust type of sausage. The scrambled eggs looked kind of sad, with the color appearing a bit charred. I did like the different condiments on the side -- vinegar, onion and tomato relish, and pickled mangoes.

I love Mary Grace's Homemade Iced Teas. I've tried every variant, and I still couldn't make up my mind which one is my favorite. Here, the choice for the day is Sangria Iced Tea. Sweet red tea with splashes of citrusy taste make for a lovely refreshing drink; I could literally finish two or three glasses easily.

Mary Grace Mushroom Cream Pasta

This is my pasta of choice in this cafe, and one of the better ones in the metro, in my opinion. It's really comfort personified. Just look at those linguine noodles bathing in a rich, creamy sauce, tinctured with the essence of truffle. Peeking from within the heap are slices of mushrooms, and the backdrop -- a piece of bread besmeared with butter and garlic bits. Each bite is a warm embrace, and it's one of those foods that you really crave for on even a random afternoon.

Spotted at: St. Luke's Global City

Where do you go for comfort food, and what do you have?

FRM Bites: A background...

What happens to my short reviews of varied food finds? They are merely left to be seen by my Facebook and Instagram followers, but what then of my blog readers?

As I pondered these questions, I decided to include these short reviews on this blog itself so that these little food gems may see the blogosphere's light of day. Short and may or may not be sweet, FRM Bites is all about that particular food I had one afternoon---one I used to deem too short for an official blog post---or a new dish at a restaurant I've already blogged about, or maybe that supermarket find that's just too good to pass up.

Either way, FRM Bites will be a delicious (or literally not) addition to this blog. Feel free to leave a comment or maybe suggest a similar fare that may be better than what I've raved or ranted about.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates via email or RSS.

FRM Bites: Morelli's Mascarpone and Fig, Banana and Dulce de Leche Gelato

2013-03-27T11:44:00.004+08:00

Triple Gelato Scoop: Mascarpone and Fig, Banana and Caramel Dulce de Leche

Definitely creamy; other than that, it's hard to differentiate it from other gelatos blooming in the city like Gelatissimo's or Caffe Ti-amo's. Besides having a rare flavor like Mascarpone and Fig, I can't appreciate it for anything else. And this was before I tried Bono's. After Bono, every other gelato in town seemed to just distantly fade away into oblivion. I'll save that for another post. Anyway, Morelli's does offer different combinations of sundaes, though at a steeper price, around P230-P420 if I'm not mistaken.

Spotted at: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

Tell me, what's the best tasting gelato you've ever had?

FRM Bites: A background...

What happens to my short reviews of varied food finds? They are merely left to be seen by my Facebook and Instagram followers, but what then of my blog readers?

As I pondered these questions, I decided to include these short reviews on this blog itself so that these little food gems may see the blogosphere's light of day. Short and may or may not be sweet, FRM Bites is all about that particular food I had one afternoon---one I used to deem too short for an official blog post---or a new dish at a restaurant I've already blogged about, or maybe that supermarket find that's just too good to pass up.

Either way, FRM Bites will be a delicious (or literally not) addition to this blog. Feel free to leave a comment or maybe suggest a similar fare that may be better than what I've raved or ranted about.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates via email or RSS.

FRM Bites: Dark Mocha Frappuccino

2013-03-25T19:11:00.000+08:00

Dark Mocha Frappuccino

Dark Mocha Frappuccino with blended whipped cream to be exact. Why I haven't taken notice of this flavor before, I could not fathom. I love the chocolate powder sprinkled on top, bringing a bit of texture to this beat-the-heat beverage.

Spotted at: Starbucks Bonifacio Hight Street

What's your favorite Starbucks drink?

FRM Bites: A background...

What happens to my short reviews of varied food finds? They are merely left to be seen by my Facebook and Instagram followers, but what then of my blog readers?

As I pondered these questions, I decided to include these short reviews on this blog itself so that these little food gems may see the blogosphere's light of day. Short and may or may not be sweet, FRM Bites is all about that particular food I had one afternoon---one I used to deem too short for an official blog post---or a new dish at a restaurant I've already blogged about, or maybe that supermarket find that's just too good to pass up.

Either way, FRM Bites will be a delicious (or literally not) addition to this blog. Feel free to leave a comment or maybe suggest a similar fare that may be better than what I've raved or ranted about.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates via email or RSS.

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant of The Bistro Group

2013-03-20T12:09:00.004+08:00

For the first time, I did not get to taste everything. There was just so much food!

I love Japanese food especially sushi and sashimi, so imagine my enthusiasm when I heard about The Bistro Group's new Japanese concept.

Watami is a casual resto that has hundreds of stores in Japan. Aside from boasting an extensive menu ranging from the traditional sushi to the more modern Jap dishes such as pizza, pepper rice and yakitori, Watami defies the conventional high-range prices of The Bistro Group.

With the vast amount of dishes laid out before us, I only got to taste some. It was literally plate after plate of different Japanese fare -- salads, sushi, ramen, tempura, hot pot and even pizza! Seriously, where would you even tuck 20 different dishes in your body?

I started with one of their unique drinks, the Apple Berry Soda (P195), which was not the best of choices. I was hungry and a cold splash of soda fizz sent my stomach growling in protest. In hindsight, I should have opted for one of their cold tea drinks like the Passionfruit Mango Tea.

Watami Salad (P350) and Sapporo Seafood Ramen Salad (P375)

Shrimp Tempura Roll (P225) and Deluxe Assorted Sushi (P395)

The Deluxe Assorted Sushi comprises a couple each of salmon, shrimp and scallop sushi. While I loved both the salmon and scallop, I wasn't as approving of the shrimp. They should have taken the tail off so as to avoid having to do it myself, when all I wanted was to have an uninterrupted series of bites. It may be more aesthetically pleasing to look at, but definitely a hassle to eat.

Assorted Sashimi (P425) and Salmon Sashimi (P225)

I cannot gush enough of how fresh the salmon tasted! I loved, loved, loved it! The pale orange flesh riddled with whitish lines was plump, soft and devoid of any fishy taste. The tuna and scallops were just as pleasant, but leave it to me to really favor the salmon above any other. Just looking at it again now is making me salivate. I think the shrimps or Ameabi sasahimi were supposed to be part of the group, albeit not to be found in the ceramic boat. Maybe they were out of stock; no matter, as I don't think I could swallow raw shrimps anyway.

Cold Soba (P195) and Stir Fried Udon with Seafood (P295)

The Cold Soba was a discovery. I detest cold non-dessert food so I was a bit skeptical about tasting it, yet the noodles were nice and firm to the bite. It reminded me of eating something healthy actually, but in a good way. I grabbed a heap with my chopsticks, dipped it into the savory soba soup, and slurped away as all ladylike manners went out the window.

Watami Ramen (P345) and Tokyo-Style Ramen in Shoyu Flavored Soup (P380)

Tonpeiyaki (P275) and Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki (P295)

The Tonpeiyaki and the Okonomiyaki were both really good and two of my favorites. The former omelette-like dish had pork, cheese, cabbage and egg, and zigzagged with mayo and cheese sauce (?); while the latter pancake-like dish consisted of assorted vegetables, meat and seafood in a sea of pancake batter, slathered with Japanese mayo and some sweet sauce, and topped with bonito flakes. Be warned, these dishes are heavy.

Beef Sukiyaki (P365) and Hokkaido Sumo Wrestler's Hot Pot (P380)

Bolognese Pizza (P315) and Pizza Topped with Teriyaki Chicken (P275)

I love eggs. I love breaking them and seeing that golden yolk ooze out. It sends shivers of excitement and anticipation throughout, and I can't wait until I taste it on my tongue. I was happy to see one here, and on top of a pizza at that. The Bolognese Pizza had a thin crust, its burnt edges emitted that freshly baked scent. Melted gooey cheese covered most of the toppings and a perfect yellow orb sat smack in the middle. Savory with a tiny hint of sweetness, this pizza is not to be missed.

Just look at that oozing egg yolk...

Clockwise from top left: Crispy Chicken Wings (P195); Shrimp Tempura (P305); Chicken Cutlet with Scramble Egg Sauce (P285); Deep Fried Pork Cutlet (P295)

The Crispy Chicken Wings were exactly that -- crisp and good. The Shrimp Tempura was your run-of-the-mill kind with a crisp and light batter. The Deep Fried Pork Cutlet was good enough, yet everything katsu seems to pale in comparison when you've taken a bite of Yabu's Kurobuta Pork Tonkatsu.

I see a whole lot of things I want to try on their menu despite just having this wonderful feast. Watami seems to be a melting pot of Japanese cuisine unlike other Japanese restaurants which focus only on a particular type of comestible -- ramen, sushi, yakitori, etc. I say all the more reason to visit it again and again.

Watami
Spot: G/F The New Glorietta Mall, Ayala Center, Makati City
Contact No.: 808.0475
Facebook: facebook.com/WatamiJapaneseCasualRestaurantPhilippines

In Print: Breakfast Magazine's Anniversary Issue and The Breakfast Party

2013-03-14T14:54:00.002+08:00

Celebrating a year of real food and real stories...

When I received an invitation for Breakfast Magazine's 1st Anniversary Party, I was excited. This was a magazine close to my heart. For one, I had met the people behind it a year ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to see such a young, talented and truly nice group.

Second, Breakfast was the first publication that made it possible to see my name, as a writer and photographer, in print. It was a surreal experience, and I was more than happy when they invited me to write again, this time for their Anniversary issue.

I was quite early when I got to the venue -- Cafe 1771, more particularly, the Wine Bar on the second floor. A bit dim, with dark, manly furnitures you would often see in a gentleman's club, I used the time to snap away photos of the place, and went downstairs to the Cafe's Whimsy and Lounge areas to do the same.

Below was a stark contrast. Bright, cheery and filled with color, The Whimsy had a more relaxed and casual feel. I was particularly enamored with The Lounge, with bookcases filled with hardbound books, and an aura that resonates with charm and coziness. It's one of those places where I'd love to stay all day.

Who wore the pose better?

Though the program started late---I was actually getting hungry. But then again, when am I not?---everyone had a good time. There were lots of games, raffles and prizes given out. I even won a couple of gift certificates and a year's worth of subscription. One particular game had some people doing their best imitation of each of Breakfast's cover celebrities. Guess who won? (clue: see photo above)

Chefs, food bloggers, sponsors and other foodies all came together to celebrate what Breakfast has accomplished in a year. And a lot at that! It started out with just five diffident girls (now they are six), and with a lot of passion, dedication and hard work, their magazine has inexorably become one of the best food magazines out there, taking pride in unveiling food and the stories behind them, ones that people could really appreciate and relate to.

Speaking of food, it was finally time to eat. Famished, I put a little bit of everything on my plate. The Caesar Salad was a nice start, with its acidulous dressing and croutons for texture, while the bacon bits lent a tad of saltiness. I especially liked the Vegetable Lasagna, packed with grilled eggplants and zucchini under a blanket of garlic parmesan flavored bechamel sauce with a nice golden color.

The Sauteed Sea Bream, Roasted Rosemary Chicken and Porchetta were pretty good, albeit I kept coming back to that lasagna. For dessert, there were bars of Sugar-Free Carrot Cake -- moist with a lovely cream cheese mantle, and Lemon Tart, which had a good collision of tartness and sweetness. Nothing too treacly so I'm fine with both.

After a few speeches from colleagues and professional partners, we all bid our thanks and farewells. I stayed for several more minutes while waiting for my ride, and chatted up with Kim (the Editor-in-Chief) and the other girls. I even made them sign my copy of the anniversary issue.

Breakfast girls are the sweetest! ♥

The amazing young women behind Breakfast.

For the anniversary issue, I chose to write about my experience at Wildflour Café + Bakery. It was actually my big breakfast aha! moment, one where I would learn to appreciate forenoon hours away from the hullabaloos of daily life.

Wildflour is a place I've come to love on mornings, with its New York vibe and hushed ambiance that will soon turn up a notch in the next hour or so. The smell of freshly baked bread and the gentle clanking of cutlery; the painted wall posts and the scribbled menu on chalk boards. But I'm getting way ahead here. I'm gonna leave that for another post.

Please do check it out. Breakfast Magazine's Anniversary Issue, with sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga on the cover, is available in all leading bookstores. Or you can also subscribe via their website. Feel free to write your comments, suggestions and feedback about my article or the magazine below. Thank you for your support! Once again, thank you Breakfast Magazine and congratulations on your anniversary! :)

Breakfast Magazine
Website: breakfastmag.com
Facebook: BreakfastMag
Twitter: @breakfastmag

What's New at Manang's Chicken?

2013-03-08T10:01:00.003+08:00

Something garlicky; something new...

I love Manang's Chicken, with its crisp, sweet soy skin, and saporous meat. It has been a while since I visited, so I was a bit curious about their new offerings, and a lot at that.

The Chips were aplenty; each crackled under my teeth, its crisp exterior exploded with real potato flavor. It also wasn't that oily even if fried. The sporadic sprinkle of salt gave it a nice salinity. There were three available dips -- Ketchup, Garlic Mayo and Creamy Cheese. I decided to skip the usual ketchup and went for the other two, which were both good.

I ordered the Garlic Pork Rice Meal (P109), albeit I was a bit hesitant at first, seeing the plethora of garlic bits that covered the entire meat. Surprisingly, they didn't give off a strong garlicky flavor that would've made me run toward the opposite direction. The portion was even big enough and midway through, I was already feeling full. The porcine meat was a bit dry, though this could have been due to the fact that I've consumed the meal at home, so it wasn't really freshly cooked anymore. There was a soy vinegar (?) dip that went with it as well.

When I usually eat viands without sauce, I prefer some sidings to go with it. Here, you can choose from three fresh sides -- Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, and Buttered Corn. I tried the first two and both were decent enough.

I would have wanted to try their Red Velvet Sundae, it was actually the one I was most excited about. Unfortunately, their mall outlets don't carry sundaes, and if I'm not mistaken, I think it's only available for the month of February. Oh well!

UPDATE: The Red Velvet Sundae is available until March 31, 2013 in all of their branches except Glorietta Food Choices.

Manang's Chicken
Spot: Food Choices Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City
Delivery No.: 661.1111
Website: manangschicken.com
Facebook: facebook.com/manangschicken

A Small Cup of Goodwill Coffee

2013-03-02T09:24:00.000+08:00

What could be more perfect than a book and a mug of hot chocolate? A stack of books and a cup of good coffee!

I love coffee. I prefer it over tea any day. And though I have a few favorites, I'm always open to trying out new ones.

In comes a new one on the block -- Goodwill Coffee. Yes, it's instant, suitable for moms like me on the go. But, there's a plethora of instant coffee available in every supermarket, so what makes this any different?

Well, for one thing, it's made with premium Arabica and Robusta beans. And since more and more Filipinos are becoming health-conscious, and would prefer some salubrious component mixed in whatever they tend to eat---or in this case, drink---the fact that Goodwill Coffee has Moringa, also known as nature's multivitamin, is another benefit I won't say no to.

Another beneficial component of this particular coffee is the Spirulina, which apparently boosts your energy and strengthens your immune system. Where else can you really get such healthy ingredients in a coffee?

The coffee crystals already come with a generous amount of non-dairy creamer, some minimally processed brown sugar and just a sprinkle of white sugar all mixed together in a long, brown pack that you can carry with you anywhere. Really convenient. Take note that it is best served in a small cup to get that full flavor.

I prefer my coffee mild and sweet. And while Goodwill Coffee tends to be stronger than my usual cup, and less sweet, it's a welcome addition to my cupboard. I actually think that perhaps I should lessen my sugar intake and tailor it to Goodwill's sweetness level. After all, I wouldn't want to increase my chances of having diabetes.

Every person has his own personal coffee preference, so I let my mom try it as well. She just loved it, the taste was just right according to her, and was about to grab my other coffee packs, but not before I moved them out of her reach.

One thing's for sure, whenever you feel like having your dose of picker-upper, Goodwill is just a small cup of hot water away.

Goodwill Coffee
Contact Nos.: 0922.829.0943 or 0925.818.1091 or 209.0943
Website: goodwillcoffee.net
Email: sales@greatkind.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsGoodwillCoffee

Chefs on Parade 2013

2013-02-27T13:10:00.002+08:00

Ready, set, cook!

Chefs on Parade is a four-day culinary festival with a trade exhibit, cooking demonstrations, food workshops, seminars, food tastings, celebrity chef appearances and other gastronomic activities. The main event is focused on the numerous competitions for students and professionals.

Considered the most important hospitality and culinary event in the Philippines, the Chefs on Parade will be hosted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), and will be held on February 28 to March 3, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center.

Take a look at some of the culinary and mixology competitions for both professional and student categories:

Market Basket Asian
Healthy Lifestyle
Breakfast
Table Setting
Bartending Championship
Barista
Ice Carving
Flair-tending
Japanese Boat
Pralines
Wedding Cake
Pastry Showpiece
Plated Desserts

These sound so fun to watch! Reminds me of Top Chef, Iron Chef and Master Chef, which are among my favorite reality shows.

Aside from the competitions, here are some of the free workshops to be conducted at the event:

Cake Decorating
Sugar Pulling
Wine Pairing
Table Setting
Flower Arrangement
Food Plating
Food Photography
Food Styling
Food Writing
Chocolate Making

COP is a great venue for business opportunities as it brings together hotel and restaurant owners and managers, Food and Beverage entrepreneurs and experts, suppliers, students, homemakers, food stylists, service providers, food writers and kitchen artists, giving companies the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Among the respected names in the international food scene that will be present during the event are Chef Emmanuel Stroobant, host of the Asian Food Channel's Chef in Black; Chef Jerome Lacressioneiere and Chef Marc Chalopin, both from the renowned Alain Ducasse international restaurants; and Chef Alex Dino, champion of the Sears Chef Challenge in the US.

If you're a restauranteur, chef, culinary student, home baker, food purveyor or simply a food lover, the Chefs on Parade is one event you shouldn't miss.

Chefs on Parade 2013
Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines secretariat
Contact Nos.: 816.2421 or fax 816.2419
Website: hrap.org.ph/cop or chefsonparade.org
Email: secretariat@hrap.org.ph or hrap@pldtdsl.net
Facebook: facebook.com/chefsonparade

Of Chocolates and Honeycombs at Spectrum

2013-02-24T10:09:00.000+08:00

A sweet, buzzzzz-filled evening...

When it comes to eating at buffets, I'm rather torn. Sure there is an excitement over seeing all the spread that a restaurant or hotel can prepare, yet at the same time, I believe that with the copious amount of food, the execution can be somewhat compromised more often than not. It is a fact, at least for most, that one cannot possibly engorge every dish in a smorgasbord. I usually end up eating at just a fraction of the culinary sections available. And when mediocrity is the current theme of the said buffet, it sadly ruins the dining experience, no matter how sated your eyes are.

Spectrum's buffet boasts of quality over quantity, a smart move in this day and age of discriminating palates.

cheese, charcuterie and salad

I love their selection of cheese and charcuterie. Granted it may not be as vast as say, Spiral's, still, there's plenty enough to fall in love with.

Not to miss is their Caprese Salad---mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, arugula, pesto and balsamic vinaigrette---which is already gaining fame. Those that have tried this swear by its exquisiteness, I'm actually disheartened I wasn't able to degust it.

miscellany of breads

various hot viands

I usually steer clear of the viands section in buffets, not because they're terrible, but understand that I only have a finite amount of space in my stomach--space which I'd rather fill with steak, seafood, sushi, cheese and desserts.

seafood

One thing I love about interactive hotel buffets is you can pretty much request for any type of cooking you'd like for your proteins. I had the prawns drenched with garlic butter just as I specified. The downside is, I don't think the meat had enough time to soak up all the sauce for that imbrued flavor. On hindsight, I should have ordered some baked mussels instead.

I have to say, though, kudos to their chefs and waitstaff. You don't need to actually stand and wait for your order, or even return for it, for that matter, you can just go back directly to your table and rest assured that they will find you and hand you your dish as soon as it is done. One of the many perks of being in an intimate luxury restaurant.

noodles, Chinese roasts and dim sum

sushi

I have a proclivity for sushi, so you don't need to goad me into trying new variants. Do get a taste of the peking duck and suckling pig rolls. At the very least, it is something unique. If you want something else in your sushi, don't hesitate to ask for it. That's one of the things I admire about Spectrum -- your wish is their command.

personalized personal-sized pizzas

Another case in point of their genie-like personality: personalized pizzas. While there are several traditional flavors available, the chefs encourage you to think up of a combination of toppings that would suit your taste. If they have it, it's yours. You want some blue cheese on that? No problem. Prosciutto? There you go.

carbonara on farfalle

I had the carbonara on farfalle pasta, which I found a bit salty, but if tempered, would have been such a flavorful dish with its creamy white sauce slithering through the folds of this bowtie pasta.

carving station

At the carving station, I had their Roast Beef -- tender, succulent and cooked perfectly to my preference. The steaks are what I usually zero in at buffets (doesn't everyone?), so I usually measure my percentage of return visits against the quality of its manly meats.

mango station

Can you believe it? They even have a station dedicated for all things mango. Such a great way of showcasing our local products. Let's see, there's a coconut mango mousse, mango crème brûlée mango sango, chocolate mango mousse, mango custard tart and even mango-cue; I'd say their creativity is endless.

cakes

desserts

Oh my, where do I start? They have Filipino treats as well as petit fours. A number of other French desserts such as crème brûlée, macarons and crepes are also yours for the taking. There are several cakes that will make your heart soar and palpitate in excitement. And look, my staple dessert---ice cream---in a motley of flavors like White Chocolate Raspberry and English Toffee; and there's some sorbet to boot. The halo-halo is not your typical one as you get to choose crushed ice with flavors like corn, mango and pandan.

Unlike other buffets that serve mediocre desserts which lack an artistic thought, the dessert spread at Spectrum presents a riveting display of one sweet culinary pièce de résistance after another.

mango French crepe with white chocolate raspberry ice cream

And please, whatever you do---or rather, eat---make room for the French crepes. You'll be sorry if you don't.

You might want to wait for your order and watch as their executive pastry chef magically whips up one for you. A pouring of batter transforms into a delicate crepe, then awashed with pastry cream before it's folded. An abundance of toppings, toasted marshmallows and more cream are set on either side, with your choice of ice cream for a finale. Chocolate and candy toppings, as well as some syrups, are also available should you choose to put more.

Clockwise from top left: real live honey bees, fresh honeycomb in milk chocolate cups, honey and mascarpone

It's not everyday you get to taste fresh honeycombs, so I suggest you not miss this out. Drenched in honey, this treacly treat gets a bit chewy after a while. Finish it off with chocolate molded into cups to temper the saccharinity. The mascarpone with pistachio bits and honey, while good, is just too sweet for my taste. I'd rather have another chocolate cup of honeycomb please.

Even with the limited amount of fare (only if you compare it to other hotel buffets; otherwise, it more than suffices), Spectrum will definitely leave you wanting. There's so much more you yearn to try--really--if only you physically can. Their service is so personal, most of the dishes are customized to your preference; it's as if they give you permission to challenge their chefs and explore food like you have never before.

Spectrum
Spot: Lobby Level Fairmont Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave., Makati City
Contact No.: 555.9888
Website: fairmont.com/makati/
Facebook: facebook.com/FairmontMakati
Twitter: @FairmontMakati
Operating Hours and Buffet Prices:
Breakfast 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM Monday to Friday; 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM Weekends and Holidays; P1,336 net (inclusive of service charge and applicable taxes)
Lunch 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Daily; P1,596 net
Dinner 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Daily; P1,842 net