jin loves to eat

Butao Ramen 豚王 ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:16:00 +0000

It is 10:30am and the staff is just setting up

On the other side of the street hungry customers wait

They give you the menu. You choose from 4 kinds of ramen.
Tonkotsu King, Black King, Red King, and Green King

You can order "Additional Topics" for your ramen.
Their specials "Smile" and "Japanese Class" are free of charge. :)

Ordering is easy. Everyone gets a form and you tick what you want.
I love that you can customize your bowl down to the garlic content and firmness/softness of noodles.

Ours
(We change Black King to Green King at the very last minute)

11:00am and the first batch of starts eating.
The Butao King arrives in his Porsche.

At 11:39 we finally get seated.
On the table are chili and kimchi bean sprouts to spice up your ramen

豚王 Tonkotsu King - porky, milky, creamy, yummy

翠王 Green King - infused with fresh basil, olive oil, and parmesan cheese! I enjoy this extremely.

My eat-mate adds chasiu, spring onions and a giant piece of nori

I take mine straight because I cannot wait

Butao Ramen 豚王: G/F, Wo On Building, 8-13 On Lane Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
中環蘭桂坊和安里8-13號和安樓地下. Tel: +852 2530 0600

Eng Bee Tin Hopia ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Judge me all you want.

But I love hopia.

I can finish a whole pack in one sitting.

Ube Hopia

Buko Pandan Hopia

Yummy colors, yummy flavors

Hopia love me, too!

(Sorry, couldn't help :p)

Eng Bee Tin: 628 Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila Philippines. Tel: +632-288-8888

Sonya's Garden ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The place is set up for a wedding.

Ooooohhh.

Unfortunately, the wedding's not mine.

But it's okay, I still love Sonya's salad and pasta.

The place has grown so much since its humble beginnings in the late 90's

I'm in love with this quaint and sweet-looking chandelier

Fresh salad greens and Sonya's secret dressing

Salad toppings. I overload mine with mangoes, broad beans, jackfruit and mangoes.

Pasta with sun dried tomato sauce and chicken cream with mango sauce. I mix the two and
top generously with ratatouille, salmon belly, shitake mushrooms, black olives, capers,
parmesan cheese and pepperoncini.

Homemade chocolate cake

Banana rolls with sesame and jackfruit

Glazed sweet potato

Can't wait till the family's complete again

Sonya's Garden: Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines. Tel: +639175329097 or +639175335140

Pamana, Tagaytay ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:14:00 +0000

I thought ours was the home with the most photographs hanging on walls.

Mom likes to show off proof that she was once young and thin, that she got married young and thin, that her children graduated from nursery, kindergarten, elementary, high school, college, that they were young, happy and chubby kids, and that they are now older and chubbier kids.

But...

Looks like we've got a contender here

Pamana's floor to ceiling is covered in them

Gotta take photos to show Mom. She'll be destroyed.

Dining Room

Pamana serves Fiipino (and a bit of Chinese) fare. Food is nothing fancy, just easy, home-cooked dishes.

Everything is a-ok. I love the humba.

Pampanga's Sizzling Sisig at Aligue

Nilagang Bulalo

Manila's Original Crispy Pata

Leyte's Humba

Pinaputok na Tiyan ng Bangus

Legaspi City's Pinangat na Laing

My Adobo Rice

Ate Trina Biazon's Bagoong Rice

Don Randy's Aligue Rice

Native Chocolate

Gonna take solo pics of all Fatterside cousins now and hang them on our wall

Pamana: Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Cavite, Philippines. Tel: (046) 413-1885

Rose ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:31:00 +0000

It was a very quiet Tuesday night

The room was filled with artsy, but not the most comfy, chairs

Boats carrying sushi floated about.
They seemed to be there for quite some time so I hesitated and ordered a la carte.

Well, except for this Spicy Tuna which I grabbed. My mouth likes chewing while waiting.
Tasted like something from a Chinese restaurant.

I wanted to try the Sea Urchin-Crusted Lobster and Deep Fried Scallops with Camembert.

Both were unavailable. Bum. Mer.

Norwegian Salmon Sashimi - not the freshest

Dragon Temple Roll - sea eel and cream cheese

Firecracker Edamame - yummy hot stuff

Katsu Twin - chicken, pork and breading, falling apart

Crunchy Rolled Spicy Tuna - too much rice! And I wish they used Japanese mayo.

The best part of the meal was dessert.

Their ice cream is hand made using French cream.

The manager spoke about it with so much pride and passion we just had to give in.

And I am glad we did.

Every spoonful was glorious, just as he promised.

Himalayan Salted Caramel - love salty and sweet

Thai Peanut - it's like pad thai ice cream. Very nice but in a very weird kind of way.

Rose: 31st Street corner 1st Avenue, Grand Hamptons Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Tel: +639175972573

My Favorite Valentine's Date Places ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Published on Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section, February 12, 2012

My Favorite Valentine's Date Places

It’s two days to The Big Day and I still don’t have a date.

To give up or not to give up?

Give. Up.

Valentines Day. It’s just so CAPS LOCK OVERRATED.

Still, I feel somewhat obligated to come out with a list for all the hopeless lovey-doveys out there. (Some people just don’t get it. Sigh.)

So here’s my list of places. Guys, PLEASE call ahead for reservations (it’s total turn off if you don’t). Impress your girl by ordering for her. For your reference, I’m including all the dishes I want my non-existent date to order for me.

You’re welcome very much!

1. Antonio’s
For the fun and outdoorsy babe

Drive up to Tonyboy’s Tagaytay restaurant for an enchanting evening. The immaculate interiors, the lush greens, dining on excellent food under starry, starry night… I guarantee you she’s gonna swoon with delight. Ordering in Antonio’s is very easy, just pick an entree and you have a full course meal that includes house salad, soup and your choice of dessert. The Herbed Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cardamom Beurre Blanc with Pumpkin Sage Risoni is always a favorite. When you’re not looking, she will grab the tender chops with her hands and suck them bones dry. And because she is such ravenous darling, reward her with Steak Tartare and an extra side of Pan Seared Foie Gras to go with her salad. The Dark Chocolate Souffle always seals the deal.

House Salad with Pan Seared Foie Gras

Steak Tartare

Herbed Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cardamom Beurre Blanc with Pumpkin Sage Risoni

Dark Chocolate Souffle

Antonio’s is located at Purok 138, Barangay Neogan, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Tel: +63917-8992866

Read about Antonio's here, here, here and here.

2. The Fireplace
For the classy and carnivorous babe

It is the warm and elegant setting, the pile of wood and the Beech oven… You just know right away this is THE place for great steaks. Start your meal with a rich, tasty bowl of Lobster Bisque. It’s off menu, but I’m sure they will accommodate special requests on special occasions. Share the Millionaire’s Salad, it’s got prawns, scallops, Portobello mushrooms, foie gras and all the good things you’ll want on top of healthy fresh greens. And then the steak. Go for the US Angus Rib Eye. Or the Wagyu Tasting for the splurge. Warning: If you don’t want to spend the rest of the night fighting, do NOT suggest sharing! End the meal with the sinful and decadent Chocolate Soup.

Lobster Bisque

Millionnaire's Salad

US Angus Rib Eye

Chocolate Soup

The Fireplace is located at 5/F Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, 588 Pedro Gil corner M.H. del Pilar, Malate, Manila. Tel: +632-2451234

Read about The Fireplace here, here, here, here, here and here.

3. The Goose Station
For the modern and sexy babe

Forget roses. Present her with the daintiest bouquet of foie gras mousse. It’s more practical, and tastes so much better. Plus it’s so smooth and buttery you’ll hear her little moans of pleasure. Hit second base with the Caviar Surprise. Avruga caviar, king crab, white asparagus cream, prawn jelly… fresh and clean flavors of the sea. Go all the way with the 24-Hour Steak, sous-vide until soft and tender like a newborn baby, every mouthful is an explosion of macho beef umami. The Strawberry Sorbet is one sexy martini glass filled with different textures of strawberry goodness – smoked compote, sorbet, granita and chips. The flavors are so happy and vibrant it feels like eating a rainbow.

Foie Cone

Caviar Surprise

24-Hour Steak

Strawberry Sorbet

The Goose Station is located at the Ground Floor, W Tower, 39th Street, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Tel: +63917-8546673

Read about The Goose Station here, here, here, here, here and here.

4. The Champagne Room
For the feminine and charming babe

The pale yellow, crystal palm trees and pretty flowery prints will make her feel like a prim and proper lady. She’ll suddenly feel the need to lower down her voice, bat her lashes, and whisper like how English ladies do at afternoon tea parties. You’ll order for her the garlicky Burgundy Snails baked in their own shells with herb-shallot butter, the meat-that-wants-to-become-butter Pan-fried Goose Liver and Apple Mille-Feuille on Cider Syrup, and a big slab of the tender and tasty Prime Rib that Champagne Room is famous for. For dessert, the sweet and tangy, hot and cold Crepes Suzette. A man should always understand and never underestimate the appetite of a true lady.

Burgundy Snails

Pan-fried Goose Liver and Apple Mille-Feuille on Cider Syrup

Prime Rib

Crepe Suzette

The Champagne Room is located at the Ground floor of The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila. Tel: +632-5270011

Read about the Champagne Room here.

5. Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant
For the romantic and wife-material babe

Fly her to Cebu in class.

Bathe together

Swim in the infinity pool together

Snuggle in the cabanas

Get relaxing scrubs and massages at the spa

Have a romantic candlelight dinner

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in bed

The service at Abaca is first class, food is excellent, and the resort very private.

What happens in Abaca, stays in Abaca. ;)

Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant in located at Punta Engano Road, Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu. Tel: +63-32-495-3461

Read about Abaca Boutique Resort here, and Abaca Restaurant here.

Since I’ve been to ALL these places, I guess it’s just fair for me to say that I am a FUN, OUTDOORSY, CLASSY, CARNIVOROUS, SEXY, MODERN, FEMININE, CHARMING, ROMANTIC and WIFE-MATERIAL BABE. HA!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES, PEOPLES!!!

Lord Stow's Bakery ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Hot off the oven or straight from the fridge, still my favorite egg tart in all the world

Lord Stow's Bakery: See the list of branches here

Via Mare Cafe & Oyster Bar ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:19:00 +0000

My favorite is this Bibingka with Laguna Cheese and Salted Duck Egg (Rockwell branch does this best).
I can have this for lunch every single day.

Okay okay, plus maybe a few other dishes...

Pancit Luglog - fat noodles in crab fat. Nuff said.

Palitaw

Bibingka Cassava

Puto Bumbong - I don't quite get why people like this. Except for the color, I find nothing great.

Tiyan ng Bangus Asado

Fish and Chips

Shooters - a trio of guinumis, mais con yelo and halo-halo

Marie, Me, Wendy, Jodie

Via Mare: Ground Floor, Edsa Shangrila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong, Philippines. Tel: +632-631-1506

Level 1, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel: +632-898-0961

Lorenzo's Way ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:27:00 +0000

We usually don't, but when my Virginia-based sister is in town, we eat Filipino.

Baked Cheesy Spinach and Banana Blossom Dip - creamy spinach, banana blossom,
mushrooms and cheese dip topped with roasted garlic and grated parmesan cheese. Yum.

KKK - short for Kare-Kare Klab. Oxtail, tripe and vegetables in a peanut flavored sauce.

Binukadkad na Pla-Pla - deep fried whole tilapia served with Pampanga style fermented rice
or balo-balo and fresh mustard leaves

Knockout Knuckles - crispy fried pork leg with original fried garlic chili oil.
A bit overfried today. For me, Bistro Remedios does this best.

Gising-Gising - tender kangkong stems cooked with shrimps and coconut milk

Garlic Rice - because no Filipino dinner is complete without it!

Lorenzo's Way: G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-729-0047

Mogu Japanese Shinsen Bar & Grill ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:42:00 +0000

Years ago, I tried out this Japanese resto in Serendra with my mom and sis

Salmon Sashimi

Mogu Rainbow

Fried Tofu

Sea Urchin Shooter
I've always been an adventurous eater but this was just a totally weird experience!

Fish Head Soup

Harami - 200g thinly sliced marbled beef short ribs imported from Japan,
served with maitake mushrooms, edamame rice and miso soup

I'm missing our girl bonding time

I was much thinner back then.

Now I look like this Mogu girl:

Mogu: G/F Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-856-0718

Arya ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:38:00 +0000

It's a little Persia in the heart of Manila

Beef Shish - skewers of juicy tenderloin chunks marinated in saffron and yogurt.
I wrap these in Indian bread and dip away in garlic and chili sauce. Yum.

Migu Tanoori - prawns marinated in delicate spices and yogurt with Tanoori sauce.
Tastes like a very mild sweet and sour dish. Blah.

Lamb Biryani - tender lamb shank stewed in spicy biryani sauce
Rich, gamey, fall-off-the-bone tender, it's my all-time favorite Arya dish to order.

BURRRRP.

Excuse me for the Persian breath.

Arya: Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place Manila. Tel: +632-567-3800

Appetite Control Toothpaste?

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:47:00 +0000

Saw this in the PCX store and got VERY excited.

Imagine, lose unwanted pounds by brushing your teeth.

Finally, my prayers are answered!

White Glo Crave-Away Appetite Control Toothpaste
Helps suppress appetite and reduce food cravings

It's really small at 26 grams. And really expensive at P160!

So, was it effective?

Hmmmmppppppphffffffftttttt!!!!!!!!

Didn't really do anything to tame my appetite.

Should have bought a Fillet-o-Fish meal and Hot Fudge Sundae instead.

Tell me, did it work on any one of you?

Risa Chocolates and Sky Cable

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:55:00 +0000

It's grand having a sister who works in the advertising industry.

Once in a while she brings home sweet treats like this.

And I, the older sister, get to eat them all the time.

Mwahahaha.

Life is sweeter with the power of multiple channels

Sky Cable giveaway by Risa Chocolates

The icons represent different channel categories

I hope SkyCable comes up with more and more and more categories!

Risa Chocolates:

Email: risachocolates@yahoo.com
Mobile Number: +63 918 9424573
Facebook.com/risachocolates

Peking Garden Greenbelt 5, Revisited ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Four things comprise Grape Apes Wine Dinners:

1. Food

2. Wine

3. Unrestrained laughter brought about by unrestrained conversations

"Drinking alone is like masturbation. You are more focused and you know your way around
so you arrive at your destination faster. It's better than doing it with a lousy partner."
Words of wisdom from the very wise Beth.

And...

4. Very serious love for food photography… AND food!

Jean of Trip or Treats. I love her blog!

I had too much fun eating I forgot to take note of the wine pairings (Sorreeeeee!)

I just ate and ate and ate.

And drunk and drunk and drunk.

Posting according to the sequence in my cam...

Fried Wonton Chips

Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut L-P

Century Egg

Smoked Vegetable Rolls

Kung Choy

Bohae Korean Black Raspberry Wine

Deep Fried Bean Curd Cubes with Minced Meat

Barbecued Pork in Honey Sauce

Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne

Chicken and Meat Dumpling Soup

Casa Barranca 2005 Chardonnay

Peking Duck

Weltachs Auslese 2009 Prädikatswein Weißwein PFALZ

Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz

Lantern Prawns and Deep Fried Taro Prawns

2009 Domaine Ostertag Gewurztraminer

Braised Sliced Whelk with Sea Cucumber

Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett 2009

Minced Duck with Fresh Lettuce

Navarro Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir

My little minced Peking duck wrap

Peppercorn Duck Bones

Deep Fried Shredded Beef with Sesame Puff

La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Rioja Reserva 2001

Yummy sweet and crunchy beef pocket

Braised E-Fu Noodles with Straw Mushrooms

Tschida Chardonnay Trockenbeerenauslese 2002

Bean Curd Custard with Ginger Syrup

Pumpkin Cake

Jyn, Jin and Jean

On my being single...

"Jin, ano ba kasi hinahanap mo sa lalaki?"

"Gusto ko mahilig kumain."

"Hmmm… Mahilig kumain ng ano???"

Nasty grins...

Unrestrained laughters...

YOU CRAZY DRUNKS!!!!!! :P

Thank you Willy for bringing all these glasses!

Already looking forward to the next!

Peking Garden: 4/F, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632 729-0567

Buon Giorno ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:11:00 +0000

Sometimes we go simple and easy.

Like this no-frills, home-cooked style Italian dinner.

Pumpkin Soup, Shrimp Bisque, Mushroom Soup

Mare Pesto - the seafood pizza crust is hard and brittle, feels like eating pizza on crackers

Except for the pizza boo-boo, everything we order tastes okay.

Simple. Honest. Unpretentious.

Pollo e Funghi
Chicken and mushroom risotto

Cannelloni Spinaci
Tender bits of chicken and Mortadella ham rolled in sheets of spinach pasta smothered with
tomato sauce and cheese

Spaghetti Vongole e Gamberetti
Spaghetti with clams and shrimps

Branzino con Salsa di Salmariglio
Sea bass with a salmariglio sauce of olive oil, lemon juice and herbs whisked together

Carre di Agnello con Salsa Al Vino Rasso
Herb-crusted roasted rack of lamb with red wine sauce

Mango Cheesecake

Tarragon Tea

I'm loving mellow, dress-down Friday nights.

Me and Jade, blurry

Buon Giorno: G/F West Tower, Rockwell Business Center, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-7103515

L'Incontro Ristorante Italiano ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Inside L'Incontro is a new bar lounge called L'Aperitivo.

The Bar Lounge

Niiice.

But I'm with Mom (eeep!) so we skip aperitifs and go straight to dinner.

The Dining Room

Bread basket with delicious tomato and pesto dips

Dinner is mushroomy, truffley and yummy.

Insalata di Funghi Caldi
Sauteed portobello, button & shiitake bacon mushrooms, mixed greens, fresh grapes, shaved parmesan.
I love warm earthy things and salad greens.

Crespella ai Funghi e Tartufo
Crepe in black truffle and mushroom sauce stuffed with smoke ham and cheese. Winner!

Spinach Tagliatelle Tartufo en Prosciutto
Homemade spinach noodles with L'Incontro truffle sauce and prosciutto.
Pasta is overcooked but that's okay, Mom doesn't like al dente anyway.

Gamberi in Salsa D'Arancia
Fresh grilled prawns with orange butter sauce and rosemary bacon potatoes
The prawns are huge, perfectly cooked, crunchy and succulent.

Gorgonzola Cheesecake with Candied Walnuts and Grapes
So sophisticated and decadent I want to cry!

Mom and Me happy happy

L'Incontro Ristorante Italiano: 207 Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo) Makati City, Philippines. Tel: +632-8990638

The Valentine's Flower Man

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:36:00 +0000

This is Mannix

He does this

I love it so much.

Even if it's not for me.

He's got tons of beautiful imported large bloom Ecuadorian roses this Valentine's season.

BIG blooms.

BIG smiles.

BIG BIG LOVE.

Order now. Thank me later. ;)

0916-3863588 or 0916-3863578

101 Calamba Street, Sta. Mesa Heights (corner of Banawe Ave and Calamba Street)

Lu, A Third Time ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:24:00 +0000

New chef at the helm means new dishes on the menu.

Tina Vitas says they are To. Die. For.

We order two of them to share.

Nothing is more fun than clogging arteries together.

Crispy Pork Belly Confit with caramelized sweet potato and stewed lentils

And what could be more criminal than pork belly fried in its own fat?
These layers of crunchy, sticky and meaty is evilness. Pure and delicious evilnessssss!

Corned Beef Burger - but the fresh brisket type - & fries

Tender, juicy, gooey innards

It's sooo good it makes you do this

We end our lunch with this teardrop-shaped Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Terrine
Dark yet light and not too sweet, I can eat buckets and buckets of teardrops of this.

See my previous Lu posts:
Lu
Lu, Revisited

Lu: G/F Joya South Tower, Rockwell, Makati, Philippines. Tel: +632-403-3991

Breakfast at Malcolm's Burger ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:33:00 +0000

There are some things I wake up for.

There are some things I push the snooze button at.

And Malcolm's buttermilk pancakes?

I stay up the whole night waiting for sunrise.

Buttermilk Pancakes
So soft and fluffy I want to bury my face in it forever and ever

Classic Eggs Benedict with Canadian ham, spinach and onions
I'd like the hollandaise to be a little sharper, but the country potatoes are the bomb!

Good breakfasts make mornings more beautiful

Malcolm's Burger: G/F Fairways Tower, 5th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-556-3186

Dinner at Alex's

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:16:00 +0000

The Garden Setting

Kois and Flamingos

Fried Baby Shrimps

Calamares

Pritchon. I had 3 of this.

Tenderloin Steak

Grilled Tanigue

Butterfly Prawns

Chicken Teriyaki

Fettuccine Bolognese and Carbonara

Buttered Veggies

Lechon

Desserts - mango torte, fresh fruit salad, cassava cake, cherries and oranges

Guess who joined dinner that night? The super well-behaved, cutie pie baby Alvaro!
With proud parents Javi and Marie :)

Saika Japanese Restaurant ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0000

I love discovering low key, down-to-earth restaurants that serve not too common dishes.

No frills, no frippery, just simple good food.

In Saika, I found one.

Dinner was easy, quiet, and delicious.

I had fun browsing through the menu

Pirikara Kyurino Hiyayako - tofu, cucumber and corn in a light and refreshing, slightly spicy sauce

Salmon Sashimi

Amaebi

Kani Salad - couldn't get enough of the sesame dressing

Horenso Butter Itame - didn't know spinach could taste this good

Chicken Nanban - tender and juicy, pairs very well with the creamy homemade sauce

Miso Katsu - the sweet and tangy miso cuts through the fried pork beautifully

Liver Nira Itame - highly addicting stuff!

Dragon Roll - loaded with unagi inside out

Motorola Roll - gotta love anything with Japanese mayo

Coffee Jelly - rich and sinful homemade goodness

Macchya Sharbett - sad-tasting tea-flavored ice.
Will skip this next time and order...

Macchya Flappechino and Banana Paffe :P

Saika Japanese Restaurant: Chino Roces Avenue corner Fernando Street, Makati City, Metro Manila

My Kitchen by Chef Chris ♥ ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:17:00 +0000

On Frances' instructions, The Fatterside arrives My Kitchen all wearing "I Love" shirts.

Chef Chris comes up to welcome us.

"Wow, what a big family! What's the occasion?"

"We're celebrating a birthday, but the celebrant is not here. She's in Utah."

Awkward silence.

It is now official.

Chef Chris thinks we're a bunch of loonies.

The Europe Series

The US Series

The South East Asia Series

And my favorite, The Food Series!

Even Hearty is in proper attire

We find this on the tables.
"Nope, these are not placemats! In you hands you each hold a letter of our celebrant's name.
Unleash your creativity and design and color your letter with joy and love.
And as much as our family enjoys food, please do not spill anything on these papers.
We will use this at the end of dinner. Thank you!"

Gotta work before we eat

Even the oldies have to do it, too

Gwama enjoys the activity the most

Gwama's Masterpiece

And then the chow down begins!

Assorted Garden Salad - fresh and crisp

Cream of Tomato Soup (half portion) - thick and sour, the way I like it

Of course, we have the famous panizzas.

So nice there's no need to drive all the way to Pampanga.

Jando - Italian salami, toasted garlic, chili flakes and sun dried tomato

Stefano - plain cheese with parmesan, garlic, rosemary

Kristina - bacon, ham, caramelized onion, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms

Saint Jacques - US scallop flakes, shrimp, sun dried tomatoes and chili flakes

Actually, I am not sure which panizza is which. Do not trust me.

But trust me when I say everything tastes excellent. Roll with arugula and alfalfa sprouts and enjoy.
They're all so good I cannot decide which I love best. All 3 hearts go to the panizzas.

Chicken Parmesan - chicken fillet baked with tomato, parmesan and mozzarella cheese
presented over linguini in pomodoro sauce

Chicken Tartufo Nero - chicken fillet in black truffle reduction with tomatoes and butter presented
on parmesan infused polenta

Spaghetti Putanesca - plum tomatoes, olives and capers sauteed with anchovies, chili and garlic

Spaghetti Amatriciana - bacon, mushroom slices in aromatic white wine enticed tomato sauce

Spaghetti Something Something (sorry, forgot to get the name)

Pan Roasted Dorado Fillet

Golden Ricotta and Parmesan Gnocchi - served with Italian sausage braised in tomato sauce
with olives and capers

Risotto Con Pollo - slow braised boneless chicken wings and roasted chicken tenders blend in
parmesan risotto with fresh mushrooms and herbs

Lamb Shank in Red Wine Sauce - very tasty and fall-off-the-bone tender. A winner!

Tender Ox Tongue in Rich Wine Sauce with Tomatoes and Herbs - served on parmesan polenta
and soft boiled cabbage slices

Pan Roasted Salmon Fillet with Sherry Butter Sauce

Slow Roasted Pork Ribs - forky-tender and porkylicious

Bistecca - US Prime Angus flank steak with rosemary garlic marinade presented on oven-baked
potato slices and macedoine of olive oil roasted carrots, pumpkin and Italian broccoli.
Love the taste, too bad they overcooked the meat.

Frances ordered all that food for each of our 3 tables.

Imagine what sweet punishment it is for our table of 5.

I've never been fed so much food in my life!
Horrified, Achi Donna cries out and pleads to our server, "Stop it! STOP IT!!!!!!!!!"

We are so food-drunk after dinner we allow Frances to trick us into doing this:

We ♥ Florence

Happy Happy Birthday, Florie!!!

Florence's birthday celebration last year at Heat.

My Kitchen by Chef Chris: The Oasis Paco Park Hotel, 1032-34 Belen Street, Paco, Manila. Tel: +632 521-2371 to 75

Midas Cafe Lunch Buffet ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Haven't done this in a long while.

Leisurely Sunday lunch with my girls.

Feels like warm towels straight off the dryer.

Appetizers, Salads and Sushi

Breads

Hot Dishes

Grilling Station

Prime Rib Carving

Cheeses

Desserts

Seating

My Seafood Plate. Not the freshest but ok lah.

My Soba Plate. Too soft too soggy.

My Protein Plate (okay, and a little side of carbs, hehe)
Prime rib is good.

My Salad Plate

My Dessert Platter. I like only the coffee mousse.

Sherylou, Jen, Sheryl and me

I can't help but drool over Sherylou's plate!

Midas Cafe: 2/F Midas Hotel, 2702 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tel: +632-902 0100

Marc & Jill's Wedding Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:11:00 +0000

The theme is New York.

Because for Marc and Jill, the city is where it all began.

The Entrance

The Pacific Grand Ballroom

The Setup

The Greens

The Street Sign

The Presidential Table

The Band

The Centerpiece and The Beautiful Ladies

The Flowers and Trees

New York scenes on the big screen:

And then...

The Couple Dance

The Group Dance

And all that drama

The Cake

The Gown.
The Intricate Details.

The Beautiful Limchutick Siblings

The Gorgeous Uy Sisters

The Waiters.
Meaning: Food is coming!

Warm Salad of Prawns, Green Tea Soba, Fruits Relish, Wasabi-Nori Mayo

Pumpkin Bisque, Shrimps, Bacon Bits, Melba Toast

Oven Baked Miso Marinated Chilean Sea Bass, Mint Pea Puree, Ginger Carrot Emulsion

Roasted Rib Eye of Beef, Mousseline Potato, Green Asparagus, Rosemary Jus

Three Colored Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Coulis and Spicy Berry Compote

The Smooch Bell

There was a lot of mingling

Drinking

And dancing

Guess who I saw!

My high school friend Eileen

Eleanor and Steve

And Tara who is also a soon-to-be bride! :)

Marc & Jill's Wedding Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Jin) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:13:00 +0000

I love weddings.

Recently, I attended a beautiful one.

The Church

The Aisle

The Twins

The Entourage (ladies only!)

Family and friends

The Groom and The Best Man

The Radiant Bride and Her Parents

The theme is New York, where it all began.
(Wait for my post on the dinner reception!)

I so know who's gonna get married next! ;)