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Munch on Brunch at Main Street, Tuscany

August 7, 2014 by Janey

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day but that theory is debunked on Saturdays and Sundays. Brunch is the most important meal of the weekend. Weekend is the only part of the week sleep is relished and we are not forced to an early start.

There is nothing not to love about brunches. It makes you catch up on a meal you almost missed and bridges the start of the day and mid-day into one appropriated time or excuse to eat. It’s the best time to recap the week and relive Friday and Saturday’s fun over a sumptuous meal.

For those who make most of their weekends partying the night away, usually somewhere at the Fort, and are still too drunk to cook, munch on some great brunch at Main Street along Upper McKinley Hill. No I’m not reminding myself since I don’t drink (hic!) but I do eat and I eat quite a lot.

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Take a Right Turn to Main Street

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I find myself returning to Main Street, this time to try their brunch menu. If there is a chic interior, this is the male counterpart. It has a handsome simplicity that’s bohemian, elegant and trendy. The bike is still there hanging along with some framed travel photos and I still want to pilfer some of their vinyl records. They got some awesome records there like Black Sabbath.

But I’d probably rummage their kitchen first.

On the Table

Brewed Barako Coffee P70

Main Street Frittata P260

Three eggs, fried chorizo, cherry tomatoes, kesong puti, tangy sour cream topping

Fluffy eggs frittata with pleasant salty chorizo bites calmed by the anecdotal presence of tomatoes, kesong puti and sour cream.

[Read more…]

The Wholesome Table

August 5, 2014 by Janey

“Don’t panic, it’s organic.” Some people need to be given the right motivation to start eating right and living right. As we grow older, we get more armed with the knowledge of what’s good for us and what’s bad for us and we’ve become less willing to compromise. I’m still talking about food. The Wholesome Table at BGC Central uses produce that comes from organic sources and it gives us the confidence that we are not harming our bodies even if we eat a little bit more.

Consecutive weekends including Saturdays saw me spending time with family. Last Saturday night, it was date time with brother bro bro, my Twinee, Twin. Since both of us are trying to take care of our bodies better (the most I do is say, “take care body!”), we were very excited to try a new organic restaurant that serves comfort food. Owned by the Elizaldes, The Wholesome Table stands at the location of former Aria Cucina Italia, famed for its Boracay branch.

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Aria Cucina Italia

Aria’s Afternoon Delight

We were targeting an early dinner but all that’s available to order at 6pm are the salads and pizzas. Low-carb diet makes me want to stray from the pizza but since there are no other choice until 630pm, we decided to start with these. Dining interiors of The Wholesome Table are very impressive.

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“We use meat from grass fed cows that are raised without artificial hormones and antibiotics. Our poultry and eggs are all free-range. We source local products whenever possible. We serve wild-caught seafood. Except for our cheese, which comes from local and organic sources, we do not use any other processed ingredients. You won’t find high fructose corn syrup in any of our food and drinks. All our sauces and condiments are natural and made from scratch. We use healthier alternatives wherever we can. We promise you that this list will grow as long as better food choices are made available. So go ahead and find comfort knowing that you are about to eat something truly nutritious and delicious, on your wholesome table.” – The Wholesome Table

On the Table

Bread and Butter

Beautiful bread to start with. I only wish they served it warm.

Chicken Dukkah Salad P420

Hearty salad made with dukkah-coated grilled chicken, roasted squash, tomatoes, sliced red onions, cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese, sunflower seeds, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette

The Wholesome Table’s chicken dukkah salad was a delicious salad to get your appetite going and it tasted fresh as fresh can get. The grilled chicken was a great protein and added punches of flavor into the green ensemble.

[Read more…]

Avi Bistro, Kapitolyo

August 5, 2014 by Janey

Move over BF Homes and Tomas Morato-Timog area! Kapitolyo is aggressively becoming a hotspot for foodies especially with new restaurants sprouting in the area. In the last month or so, we’ve seen at least 6-7 new eating destinations launched there, and at least 8 others in a 3-4 month period. Watch out for my TOP TEN list this week listing down all the new ones to target.

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Between Bites TOP TEN BEST Kapitolyo Restaurants

After Saturday date night (bonding time) with my brother, Twin, he decided to join my sister and I in the 9am CCF Service last Sunday. The plan also for that day was to have a “Baby’s Day Out” and go swimming at Ace Water Spa, too bad I wasn’t able to join since I had a prior engagement. Knowing the grumblings of my tummy, of course, I couldn’t miss lunch.

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Look at that naughty smile! 🙂

Like there’s a plan to annihilate Tita or something. GULP.

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Avi Bistro has simple but charming homey interiors with spots of interesting chic trimmings. The right wall is a two-toned brick wall with the upper half oyster-colored and the bottom, red-painted.

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Written on the wall are the words, “Home brought closer to you,” which is an indication of what the kitchen repertoire is. Avi Bistro aims to make you feel right at home, relaxed and enjoying their comfort dishes.

On the Table

Amigo Crisanto’s Chili Con Carne P155

Choice of rice or nacho chips, sautéed ground beef infused with spices and topped with sour cream

Price points at Avi Bistro are very affordable. Their Chili Con Carne as an appetizer can likely serve 2-3 people while waiting for their mains. The sautéed ground beef is mixed with smashed refried beans and brown pinto beans then garnished with chopped green chilies, cheese, and sour cream.

I wish it was a little wetter than thick but it didn’t disappoint at all.

Papa Jack’s Crispy Chicken Adobo Overload P210

With choice of rice or mashed potato, 3 hours slow cooked chicken legs in Avi Bistro’s rich adobo sauce infused with dark chocolate and gravy

This was my favorite out of the 5 dishes we ordered. Yea I was able to escape ordering 5 instead of 3 (which my sister had pledged me to do) since we were 3 folks this time instead of 2.

I don’t know who Papa Jack is but he is rightfully the Papa of Chicken Adobo since it was so goooooooood. It was a simple black bowl with two pieces of chicken and gravy over hefty amount of rice. The chicken parts were likely fried first to a crisp and then coated with this peppery and garlicky adobo sauce that had me eating one spoonful of white rice after the other. Was I supposed to be on a no-rice mission? Abandon ship!

[Read more…]

Franco’s

July 31, 2014 by Janey

With a not-so-common urge to drive to Makati, I decided to check out a restaurant on a Sunday drive there. After the 9am CCF Service, I asked my sister if she was up to haunt down Your Local and discover what their kitchen can dish out. It wasn’t too hard to locate with the help of the Waze app and my sister’s navigational skills. I parked conveniently in front of the restaurant and we all (Little Popeye in tow) walked inside.

I was amazed at the space and started perusing the menu which mostly composed of sandwiches. To cut the story short, I realized we were at Yardstick Coffee Shop and not Your Local restaurant so we embarrassingly hopped to the other side. Your Local turned out closed during Sundays.

The alternative plan was to try La Cabrera at 6750 Tower that has USDA Prime Rib Eye steak for only P2,680 for 500g and a smorgasbord of sides which seems to be a really good price… same with their Striploin Steak (P1,880 for 500g and P2,980 for 800g). Shobe didn’t want to have steak so we ended up at Power Plant Mall – one of my two favorite malls. We ended up trying Franco’s.

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08.08.08 Date at Myron’s

Myron’s

Franco’s has modern and homey interiors with display cases of collectibles that men would like. It’s from the same management as Myron’s who is known for their steaks and oysters.

[Read more…]

CO/OP Lifestyle Store and Café

July 28, 2014 by Janey

I’ve been seeing this café every time I drive home. I initially wondered if it’s just a lifestyle or furniture store but upon closer inspection, it’s also a café. Sunday evening after Service, I decided to check the place out and since my family was too lazy to dine out (or they wanted to escape the joy of my boring company), I had to eat dinner all by my lonesome self… Don’t worry, I was very tempted but still stayed within the “order” cap my sister gave me, three.

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It’s a huge space that CO/OP Lifestyle Store and Café occupies and happy to report they have ample parking in their front lot. The design space somewhat reminded me of Trilogy Boutique and Canteen in Makati before but instead of clothes, CO/OP has an array of interesting quirky items for display or for home or personal use while half of the interior has table and chairs for your dining intention. It has a nice industrial chic design with high ceilings and production spotlights hanging around.

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Trilogy Boutique and Canteen

[Read more…]

Duck and Buvette, Casual French + Bakery

July 26, 2014 by Janey

Buvettes are French neighborhood refreshment stalls usually found near markets offering simple and freshly prepared snacks made from ingredients available that day. D&B or Duck and Buvette is a take on buvettes, serving inspired yet simple food, using seasonal produce and handpicked ingredients, with influences from the cooking of the French countryside.

The restaurant soft-opened in June and those who frequented defunct Café Provencal would be glad to know it’s under the same management.

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Café Provencal

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Summer in Provence at Café Provencal

The bakery at this time is not yet available but will be offering some hot and fresh from the oven soon. D&B also offers a wide range of coffee brews sourced from South America, East Africa, and Central America.

On the Table

Maple Candied Bacon and Lemon P175

Delicious, glazed and baked crispy smoked bacon belly, drizzled with lemon

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D&B had strips of bacon belly garbed in this sheer coating of maple syrup that gave its brittle texture like candy. Taste that beautiful lining of sweetness instantly grabbed by the faint saltiness of the savory bacon which parts dissolve in a greasy specter, anticipated of bacon. Squeeze a bit of lemon to add a brighter tone and hush the sweet and greasy smear.

[Read more…]

Finding Green Pastures Again

July 25, 2014 by Janey

Most people always look for greener pastures usually in their careers or relationships, thinking there’s a more promising situation on the other side. While it’s not completely wrong to want more, sometimes that continual thirst skews our contentment and eventually distorts what’s already pleasing to us. Psalm 23:2, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet water.” There is no greater contentment than the joy of God’s salvation and grace and knowing Him deeper every new day.

While it’s not a necessity to find greener pastures, I find myself at Green Pastures again and again looking for some culinary satisfaction which is always within reach. I’ve had separate visits here with family, my soul sister Maddie, Jaja and a couple of business meetings.

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Green Pastures

Food Bites: Green Pastures

Green Pastures succeeds exceedingly in drawing huge crowds to their restaurant in Shangri-La Mall. People nowadays attempt to eat healthier, go super natural food consumption, and immerse themselves in this organic back-to-earth movement. At the very least, it shows support to small-scale local farmers.

At Green Pastures, they strive to make everything in house and from scratch. The kitchen relies heavily on fresh produce which in turn creates a menu that doesn’t go stale.

On the Table

Ricotta P255

Cow’s Milk, made fresh daily with onion jam and roasted garlic

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Chicken Liver Pate P135

Topped with roasted beets

Served with crusty toasts, the chicken liver pate has this deliciously murky and creamy consistency, which is complemented by the tangy fruitiness of the roasted beets and mild earthy crunch of the alfalfa sprouts.

Braised Tender Octopus P265

Whole shallots and sweet red wine sauce

Squash Blossom P300

Homemade burrata cheese with creamy ricotta, grape tomatoes and basil

[Read more…]

Green Pastures

July 24, 2014 by Janey

Friday the 13^th, it’s one of those days you don’t necessarily forget easily. I don’t believe that day and number are cursed as some believe. That evening coincidentally wasn’t one of the best. But as a habit we don’t remember the bad, we should only remember the good. That day was my very first visit to Green Pastures last year in September and boy, the good was really good.

Green Pastures, a farm-to-table concept restaurant, opened its doors creating more noise for that buzzword than any other restaurant with many successful dishes. Most of their ingredients are sourced locally and delivered straight from production or harvest at the farm to the restaurant’s kitchen.

Others deem it as highly ambitious, it seems costly vs. getting mass-produced products and harder to sustain since growing organic food is more intensive but really, the effort to support organic farming initiatives is laudable.

On the Table

Housemade Ricotta P255

Cow’s Milk, made fresh daily with onion jam and roasted garlic

This is my first full entry on Green Pastures even if I have eaten there dozens of times since the introduction. I never go to Green Pastures and not order their housemade ricotta the same way I never not order Kimchi Rice with Braised Short Rib at Wild Flour.

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It’s served with warm toast that becomes your blank canvass where the creamy beady ricotta must be spread generously. There’s a beautiful balance of mild salty from the cheese, sweet from the caramelized onions and roasted garlic, and flickers of heat from the chili. All those emerge in a crunchy bite of the toast.

Cioppino P595

Sustainable and line caught seafood in tomato fennel broth

Green Pastures’ Cioppino is a delicious seafood stew. I learned that evening during a good table conversation about clam broth and how it brings a depth of flavor into any stew, soup, broth if used as base.

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[Read more…]

Greeka Kouzina in Kapitolyo, Pasig

July 23, 2014 by Janey

New restaurants are sprouting in the Kapitolyo neighborhood. At least 3 restaurants have opened its doors in the new D-Strip Complex along United Street in Pasig. D Strip is the two storey building across Ace Water Spa. Since Ultimate (Frisbee) beginner’s clinic was canceled due to rain, I ended up working late and grabbing dinner at Greeka Kouzina.

Greeka Kouzina is not new to me since it’s within my neighborhood in San Juan. I’ve dined twice there where one was a surprise birthday party for me set up by my Church friends. I wanted to visit their newly opened branch in Kapitolyo and check out their dishes.

Greeka Kouzina is a modern Greek Taverna that offers salads, pasta and classic Greek favorites. The restaurant’s interiors provide a cozy dining ambiance with upholstered areas with geometric patterns, white walls, beautiful blue chairs and colorful lantern-looking droplights.

The wall mural of a wall with lonesome blue window adds a Mediterranean accent.

On the Table

Htipiti (Feta Roast Pepper Dip) P215

I love htipiti since I love feta cheese. Greeka Kouzina’s version has chopped spicy roasted peppers and onions combined with generous serving of feta cheese, finished with olive oil. The brined curd white cheese was slightly sweet, sharp and tangy similar to goat cheese.

Spread it obscenely over the triangular pita bread slices it comes with that’s dusted with paprika. Its spikes of smoky peppery taste contrasted perfectly with htipiti’s creamy sharp-mildness.

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Striploin P540

I love Paidakia but decided to go Striploin on this venture. I wanted to add a side of Halloumi cheese but it wasn’t available that evening. Greeka Kouzina’s striploin weighs 300g according to the wait staff.

[Read more…]

Grind and Co

July 23, 2014 by Janey

Stumbled upon this restaurant on our way to Macam’s house, and decided to grab some food to go. It’s a 20-30-seater restaurant that offers diner food like burgers, nachos and wings. Price points are very affordable.

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On the Table

Double Grinders P180 (2)

We ordered two of their double grinder burger, one with a cheese slice (P25) and one without. You’d be surprised but mine was the without one. I haven’t exercised in two weeks being sick and all with my colds and on and off again (no it’s not my diet this time) fever. I try to eat healthier. So I try.

The burger was hefty and had a good char on the beef patties. Even if mine didn’t have cheese, it was full of flavor and seasoned well. I wouldn’t mind eating another Grind and Co Double Grinder burger.

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Ultimate Nachos P120

I still haven’t gotten over Silantro’s Mexican Nachos and I’m totally craving for Chili’s Tostado Chips with Salsa that if I see nachos on the menu, it’s an automatic order. Their nachos were okay to survive with.

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Silantro’s Mexican Nachos

[Read more…]

Livestock Restaurant and Bar

July 22, 2014 by Janey

I chanced upon Livestock when I was out hunting down another restaurant. I picked up Ma and Joyce from Church in Quezon City after the 9am CCF Service, which I attended by my lonesome self since Shobe was in Cebu. We ended up in Livestock and good thing they were showing the DLSU-ADMU game 1 while we waited for our orders, which took a bit to come out.

It’s just a pain that my mom was rooting for Ateneo until she saw my face starting to crunch up by mid 2^nd quarter. Since it was just the three of us, I compelled myself to only order 3 entrées and start practicing what my sister has asked me to do.

The menu had largely dishes focused on pork, even with pasta and pizza but they also carry non-pork dishes.

On the Table

Wasabi Lime Tenderloin P295

Pork tenderloin with a kick of bold flavors of wasabi, ginger, and chili oil, served with crunchy slaw

This dish was simple yet nicely done. The pork tenderloin was meek to the touch of the fork and knife; and particularly juicy even if pork can easily dry out. Flavors were subtle with a temperate hint of wasabi.

12-Hour Roast Beef P378

US Angus Beef slow roasted with aromatics and then charred Churrasco-style

It arrived looking visually disappointing. The roast beef looked more like gyudon strips of beef, very thin and barely there. The carrot chunks were bigger. I guess that’s what they meant by Churrasco style, shaved off a spit. I missed the usual roast beef that has a bit thicker presence.

[Read more…]

Wee Nam Kee’s New Culinary Treasures

July 18, 2014 by Janey

Singapore’s culinary diversity stretches farther than steamed or roasted Hainanese chicken. Wee Nam Kee who has the gold standard of Singaporean Hainanese Chicken introduces new culinary treasures of Singapore offering a plethora of authentic Singaporean dishes to expand your dining pleasure.

Established in 1989 in Singapore, Wee Nam Kee has been serving Hainanese chicken rice for the past 25 years and now its success is displayed in the Philippines, branching out to 8 Wee Nam Kee restaurants in the following areas: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Serendra, Glorietta 2, Alabang Town Center, Promenade Greenhills, Trinoma Mall, Shangrila East Wing, and the new Fairview Terraces Mall.

You’ll go on a feeding frenzy when you round up all the new Singaporean dishes available at Wee Nam Kee. I visited their Shangri-La Plaza branch recently and tried an assortment of appetizers and entrées outside my usual favorites. You’d be glad to note also that they carry five new variants of rice toppings which base is their signature Hainanese rice. There’s salted egg Chinese style fried chicken rice, honey garlic spareribs rice, stewed pork belly rice, sautéed beef fillet with broccoli rice, and tofu roasted pork with black bean rice.

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Follow the Road to the Yellow Chicken at Wee Nam Kee

On the Table

Mantou Bread with Condensed Milk

The golden mantou has a crisp outer layer that submits to pressure of the fingertips. Break it open and find softness inside ready to be dipped in Wee Nam Kee’s condensed milk.

Hainanese Chicken Curry Noodles

It is Singapore’s specialty laksa noodles with curry sauce in chicken soup stock and served with their specialty Hainanese chicken.

This was clearly my favorite on the table. The light to medium spice begs for attention versus the teasing curry and meek coconut cream. The noodles are sexy, the tofu pillowy and the chicken meat sumptuous. It’s time to shove the ramen away and make room for this new hot bowl these rainy days.

[Read more…]

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OM Lifestyle and Café, Greenhills

July 18, 2014 by Janey

They say we are what we eat. I may look Filipino and a bit Chinese on the outside, but inside I think I’m truly Mexican or sometimes part Indian. I’m a big fan of Indian food and would rely on my usual go-to when I’m craving for some delicious food with untamed flavors. Just recently, I discovered OM Lifestyle and Café in Fox Square along Connecticut in Greenhills and brought my spiritual family / sisters in Christ there last Saturday.

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All three of these ladies I love are quite picky eaters. Nats doesn’t like coconut, milk, coconut-based creams and dishes, and very selective of Indian food. Rizza is very picky with food in general and is not inclined with beef and fatty dishes. If it’s not anywhere near above average and great, forget about it. Car is picky but not as hard to please. Imagine my anxiety and the pressure when I’m tasked, which in this group I don’t voluntarily do all the time, to pick the restaurant.

Walking into OM Lifestyle and Café, we are roused by the inviting smell of ginger and spices as well as the colorful and eclectic array of displays and items for sale. The first section is a lifestyle store that has racks of tunics and caftans, display cases and holders of jewelry, bangles, and stones, intricately designed kitchen wares, footwear, weaved bed covers and even furniture. It’s an elaborate hodgepodge of beautiful things you want to take home.

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I like the lavish intricate designs. Love that small table.

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Also lovin’ this lamp.

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The second section fits out a small kitchen and a petite dining area that is as alluring as the shop portion. Unlike my favorite Indian restaurant that has numerous items on their menu, which makes me feel slightly dizzy wanting to order and try everything (but I end up with my usual), OM Lifestyle + Café’s menu is cherry-picked, simply presenting all time favorites and well-loved Indian food.

On the Table

Samosa P40 (per piece)

Savory patty stuffed with spiced potatoes

Samosa is a vegetarian dish similar to Spanish or our local empanada. Some samosas have a thick shell that can be a bit hard to bite while OM Lifestyle and Cafe’s version was soft, flaky and had a bit of chewiness allowing you to savor the curried potatoes, onions, peas and coriander. Their samosa is wrapped in buttery pastry and baked to crisp perfection.

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Mutton Rogan Josh P250

Special preparation of mutton from the Kashmir region

Mutton is meat of an old lamb versus young lamb meat, which we call lamb. Its meat has a stronger flavor that blends better with the spices of cloves, bay leaves, cardamom, dried and deseeded Kashmiri chilies and cinnamon. The mutton dish was aromatic and the braised meat chunks very tender and immersed in its red-brown gravy. The sauce teeming with flavors of browned shallots, yogurt, garlic, ginger can heighten the desire for rice… no matter how many times you’ve ended your relationship with it.

[Read more…]

Good Gut Feel at Potts Point, Eastwood

July 14, 2014 by Janey

Often, us food-lovers are seduced by the deliciousness of bad things. Food history has shown that scrumptious food mostly meant sinful, rich, and, in this era, permeated by GMO, preservatives and other chemicals. The first wave of organic restaurants in the Metro aims to change that, especially there is an inner call for us to live smarter and healthier. Why do we need to operate on the idea of “Eat Now, Regret Later” when we can “Eat Now and Enjoy More Later”? You only live once (YOLO) but the responsible in us would quip that if you do it right and virtuously, once is enough… and you could actually live longer and much happier.

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Green Pastures

Earth Kitchen

Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts

Harina Artisan Bakery Café

Epicurious

Another organic restaurant opened recently to try reshaping the way we approach food. It’s great that organic restaurants start to grow in popularity which affords better opportunities for local organic farmers. Potts Point now stands where Swensen used to be in Eastwood Mall. Potts Point is actually a suburban place in inner-city Sydney, Australia but here, the sun spills beautifully in the charming dining room decorated heavily in wood panels and earth tones.

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The whole brown motif feels clean in the eyes with the white-tiled coffee counter adding modernity. Shelves are bedecked with jars, white dishes, books on food and recipes. A blackboard hung high with their complete menu.

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I love the design interiors of the cozy dining room, which seats about 40 people but Potts Point offers additional seating on the outdoor terrace, which is along the Veranda strip of Eastwood. Monday lunch was spent here and it was a great opener for the week.

On the Table

Roasted Organic Butternut Squash Soup with Organic Bacon and Caramelized Walnuts P165

Carol decided to start with soup and ordered Potts Point’s butternut squash which was a goner in 60 seconds.

Wilted Organic Kale Salad with Caramelized Butternut Squash, Roasted Garlic, Malagos Goat Cheese Croutons, and Balsamic Dressing P285

Kale is gaining popularity and is considered a super food. Just when you think you can’t go greener, Kale has a rich green color filled with nutrients and minerals that fight cardiovascular diseases, asthma, arthritis, etc. It’s the super anti-oxidant. Outside those benefits, Kale is a leafy vegetable that has a deep flavor, slightly on the sweet side like cabbage. We ordered two salads and I favored this one than the next.

The butternut squash was grilled perfectly, supple and nutty. The roasted garlic adds a buttery feel with a line of sweetness while the Malagos cheese popper flings a mellowed sharpness and crumbly consistency. The sweet balsamic dressing brings it all together. I couldn’t care less if it had superheroes in it, but this salad satisfied my super appetite.

[Read more…]

2 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2013 list of restaurants, 2013 restaurant, 2014 new list, 2014 restaurant, best, best burgers in Manila, best chilli crab, best date places, best date places 2014, best European restaurant manila, best food blog in Philippines, best Italian restaurant, best lifestyle blog, best organic food, best organic restaurant manila, best ramen place, best restaurants, best restaurants top ten, bestseller, Between Bites, betweenbites, cheap, chilli crab, contact number, deal coupon, deals, dinner dates, directions, discount, Filipino food blogger, food blog, food blogger, food photo, food review, Fort Bonifacio, global city, happiness in food, how to get there, July 2014, kale salad, list, location, Makati, Map, menu, Metro Manila, new, NEW 2014 restaurants, NEW kapitolyo restaurants 2014, NEW libis eastwood restaurants, new mall restaurants, new restaurant Ortigas area, open, operation hours, photos, pinoy, Pots Point, Potts Point, Potts Point bestseller, Potts Point branches, Potts Point Eastwood, Potts Point eastwood mall, Potts Point food blog, Potts Point food photos, Potts Point lambchops, Potts Point location, Potts Point mall location, Potts Point menu, Potts Point menu where, Potts Point munchpunch menu, Potts Point NEW ORGANIC RESTAURANT, Potts Point organic restaurant, Potts Point photos, Potts Point prices, Potts Point Restaurant menu, Potts Point Restaurant menu price, Potts Point Restaurant review, Potts Point salads, price, promos, proposal, Quezon City, Ramen Bar, recipe, Red Baron Steaks and Ribs review, Red House Seafood Restaurant location, San Juan, top ten best chilli crab seafood restaurant, Trinoma mall restaurants, what to order, where, where to go, where to park, www.janedchua.com

Broth To You by Ramen Bar, NEW Improved Broth

July 11, 2014 by Janey

You know the saying, who has eaten of the pot knows the taste of the broth? It actually means experience is the best teacher. Before the ramen fad broke out in Manila, Ramen Bar stood to serve us with one piping hot bowl of ramen after another.

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Between Bites TOP TEN Best Ramen in Manila 2014

Ramen Bar comes closer to Ortigas and Mandaluyong denizens when they opened their branch at The Hub in Greenfield District. If you started with Ramen Bar and have wandered off, you’ve got to visit again and try their new and improved ramen broth.

They now apply a more rigid process in ensuring the broth sets the tone of your ramen experience. Other than simmering the pork bones longer to have a better grip of the taste, Ramen Bar has added Abura, which is minced pork fat creating a more luxurious broth.

[Read more…]

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It’s All in the Detalle Bar and Kitchen, Ortigas

July 10, 2014 by Janey

It was someone’s birthday. I wasn’t planning to eat that evening being on my after-6 diet but this friend of mine wanted to celebrate and called me last minute. I was actually at the gym trying to work out and tire myself so I can just go right to bed afterwards. I seriously didn’t want to eat supper (so informal!) but I didn’t want to rain on his parade so I conceded. He has ruined my diet twice after this initial salvo saying that there’s no after-6pm diet when he’s around. Sigh, it’s so hard to say no to friends… and by that, I mean the food.

I’ve been to Detalle once to grab a late-night drink with ST and JM. I’ve been meaning to eat here but it’s closed during lunch hours. Detalle occupied the building that Taverna Verde vacated, which I used to frequent. The industrial-style redesign is heavy on wood elements and steel.

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It’s a chill place to hang out and bond with friends. The enclosed area on the ground floor is calmer compared to the open 2^nd floor, veranda-type with loud chatter, booming music and fresh air.

On the Table

Arancini P250

Risotto balls, aioli, mozzarella

I initially found it slightly weird to be eating stuffed rice balls, carb on carb but the one I tried in Rome made me change my mind. It was just at a small open-air restaurant at a block near where we stayed at.

Our Rome Home in 2011. Ate arancini and pasta on my first night. and 2nd night.

The golden domes encrusting the rice were nicely fried without being too greasy. Inside was soft with a bite rice cooked like risotto, embraced in sweet tangy cloying tomato and gooey stringy mozzarella. It sold at 1.5 euro each but I would’ve paid double. It was so good.

Detalle’s version of arancini had a similar texture and taste. It is one of the better arancinis in the metro and I wouldn’t mind ordering it again.

Basque Fried Chicken P280

Peperade sauce, mint yogurt

Detalle’s Basque Fried Chicken is chicken meat similar to chicken tenders with crispy skin bits giving hither and thither crunches. A spicy tomato-pepper profile glides on your palate pointing out a lovely mellowed spicy paprika.

This was one of my favorites on the table. The mint yogurt dressing on top sedates the dish with its cool creaminess.

Shish Kebab P280

Skewered beef, Mediterranean spices, Madras yogurt, pita

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Gobbets of meat threaded on a skewer and roasted in open fire. The marinade on the meat is evident of Mediterranean spices with strapping hints of garlic, curry and cumin. I barely touched the pita and focused instead on the beef. But the pita was nicely toasted and very thin.

Squeeze a bit of lemon to add acidity and spring up the flavor.

[Read more…]

Mayura Wagyu Burger by Pink Egg Episodes

July 8, 2014 by Janey

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. If I were the sensible man who said it, I’d be George Bernard Shaw. I have less facial hair (at least that’s what you think) and my sensibilities can only stretch as far as good food is concerned. My responsiveness to human touch is stoic but if it’s crispy, tender and aromatic Latin-spiced chicken leg, I’d be very affectionate and would hold tighter. If it were a succulent Wagyu steak drizzled with spicy balsamic glaze, the relationship would probably progress and I’d be digging to its deepest part.

In life, isn’t it amazing the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating? That’s how special food is. It grabs your attention, it nourishes you, it fills you, and sometimes it feels you. Most times in this era, you even take a photo of it and with it, like you are a star-struck fan of a celebrity. The consuming passion for food brings people together… not only does it bring people together, it also gives the inspiration to create. Food inspires to be creative. Such was the case when food-lovin’ cousins Frances and Jamie launched Pink Egg Episodes.

June 29, 2014 was the BIG CHEAT DAY. PS had an extra ticket to Pink Egg Episodes pop-up event and invited me to join him that Sunday. Pop Up events are those that utilize empty shops, buildings, spaces, for one-day-only or short-term events like art exhibitions, temporary restaurants, retail or performances.

Pink Egg Episodes

One Day Only

June 29, 2014

1130am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm

106B Scout Gandia, Tomas Morato

Tickets: Php 1000 – all out with foie gras

P800 – hold the foie

On its initial public appearance, Pink Egg Episodes featured the very FIRST 100% Mayura Wagyu Burger. Mayura is a brand of full-blood Wagyu beef. Pure Wagyu beef. Think thoroughbred cows from Japan migrating to expansive Australia with its unmixed lineage intact.

Mayura Wagyu stays in a 5-star cow hotel and lays on soft sawdust-cushioned floor listening to relaxing music for a good night’s sleep. Roman rulers being fed with grapes? These cows were being fed Cadbury chocolates and gummy bears. (Top that Roman ruler!) Mayura Wagyu has been awarded globally as the “highest quality beef available.”

[Read more…]

Tomahawk Chops and Grill

July 8, 2014 by Janey

Last Tuesday, my brother “Twin” and I scheduled to run in Ultra. Ultra’s oval was renovated and it was closed for almost a year if I remember right. Now that it’s open again, I was excited to arrange jogging / runs with friends and even family. We kicked off our bi-monthly or every other week bonding date last July 1^st after some hiatus. We bumped into some old friends on the track which was nice. They invited us to dinner after but where they wanted to eat would mean very oily food and lots of rice so we gently declined and said we’ll join the next one.

I wasn’t planning to grab dinner since I am on and off with my after-6 diet and just wanted a long overdue massage after but brother wanted to eat first.

[Read more…]

Señor Pollo Chicken Part 2 in 3 Days

July 4, 2014 by Janey

You can’t keep me away from good food. I visited Señor Pollo on a Saturday and still sought out its roasted chicken the next chance I got. I was confined at ABS for meetings last Monday, just two days after, and spent my lunch that day at Señor Pollo with Julian.

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We see all these Mexican boxers pitted against our Filipino boxers. What I want is to box with some Mexican food, all the time. I’d love for them to hit me with their best shot.

RELATED POST:

Señor Pollo of El Chupacabra

El Chupacabra

Agave Mexican Cantina

Jalapeno

On the Table

Señor Pollo Roast (Half Size with 2 Sides) P255

Señor Pollo’s roasted chicken, half size, arrived with a gorgeous dark roast color. Its aromatic rub of spices enticed me to just pick up the leg and start at it. I held my carnivore instincts and picked up a knife and fork.

The skin strikes with smoky flavors of paprika, cumin and probably cayenne but it’s not entirely strong like honey has sweetened the ensemble of spices or some kind of citrus tamed it down.

I could literally gnaw on the bones of the roasted bird nipping at every last bit of flavor. It’s zesty and smoky, some of the flavors seeped inside the chicken meat that was moist, almost still secreting juice. It barely needed the Latin pesto sauce, chimichurri, it was served with. The chimichurri itself was done well, dark green parsley was vibrant, garlicky and earthy.

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I could blame the Señor Pollo Roast for actually making me betray my no-rice diet twice in 3 days. And I have been successful at it for 10 straight days. But Señor Pollo’s spicy rice grabs attention too with its aromatic curry flavor.

[Read more…]

Senor Pollo of El Chupacabra

July 1, 2014 by Janey

Hot in the trails of a legendary monster named El Chupacabra, which people can’t stop talking about like Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster, I find myself scouring the streets of Tomas Morato and Timog area for any sighting of its alleged kin. Chupacabra is a famous cryptid supposedly inhabiting parts of Latin America like Puerto Rico and Mexico. In Makati, it is the hottest Mexican joint to grab cold beers with good friends and get your hands dirty on some Mexican grub.

Related Post:

El Chupacabra

El Chupacabra used to sell roasted chicken in their restaurant but stopped smoking these babies out to not inconvenience the rest of the neighborhood. Rumor has it that there has been a sighting of these Latin-spiced roasted chickens somewhere in Quezon City. After watching Rak of Aegis at PETA Theater last Saturday, my friend Ace and I decided to track the rumor mill.

Senor Pollo is conveniently located at F7 Building along Scout Rallos. There’s ample parking at the basement of the building or across the street. Unfortunately, we arrived early dinner and the chix are still being roasted outside. It will take an hour still before they can take orders. My grumbling tummy will go chupacabra and start attacking if I don’t feed it soon so we ordered other items instead than the initial target.

[Read more…]