foodie Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Shawarma Snack Center

March 13, 2017 by Janey

Set a date with my not-so-little brother, James, and asked him what he is craving for to shortlist the restaurants we could possibly try. Unlike my not-so-little sister Joanne, planning lunch with Shoti James was a lot easier since he gave me an answer. Shobe Joanne would just say “any” or “up to you.” Well, 1 out of 10 times, she’d say “shrimps” or “crab” or “steak” but that’s 1 out of 10 so imagine how rare that is. I also have to ask my brother since he was a practicing vegetarian but I wasn’t sure if he was past that phase or still at it.

“I eat anything now. How about something Middle Eastern?”

DONE. I knew where to bring him but hesitated because it’s not exactly a joy ride to drive to Manila. I remember where my friend Nolan, one of my favorite music video directors, brought me one time in 2013 for Middle Eastern food.

Related Post:

Shawarma Snack Center

Picked up my brother around 1130am last Saturday and lucky day, the traffic was pretty light and the road trip to Manila took only 30 minutes. Before we know it, we were looking at the menu and trying to figure out what to order.

On the Table

Half BBQ Mix Grill Php 800

I think this is their version of a platter that gives you a sampler of their different meats but also comes with 3 kinds of appetizer. Bang for your buck.

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Stretch the Season to be Merry with Casa Italia’s New Gelati Flavors

January 11, 2017 by Janey

True gelato lovers are in for a treat as Casa Italia introduces flavors that capture the essence of Christmas.

Made with only the most premium and natural ingredients, Casa Italia’s Christmas concoctions are a perfect complement to their current range of authentic Italian gelati which have enticed even the most discriminating palate since its launch in the Philippine market in 2015.

Sure to awe, yet win the hearts of the most adventurous Filipino is the Salted Egg gelato, which is a perfect balance of sweet and salty yolk custard. Then there’s the Toffee Nut gelato, which is brown butter and caramelized sugar drizzled with toasted almond silvers. And for those who love a good holiday treat, there’s the Peppermint Mocha gelato, which is dark chocolate mixed with espresso and infused with the coolness of peppermint.

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A Household with Alaska

December 7, 2016 by Janey

Moooooooo! I can go mooing like a cow with how much milk my body has consumed ever since I was a tot. Yea, we’ve all heard milk as the best source of calcium and all of its other health benefits like increased bone strength, smoother skin, stronger immune system, prevention of hypertension, dental decay, dehydration, osteoporosis, cancer and other chronic ailments. But kids at their young age don’t care for all of those. I surely didn’t. I cared a lot about the taste. I still care a lot about taste. If the taste is delish, I gotta have some more of that. In our household, my mom made sure that us children drank milk everyday, at least twice a day, even when I got way older. She sure didn’t have to bend my arm since I love milk.

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Drinking milk or consuming it through food or other dairy product like cheese, ice cream, flavored milk, creamer has been a regular activity. For most eating parts, I remember seeing the brand Alaska in the pantry, or in the kitchen, or on the table for any milk needs in dishes. Breakfast of champorado (Filipino version of chocolate rice porridge) was always accompanied by a can of Alaska Evaporated milk to thin out the heaviness of the cocoa and to add that delicate milky taste. It’s on the table for our pouring pleasure. Sopas (Filipino version of Chicken Soup) was always cooked in our household with Alaska Evaporated milk. Pancakes, the batter with Alaska Evaporada, the finished product with Alaska Condensada. I knew Alaska first as our go to canned milk and not as a US state. 🙂

Parents think about milk consumption as part of a healthy and balanced diet. The beneficial health nutrients obtained from milk are essential for the human body and help prevent a number of chronic illnesses. But how can one make it a staple part of any kid’s diet if it doesn’t taste yummy? It has to be yummy. It has to be smack their lips yummy. My cute nephew, the little rascal I dub Little Popeye as he can be quite grouchy, is very picky when it comes to taste, texture, flavors. I think most 4-year old tots are like that. They have barely any regard for rules. They like what they like. You can’t tell them what to like.

So nutrition has to be smarter these days. It has to be sustainable. It has to be naturally loved by kids. And milk has to be g-double-o-d good. That’s why I got a little excited that the trusted brand I’ve known for decades has powdered milk fortified with Vitamin A for eyesight, Vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth, Zinc and 20+ essential nutrients. I know my nephew will totally dig it! My sisters and I loved the brand growing up. It’s time to pass on the buck and have Little Popeye supplied with an energy boost for school time and play time.

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I let my nephew, Little Popeye, and my sister Joyce try Alaska Powdered Milk and it passed with flying colors because it’s enjoyable to drink. Click PLAY on the YouTube video below to check out their reactions. They’re a little shy so it’s a quick snapshot of them snickering and letting Tita Janey video them.

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Caution Hot: Spicy Noodle House

June 1, 2015 by Janey

Most of the time I instigate eating lunch out with the team and exploring new places. We are quite new around the Quezon City area, being sheltered mostly in the Ortigas CBD. This time, it was Ivan who suggested where to eat. I get excited when someone else makes a restaurant recommendation, it takes the pressure off my back and I can just then concentrate taking the pressure of food pushed inside my tummy. Woohoo.

Caution Hot was packed when we arrived but it took only a quick 10-minute wait for a table to get vacated and their wait staff to bus out. Their menu is simple and straightforward. For noodles, you have the choice of noodles (whether wheat or egg noodles), toppings (all veggie, pork, beef or seafood), broth (option of Szechuan, asam laksa, classic), and burn level which tells them how spicy you want your noodle bowl to be.

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Nomama Bids Adieu with Php 1 Ramen

March 23, 2015 by Janey

Nomama will always have a big fan in me. Whenever I am dining there, there is zero willpower to resist their Wagyu Beef Cheek Ramen or the Spicy Tongue Dry Noodle. I also cannot dine there without ordering their tasty gyoza, which I think is one of the best in Manila.

Their gyozas do not require any dipping sauce, just a splash of Tabasco and you’d have the best appetizer or accompaniment to your ramen. I love their mushroom gyoza which is just brimming with this rich woodsy flavor but their beef curry rib gyoza is nothing short of awesome too, like the Wagyu Beef Cheek Ramen.

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Cadbury Sweet Endings

August 8, 2014 by Janey

My soul sister Maddie has returned from a 3-month pilgrimage in the Land Down Under, Australia and almost fresh (fresher if only she took a shower) from her trip, I decided to spend time with her and Isis and have a ladies night. We flocked to our favorite Green Pastures for an organic dinner and ordered my beloved ricotta, which I never fail to get every time I dine there, the flavor-rich, woody, zippy funghi pasta, roasted chicken for our protein, and for a tangy sweet touch, their honeycomb with homemade Greek yogurt and citrus curd.

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We couldn’t stop talking with hearts intertwined and gorging on glorious food. To remember our first day “together again,” we took a photo and hashtagged #CadburySweetEndings who sponsored our premiere movie tickets that night.

Speaking of travel and Madz’ homecoming, I remember my own journeys walking the world and discovering new places. My wanderlust spirit had me seeking out adventures, cultures, new people and memories to bank in the heart. Abroad I do a lot of walking and one good tip is to constantly bring with you chocolate in your bag in case you get hungry or you get lost and can’t find a restaurant anywhere nearby. Pack a Cadbury Dairy Milk smooth and creamy chocolate bar. Even if you don’t get lost, best to have a sweet ending to an adventure-filled day.

Your sweet company on the road of discovery! 🙂

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I collect ref magnets when I travel.

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Us three girls after dinner trooped to Cinema 2 of Shangri-La Cineplex for the first day movie screening of Guardians of the Galaxy hosted by Cadbury Dairy Milk. Reaching the cinema area, we knew where to go as people have gathered with a buzz of energy. The front entrance has been dressed up with a Cadbury counter and a photo booth. Upon Isis’ closer look, she was delightedly surprised to see our photo on IG using their hashtag printed out and handed to her.

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Wafu, Greenhills

June 3, 2014 by Janey

High-end looking Wafu has been standing tall amidst the Greenhills complex since 2012. I’ve always wondered about Wafu but never got the chance to visit until dinner was set there. Stepping into Wafu, you can see that the high-ceiling dining interiors are modern and spacious.

They offer a Teppanyaki Omakase Buffet Menu (Php 1,800) but decided on ala carte instead since we are catching a movie in an hour’s time. Besides, it will be hard to take my heart from my favorite Teppanyaki place… Yurakuen at Diamond Hotel.

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On the Table

Salmon Sashimi 5pcs P355

Uni Sashimi 5pcs P199

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Vom Fass Artisan Specialty Store

April 8, 2014 by Janey

Jars and canisters are some of the things I like purchasing, even the little versions of these as well. Lately, I’ve been into airtight glass food storage jars that keep food fresh and mason jars that I can use for display, serving, vase or arts and crafts. I love little jars particularly, especially when it stores artisanal products like aged balsamic vinegars or truffle oil. For a foodie and trying hard to be a home cook like me, it’s like giving me a Tiffany box.

Sometime last year, I received a small 40ml jar that contains truffle oil. I love anything truffle.

I asked where it came from and was told it was from Vom Fass. Vom Fass recently opened at Shangri-la Plaza mall and offers an extraordinary line-up of single malt whiskeys, artisanal oils, vinegars, spirits, liqueurs, and other non-alcoholic specialties, all of which may be sampled ‘from the cask’ (which is what ‘Vom Fass’ means in English).

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Nestle Non Fat Milk and a Summer Drink Recipe

March 31, 2014 by Janey

I’m trying to follow the health and wellness trend and be more conscious about what I ingest. Today, my brunch consisted of two 250-ml pack of Nestle Non-Fat Milk. It’s only 90 calories and contains 0.1% fat and is high in calcium. It does not entirely replace a meal but it’s good as in-between snack-slash-drink to curb your hunger for the meantime.

Nestle Non-Fat Milk is an ideal supplement to any balanced wellness lifestyle.

Below is one refreshment made with Nestle Non-Fat Milk.

Banana Peanut Butter Shake

Ingredients:

2 pieces ripe banana lacatan

3 tbsp. peanut butter

1 cup Nestle Non-Fat Milk

¼ tbsp sugar to taste

2 cups shaved ice

Procedure:

Combine all ingredients in a blender jar.

Blend for 30 seconds or until mixture is fully incorporated. Serve immediately.

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Boon Tong Kee Philippines

March 20, 2014 by Janey

The first time I tried Boon Tong Kee was in Singapore sometime 2010. It started as a small chicken rice stall in Singapore’s Chinatown in 1979 and since then has grown into an international franchise with branches in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. There are 7 successful branches in Singapore but the branch I dined at is their first full-service restaurant at Balestier Road, which opened as far back as 1983.

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Relish Hello! Happiness Restaurant, Morato

March 19, 2014 by Janey

Last year, I suggested Lola’s Café to the SOLA gang to celebrate Isis’ birthday. They were pretty happy about the homey ambience in the traditional house-cum-restaurant and generally with the food. After a couple of months, they discovered another restaurant with a homey ambience in the Morato area and kept insisting to bring me there.

They were all telling me how it reminds me of my own living room at home mostly decked in white motif and neutral colors with minimal color accents. After our Christmas outreach, we wanted to grab a late lunch somewhere in Quezon City and finally ended up at Relish. The porch which serves to be the waiting area when the dining room is packed looks like a modern living room with lots of lamps and modish accents. I actually saw two pillows that were exactly the same as mine.

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On the Table

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup P140

I started off with the roasted tomato soup which tasted smoky tangy and slightly sweet. It was quite good to start my meal with.

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My Own Meatshop

March 18, 2014 by Janey

I couldn’t stop talking about my favorite Kitayama steaks and other meat buys to fellow home-cook and friend, EJ. It’s my favorite go-to for premium quality meats and the one I highly recommend to friends looking for a butcher shop. Sometime late last year, Marco gave a tip to EJ regarding a meat shop that sells quality steaks from New Zealand.

Last December, after a tiring Christmas outreach program and a late lunch, the SOLA gang decided to bring me to My Own Meatshop to finally check out what Marco and EJ have been excitedly talking about.

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Munchtown, Everything’s Waiting For You

March 13, 2014 by Janey

Idle time is something I can’t stand. I’d rather be eating than be idle. That’s why I’m game, set and match to try any new activity, learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. The only time I can sit still is when I’m watching a movie. And even then, I’d still be eating.

Growing up exposed to all kinds of films available to me at my Tita’s video store, I became a movie fanatic. In college, I would not let a week go by without watching at least one or two movies –if not, all that’s showing. My boyfriend (MB) then also loved catching the latest flick. Greenbelt 3 Cinema was our favorite for a number of reasons but firstly, the concessionaires can deliver food inside the theater.

We’d get lemon grape juice and corn dog from Muscle Beach, some Wrapwich (which I think we’ve tried all variants), Wasabi popcorn and Wasabi Tofu Chips (and almost everything on their menu) from Taters, burgers from Sliders, and potato skins from Tender Bobs with cheese sauce and sour cream.

He’d even walk to Segafredo just to get me my Margherita or Napoletana pizza with a request of a slightly toasted crust. Yes, I eat pizza inside the cinema. One whole box. And yea, even rice sometimes. I simply cannot let dimness get in the way. Others follow their heart, I follow my craving.

Munchtown opened at the Cinema level of Greenhills Promenade and I got pretty excited since a brilliant mind is behind it, Chef Robby Goco. I can’t deny the fact that I’ve frequented (became my 2^nd home) the restaurants that have opened with him at the helm.

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On the Table

Munchtown Fries P195

Fresh Igorota Idaho potatoes with rock salt, black pepper, bacon bits, paprika, chili flakes, sour cream, dill and cream cheese

Love the fresh French fries where each is covered fairly with the wet ingredients. The specks of red from the paprika and green from the dill add a bit of appeal while the meat candy, that is bacon bits, added the charm.

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Sensei Sushi by Chef Bruce Ricketts

March 11, 2014 by Janey

A tip off can lead to the arrest of a high-powered official or it could help the most venerated African nationalist leader be seized by agents of South African police special branch in 1962. This valuable tip I got came from Sanju of Table for Three, Please. The website is one of my top favorite reads when I need to enliven my passion for glorious food or writing. Sanju is the same guy who had me seek out a restaurant specializing in octopus dishes and consume a moving, partially-live octopus in Korea. That was quite an experience.

While dining at Elbert’s Best of the Beast dinner in July 2013, Sanju and the rest of us prisoners of fantastic food exchanged notes on the latest in the Manila food scene. And he talked enthusiastically about Sensei Sushi. Eugene and I looked at each other and knew, we’d pay top bill to be there. The three of us set a date and ended up with 2 more in tow.

No undercover agent was placed in the inner circles of influential gatherings. And no, this tip didn’t lead to any covert ops. It piloted to a spectacular culinary journey.

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Sensei Sushi is quite a drive for us Northerners but the 20-seater restaurant in BF is worth that early Saturday drive. Our 6-man group reserved ahead and went for the Degustacion (P2,000 per head).

We arrived at the restaurant and got welcomed by Chef Bruce Ricketts. I’ve met Chef Bruce very briefly during his stint at Robot in Makati and now, he has opened his own. Sensei Sushi’s interiors are very simple with their ala carte menu written on a blackboard for the walk-ins.

The degustation menu is omakase-style. Omakase is a Japanese phrase that means “I’ll leave it to you” which also means to entrust. Don’t you worry child, we are not talking about love. On this front, everything about the degustation menu is left entirely to the chef who creates the dishes based on what is available fresh in the local market and on his culinary thrust or creativity that very moment.

On the Table

Tuna Soy, Pineapple with Kangkong Tempura

The dish came out looking like a garden patch freshly watered and kissed by the sun. The tuna cuts seared on the sides with roasted brown sugar and pickled scallions are brimming with brightness, freshness, some nuttiness and a sweet citrus taste.

The black sesame seeds make it reminiscent of Japanese cuisine but it’s not entirely pacific rim. The kangkong tempura adds texture to the somewhat melting tuna with all the stark flavors sweating in your mouth.

Salmon Belly Kushiyaki

The second dish was the salmon belly cubed, skewered and grilled skin side down, then finished with Jap mustard fusion and touch of truffle oil, garnished with bonito flakes that looked like wood shavings.

I snatch a bite of the light-orange-pink salmon –delicately plump, juicy and moist, and the grilled skin almost peeling off of it –crispy, salty and smoky.

Ebi with Flour Tortilla Aligue

Another beautiful looking plate and structural dish with two shrimp heads standing on guard while peeled shrimps balance on the tortilla bridge with a drizzle of aligue cream. The shrimps were cooked in chili oil, infused in glaze with chili bean paste. The shrimp, ever slightly undercooked, allows it to disappear almost instantly after a bit of munching, except when you use the tortilla as spoon, it gives you a textural crunch after the fragile shrimp.

The shrimps’ curled up flesh is creamy yet scuffling with some heat. I pursued that spark of intensity hunting it down the shrimps’ heads sucking what delicious fat I can. Unrestrained, I bite off the soft parts of the head where all the superior flavors are – and scrape the caramelized glaze with my teeth until it’s cleared off it.

Hokkaido Scallops

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Summer Beach Party at Ibiza Beach Club Cebu

March 6, 2014 by Janey

Summerrrrrrrrrrrrrr is here! And Ibiza Beach Club is making things a little hotter.

DJ Daiki Wakabayashi and his friends of celebrity DJ’s from Japan returns to Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu to perform for a one-night beach party experience at the hotel’s ultimate party venue, The Ibiza Beach Club.

Organised by Cebu .20z, this luxurious event scheduled on March 8, 2014 is set to impress with exhilarating performances, creative cocktails and stunning ocean views. Think sand, surf, beautiful people and famous international DJs in one spectacular evening. Arrive early and take advantage of buy one, get one free cocktails and sunset beats from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Back to back DJ performances will begin from 7.00 pm onwards.

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B&P Just Like Home

March 4, 2014 by Janey

“Morning has broken, like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.” I love that song but even Cat Stevens voice cannot make me wake up that early on a weekend. I only do that for special people and, nothing else but, food.

Nats invited to have brunch and try newly opened B&P restaurant along Shaw Blvd. B&P, Just Like Home, is a casual dining concept restaurant from Cravings Group that serves all day breakfast, mains and desserts.

I walked in and was delightfully surprised that instead of a one-on-one date, my Victory group actually set up a belated surprise birthday brunch for me and Val.

B&P has homey interiors with couches and wooden shelves displaying books and cutesy colorful accents. The dining area, whether indoor or the al fresco veranda, is perfect for a Saturday brunch. You get a good view of the compact kitchen from where we were seated.

Curious on what B&P stands for, Ria asked the wait staff and she told us that it stands for Bea and Pia, daughters of the brains behind B&P.

On the Table

Creole Style Eggs P290

Two poached eggs guarding a beef patty swimming in a spicy buttermilk cream sauce with melted Swiss cheese. The velvety cream sauce is light, delicate yet invokes an attitude with the slightest tinge of spice.

It’s a great no-carb breakfast with mostly protein from the well-seasoned patty and delicious poached eggs.

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Food Bites: Wildflour’s Kimchi Rice with Braised Short Rib

February 26, 2014 by Janey

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiild. I can never pull off my no-rice diet whenever I’m dining at Wildflour. I love quite a number of items in their menu but there’s simply one dish that I cannot NOT order. When it was just the Fort branch, its stage name was Steak and Egg. Kitayama Flat Iron Steak is served all sliced evenly served atop kimchi rice and poached egg. I got this thing with kimchi rice – fatal attraction.

I’ve visited Wild Flour constantly especially when it opened its branch at the Podium. Like many other things (because I have been ridiculously busy), I have failed to blog about Wild Flour until this food bite. Well, you know, for those who follow me on Instagram and Twitter, I’ve been ridiculously busy… eating. 22-lb gain, check!

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1 Comment Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2013, 2014, affordable, Bakery, bars Wild Flour, beef, best, bestseller, Between Bites, betweenbites, branch, budget, budget date, Cafe, cheap, date places, dinner dates, east wing, expensive, Filipino, flavorful, food blog, food blogger, food photo, food review, food shots, foodie, how to get there, janedchua.com, list, location, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, meat, menu, menu price, Metro Manila, new date places, new list, new restaurants, new york, Philippines, pinoy, Place, price, pricey, Quezon City, rating, restaurant, restaurant review, service, Shangrila Plaza, Steak, Wild Flour branches, Wild Flour cronuts, Wild Flour fort, Wild Flour Kimchi fried rice, Wild Flour menu, Wild Flour Podium, Wild Flour sticky buns, wildflour, wildflour breakfast, wildflour review

Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken

February 24, 2014 by Janey

After a long work week, you just want to make Friday evening count and a simple dinner sometimes ought to do it… coupled with a good meaningful conversation or just ridiculously silly “it’ll keep you laughing until your dreams” banter. Drove to Kapitolyo to hunt down Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken. Peri Peri or Piri Piri or Pili Pili is the Swahili word for “pepper pepper” which is what is included in the marinade that wraps the chicken before grilling. This pepper is African bird’s eye chili blended with garlic, lemon, herbs, paprika and brushed onto the meat.

Gostoso wasn’t so hard to spot as it is near the line of restaurants where Poco Deli, Lia Cakes are. Same street as Charlie’s Grind and Grill. The interior has a simple industrial but polished look, quirky and red.

I made a beeline to the loo as soon as I entered since my water bag was held for what felt like an eternity in the car. Their washroom has this funny sign which wouldn’t have been the least bit amusing if the door was locked when I turned it and someone was inside. I would have kicked it open. It was that kind of urgent.

When I was more relaxed, I perused the menu on the LCD screen atop the counter where you place your order. Time to tackle another pressing matter… hunger!

On the Table

Half and Half P750 (good for 2-3)

Instead of ordering ala carte meals, the shorter route was to not think and just eat so we got the half and half instead. No, this is not what I order in Starbucks to use the rare times I drink coffee, which is half heavy cream and half whole milk. Gostoso’s Half and Half is their 2-mains platter option that could either be Half Chicken or Slab of Pork or Shrimp Skewers.

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Kimukatsu, Changing Your Katsu Experience

February 24, 2014 by Janey

Ramen bars aside, Katsu restaurants have been opening left and right in the Metro. One can easily drown into a void with all the places that can offer the fried pork cutlet set. It can plainly become boring at some point, unless it is brought to a higher dining experience.

That’s what can set a Katsu place apart. A unique proposition can effortlessly make foodies spot the difference. After walking around shopping shoes and clothes in the new East Wing of Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Isis and I entered Kimukatsu beside Ikkorya Fukuoka.

Kimukatsu is one of the most famous pork cutlet restaurants in Japan, with multiple locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Sendai, among others. It’s now in the Philippines, opening its branch in Shang last December.

Kimukatsu sets itself apart from the normal tonkatsu importing select pork loin from Japan, slicing it into 1mm sheet of pork and stacking it into 25 layers before encasing it in Japan-imported panko.

They take on a meticulous process before bringing out the dishes from their kitchen that can only ensure a juicy and tender 25-layered Mille-feuille-style Tonkatsu.

On the Table

Kimutaku P110

Kimukatsu offers different starters in their menu. One of which is Kimutaku which is Japanese tako pickle mixed with Korean kimchi. This was very tasty and I love the vinegary pickled vegetable with fermented spice. The sesame seeds add the little nutty crunchiness.

Ebi Mayo P210

Breaded shrimps tossed in sweet mayo. It had ample number of shrimps with a nice tinge of spice and sweetness.

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4 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2013, 2014, affordable, bars, beef, best, bestseller, Between Bites, betweenbites, branch, budget, budget date, cheap, date places, dinner dates, east wing, expensive, Filipino, flavorful, food blog, food blogger, food photo, food review, food shots, foodie, how to get there, janedchua.com, list, location, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, meat, menu, menu price, Metro Manila, new date places, new list, new restaurants, Philippines, pinoy, Place, price, pricey, Quezon City, rating, restaurant, restaurant review, service, Shangrila Plaza, Steak

Ninak, Asian Comfort Food

February 18, 2014 by Janey

You know how you’re surrounded with couple friends, you look around and you’re the third or fifth wheel. It doesn’t feel that lonely when you are secure of where you are in your life… and if you have a fifth wheel partner named Marco.

Sometime September last year, we headed to Kapitolyo for dinner. The green signage bearing the name Ninak intrigued us. Ninak is the Filipino word for rice spelled backwards. Rice is a staple in Philippine cuisine, even Asia at large, and Ninak offers a variety of it.

The restaurant is under the management of the same brothers who opened Brothers Burger. They aim to hit flavors close to home so the menu is largely influenced by Asian cuisine. Upon placing our orders, the wait staff asked us our heat preference as most Thai and Malay cuisines tend to be very spicy. Other than Filipino dishes, they also offer dishes that our neighboring countries are known for like Vietnamese spring rolls, Chicken Rice, Fish Curry.

On the Table

Green Mango Salad P

Sweet and sour green mangoes tossed in Ninak’s spicy Thai dressing with toasted crunchy peanuts, shallots, red chili and cilantro

This starter was a playground of Thai flavors. The peanuts’ crunchiness dances with the snaps of the fresh lettuce, onion and sour freshness of the green mango. Thread carefully since the red chilies could easily spike the heat range. The spicy Thai dressing was enough to let its presence felt – zesty, sweet and hot, pretty much how I would define myself but my friends would rally against it.

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