Between Bites TOP 10 MUST BITES 2011

 

I have scoffed, gobbled, munched, wolfed down different dishes in many, almost countless, restaurants that I have to really organize my food thoughts.  That is the reason time and again I come up with these Between Bites Top 10 lists.

 

 

READ MORE:

Between Bites TOP 10 Food Highlights of 2010 (1st Half)

Between Bites TOP 10 Best Japanese Restaurants

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST DATE PLACES

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST FILIPINO EATS

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST PAELLA

BETWEEN BITES TOP 10 BEST Buffalo Wings

TOP 5 Sultry Strawberry Treats

Mercato Centrale, Where Food Lovers Meet, The TOP 10

Between Bites TOP 10 Things About Bali 

And here we go again!  This time I have dubbed my annual list as “MUST BITES” in line with the Between Bites “brand.”  Yuck, brand daw oh.  Haha.

10. Rub Ribs and Barbecue

A simple duplex with a red signage that spelled RUB stands in Tomas Morato.  With more comfortable dining area on the 2nd floor, the small space has quotable quotes in frames adorning the wall.  Their menu offers wings, potato wedges, pastas, pork belly, among others but obviously, it is a no-nonsense restaurant devoted to the love of ribs and barbecue.

 

[Read more…]

Between Bites’ TOP 10 Food Highlights of 2010’s 1st Half: What a Mouthful!

 

 

Between Bites TOP 10 Food Highlights (2010 -1st Half) 

 

 

10. King One’s Shabu Shabu

 

That Sunday lunch at King One’s Shabu Shabu (PHP 529 per head) was a wonderful lunch where the food were abound and of good quality –prepared well I should say.  I get turned off with restaurants that offer buffet sometimes because of the way the food is prepared… but in this case, King One’s staff handles the food properly.  Service was friendly, prompt and inclined –more reason to enjoy your King One feast.  Don’t forget to order fresh prawns, mozzarella balls, tao pao and lambOh lamb!

 

 

 

READ MORE!

Foodie Club Series: The Shabu Shabu Fit for a King

 

 

King One Rotary Hot Pot

M2-A Lower Hobbies of Asia

#8 Macapagal Ave., Pasay City

(632) 556 1370

 

 

9. Sweet Revenge of Maitre Chocolatier

 

Sweet Revenge is Maitre Chocolatier’s Lindt Molten Lava Cake -dark chocolate molten lava cake made from Europe’s finest Lindt Excellence Dark 70%, filled with oozing sweet and vengefully spicy chocolate served with vanilla ice cream

 

Sweet Revenge was the unanimously favorite on the table with its gooey warm chocolate that ruptures from the moist cake that’s bittersweet dark and spiced with chili.  Midway when the chocolate flavor sinks in, the chili essence abruptly creeps in creating a sweet heat inside your mouth.  Cool off with the vanilla ice cream that soothes your taste buds to a calm reverie.  Bubba, Zipster and I loved the yin yang taste of darkness and sweetness, as well as the heat and arctic feel.

 

 

The spunk of the chili in the luscious chocolate liquid inside and the vanilla ice cream bring it all together in sweet harmony. 

 

 

READ MORE!

Exquisitely Choco Loco at Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café

 

 

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Cafe by Eva Wong 

2A (Beside Starbucks), No. 28 Jupiter Street 

Bel Air, Makati City, Philippines 

(632) 897 8559 

 

 

8. Minato’s Great Korean Barbecue

 

Other than the smorgasbord of side dishes that includes Kimchi, spiced green vegetables, peanuts, bean sprouts, marbled potatoes among a variety of other side accompaniments, it is really the barbecue that’s quite good at Minato.  It has to be one of the best in town.

 

 

Kimchi Pancake

The Kimchi Pancake is oil-fried pancake with bits of beansprouts and cabbage flavored Kimchi-style.  And I think it’s free.

 

So Kal Bi PHP 350

Marinated beef short ribs –has a shadow of sweetness, garlic and soy.  It’s hard to restrain oneself from gnawing the large bones with charred meat.

 

 

Sam Gyeop Sal PHP 240

The plate had thick, fatty slices of pork belly (almost looks like uncured bacon) alternating meat and fat and then skin.  Meat is left unseasoned and usually cooked on a grill at the diner’s table.  In this case, the wait staff helped in cooking the pork belly slices.  On the side, green onion leeks and lettuce are served in case you prefer to wrap your meat inside.  Customize it and add different side dishes or Kimchi and dip in sesame oil with fine black pepper and salt for a perfect finish.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

Foodie Club Series: Great Korean Barbecue at Minato

 

 

Minato Korean Restaurant

Escriva Road (between Furu Restaurant and Agua Vida)

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

 

 

#8 is a toss-up between Minato and Chic Boy

tied at the same number.

 

 

8. Tasty Lechon Liempo at Chic Boy

 

Great food doesn’t necessarily have to come at a price.  There’s a new affordable (almost dare to say cheap) food discovery along Jupiter Street in Makati.  Call on the Chic Boy.  Chic-Boy is actually a play on the words Chicken and Baboy (pork) –the meats that are quite popular in the Filipino community particularly when it’s grilled.

 

Chic Boy is putting a whole new turn on chicken inasal, lechon manok and lechon liempo like you’ve never tasted before.  They’ve taken a special secret recipe of tasty lechon manok and lechon liempo in Cebu and chicken inasal of Bacolod and put it all in one easy-breezy and affordable restaurant here in Manila.

 

 

Must-orders include their Cebu Lechon Liempo and Salmon Sinigang (PHP 45).  With those affordable prices and flavorsome and satisfying meals, how can anyone go wrong? 😀

 

 

READ MORE!

Tasty Lechon Liempo at Chic Boy

 

 

Chic Boy

Jupiter St., Makati City

 

 

7. 22 Prime’s Tomahawk Chop

 

Quick-fire thoughts:

I love the ample size of fat that adds a buttery texture  

and heightens flavor of the meat 

Peppercorn sauce bursts a bouncy flavor that goes perfectly with the chop 

The salad is a good pause in between bites of meat as a cleanser to the palate 

Side of baby vegetables had the right crisp and seasoning  

–the lone brussel sprout was my favorite!  Quite tasty!!!  

 

 

 

Don’t miss out on ordering my FAVORITE Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread!

 

 

Chef Rick’s Cheese Bread PHP 140

Gooey warm cheese topped on three breads, soft and bursting with tantalizing flavors.  Served with baby greens in a mild citrus dressing sparkled with pink peppercorn.  Sun dried tomato and broiled four cheese together?  It’s an exercise in indulgence.

 

READ MORE!

22 Prime’s Tomahawk Chop is a Prime Mover

Premium Night at 22 Prime

 

 

22 Prime 

22nd Level, Discovery Suites 

25 ADB Avenue 

Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center 

Pasig City, Metro Manila 

(632) 719 8888/ (632) 719 6821 

 

 

6. Ya Kun Kaya Toast –Ortigas

 

Want a great breakfast that lifts you up at any time of the day?  Head over at Ya Kun Kaya! 🙂

 

Kaya Toast (Half PHP 115, Set Menu PHP 140)

2 slices of delicious Kaya toast with butter –has the right lightly toasted crunch of the bread, slathered with butter and just enough green sweet coconut spread.  Satisfies when washed down with Ya Kun’s famous coffee tarik or the traditionally pulled coffee.  It’s not on their menu, but you can change your coffee to Yin Yang, which is this delicious half-coffee and half-tea drink. 

 

 

Noticeably, the Ya Kun eggs were cooked perfectly, which other Kaya stores can’t quite get, where the eggs usually come out with still some raw uncooked parts.  My little spoon broke into that fountain of yolk and I was soaked in sunshine delight.  There’s no brighter day than eating wet and perfectly prepared eggs with the crunch of your toast.

 

 

READ MORE!

Ya Kun Kaya -Ortigas

In Crumbs: Ya Kun Kaya, Taverna Verde and Taal View Heights

 

 

Ya Kun Kaya Toast 

G/F AYK Bldg., Escriva Drive (Right beside Astoria Plaza) 

San Antonio Village, Ortigas, Pasig City 

(632) 470 4285 

7AM-11PM 

 

 

5. Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice

 

Suffused in its natural chicken juice/broth, the chicken meat was very tender and delectable –quite tasty for what can be considered a “healthy food.”  The exquisite and juicy flesh of the steamed chicken is finely balanced with the fragrant rice sprinkled with green onions.  Add a splotch of color and taste by blending in the ginger in sesame oil, chili and sweetened soy sauce. 

 

 

Ooh, the appetizing smell and pleasant gingerly-sesame light taste mixed with a touch of soy and red spice… makes you definitely bite off more than you can chew.

 

 

READ MORE!

In Crumbs: Stevie’s Hainanese Rice, Clawdaddy and Cibo

Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice: Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

 

 

Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice (For pick-up orders only)

21 Libra St. Bel Air,

Makati City

(0906) 508 4155

 

 

4. Legend of India

 

Next to my favorite cuisine, I think Indian cuisine is one of the most interesting and flavorful fares in the world.  Indian cuisine uses various spices, herbs, and vegetables and fruits sometimes grown only in India.  It also has a wide assortment of cooking techniques. 

 

Kadai Paneer PHP 260

Cottage cheese cooked in a traditional kadai masala paste

 

 

Rogan Josh PHP 450

Rogan Josh is an aromatic curry meat dish cooked with a mixture of strong Indian spices where the fat of the meat is usually roasted first in yogurt marinade.  Legend of India tamed their version for our group, which mean it wasn’t intensely hot, but it was still intensely enjoyable paired with the vegetable biryani or the naan.

 

 

Sweet Lassi PHP 110

It was my first time to actually drink a whole glass of sweet Lassi.  I’ve tried it before in other Indian restaurants but found the others’ version too sour for my taste.  Lassi is a popular and traditional Indian yogurt-based drink.  I tremendously enjoyed Legend of India’s sweet lassi since it has a perfect blend of yogurt, milk and sweetener.  There’s a bit of tangy taste to it but it mellows down with a frothy sweet milky flavor.  It fully relaxes your taste buds from the spices.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

Legend of India is Legend of Taste

 

 

Legend of India

114-B Jupiter St.,

Bel-Air II, Makati City

(632) 836 4232

 

 

3. Tsumura’s Wagyu Beef Usuyaki

 

Other than the sushi and sashimi…

 

 

It’s the Wagyu Beef Usuyaki that’s memorable at Tsumura! 🙂

 

Wagyu Beef Usuyaki PHP 600

Supple mushrooms wrapped in thinly sliced Wagyu beef –very tender, flavorful that it’s mighty impressive.  The mushrooms were very light, in mellow contrast of the excellent beef.  It is simply an indulgence in fine food.  The taste is divine.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

The Way a Sushi Should Be at Tsumura

 

 

Tsumura 

2nd Level 88 Corporate Plaza 

Sedeno corner Valero Streets, 

Salcedo Village, Makati City 

(632) 887 4848/ (632) 4850 

 

 

#3 is actually a toss-up between Tsumura and Serenitea

tied at the same number.

 

3. Serenitea’s Okkinawa or Hokkaido Milk Tea

 

Serenitea is your one-stop shop for all things serene about tea.  They have different variants of tea that will help boost a definite change of drinking lifestyle.  It is the healthy alternative to colas, coffee and sugar-loaded smoothies.  We visit 3 to 4 times a week to get our “Serenitea fix,” which is usually their Okkinawa milk tea drink with nata or pearls (depending on what topping you want) or Hokkaido with pearls.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

Different Tea Assortments to Love at Serenitea

A Sunday Afternoon Picnic

 

 

2. Frazzled Cook’s Paella

 

In terms of taste and price, I consider Frazzled Cook’s Seafood Paella as the best in my book so far.

 

Seafood Paella PHP 550

For those diners who love their seafood paella with the full generous portions of mussels, squid rings, shrimps, chorizo and egg, this is their best bet for paella and huge value for money.  I love the fact that they serve it on the paellera since I enjoy most my paella with the burnt crispy part at the bottom. 

 

 

For other recommended orders, below are some dishes worthwhile to try:

 

Wagyu Salpicao PHP 550

When the serving arrives on your table, initial thought would be, “this dish is pricey.”  If you’re being served with quality Wagyu that certainly softens in your mouth in a buttery texture without any effort, then your money is good.  Have no qualms being served only a few flavorful cubes of beef drenched in its sautéed oil with lightly fried chips of garlic and slices of button mushrooms.  Superb.

 

 

Peruvian Hot Pot PHP 400

The Peruvian Hot Pot is their version of spicy lamb stew.  This was Bubba’s favorite as the spicy invigorating flavors all come together from the lamb, olives, bell peppers and wine –great flavor and unbelievable rich sauce.  The lamb meat had no gamey aftertaste that will surely convert those non-lamb eaters.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

The Frazzled Cook and His Dazzling Dishes

 

 

The Frazzled Cook

#916 Luna Mencias Street, Baranggay Additional Hills,

Mandaluyong City

(632) 782 5980

 

  

1. La Tienda Steak

 

Chuleton PHP 2,150 (PHP 425/100 grams)

It was the steak that was the highlight of this dinner date for me (okay, plus Bubba’s adoring chinky eyes).  One of the best steaks I’ve tasted in Manila is not found on a focused steakhouse.  It’s at a Spanish restaurant called La Tienda.  I was pleasantly surprised how the steak gratified my meaty cravings.  I think we had it cooked in medium doneness.  The delicious steak was quite tender –glistening with appropriate grease and seemingly lightly salted while being cooked.

 

 

 

READ MORE!

La Tienda

 

 

La Tienda

43 Polaris St. Bel-Air

Makati City, Philippines

(632) 890 4123

 

 

Because I love food so much, I have #11-#20 but I’ll save it for another post.  Watch out for that soon! 😉

 

For the meantime, here’s looking forward to the wonderful eats and gastronomic experiences for the next half of the year!  Food Highlights from July-December 2010 –2nd half version!  And finally, by the end of the year, TOP 10 of 2010!!! 😉  I’m so giddy with excitement!  CHEERS!

 

THANK YOU Ming for this photo! 😉

 

 

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE and EAT!!! 😉

 

Photo Credit:

Carlos Palma of Foodie Manila

www.FoodieManila.com

Foodie Club Series: Great Korean Barbecue at Jang Ga Nae (formerly Minato)

 

 

Photo Credit:

Carlos Palma of Foodie Manila

http://www.FoodieManila.com

(Those watermarked are from FoodieManila obviously 🙂  while the rest are mine)

 

 

The advent of a little Korea has dawned ever since Korean population in the Philippines has grown enormously.  Other than really good and sweet ice cream in their Korean stores, something to look forward to is dining at the authentic Korean restaurants. 

 

April 21, Wednesday evening, the “Foodie Club” members meet once again for another gastronomic adventure.  Pick of the week was from Richard Co’s suggestion –Minato.  Among a dozen of Korean restaurants that populate the Ortigas area, Minato along Escriva Drive is supposed to be one of the best.  This particular Korean restaurant we visited before also caught our eye but Minato caught our Korean taste bud that we had to return three days immediately after the first official introduction.

 

 

The group that huddled in the “no-shoes” area of the 2-part dining room comprised happy foodies like Richard and wife Irene, Rowena Wendy and husband Peter, Abet and wife Joan, Carlos a.k.a Zippy, and Bubba and I.  As we enter the low table area, I suddenly remembered that I’ve eaten here once or twice before when Korean channel affiliates bring us over for a lunch meeting.  It’s quite different though when you’re dining casually with foodie friends, definitely more relaxed and enjoyable –with audible moments of laughter and appreciation of good food.

 

On the Table

 

Free Side Dishes

The smorgasbord of side dishes includes Kimchi as the most recognized Korean preserved appetizer, spiced green vegetables, peanuts, bean sprouts, marbled potatoes among a variety of other side accompaniments.

 

 

Korean Miso

A sip or two soothe the spice and then you’re ready for more…

 

 

Kimchi Pancake

I didn’t know that they serve it for free.  I should have asked when I treated my parents here Sunday evening.

 

The Kimchi Pancake is oil-fried pancake with bits of beansprouts and cabbage flavored Kimchi-style.  Bubba and I finished one Kimchi pancake by ourselves, while the other one on Carlo’s side was left untouched –to which Irene so thoughtfully and sweetly had wrapped to go for Bubba along with the kimchi soy bean paste that she amusingly noticed Bubba was tremendously enjoying.  Irene was sitting across Bubba that’s why they were partners in food crime that dinnertime.  She was also so attentive to everyone’s needs on the table, asking the wait staff for this and that and some special requests.  The wait staff was eager to attend to the requests particularly Richard’s and Irene’s as they seem to be the favorite patrons there having visited the restaurant for approx. 20 times already in less than a year. 

 

 

Richard and Irene share the same philosophy as Bubba and I of visiting the restaurants they like for multiple repeats.

 

Jok Bal PHP 390

It’s a Korean dish consisting of boneless pig trotters cooked in soy sauce and spices, sliced in a round shape with layer of meat, fat and skin.  Jok Bal is boiled with leeks, garlic and ginger and Korean rice wine until tender.  It is served with fermented shrimp sauce called saeujeot –imagine Filipino “bagoong” (shrimp paste) without the dark brown liquid, it’s actually dry and on the salty side that Irene loves.

 

 

Dak Gal Bi PHP 350

Char-grilled spicy chicken –marinated on the sweet and spicy note

 

 

Tempura PHP 390

Peter ordered Tempura because he claims to be restrained in eating shrimps at home since Wendy is allergic to it.  When Richard asked if he liked the tempura, Peter straightforwardly said, “No.” –which made us roar in laughter.  I guess it’s still safe to order Korean cuisine in Korean restaurants and leave what’s originally Japanese to their own.

 

 

So Kal Bi PHP 350

Marinated beef short ribs –has a shadow of sweetness, garlic and soy.  It’s hard to restrain oneself from gnawing the large bones with charred meat.

 

 

Sam Gyeop Sal PHP 240

The plate had thick, fatty slices of pork belly (almost looks like uncured bacon) alternating meat and fat and then skin.  Meat is left unseasoned and usually cooked on a grill at the diner’s table.  In this case, the wait staff helped in cooking the pork belly slices.  On the side, green onion leeks and lettuce are served in case you prefer to wrap your meat inside.  Customize it and add different side dishes or Kimchi and dip in sesame oil with fine black pepper and salt for a perfect finish.

 

 

We were served free fresh pineapple slices that are creamy sweet.  Despite a busy restaurant, we were served adequately with few instances where the wait staff had to be reminded.  Bubba and I enjoyed Minato tremendously that we were still thinking about the grilled meats the next day.

 

 

After dinner, we headed out to Richard’s place in Astoria to check out his TV Room and his media gadgets that got the group ooh-ing and incline to get their own HD system and a portable 1TB media drive. 

 

 

Wendy and Richard even had a PS3 showdown.  Ya Kun Kaya was our last stop for the night as we refreshed with cold drinks while the conversations continued until midnight. It couldn’t stop even at the parking lot like there’s more and more to talk about. 

 

 

The Minato dinner was superb.  We had so much food on the table that it felt like it was a feast for the King! 😉

 

I couldn’t wait for the next one.   Foodie Club UNITE! 🙂

 

 

Minato Korean Restaurant

Escriva Road (Between Furu Restaurant and Agua Vida),

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

 

 

Minato Album

 

Related Entries

Ye Dang

 

Foodie Club Series: Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles

 

 

Photo Credit:

Carlos Palma of Foodie Manila

http://www.foodiemanila.com/

(Only those watermarked. The others are mine. I don’t want to insult him haha.)

 

ZP picked me up from the office and off we headed to the San Juan area where most of food bloggers and foodies alike are meeting that Thursday evening.  Assembly place of choice: Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles.  ZP already placed the reservation for our little group –which is now dubbed as “The Club.”

 

BHPN is not new to me as Bubba and I have visited this place so many times for their lamb dumplings.  Whenever we visit Ristras (which was a LOT in the past), the usual is to walk next door to BHPN and order their steamed dumplings to go.

 

 

BHPN is a simple noodle restaurant with seating capacity that can accommodate 30 conveniently.  A counter is in between the dining area and their kitchen that has an open window.  Catch their chef in action as he pulls long strands of fresh noodles and cut them in equal portions only with his hand.

 

The reserved seats were filled up and we placed our orders.  Soon after, the table space was crammed with several orders of dumplings, dry noodles (braised beef, shredded beef and fish), tofu skin and century egg!

 

On the Table

 

Braised Beef Dry Noodles PHP 135

I’ve always tried their Braised Beef Noodle Soup but I should have learned about their Braised Beef Dry Noodle first because it satisfies more.  The delicious braised beef in small chunks arrives with the “dry” noodles drenched in braised beef broth.  The clear soup comes separate to add to the dry noodles in case there’s need for it or for extra hankering slurp of warm broth.

 

 

The dish made more appealing with the green vegetable (Taiwanese pechay?) on the side, good measure of minced garlic (for added flavor) and chopped green onions.

 

Lamb Dumplings PHP 60

7 pieces of fairly plump lamb dumplings with the option of steamed or fried.  We love the steamed version and incidentally, it’s also ZP’s favorite.  Initially, ZP and I were going to split one order but we should have known ahead of time that this is not possible as the lamb dumplings vanished sooner than we were halfway through our noodles.

 

 

The lamb dumplings have flavor on its own but it’s best dipped with the black soy vinegar of BHPN.

 

Century Egg PHP

 

Other orders:

 

Tofu Skin

 

Dry Fish Noodle

Dry Chicken Noodle

 

 

Food is much more enjoyed with a company that enjoys good food as well.  Our group of 9 were all smiles as we cleaned out what was on the table.  Didi even had food to go for Edmund.  Thoughtful.

 

 

The Wilson-San Juan area is becoming more and more a foodie spot with the different restaurants sprouting.  Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles definitely adds to that list of what to visit, especially for your dumplings and dry noodle hunger.

 

 

Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles

Unit 4 Citiplace Building

#8001 J. Abad Santos St.,

San Juan City

(632) 487 6148

 

Beijing Hand Pulled Noodles Album