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

Aubergine Again and Again

September 23, 2011 by Janey

Aubergine, pronounced somewhat nasal by some people, is the French word for “eggplant.” I remember my mom always tells me that eggplants have barely any nutritional value –yet it’s frequently on our dinner table because it’s one of her favorite vegetables –or fruit for that matter. I take after her because after a certain point, I finally grew appreciation for them. Eggplants can absorb flavors tremendously and I love that its texture can be squashy because it’s always thirsty for liquid or oil. It’s prone to sucking up flavor and moisture from how it is cooked.

In Spain, it was highly cherished for its supposed aphrodisiac qualities. Who would have thought right? In 16th century England and Italy, eggplant was apparently shunned and suspected of causing madness. I don’t know about eggplants but I know one Aubergine can cause some happy madness in me.

Some eggplants have won best in gardening and biggest or best-shaped trophies but this particular Aubergine has been awarded the Nescafe Gold Spot 2009, The Miele Guide’s One of Asia’s TOP 20 (Restaurants 2009/10) and Philippine Tatler Best Restaurants 2008. [Read more…]

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Lolo Dad’s Exquisite World Class Taste

June 22, 2011 by Janey

Quietly tucked amidst buildings along Quirino Avenue, Lolo Dad’s is simply what every serious foodie in the Philippines should not miss to try and speak of when there is a dialogue about glorious unforgettable food. Bubba took me out on a dinner date at Lolo Dad’s last Monday evening.

Lolo Dad’s Café serves as the ancestral house-cum-restaurant of the Ayuyaos and is run by the owner/manager, Christopher L. Ayuyao, and Carminia Ayuyao Manuel with her husband Chef Ariel I. Manuel. Interestingly, celebrated and illustrious Chef Ariel Manuel is an architecture graduate but he is now distinguished as most awarded chef in the country and one of the well-respected.

Its doors first opened on Valentine’s Day of the millennium year. 11 years after, Chef Ariel Manuel still strives to create culinary creations out of the freshest ingredients… dishes that are truly worth gushing about. They had a Father’s Day Tasting Menu at PHP 2,500 + / person that weekend, which we decided to get on ala carte –all the appetizers and main entrée save for the dessert, since Bubba and I are not big on sweets.

We only got one of each and ordered an extra main entrée for Bubba.

On the Table

Arrow Squid and Octopus Carpaccio with Sautéed Angulas, Wasabi Aioli, Micro Arugula, and Pomelo Jelly PHP 560 +

Gorgeously plated, there were three aspects of this first appetizer. The Arrow Squid Carpaccio on the left side was light and easy to chew. Dab it a bit on the orange red and black pulp that surrounds the plate like little flavor ponds. Pop the miniature croutons or Melba chips for a textural chomp.

Move to the second in line and carefully cut a piece of the pomelo block with Octopus slice. The sweet citrus from the pomelo dashingly uplifts the delicate Octopus. I spread the wasabi mush and got an exhilirating yet gentle herbal spiciness that travels to the sinus. How I love Japanese horseradish. The presence of the greens on the left provide a refreshing leafy appendix.

Unsalted Butter Poached Langoustine, Foie Gras,

And Sweet Corn Rice Paper Ravioli with Oyster Foam PHP 675 +

Langoustine or scampi, also known previously as Norway lobster or Dublin bay prawn, is a slim orange pink lobster and commonly eaten crustacean in most European dishes. Scampi are particularly prized for their delicious tail meat as well as their claw meat.

This can be one of their defining dishes, although they regularly change their menu to brave and challenge their creativity. The velvety tenderness of the smoked foie gras matches the succulent white shell fish swimming in this oyster foam that was absolutely delectable. I am smacking my lips as I type this trying to deter the drool about to escape.

I was groping for words, trying to communicate to Bubba how happy I was about the 2^nd dish. But all I could do was roll my eyes in adulation. I cut into the ravioli pocket of sweet corn. Different textures from fleshy seafood to velvety liver to a soft crunch of the corn. Ethereal!

The perfectly seared foie gras was the best ever. It was rich but not overwhelming heavy. The light glaze of smokiness embraced the frail yet sinful foie gras. It was a soft tender hush in the mouth.

Sorbet

The sorbet like how it’s been served all these years was served on a small brown tea pot with white smoke coming out of its nose. Hint of raspberry in the dense and icy fruit puree cleansed the palate… ready for the tumble of flavors awaiting us.

Between Bites With Chef Ariel Manuel

I’m such a fan girl. Chefs are the real celebrities.

Wagyu Beef Chuck Flap and Lamb Cutlet with Pastry Crust

Cepes Mushroom and Hoisin Jus’ and Sous Vide of Carrots PHP 950 +

I love the lamb cutlet inside the pastry crust which had a robust meat flavor. The Wagyu beef chuck flap was substantial on its own with plump beefiness and good marbling seen through the reddish meat cooked medium. Bliss in food.

Herb de Provence Crusted Rack of Lamb PHP 1,340 +

Roquefort Cheese Risotto and Forty Melted Garlic-Tomato Confit

The crust of aromatic dried herbs including rosemary, thyme, and other spices coats the outer layer of the tubby lamb. The two racks sit comfortably on top of a bed of risotto flavored with blue cheese. Bubba was in utter joy eating forkful after forkful of the risotto and combining it with the lamb meat and roasted kidneys of garlic.

There was not a drop of morsel left on our plates. We polished off everything in sight. I’d feel sorry for those only attached to certain familiarities of food because Lolo Dad’s Cafe serves exquisite world class flavors that can sharpen any one’s taste buds and refine it to a discerning palate.

Up to this date, Lolo Dad’s continues to reap great reviews from the experts and keeps building its database of loyal following. I have a return date already in mind.

Lolo Dad’s

899 President Quirino Avenue,

Malate, Manila

(632) 524 2295 / (632) 522 2941 / (0922) 812 5971

www.lolodadscafe.com

Lolo Dad’s Album

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Rehabilitated to Eat Peanut Butter Again

March 14, 2010 by Janey

Hello, I am Jane and I was a Peanut Butter addict.

When I was a kid up until high school, Peanut Butter is one of my comfort foods. I love my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I love my peanut butter and banana. I love my peanut butter in a bottle. Yes, there are times, I just watch TV with a peanut butter bottle in hand and a spoon on the other.

My peanut butter ways died down a bit right after college –which is years and years ago. Other than the time I started calorie counting (when I ballooned to 130lbs), my sweet cravings (I used to be a chocoholic too!) getting plucked was another reason. Not to mention the salmonella scare a couple of years ago.

My visit to Peanut Butter Company rehashed my old ways.

Going Nuts at Peanut Butter Company

7 days after being introduced to Peanut Butter Co., I was back again at SM North (which was only my 2^nd time in the mall) to pay PB Co. another visit. This time it was a bonding session slash brunch with Didi.

I ordered my favorites from the first visit.

This time though, I remembered to order (or at least, the counter lady took note) Marshmallow Peanut Butter sandwich.

Marshmallow Peanut Butter Sandwich PHP 135

It was simply coma-inducing –perfect marshmallow taste blended with creaminess of the peanut butter.

Hello, I am Jane and I am still a Peanut Butter addict.

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Going Nuts at Peanut Butter Co.

February 23, 2010 by Janey

Saturday afternoon, Bubba, Joyce and I traveled to SM North EDSA with one thing in mind –gorge on PBC food. Medium-heavy traffic in EDSA at around 3PM slowed us down a bit but we eventually reached the destination. It wasn’t difficult to find the restaurant and I’m glad that SM guards know which direction to point to.

Peanut Butter Co is smaller than I expected. There are maybe 6 coffee tables outside the store, while inside, on the right, a table upholstered against the wall gives more area to dine in. The counter greets you as you check their menu for their assorted offerings. On the left is a shelf upholstered on the wall with a display of all the intriguing PB Co. peanut butter flavors. Some of their flavors are White Chocolate, Chili, Green Tea, Curry among others. But what it lacked in space made up BIG in taste.

On the Table

BBQ Wings PHP 125

Sink your teeth into these barbeque chili wings topped with the right amount of chili peanut butter. Taste the barbeque semi-chili flavor first on the chicken meat then get a light touch of the chili peanut butter that still blends with the whole flavor. If you were a peanut butter lover, you definitely won’t find this off. On the contrary, you’d order boxes of this to go for the next bball game on TV. I dug my fingers cheerfully into the box and grabbed myself a second and third helping. I couldn’t resist licking my fingers.

Classic Spaghetti PHP 135

Sun dried tomato peanut butter, meat sauce. The classic spaghetti flavor still glides upfront more than the semi-sweet peanut butter taste but you’d taste it –positively. Counter play of the meat sauce and the sweetness of the peanut butter –it’s certainly something to try. It was good enough for us three. We kept twirling ourselves a forkful.

Elvis the King Sandwich PHP 155

Crunchy peanut butter, bacon, banana –I guess I was expecting a lot from this being the highlight of Spanky’s email. It satisfied yes. Suggestion on improving it –thinner banana slices, crispy crunchy bacon, grilled toasty “pressed” (for easy handling and not the mushy hard to hold) sandwich. That would be a wonderful rapture of semi-crunchy sandwich with the softness of the banana, sweetness of the peanut butter and saltiness of crispy bacon.

I remember making an Elvis sandwich in 2006. The Sabiclub team was in Baguio for the weekend to support me during the grand opening event of Station 168 Internet Café Baguio branch. The next day, I volunteered to cook breakfast for everyone with the help of my office best buddy, Carlo G. I toasted the sandwich bread, plastered it with peanut butter spread, crispy bacon (that Carlo fried –I’m not big on frying), and instead of banana, a soft egg mixture I concoct that Bubba loves. Most found it weird, but funny that the whole plate of that was finished anyway. I think it was Mon (were you already part of Sabi then?) who commented that it’s quite unusual but it’s good. He didn’t sound convincing. I personally think it was yummy though 😉

PB Burger Sandwich PHP 185

Sesame peanut butter, lettuce, tomato, peanut cucumber mayo –Bubba’s order. He loved it that he only shared one bite with me and one bite with Joyce. Nothing out of extraordinary for me but I like the sesame peanut butter. It was delish and complements perfectly with the burger taste.

Box of Chips PHP 65 with Wasabi Mayo PHP 35

Fried seasoned potato slices –I now know where to get my fill of mojo potatoes.

Brewed Coffee Short PHP 45

Anything that is creamy yummy peanut buttery taste really sets the mood right. Price is really reasonable with most of the items less than PHP150. I think we spent a little over PHP 700 and there were three of us.

I’m now watching what I eat since I’m preparing for our Bali trip and I hope to shed some fat off my mid-section but I do allow myself to indulge at least once a week, preferably weekends. My indulgence for next week will be the same as last Saturday’s –PB Co!!! I hope you open a branch in Ortigas or San Juan area.

I thought I also ordered Marshmallow Peanut Butter sandwich (PHP 135) but I don’t think the counter lady was able to include that in our order. I don’t mind, I will surely be back next Saturday with Didi and Fran for another rich and creamy Peanut Butter-heaven brunch at Peanut Butter Co. Unwrap an exercise in indulgence.