allanko.net » Food and drinks

The Stock Market (Bonifacio High Street)

sinch — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:17:17 +0000

It will be quite a shame for me to not write down the customary blog content I do on restaurant reviews for The Stock Market, but I figured it's worse not to publish these food pics and what I thought of our dining experience just because I'm busy (read: lazy). So here goes. Enjoy!

Really tasty Mushroom Soup (P260)

Steak Wraps (P320)

Beef and Pork Ragout (P360)

Short Ribs with Corn Risotto (P485)

Salud's Blush (P130)

Grilled Prawns with Crab Fat Risotto (P575) — divine!

Belgian Chocolate Champorado (P195) — rich and tasty, an absolute must-try

Mangga't Suman (P175)

Banana Caramel Crunch (P280)

Mini-review scorecard

Setting / ambiance: Bright lighting, countryside market feel, can get packed on peak hours

Food: Excellent. As expected, they use only the freshest produce, whipped up into unforgettable, exquisite concoctions. Special call-outs are the short ribs and corn risotto, Belgian chocolate champorado, and the grilled prawns

Service: Great. Server was very attentive and accommodating.

Price: ~P900 per head.

Overall verdict: Refreshing and delicious, our dinner here definitely made me feel good afterwards. Highly recommended.

El Cirkulo (Pasay Road, Makati)

sinch — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:11:11 +0000

Happy new year everyone! I know I have been remiss with my blogging — got pretty tied up at work — but thanks for checking out the site again.

Here are my thoughts and some really yummy snaps from Chef J Gamboa's (also of Azuthai) El Cirkulo in Pasay Road Makati, where we had a sumptuous Spanish dinner. Enjoy!

Bread and herbed butter

Croquetas (P195)

Chorizo Frito (P325) — really good

Our favorite — Paella Negra (P695 for a plate good for 4-5). The squid ink doesn't stain our teeth (thankfully!)

Paella Montana (P745) — the mushrooms were really fragrant, and the rice had a firm but chewy texture. Loved it

A pitcher of Sangria for all of us

One of the meal's highlights: Cochinillo Asado (P2250 for half). Crispy, sinfully rich skin and tender pork meat.

Another house specialty — Slow Roasted US Beef Belly (P795). Garlic and black pepper crusted beef belly, portabella mushrooms, balsamic shallots

Filleto di Pesce con Capperi I Limone — Pan Fried Fillet of Apahap, Asparagus, Capers, Lemon Buerre Blanc, Pappardelle al Burro (P525)

What a feast!

Warm Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake with Liquid Center (P265), served with Bourbon cream sauce and vanilla ice cream

Caramelized Banana Split (P225), with Mantecado Ice Cream, Banana Brûlée, Whipped Cream

Warm White Chocolate Bread Pudding (P225) topped with vanilla ice cream. Not the best bread pudding I've had (I still prefer La Cocina de Tita Moning's), but not bad nonetheless.

Setting. Place was packed on a weekend, and gets a little noisy on peak hours. Book the window tables in advance. Service was at par with expectations, very knowledgeable of the menu, courteous, and not too obtrusive. Price: ~P1200 per head.

Overall verdict. El Cirkulo consistently ranks as one of the top Spanish restaurants in the country, and I would gladly concur. Everything we had, with the exception of the desserts, was worth raving and returning for.

Sushi Kappo Kobikicho (Legaspi Village, Makati)

sinch — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:00:33 +0000

It is uncommon for me to share my overall verdict for a restaurant at the top part of my review text, but Sushi Kappo Kobikicho is by all means not a common establishment. It's simply the best sushi restaurant in town, using only the top-quality ingredients flown in fresh from Japan and masterfully prepared by chefs who are word-of-mouth favorites of other known chefs.

Setting. Not featured in dining guides and unbeknownst to most folks in my circle, this place is tucked away in a quiet part of Legaspi Village in Makati. Interiors are modern, chic, and simple, exuding a courtly ambiance but sans the high-strung snobbishness. We were seated in a private dining room, with the staff bowing in and out every now and then to serve us.

We had a "Bizen" Sushi Kaiseki set menu for dinner, having the chef prepare dishes to his liking and to our delightful surprise.

Salmon and Tuna Sashimi, served with Ikura (salmon roe). Very fresh, tender as jelly, making me forget that I don't like raw food.

Tofu curd in soy

Kyoho grapes

A hot bowl of Miso soup

Sushi platter: tuna, salmon, tamago (egg), ika (squid), and the weird looking one (second from left, front row) which left us all dumbfounded — it was absolutely divine!

The tour de force of our meal: Grilled Gindara, in all its juicy goodness. I loved the mild sweetness from the mirin, and how the charred parts of the fish gave it a bit of a caramelized crunch. Although a bit small in serving size, I'd easily pick this any day over some bigger slab elsewhere.

Service, while formal to the point of imperially decorous, was very welcoming, making us feel at ease after their first few bows (which the staff does everytime they'd enter or leave the room). Price range is a bit on the expensive side, at ~P2500 per head (this was for the set dinner — lunch orders should be significantly cheaper), but take my word for it — it's really well worth every hard-earned penny.

Sushi Kappo KOBIKICHO
G-03 JAKA II Bldg. 150 Legaspi Street
Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines
Tel. #: +63 2 752-1280. Fax #: +63 2 894-2685
Email: admin@kobikicho.com. Official Website
Open Monday to Saturday Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm, Dinner: 6pm – 10pm (Strictly by Reservation Only)

Jasmine (New World Renaissance, Makati)

sinch — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:15:24 +0000

Among my small group of foodie friends, I think I can safely say that I'm regarded as the one with the most credible tastebuds when it comes to authentic Chinese food (do you even wonder why?). One weekend, we put these tastebuds to test at New World Renaissance newly-reopened Chinese restaurant, Jasmine.

With master chef Choi Wing Ki at the helm, Jasmine serves classic Cantonese cuisine, but offers some welcome innovations to old favorites as well. The interiors of the place marries traditional oriental dining (round tables with lazy susans, extensive use of dark wood and red linen, etc.) with modern accents like cozy corner nooks and plush seating.

As for the food, here's what we had for dinner.

A small plate of boiled peanuts to appetize us. We liked that it was boiled, a welcome change from other Chinese restaurants that serve them roasted and salted.

Yunnan Ham (P475) — dry-cured ham served with steam mantao slices. It was quite salty (as should be), but the mantao successfully counterbalances the flavor.

Barbecue Meat Platter (P650) — roast pork, suckling pig, and Peking duck, with jellyfish

Garoupa Fillet with Tofu and Mushrooms on Claypot (P870). This saucy dish, with a savory combination of flavors from scallions, mushroom stock, and Chinese wine, makes for a perfect rice companion.

Stewed rice with assorted meat and abalone sauce in lotus leaves (P140)

Served on a small bamboo barrel, the rice acquired the distinct scent and taste of the lotus leaf it was cooked with.

Salted Fish Fried Rice (P575). I loved that they used fresh fish, and not preserved dry pieces, which gave it a very delicate saltiness.

The stewed chicken with wild mushrooms in clay pot (P545) had a mildly acerbic taste, almost medicinal, as it had unmistakable hints of sibut (a Chinese herbal mix).

The wok fried scallops with asparagus in XO sauce (P1170), while the most expensive, was one of the biggest hits of our meal. Some raved about the scallops' marshmallowy juiciness, while some liked the fresh and crisp asparagus. I loved the whole dish.

Stir-Fried Chinese Kale with Ginger and Garlic (P465). Also known as kailan, the stems were thick, flat, and glossy, wok-fried to a crunch and not soggy.

Our desserts were particularly delightful. The deep fried caramelized bananas (P130) were soft inside, and brittle outside.

On the house: mooncakes with lotus seed filling and egg yolk

Still on the house: a plate of mandarin oranges

The Orange Jelly (P300), sweet and tangy, had a firm and supple texture.

The most memorable one for me was the glutinous dumpling stuffed with chocolate and tossed in peanuts (P160).

The glutinous rice shell is fine and tender, with a bite provided by the crushed peanuts coating it. And when you get to the gooey chocolate filling, the whole sensation makes your mouth water all the more.

Service was good, and undeniably becoming of a 5-star establishment. Richard, our server, was friendly and courteous, ensuring we had a pleasant time all the way. Price range: ~P1500 per head (with a big discount if you use your Citi credit card).

Overall verdict. Growing up with Chinese food makes my palate prone to tiring out of its familiar flavors. That said, Jasmine's clean, no-frills good Cantonese food has enough creative infusions that set it apart and keep it from being run-of-the-mill. If you're into authentic Chinese fare in a luxurious, palatial setting, Jasmine will surely not disappoint.

Jasmine
2/F New World Renaissance Hotel
Esperanza St. cor. Makati Ave.
Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel. #: +63 2 811-6888 loc. 3338

Isdaan & Tacsiyapo Wall (Gerona, Tarlac)

sinch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:51 +0000

Isdaan is a sprawling restaurant complex in Gerona, Tarlac by the Ongpaucos' Barrio Fiesta group. This floating restaurant has a large fish pond, Asian-themed interiors (complete with giant Buddha statues and Balinese designed huts), and several physical activities befitting of a theme park.

The highlight of the place for us is the unique Tacsiyapo wall — where you can throw mugs, plates, vases, and even TV sets at a wall to vent out any pent-up frustrations.
Here's what we had for lunch, and snaps of our little Tacsiyapo action.

The Isdaan logo

The place is very well put up, with individual huts atop the pond that serve as semi-private dining enclaves

liempo and roast chicken, cooked on the open grill

We were given some fish grub to feed these little critters..

..and we did!

My very refreshing pakwan shake (P63.80)

Crispy Plaplitos (P107) — tiny plapla fish fried to a crisp

The very sinful Chicharon Bulaklak (P196)

Inihaw na Tilapia (P240) — this dish wasn't as good as I expected. It had a fishy stench (malansa) that wasn't counterbalanced by dipping it in vinegar.

Fried Rice (P98.50)

Lechon Manok (P320) — very lush and aromatic, with plump juicy meat

The deadly Marinated Inihaw Pork Liempo (P420 for 1 kg) — sweet and rich, pure porky delight perfect with a plate of steaming white rice!

One of my favorite Filipino dishes: Kare-Kareng Baka (P277) on a pot, with a smooth and full-bodied thick peanut sauce and delectable fresh bagoong.

After lunch, it was time for the Tacsiyapo wall.

Liza, smiling even while letting off her steam

Bing, the violent sharpshooter

and Vince, porma pa rin kahit nagta-Tacsiyapo hehe

Can you tell if we had a great time here?

Service was stellar, with very amiable wait staff satisfactorily attending to all our needs. Other than their knowledgeable assistance with the menu and the occasional special requests, we were pretty much left to our privacy during the meal. Price range is at a very reasonable P500-600 per head (and that's for really heavy eaters, like us hehe).

Overall verdict. Isdaan is a restaurant like no other, if only for the festive ambiance, the innovative Tacsiyapo wall, and the scores of fish swimming right beneath your dining table. Add to that an impressive array of time-honored Barrio Fiesta and Bakahan at Manukan food favorites, and you've got yourself a total winner. Highly recommended to everyone on their way up North — heck, even those who aren't!

Isdaan Restaurant
Gerona, Tarlac
+63 45 931 2196

Matutina’s Seafoods (Urdaneta City, Pangasinan)

sinch — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:00:26 +0000

Priding itself as one of the finest seafood dining experiences in the country and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's personal favorite, Matutina's Seafoods in Urdaneta City attracts a lot of travelers who stop over for a sumptuous meal en route to and from the North.

We recently purposedly set for it on our way to Baguio, and here are some pictures of what we had for lunch.

Complimentary pastillas de leche and ube

A complimentary small bowl of sinigang broth

Hipon Crispy (P180) — really crunchy and tasty, perfect when dipped in vinegar

One of my favorite Filipino dishes: Bangus Kilawen (P120) vinegar-cured milkfish

Juicy grilled Pork Liempo (P110)

Sinigang na Bangus (P120)

Sari-sari Inihaw (P270) — bangus, sugpo, liempo, and steamed okra and talong (eggplant)

Buttered Crab (seasonal price)

The combination of aligue (crab fat) and butter is just divine!

Service is outstanding for the very reasonable price range (~P500 per head gets you full and satisfied). Our server personably gave us recommendations, and adequately attended to our dining needs.

Overall verdict. With the winning combination of really good food, very reasonable prices, and pleasant service, Matutina's puts many other city-based Filipino restaurants to shame. Dining here should be a must on every North trip itinerary.

Matutina's Seafoods
Nancayasan Highway, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Tel. #s: + 63 75 568 8288 or + 63 75 624 2065

Other branches:

Bonuan Beachfront
Bonuan Tondaligan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Tel. #: + 63 917 642 1466, + 63 75 614 3162

Baguio City
19A Legarda Road, Baguio City
Tel. #: + 63 74 446 9009

Nanbantei of Tokyo (2/F Greenbelt 3)

sinch — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:14 +0000

I have very fond memories of dining out in Japan back when I had frequent business trips there. One of the foods we ate often and that I really liked is yakitori, grilled chicken skewered on a bamboo stick and barbecued over charcoal. Fortunately, we have the Japanese franchise Nanbantei of Tokyo in town, giving us easy access to this Japanese favorite.

Inside, the place looks like a quaint little restaurant in suburban Tokyo, complete with servers in kimono-like garbs. Dark wood furniture and Japanese decor accent the area. Despite being a grillhouse, Nanbantei seems to have good ventilation, as we didn't smell like smoked food after dinner.

Here are pictures of what we had.

S&B Nanami Togarashi (Seven Spice) and Sanshyo (Japanese pepper) — distinct seasoning spices to go with the dishes

A little bowl of fresh vegetables to start off

Japanese dipping paste (miso?)

Shake Sashimi (P165) — delectable raw salmon

Chicken balls! yummy

Yaki Onigiri (P75 each) — grilled rice balls

The Tori Special Platter (P730) — with tebasaki, negima, tsukune, uzura tamago, chicken tail, hatsu, and leba (21 sticks)

Quail eggs

The Best Sellers Platter (P785) — with aspara maki, tebasaki, pork garlic yaki, shiso maki, negima, corn, and poteto maki

Bacon-wrapped potatoes

Asparagus

Matcha Ice Cream (P95)

Coffee Jelly (P95)

Service: Standard satisfactory service as to be expected of a Greenbelt establishment, nothing extraordinary. Price: ~500-600 per head.

Overall Verdict: Nanbantei of Tokyo seems to be the only restaurant of its kind in a conspicuous commercial area as Greenbelt, and it certainly does not disappoint with its delicious yakitoris and very reasonable prices. Recommended if you're in for some good Japanese food in the Greenbelt area but running a tight budget.

Nanbantei of Tokyo
3/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Esperanza St., Makati City
Philippines
Tel. #: + 63 2 757-4130

Madison Grill (G/F Greenbelt 5)

sinch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:05 +0000

One massively rainy night, we trooped to Greenbelt 5 to get ourselves some stress-busting delectation against all odds. We were fortunate and happy that The Madison Grill was open to serve us that night, despite most other establishments closing shop early.

Setting. Madison looks and feels like a fine New York diner. The high ceilings and clean modern interiors make the place look upscale and hip; a good choice of a place to enjoy great company over great food. That said, there are portions of the place that need some management attention (rehabilitation even — the sliding doors dividing the main dining area from the private function room look dilapidated and may already have some unwanted inhabitants).

Here's what we had for dinner.

Complimentary bread sticks with dip

Baked Oysters with Spinach and Hollandaise (P330)

A closer look. I didn't have any special memories of this dish — it was pretty much standard (forgettable) fare.

Seafood Platter (P950) — fried white fish, aligue prawns, deep fried oysters, grilled mussels, marinated scallops, french fries, coleslaw, and tomato coriander sauce

We liked the succulent Aligue Prawns..

..but I really loved the fried white fish! Its tasty freshness is masked by its seeming simplicity. This has got to be one of the best fried fish dishes I've ever had.

Mashed potatoes on the side

Deep Fried Oysters

CAB (Certified Angus Beef) Rib-Eye (P995)

Cooked medium rare as I like it, the steak was just alright — not among the best steaks we've had, but not so bad either.

The Hickory BBQ Ribs (P540) was good too, but my mouth really watered for the fries on the side! They had just the right level of starchiness and saltiness, and smelled really good. Definitely a pleasant surprise.

Desserts were not as eventful. We chose from their cake selections. This is the Banoffee Pie (P195)

Chocolate Layer Cake (P195). It was just OK.

My Enjoy card got me a free 6 inch artisan pizza to take home. I guess these bestselling pizzas themselves are good, but I didn't like the topping choice (anchovies) that one of us picked.

Service was adequately satisfactory, standard necessities were all well-covered (glass refills, plate changes, menu knowledge, etc.). While I give props to the dedicated staff just for turning up that night despite the gloomy weather, I wish they'd have a little more cheer to make the dining experience even more pleasant. Price ~ P1000-1200 per head.

Overall verdict. Madison Grill has some standout dishes as well as some that are not so memorable. I particularly enjoyed the fried fish and french fries, and consider them among the best ever. I hope they work on improving their menu, particularly their dessert line. If you have to visit it, stick with their house specialties (artisan pizzas, ribs, the seafood platter) and you should be fine.

Madison Grill
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5 Phase 2
Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel. #: +63 2 756 9000

Desserts and more at Café Sabel (BenCab Museum, Baguio)

sinch — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:43:25 +0000

The fifth and last featured establishment in the Baguio series is Café Sabel, a themed coffee shop right inside national artist BenCab's famous museum.

The menu features somee of the same items offered in the earlier-featured Cafe by the Ruins (which shares their staff and management), but the manages to exude its own unique charm and feel, thanks to a majestic view of mountains and BenCab's sprawling property.

I recall we were only supposed to be here for desserts after a post-lunch museum tour; but upon seeing the menu we couldn't resist indulging ourselves and hence, dessert came first.

A pot of their special Bali Jammu tea (P180), an infusion of ginger, cloves, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon stick, milk, and moscovado sugar or honey.

Tasty and has a delectably comforting fragrance!

Lemon Curd and Mango Crepe (P150), filled with lemon custard and garnished with fresh mango slices; topped with vanilla ice cream

Roberto V's Bibingcakes (P110) — Crepes with salted duck egg slivers and white carabao cheese; served with grated coconut and moscovado sugar

My favorite was definitely the Bunuelos with Chocolate Fondue (P200) — fried cream puffs to dip in melted dark chocolate. I must have eaten up to 5 of these little devils!

The impulse ordered Bagoong Rice (verdict: so-so, I still prefer the more flavorful ones at Thai restaurants)..

..and this platter of fish with mountain rice (forgot the name, sorry).

Service was just alright, not a socks-knocking memorable experience. The staff was a tad too uptight and listless, lacking that extra touch that makes you feel at home and comfortable. Price: ~ P300-400 per head.

Overall Verdict. Like Cafe by the Ruins, Café Sabel at the BenCab Museum stands out as one of the highlights of our Baguio trip, if only for the grand ambiance and good food. I hope they work on improving their service to a level that's becoming of the brilliant BenCab Museum experience.

Café Sabel at the BenCab Museum
Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan,
Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Tel. #: +63 74 442 7165
Official Website and Facebook Page

Tasted: Gigi’s Custaroons

sinch — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:58 +0000

A while back, a colleague brought a box of Gigi's Custaroons to dinner so we got to try them out. Custaroon is a portmanteau word from custard and macaroon, which is an apt name to these creamy custard filled macaroons.

Here are some pictures I took, as well as what I thought of it.

Boxes ready for gifting

Custaroon poppers

Soft and creamy bite-sized custaroon balls coated with a rich premium chocolate powder concoction. These balls have bunched together and moistened up a bit as they have kept for a few hours. They still taste as great though.

The custaroon cups

I liked the original variant. It has just the right level of creamy sweetness.

The cheese variant will surely satisfy cheese lovers.

Prices
ORIGINAL
box of 12: P 270.00
box of 24: P 490.00
bite-size . box of 54: P 400.00
bite-size . box of 108: P 735.00

CHEESE
box of 12: P 320.00
box of 24: P 540.00
bite-size . box of 54: P 450.00
bite-size . box of 108: P 835.00

ASSORTED
(half original . half cheese)
box of 12: P 300.00
box of 24: P 520.00
bite-size . box of 54: P 430.00
bite-size . box of 108: P 790.00

POPPERS
(bite-sized custaroon balls coated with a premium chocolate powder concoction)
bite-size balls . box of 30: P 220.00

Tasted verdict: Gigi's Custaroons are all-around great dessert treats, and I would surely want to have some again. The irresistible oven-fresh scent and beautiful aquamarine boxes make them ideal for gifting.

Gigi's Custaroons
Gigi Gaerlan
Telephone: +63 2 216-8074
Mobile: +63 917 828-2929
Email: gigi@custaroons.com
Visit www.Custaroons.com

The Stock Market (Bonifacio High Street)