When I was a kid I loved twirling hula-hoops around my waist, arms or neck. Now, I don’t know if I can still twirl it around my waist for more than 5 seconds –or for more than 5 “shakes.”  Yes, it’s likely that I am going to lose in a hula-hoop competition, but not in an eating contest!  I’m sure fire to put up a good fight!

The first I heard of this restaurant was when I was doing a site ocular in West Gate.  I wasn’t able to try their Alabang branch then but last year, I invited Chris for dinner at their Shangrila branch.  I was so glad that I didn’t have to travel all the way down south.  We ordered Mess of Steaks (medium) and the Paella Negra served in bamboo.  I was tempted to get the Paella Sisig but decided against it since I wanted a taste of squid ink that night.  The Mess of Steaks (PHP 265++) was a “messy” plate of different meats.  It had barbecued roast pork, ribs and huge kidney beans.  The beans, Chris really enjoyed, were sweet and tangy with just the right crunch and softness.  I didn’t touch the pork but I loved the barbeque basting on the ribs.  It wasn’t fall off the bones kind of meat but it was soft and chewy.

  

The Paella Negra (PHP 225++) confirmed that I made the right choice.  The serving was good for 3 hungry people (yes we finished it, just the two of us).  The rice was rich with the squid ink flavor and yet only few got stuck in our teeth –giving us a “pirate” smile.  By pirate, I mean Johnny Depp type of black toothy grin.  Seriously, it barely stained at all. 

After an early morning of Ultimate Frisbee at the Fort, we trekked to Francis’ house to freshen up and eat lunch.  We were supposed to order delivery but I wasn’t too keen on eating pizza that day.  After a good workout, my food instinct is begging me to pig out like a king.  Subsequent to a lot of running and morning sun, my tummy deserves to pack in different types of food.  Good thing nobody was picking up on the other end so we decided to eat out.  The group, knowing that I’m a gourmand, left the decision to me on where to chow.  This gave me a second chance to visit Hula Hula so the group trooped to Shangri-la Plaza.  

 

Since we were 11, my initial idea was to have everyone share in a luau feast, which is fun and economical.  But since everyone wanted to try different things, Leia suggested that we order individually. 

Even without me saying, Chris can hear from a mile when my tummy is grumbling.  He suggested that despite just us two splitting, we should still get a luau feast, usually for 4 people.  That’s one of the many things I love about him –our connection with food.  I not only have a partner in mind, body and heart, I have a cohort in stomach –my partner in passionate crimes of eating.

We decided to get the Bora Bora feast (PHP 1,070 tax included).  The food came smeared on top of a square wooden board about the same size as the table that the two of us are occupying –which estranged us from the group.  The massive spread included grilled squid (which I fancy!), 3 pieces of barbeque wings, grilled fish, 3 think rectangular slices of pineapple, eggplant and okra veggies, a slab of inihaw na liempo, about 5 cups of bagoong rice, and chips. 

To everyone’s surprise, we finished the whole thing… Categorically, I ate more than Chris (he doesn’t want to admit!).  We were so bloated but oh man, that was one heck of yummy eating!  I was so full I couldn’t talk afterwards.  Let the empty table of food speak for itself.  I’m glad didn’t have to go to a beachfront to enjoy well-grilled treats!    

Here comes the lousy part… The restaurant’s interior wasn’t at all impressive –to say the least.  It has the same theme as Polu Kai in Serendra, -Hawaiian concept.  But Polu Kai wins hands down on interior and room space.  Wait staff in Hula-hula is more attentive though and service was fast.  The place was so cramped that it’s hard to fit in large groups.  They can do something about tidying up their washroom too.  It reeks of poor sanitation.  And you know what they say about restaurants with dirty washrooms –the kitchen is dirty too!  It wasn’t really inviting to pay another visit no matter how swell the food is with a washroom leaving a bad impression.

Hula Hula

Shangrila Mall  

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/385/08_0309-_Ultimate_Frisbee

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 4:23 pm and is filed under Inside Dish, Taste Manila. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.