Rockwell’s Summer Series Presents SUNDAY SOUKA weekend market featuring food, plants and handicrafts from Rockwell residents, established favorites and up and coming player. 

We met Antz at the Rockwell Sunday Souk on April 20 for lunch.  It’s been a long time since I last saw Antz and now he’s even busier because he recently became part of the Lopez Group managing the Rockwell Club.  It was a timely meet since I also wanted to drop by the Lifestyle Bazaar happening at the Rockwell Tent dubbed as the Rockwell Urban Bazaar (April 18-20). Having only about 5 tables available for eating is what I didn’t like about the Sunday Souk.  I didn’t get to go around the market since I was so hungry by the time we met Antz… and my rule of thumb is, hunger first before anything else.  Antz had the beef burger while CW had the roasted calf, rice, and a slice of Brooklyn Pizza.  I had Korean Chicken Barbeque, Kimchi, Dumplings and Rice. 

Right after chowing, I strolled over to the Tent.  I bumped into my friend Mickey and Joyce who also have a space at the Rockwell Lifestyle Wing.  I found this cute paste ring worth PHP1,500 but decided against it since I just bought a ring last week (Gosh, I have been on a shopping binge for 1 month now.  The last time I was really into shopping was like –my whole college years AND my first two years of working.  I hope I have not developed the SHOPPING ITCH again.  Ugh, I so hated that and I’m not into it anymore.  There’s more love and fun in eating and cooking!  ANYHOO… going back)     Mickey and Joyce have a lot of good items and I mustered strength to get out of their stall before I start buying anything.  There were 4-5 stalls that had interesting items.  I am happy that local designers are increasing in number and their designs are really of quality.  I saw this blue green tube dress that was really pretty.  Damage is PHP1,200, but for the material used, I don’t think it was worth it.  But the cut was really nice.  And I have been looking for a new tube dress!  G-E-T A G-R-I-P J-A-N-E (and yes, I know how to spell my name. Bleh.)  I was really restraining myself to get anything since I bought 2 jackets from Backstage a few days ago.   

I stopped at Be and saw this purple polo dress that I couldn’t pass down.  And soon after I was buying something else -a wide black slimming belt.  I was on the brink of buying a blue tunic that had a hand painted design but good thing it didn’t fit me well.

The stores worth checking out! 

Be

1^st floor, 34 A Missouri Lane, Theater Mall, Greenhills Shopping Complex

3^rd floor, Club Fun Glorietta II, Ayala Makati

2^nd floor, Market Market Bonifacio Global City

Contact: Jojo 09178100574/ Rach 09209475280 

Lyn De Roca

Derocabags.multiply.com

derocabags@gmail.com

09175322252 

De Roca at My Pink Boudoir

146 VM Condominium Adelantado St. Legaspi Village, Makati

7528287

Luca, 2^nd floor Archaeology, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell 

Fuddy Duddy

Fuddyduddy123.multiply.com

09173288029 

Punto Bags

09178008108

puntobags@gmail.com

Puntobags.multiply.com  

A new weekend market is in town and it’s the nearest market to my place.  It is located in The Clubhouse of Temple Drive.  It was an extremely hot day that Saturday afternoon.  We arrived in the venue around 1pm and there weren’t many people there.  I think it was only their second week in operation and being it summer, people are always driving to the beach.

 On the Table:

170 g Wagyu Cheese Burger PHP200

The Wagyu burger patty tasted fresh and without any additives –only pure beef, but the cheese and the actual bread ugh, it could be better.  I only realized that bread of the burger also matters.  No matter how good the meat is, if the bread used is dry and thick and overly starchy (tasteless), it ruins the whole burger experience.

Paella PHP95

It could use a little more tomato taste.  The orange color was there but not the taste.  I asked for lemon to spike up the taste but they didn’t have lemon.

I love Kaldereta but this was actually Bubba’s order because I didn’t feel like eating Kaldereta that day.  Anyway, the Kaldereta was not bad for its price.

Grape Snow Cone PHP30

As any grape snow cone should be, but this one is alive and jumping.

We wanted to try Floring’s Barbeque but apparently somebody bought 1 big batch of the pork bbqs, which left nothing for me.

There were only a few concessionaires on its second weekend run and I’d like to see more concessionaires to bring in more variety.  I guess another barrier also is that the street where it’s located is inaccessible to people who can’t bring their own car.

Since this is a delayed entry, Bubba already went for a second visit yesterday with his family.  They apparently changed the setup and Bubba said there were lesser people.  He was able to try Floring’s and said that the pork barbeque was okay, similar basting to Aling Nene’s or Bonibel’s at Tiendesitas, but he said the vinegar was really yummy and makes a huge difference to eating the meat. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/408/08_0412-_Market_at_the_Hill

When Pebbles of the Asian Food Channel came to visit during the PCTA Cable Convention during the 3^rd week of April, she thoughtfully brought with her Royce chocolates and gave a box to me!  I haven’t actually finished the box of Cherry Marnier I have at home and now I have another set.

 Thanks a lot Pebs!

At Bun on the Run I will eat tomorrow.

The meat and the bun I will chew and swallow.

Together we’re dining all night long.

Together we’re dining on and on and on.

Then I would eat it in bed.

Sent by Carlo Genato.  Thanks Kylee!

“We’ll have dinner tonight.  Are you wearing jeans?”  When Bubba sends an SMS like that, it only means that we’re eating casual.  And it’s best to be on my jeans or else I might be uncomfortable.  When he started veering near Cubao Expo, I already surmised where he was taking me.  Mogwai.

I first heard of Mogwai from my friend, Mon, who is the drummer of the band, Marty Mcfly.  He invited me to watch their gig at Mogwai last year.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go.  It’s been a running joke between him and I as to the number of times we invite each other and the number of times we actually go.  I still say I have the higher probability of going to his invite than him to mine.  But much love to him and May because they went all the way to Jumbo restaurant to see us off during the Nokia night race, even if the initial plan was to send us off at the Makati Shangri-la (wait a sec, was that because of me or Andi Manzano?  I haven’t quite cleared that out yet, so I’m only thankful to May.  Haha.)

It was already quite full when we arrived so we had no choice but to have our dinner at the bar, which was perfectly fine because I met Elison.  Elison is one of the green-clad Mogwai-ters who is efficiently tending the bar.  He served me my Mojito and asked us how our food was. 

Squash soup PHP 80

Clam chowder used to be my favorite, then French onion soup, but now squash soup tops the list of soup picks.  For PHP 80, this has got to be the best soup to have.  For the price, it didn’t taste like just an ordinary powdered soup brought to life.  It tasted fresh with the right tang and sweetness. 

Sole Fillet Pasta PHP 180

I wanted to order this but Bubba beat me to it so I let him have it.  Being the sweetheart that he is, he exchanged our orders so I eventually ended up eating the pasta but we shared the fish.

Skinless Longganisa Rice PHP 110

This is not the typical longganisa that looks like a small sausage.  It was morsels of longganisa meat toasted to a crunch. 

Dark Chocolate Molten Lava PHP 90

Bubba really fell in love with this dessert!  I don’t know if it was his first time to try a molten lava dessert but he extremely liked it.  I also did.  The interplay of the hot chocolate sponge and the cold cream on top of excite the senses.  It was dense and buttery on the outside with a luscious liquid surprise inside and the white cream on top brings it all together in sweet harmony. 

Mojito PHP 90

Adverse to just one sprig of mint, Mogwai’s Mojito had generous amount of freshly chopped mint, which added crunch to the drink.

I enjoyed chatting with Elison, who apparently was given that name because he is Eli’s (the name of his dad) son.  How convenient.

As Elison tells me more about the bar, my eyes wandered around the restaurant cum theater bar.  Only the first floor serves as the dining area.  A huge expensive silver refrigerator inside the bar, yellow circular lamps hang from the ceiling, unique tables and chairs (where one actually looks like a chair fit for a king), and a lonesome Coca-cola painting make up for the interior décor.  It’s open-air with industrial fans serving ventilation.  It can be quite hot even during dinner especially whn they are packed.  Mogwai fits suitably at home with all the other art galleries and stores in this booming art capital of Manila –knack of art on garments, food, photography and furniture.  Independent and uniquely diverse, Cubao Expo had come far from just being the location of Bellini’s and Marikina shoes.

A small theater occupies the whole second floor of Mogwai.  Film screenings are offered to which membership is required.  Schedule of screening is available online or else it is displayed in the huge blackboard placed on one of the walls.  Erik Mati owns the place, which makes sense.  This is the brainchild of all that he is great at –film, art and cooking.  Yes oh yes, he is the master behind the recipes of Mogwai’s dishes.

Elison said KC Concepcion used to frequent Mogwai, along with other celebrities or directors.  This is also a favorite UP hang out.  25 bands performed in their recently concluded event that San Mig sponsored 2 weekends ago.  Mogwaiters are very attentive (which I didn’t expect from a casual restaurant), friendly and alert.  Being first timers, we requested to see the theater and they accommodated.  I particularly liked our bartender/host of the evening.  Elison knows his business –quick, smart and sensitive (not imposing, knows just when to retreat when need to).  To be in the company of genius arts, smart food (economical price but flavorful and grub worthy), people who appreciate both, Mogwai is the place to be.

Prices are vat inclusive and there is no service charge.  There is a fish bowl at the bar that serves as tip box.  Bubba couldn’t wait to go back, especially for the Dark Chocolate Molten Lava.  Maybe we’d start with dessert on our next visit.

Mogwai is located at Cubao X or Expo (previously the Marikina Shoe Expo compound) right across Rustan’s Fresh Supermarket in Cubao.  Mogwai operation hours is from 5pm-2am, but sometimes extends until 4am during weekends.  For reservations, contact 9866954.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/413/08_0418-_Mogwai  

This restaurant has definitely become a landmark in Serendra.  Quite takes the spotlight in the strip of dining places with its deli type restaurant, Chelsea invites you for a comfortable sit down with its plush sofa which plays as the waiting area.  Wait staff are quick on their feet and pleasantly obliging (Not to mention, they kind of look alike).  They anticipate the patrons’ needs and are as accommodating as possible. 

Chelsea has a myriad of ingredients/produce they are selling in the restaurant.  They sell different types of salt (I didn’t know there were so many kinds!) among dried oregano and other spices.  You can also buy bottled fish products.  I guess this feature of the resto makes up for the name, as the element of market is present resembling the Chelsea market in New Yawk.

I’ve always wanted to try Chelsea but it’s always full during dinnertime that we end up going somewhere else.  I’ve eaten in Duo, Polu Kai, Zao, Conti’s, Xocolat, Abe, etc but Chelsea was really top priority for me to dine in.  That and Mamou.  Good thing that we started out early this Saturday evening and were ready to eat dinner at 630pm.

We decided to eat outside so we can also go people watching while eating.  We were able to secure the couch area near the entrance door.  I looked at the menu and find that the menu wasn’t complicated.  There were so many that I wanted to order, all a bit familiar but not so.  Owner Martin Wisniewski knows his food as I can imagine that everything was made in house, including the desserts.  Each dish is prepared to order using the finest ingredients. 

We were served with an amuse bouche of buttered focaccia bread and a clove of buttery soft garlic.  Bubba was eyeing me nervously as I place one whole pod of garlic on my bread where he had to half his.  He couldn’t help but ask, “are you really gonna use that much garlic on your bread?”  I gave him a confident grin and nodded yes.  I’d go for taste anytime over comfort.  On second thought, he has the right to be concerned because it is the companion who’d get the brunt of garlicky breath.  Quite surprisingly (and his lucky star was in the sky that night), this specific garlic didn’t leave an aftertaste nor did it leave a garlic odor in the mouth.

I wish the garlic had a stronger taste though, but I guess it being stronger applies to all including stench.

 On the Table: 

Cream Squash with Goat Cheese PHP 150

The waiter asked if we wanted to split it into two.  I hesitated.  Not because it was sweeter to eat from one bowl but in Katre, they charge extra if you split the dish into two.  I asked the waiter if there was an extra charge, and he said there was none.  Good, so we had it in two separate white soup bowls.  You’d think it would be a smaller serving but each bowl was good enough for one hungry person.

We just had squash soup the night before at Mogwai, which was really good, but for the money and taste, Chelsea became my favorite place for Squash soup.  The soup had the right thickness without making it taste like a puree or a mushy chunk.  The volume had the right consistency and the generous bits of goat cheese blended well with the sweet taste of pumpkin.  It was served with a dollop of cream, which I can only wish was crème fresh.  A soup cannot be anymore perfect than this.  I wish I didn’t ask it to be split into two so I could have cheated 2-3 more spoonfuls. 

Grilled Whole Rosemary Lemon Chicken PHP 495

Let me note that most of the dishes are served in a big cutting board, which is a distinctive idea.  I have tried this at my condo early 2007, because it looked so presentable (and because I lacked serving dishes at my small unit).  A whole medium sized roasted chicken was resting on top of the board with glistening vegetables –a mixed of green and red bell peppers, olives, onions and carrots. 

I’ve never had a soft moist fall off the bone chicken meat.  Bubba pointed out that different parts of chicken were infused with certain flavors.  One part, you can taste the rosemary lemon, other part you can taste the carrots on the meat of the chicken.  It was a delicious surprise to get all different flavors from one chicken.  The meat was so tender and cooked just right.  Four can easily share the chicken, which makes it so worth the buck. 

5 Cheese Pizza Thin Crust PHP 395

Bubba kept insisting that I ask what five cheeses are included in the pizza.  I was so hungry that I didn’t bother to ask.  I remember at this point, I stopped jotting down on my little notebook and gave my full concentration to chomping.  Mushroom in the pizza tasted like it was soaked in wine because it was flavorful.  Arugula leaves and apple slices garnished the crunchy pizza.  The Arugula made such a difference in the pizza.  It balances the saltiness of the cheese and clears the palate for another bite. 

Chic dining and great gourmet food rolled into my budding favorite place in Serendra, Chelsea Market and Café.  Contact 9097011 for reservations.  My only complaint with Chelsea is the small white plate which doesn’t give much room to maneuver.  Although we weren’t able to get desserts since we were trying to catch a movie in Greenbelt, their dessert selection was promising.  Their best seller is Toblerone Torte (which is my favorite in Mom and Tina’s).  I want to give it a try on my next visit, and that’s going to be this Friday when I treat my mom to dinner.  I simply cannot wait.

Next targets:

Jalapeño Ementhal Cheese Fondue PHP 395, A Rack of Baby Back Ribs PHP 650, Pizza Duck Confit PHP 395, Jackfruit Shake 

Before we hopped our way to the ABS-CBN Trade Event at A-venue last night, we first grabbed a dinner at Mickey’s Delicatessen along Jupiter Street.  It was either that or Alexi’s Deli, but since Mickey’s was nearer, we decided to test the German deli.

The setting of this restaurant is pleasant with an atmosphere that combines European essence with a casual yet sophisticated look.  As I sit down on my wooden chair, I can see that it is the most vibrant deli I’ve been to.  Wait staff robed in blue and white-checkered Holland milkmaid outfits greet you as a welcome, though without a cheerful mood I note.  Nevertheless, the deli looked so inviting. 

The tables and chair aren’t dramatic.  It simply had a ceramic mug that holds the utensils.  A glass window allows the clients to peer inside the kitchen and actually see the black suited chefs grill your wieners.

It took us quite some time to order because the menu was very limited.  Selection of wines and cheese are more extensive than the actual dishes.  More restrictive we found out –most are mainly sausage orders.  Nurnberger pork sausages are their specialty, as my feeble mind would naturally assume since orders come in different plates ergo quantities.  The smallest order is 6 of the popular sausages that amount to about PHP 260++.  Unable to make up my mind, I decided to try the sausage sampler, which was quite pricey at PHP640++.

The sausage sampler is a slaver of 1 long piece of Vienna, 1 2-inch thick veal (is the meat of a young calf) -grilled or boiled, 2 Nurnberger pork sausage, 2 bratwurst, and pure beef sausage served with warm potato salad and sauerkraut.  My eating partner is not a fan of mustard but he finished the first saucer and asked for a 2^nd round.

The restaurant had 4 tables occupied at the time we visited.  Interestingly, it was all male diners.  This is certainly what you call a sausage fest.  It’s true because they also offer Nurnberger sandwiches. 

Lartizan is the Boulangerie Francaise found inside the deli.  We bought a tuna turnover PHP 58, and a blueberry muffin PHP35, served warm.  I was very happy with both purchases.  The tuna turnover, which was perfect blend of tuna meat, cheese and cream almost, melts in your mouth. 

Their soups of the day available were Minestrone and French Onion, while salads were Insalata di Parma or Insalata Al Tonno, which in more barbaric terms simply mean mixed greens with tuna or ham. 

I find the prices quite a bit steep but not at all bad.  Spending PHP 640 for hotdogs?  Not my type of investment, but I’d definitely go back to the Lartizan to bring home some sourdough bread.  The breads smelled fresh and tasted delish!

144 Jupiter St. Corner Orbit Street (in the middle of Chicken Bacolod and Plato Fino) Bel-air 2 Village, Makati.  Store contact numbers are 8969650/8991440.  Deli contact number is 8998080. 

I haven’t had the time to watch TV nowadays, although the TV is open most of the time in the office.  The other group recently lent us a Samsung LCD TV for HD test, neat (I wanna get one for my room!)!  Life at work is overly busy the past few weeks.  And when I get home, the last thing I want to do is stare at the boob tube.  That’s why I terribly miss watching American Idol.  The preliminary/road trip was funny when I caught it 2 months ago (?) on Star World (midnight rerun).  But I haven’t actually watched a single episode this season!  Too bad, when channel affiliates talk about it, I’m so behind all the juice!

Anyhow, I should be inspired to watch again since Adel, the Chick Chik recently sent me an American Idol water glass.  When I first opened the box, I initially thought it was a microphone (because it looked like a packaging for a mic).  Haha, upon closer inspection, it was actually a glass with a microphone design. 

Catch first run episodes on Star World every Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm and same night encore at 11pm.  Reruns the next day at 1pm.  Watch it only on Sky Cable!

Well, even if this entry is short, I’m glad I was able to take a break and write.  It’s already 6:30 pm and I still have one contract to finish so I’m hitting the breaks…. Screech —–ciao!

Life has been busy the past two weeks! 

Upcoming articles: 

In Yo

Nokia Soul of the Night Race

Nokia N82 Review

ClawDaddy Crab

Market at the Hill – 1^st Visit

Ol for Luv Concert (If you can believe it)

Amazing Race Asia 2 Promo Event –Mall Race 

Allow me to post more photos from the Nokia Soul of the Night party (photo courtesy of Francis Yllana)

(Photo courtesy of Sasha Manuel of http://www.stylemanila.com) 

The Nokia N-series Wireless Adventure 2: Discover the Soul of the Night is the second installment to last year’s Soul of Manila adventure race.  Last year was a 2-day battle to discover different places that make up the Soul of Manila using the then newly launched N95.  This year, 10 teams were thrust into the night armed with the newest Nokia N82 to help reveal Manila’s night soul –discovering the heartbeat of Manila in the dark. 

What a fiery night it was as the features of Nokia N82 glowed like fire as it withstood many challenges –mostly of taking photos in the dark.  Introducing the first Nokia phone with Xenon flash, the flash sparkled like the brightest star in the sky, taking all the attention as the teams flickered away, capturing different night lifestyles.   

As the chase brimmed down to a finish at the Soul of the Night culminating party, held at Embassy Superclub, Fort, the ten participating teams traipsed to the event parading their stylish night wear with the most fashionable accessory to have –the N82.  The air was thick as anticipation grew in the crowd. 

Dynamic hosting duo, Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson, welcomed the partygoers with an AVP of what transpired during the race.  Rovilson was right.  The scoring was awesome.  It really made my skin all prickly.  The 4-months of dog hard work from the organizers really paid off as that video concluded the success of the race.

Karylle, Michelle and Ramon were called to the stage to share their experience from the race.  Rovilson and Marc then started giving out awards.  Each team received an award for the distinct quality of the players –may seem quirky to others but it was a nice gesture from the organizers.  It was Nokia’s way of making everyone winners, which is always a good endeavor.  The awards came in a glass trophy and each person received a beautifully wrapped black and silver gift –which turned out to be a Digital Viewer (sweet). 

They started with the Love Team award.  Andi and Sharlene were shrieking and pointing at us.  Everyone started looking.  I said no, no.  I whispered that there are two other couples in the group.  My thoughts were suddenly running faster than an ostrich can protect its egg.  “How come they were so dead ball on this?  Me, a cheese ball?  Ugh, I hope they don’t show the photo with the kiss in Xocolat.  Not in front of my mom!” 

Then they started reading the note on the award –excellent balancing skills and consistent sweetness… okay, the second one, I should be up in arms (I vehemently disagree that we displayed sweetness!  I was all business!), but the first clue was a dead giveaway because we kept doing these weird poses for the photos.

PHP 10,000 were given to the Best Storytelling team, to Nikki and Justin’s merit.  Now, for the top prize of PHP 100,000 and the trip to Macau… Drum roll please.  And the champ of the night is the team of…

Alfred Vargas and Michelle Lampino of Gadget Magazine!  Kudos Alfred and Michelle!  Book your Macau trip May 1-4 because Chris and I have plans to go anyway, we can all go together!

More champagne and flashbulbs, the party moved forward when the DJ took the floor and the dancers started busting their hips on the ledge. 

On a personal note, I was really delighted to have my mom and sister there, who waited patiently for the event to start (my sister wasn’t even feeling well).  Thank you to my friends who flocked to the Fort and shared this night with us.  Chai, Lorenz, Mon, Chay, Yssah, RJ, Maggie, Reggie, Camille, Madz, Deneb, Francis, Zarah, and Karen.  King and Omar couldn’t attend because they were in Batangas, but I’m all so bouncy about the good news King!   

Photo Link: http://www.stylemanila.com/2008/04/10/style-manila-soul-of-the-night-event-photos/#more-420 

Party Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/401

N82 Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/402