Karen, Kring and I suddenly had the impulse to go to Libis and eat lunch at Omakase today.  With her dependable car, Karen zipped our way to Libis with ease and I wondered where the Friday traffic is?  Her car’s name by the way is Herc, short for Hercules.  How cute.  When you see her car, you’d know why.

Yasai means vegetable in Japanese.  It is your regular stir-fried vegetables.  Presentation wasn’t appetizing but I finished it.  I like vegetables anyway.  It was a mixture of bean sprouts, onions, cabbage, string beans and green bell pepper.

Trying hard to be healthy, I ordered another vegetable dish.  You have to take note that trying to be healthy, I disregard the fact that one is stir fried while the other is deep fried with flour.  Healthy?  Who am I trying to fool?

Cold Soba Noodles and Soup (Karen’s) –I remember eating cold soba noodles in Japan… ooh yum!!!  I had to finish all of my food that I didn’t get to try Omakase’s version.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/489  

Much I have raved about my first visit at Sanctuario Tagaytay (http://www.janedchua.com/2008/05/20/sanctuario-tagaytay-metrowalk/), the second visit was as pleasant.  That Pasta Bulalo has pretty much made a good first impression.  Let us see if first impression lasts.

First impression definitely lasts with Sanctuario’s Pasta Bulalo.  The meat still almost melts in your mouth, full of robust flavor.

This was the newbie among our orders.  Bubba and I have been craving for lamb chops for some weeks now.  There was no better time to try it but that night.  A little dismayed though because the meat was tough and a little dried out.  It took some time to cut through the meat and chew it.

Other than the lamb chops, the experience at Sanctuario Tagaytay is still a dining pleasure.  Carol joined us towards the end of the meal and we totally enjoyed exchanging stories with her.  She was telling us proudly about her daughter’s first few weeks at work.  Her daughter graduated from Ateneo as a Magna Cum Laude.  She came from Laguna that day yet it was all enthusiasm and no sign of exhaustion.  I feel the same way about the dishes in her restaurant. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/442/08_0516-_Sanctuario_Tagaytay#7

Everything Lyrics 

Michael Buble

You’re a falling star, You’re the get away car.
You’re the line in the sand when I go too far.
You’re the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you’re the perfect thing to say.

The first visit didn’t enthrall Bubba at all.  It didn’t move mountains for me but I liked it.  For the price, I couldn’t complain at all.  Besides, there’s something about the place that attracts me to it.  The fact that it is located in the same lot as a gas station bewilders me.  Not to mention frightens me.

It was a month of wait since I first started craving to eat at Elbert’s Steak Room.  I’d always have to take a rain check since my schedule has been pretty tight these past few months.  Last Thursday I wanted to treat Bubba to a lunch there.  I sent an SMS asking if they were fully booked that day.  They weren’t but I had a meeting at 2pm.  I figured that I could not go to Makati at 12nn and be back in Ortigas by 2pm, not even if I rid us of parking issues and take a cab.  I wanted to risk it (salivating over the thought of cheese steak) but the look at Bubba’s face said I shouldn’t. 

Warm bread shaped like a bloomed flower and a ramekin of butter are presented by the server who are professional and knowledgeable.  Butter as if on queue melts as it touches the bread.  Interestingly shaped like a flower, pick the petal piece by piece as one wants more of the warm slices.  House water has lemon fritz and Bubba didn’t like that there is a bitter aftertaste of the water so he asked for one without.

Sautéed slices of USDA Prime Grade ribeye on a soft baguette smothered with sautéed onions served on a white plate.  You can choose to get Provolone, Cheddar or Cheese Whiz.  It was served with Pommes Frittes that are slim cut fries.  I love nibbling on the crunchy and soft fries.

Sautéed and braised tenderloin tips with a brown sauce, mushrooms and sour cream.  It was served with an olio pasta on the side.  The brown peppery sauce was really flavorful and I didn’t fight the urge anymore to swipe my leftover baguette over the sauce.  The only complaint of Bubba was that the beef had a lot of litid more than the meat.  I shrugged it off since out of the 4 bites I took from his plate, I only had one chewy bite of litid which is so forgivable for me.

Owner Elbert Cuenca keeps a watchful eye on all the events at the Steak Room and I heard that his brother manages the kitchen.  As we made our way back to Ortigas and Bubba to ABS, my thoughts are “I can sleep better tonight.”

House Burger
Freshly ground 100% USDA beef mixed with bone marrow

With Gruyere or Provolone cheese served with pommes frittes

Disclaimer: Since I have recently been disappointed at the PHP 1700 steak I had at a joint in Serendra, it might take some time (after my trip to Macau perhaps?) for me to invest that much on a 14-ounce red meat.

Elbert’s Steak Room is located at 3/F Sagittarius Building III 111 H. V. de la Costa Street Salcedo Village, Makati City (near Kitaro).  Make your reservations at 3393363/09153151813. Check their menu @ www.steakroom.com  

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/487  

The Universal Reality Combat Championship is the country’s first and biggest Mixed Martial Arts event featuring the best MMA fighters in the country.

Catch them perform live all throughout the event! FOR TICKETS, CALL TICKETWORLD 8919999 or log on to http://www.ticketworld.com.ph…………. 

For more information call the URCC Hotline 09064616968 

I finally got to use one of the dozens of GCs that came with the planner.  After the Mamou dinner and chocolate/coffee at Cacao, Bubba and I passed by Cupcakes by Sonja and claimed my freebie!

Mocha Cupcake!!  YAY!

Bubba and Cushee:  “We come in peace.  Can we bribe you with food?”

Chaperon: “Uhm…. Uhm… wait let me think…”

(After 10 seconds)

Chaperon (in an Ogre voice): “Uhm, OK. This, this, this!”

Bubba and Cushee:  “Are you sure?” 

Chaperon: “It’s a deal!”

Chaperon reviewing menu. 

Still reviewing.

Chaperon scuffling

Chaperon looking very concerned.

Chaperon: “Can we change to this?” 

Bubba and Cushee in unison: “NO!  We made a deal.”

Chaperon: “Okay……………………………………….”

Chaperon’s thought balloon:  Hmm… Parang lugi… 

But happily fed.

Chaperon: “Aah… this is the life.  You two should date more often”

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/483/08_0620-_Jacks_Loft

I promised Bubba that I’d treat him to lunch Thursday.  He dropped by the office around 12nn.  We walked to Pearl Plaza and dined at Sango.  We ordered our usual, Master Burger and Master Cheeseburger and Fries.  Since Bubba felt like eating a lot, he also tried their rice meals. 

On the Table

Master Burger PHP 120

Master Cheeseburger PHP 149

French Fries

Katsudon PHP 220

That evening we decided to have dinner and watch a movie at Podium.  We wanted to try something new and Chinois looked interesting.   

On the Table

Grilled chicken served with Indian spices.  I wasn’t happy with my order because the chicken fillet was small and dry.  All I tasted in the sauce was cumin.

Bubba was luckier with his order.  Thick slices of porkchop pan-fried covered in red and white sauce and topped with a layer of melted cheese.

We watched Kung Fu Panda after dinner.  It was a ball of laughter!!!   

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/482/08_0619-_Sanggo_Chinois