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.

I wasn’t really excited to eat since I’ve gained a significant 5 lbs over the past 2 weeks.  I have been eating so much for a month now and I don’t get full at all.  I keep on eating and eating right after eating and eating.  It doesn’t help too that I’d be going to Calaguas Island in 2 weeks time.  But I’ve heard so much about Omakase that when Karen picked Japanese cuisine, I just blurted Omakase.

It was a pretty busy restaurant at 110pm even right when we left at 2pm. 

On the Table 

Yasai Itame (JC’s order) PHP 95

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.

Kakiage (still JC’s order) PHP 130

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?

Dynamite Roll (JC’s order) PHP 260

I’ve placed an order for two vegetable dishes already.  I asked the waiter what their bestseller in sushi is and he said Dynamite Roll without batting an eyelash.  I said ok without batting an eyelash.

The Dynamite roll had in it, salmon and spicy tuna topped with salmon skin and roe.  It was served with garlic mayo dip in kikoman soy sauce.  Although it had too much going on, I enjoyed the dynamite roll a lot.

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.

Omakase Soup (Karen’s)

California Crunch (Kring’s) –I like Red Kimono’s California Crunch better. 

What a refreshing lunch that made me realize Libis is not too far away.  Haha, what am I saying?  I’d go all the way to Makati to eat at Elbert’s! 

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.

 

June 6, 2008.  Friday night again and I’ve found myself opening the door to the busy Sanctuario restaurant in Metrowalk.  After ordering, my colleague Claire walks in with her friends.  Too bad that there were no more table to accommodate their group.

 

 

On the Table

 

 

Garlic Cheese Pate PHP 25

Since we have already tried the Sampler Pate, Bubba suggested that we get the individual servings.  His favorite last time was the garlic cheese pate.  There was no surprise when he ordered this again.  The interplay of mild cheese and pithy garlic is evident in the pate.  I couldn’t help but get from his order.

 

 

Quezo Pate PHP 25

I had a tougher time deciding which one because I really liked all of the pates but I cannot succumb to my gluttony all the time.  I chose the quezo pate because it was the one that stood out the most for me.  The pimiento cheese type of pate reminded me of my lola’s homemade version of cheese.

 

 

Pan de Sanctuario (4pcs) PHP 25

Freshly made breads are warmly served.

 

 

Pasta Bulalo PHP 280

 

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

 

Lamb Chops PHP 260

 

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/471/08_0606-_Sanctuario_Tagaytay

 

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.

And you play it coy, but it’s kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don’t pretend, that you don’t know it’s true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It’s you, it’s you, You make me sing.
You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything.

You’re a carousel, you’re a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You’re a mystery, you’re from outer space,
You’re every minute of my everyday.

And I can’t believe, uh that I’m your woman,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we’ll see it through,
And you know that’s what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It’s you, it’s you, You make me sing
You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It’s you, it’s you, You make me sing.
You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything.
You’re every song, and I sing along.
‘Cause you’re my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

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.

I haven’t been feeling well the whole week.  I feel heavy and “short for Constitutional Law” + “pate in paste tense”.   Hmm… I don’t think I’d share so much about that since this is more of a food blog.  I haven’t been to the gym for so many weeks now.  I’m getting bored.  I should take up a new sport.

On the Table 

Pizza Skins PHP 95

Ribeye Steak PHP 150

T-Bone Steak PHP 140

Big Mouth Burger PHP 140

Bubba and I both had a satisfying dinner at Everything @ Steak. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/488

I cannot wait for the following weeks to roll out.  I have no free weekends until end of August.  But I cannot complain because I feel like lately I’m stuck in a rut.  Is it writer’s block?  I don’t know.  I’m not even a writer.  But there is a block I’m feeling indeed.  I hope that the trips included in my schedule can jiggy up the lackluster interval. 

I haven’t been feeling inspired lately.  It might have something to do with the gloomy weather.   It definitely has a lot to do with the Sulpicio tragedy and all of those that were affected in the provinces.  How can you appease grieving hearts?  Watching the news nowadays brings tears to my eyes.  I feel considerably for those who have lost their loved ones –some of them lost an entire family.  It has only been a little over a month since my grand dad died.  I’ve been meaning to write about it but never gotten around to.  Block.  I’ve been blocking the thought.  The memory.  The feeling. 

Seeing all those people on TV whose faces are stricken with worry, sorrow and anguish, it revived the feeling of losing my angkong.  GRIEF.  How do you even begin to describe it? 

…………………………………………………………………………… 

I know I didn’t start this entry with this topic.  I just blah-ed my way to it, thinking out loud.  More appropriately, writing out loud.  Or is that thinking out writing?   Let me end abruptly. 

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. 

 

I planned to visit Elbert’s June 25.  I had marked it on my calendar last week.  Not even rain could stop me.

 

 

 

Bubba invited me to have lunch together Monday, June 23.  My eyes immediately lit up as I read his SMS.  I cannot wait anymore for 2 more days.  I.  Simply.  Must.  Eat.  At.  Elbert’s.  When he got to the office though, he was thinking of grabbing a bite within the area.  He was not too giddy about the idea of making our way to Makati.  When my face fell, he reconsidered.  Good thing because I cannot make my hazel eyes go doe like Puss in Boots. 

 

 

 

It still had to be a quick lunch since travel time took some of our lunchtime.  We arrived at 1220pm and I still had to be back by 2pm to prepare for my 3pm meeting. 

 

 

 

Housed in the unassuming Sagittarius building along De La Costa St, an ominous red door greets you at a dark corner of the 3^rd floor.  The big fantastic red door opens to a bar, where the owner sits comfortably in front of his Mac book.  Bubba’s pupils dilated at the sight of the Mac book.  He was muttering that it was Mac something –okay, okay I have hearing impairment when I’m hungry.

 

 

 

Rich earth tones create a feeling of intimacy in this dining room that has several divisions.  We were seated near the glass pane window.  Black leather upholstered wall separates the right area.  Graceful chandeliers, handsome wood tables complete the comfortable setting that captures the elegance of a private club. 

 

 

 

Bubba and I ordered their lunch set menu that costs PHP 550++ per head.  A choice of either their green salad or soup of the day starts your meal.  There are 5 choices for entrée.  I ordered the Philly Cheese Steak while Bubba groped on what to order.  I told him to get either the House Burger or Beef Stroganoff. 

 

 

 

 

On the Table 

 

 

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.

 

Pumpkin Soup (2)

 

 

 

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

 

 

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.

Beef Stroganoff with Pasta

 

 

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.

 

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

URCC XII “Supremacy” is headlined by middleweight champ Caloy Baduria in another SUPERFIGHT where he’ll meet welterweight titleholder Eduard Folayang in a common weight division.  Also headlining the fight card is Bantamweight champion Lino “The Terminator” Tagacay going up against FOKAI Guam’s Justin Cruz.  Also featured at the event is rock sensation URBANDUB!!!

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

Flamed Chicken in Tandoori Sauce PHP 250

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.

Hong Kong Cheese Porkchop PHP 250

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