Since Cafe Juanita was fully booked, I decided to troddle to Texas Roadhouse in El Pueblo.  Texas Roadhouse is officially my go-to-family restaurant.  I have never been disappointed (Link: http://www.janedchua.com/2008/03/07/cowboy-eating-at-texas-roadhouse/ and http://www.janedchua.com/2008/04/07/texas-roadhouse-again/) in any of my visits.  Servings are huge and coherent with the price.  Best of all, customer service in Texas Roadhouse is supreme and their thrust to building customer relationship is commendable.  Even on full house, wait staff is quick, efficient and serves with a smile.  On Mother’s Day, with no obligations, they gave away long-stemmed roses to mothers who dined in their restaurant to celebrate the occasion.  In other restaurants, you actually have to buy their Mother’s Day special or promo prior to getting any perks.    

I gave my mom a scrapbook with some of our memorable photos of recent times in it and a dedication, which made her a bit emo.  My sister, who feels our heartbeats, started to break down too.  So we tried pacifying her but she really became emotional.  The photos of her crying are heartwrenching but are too cute!!!  My beloved cartoon character.

On the Table:

Santa Fe Nachos PHP 330

We cannot eat at Texas Roadhouse and not order this.

Parmesan Crusted Fish PHP 370

Same as our favorite appetizer, we cannot dine at this family restaurant without ordering this.  It is rightfully their bestseller.

Wrangler Pork Steak PHP 350

2 pieces of pork chops with Swiss cheese in top

Baby Back Ribs PHP 445

Half rack of baby back ribs

Quezo Salsa Dip PHP 80

Related Post: http://www.janedchua.com/2008/03/07/cowboy-eating-at-texas-roadhouse/

Related Post: http://www.janedchua.com/2008/04/07/texas-roadhouse-again/

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/436/08_0511-_Texas_Roadhouse_on_Mothers_Day

Genuine Italian charm and classic Italian cuisine are what you can expect from this well-liked restaurant that popularized the Cubao Exchange compound.  Bellini’s is divided into three dining sections that have hand-painted walls.  Even the ceiling displays the colorful character of Italians through portraits of chatting and eating men.  Owner Roberto Bellini used to hold a job as paparazzi but together with his wife Ma. Luisa, he decided to put the camera to rest and become a restaurateur.  

 

The first time I dined in here was about 4 years ago.  My friend, Paolo, was the one who introduced me to this place.  I would travel all the way from Makati to Cubao, just to have lunch here.

When you arrive, an amuse bouche of breadsticks are placed on your table accompanied by olive oil and balsamic dip.  Mr. Bellini buys some of the ingredients personally from our local market while the other ingredients are imported.  Each dish is prepared to order using the finest ingredients. 

The professional waitstaff who has been with the family for many years, know the customers and treat them like old friends.  It has been two years since I last dined here but the headwaiter still remembered me.

On the Table (I don’t remember the actual names of the dishes): 

Ravioli with Spinach

 

Pasta Fungi with Prosciutto and Truffle Cream

Pasta Carbonara

Penne Rustico with Vigan Longgganisa

4- Cheese Pizza

I have no complaints because they have the thinnest pizza crust which has the perfect bite.  Put some chili olive oil on it and it’s heaven.  

Napoli Pizza

 

Tenderloin Steak in Pepper Sauce

Jem really liked the sauce and is prompted to go back because of this dish.

Sole Fish in White Cream

Tiramisu

It had a strong liquorish flavor but I’m not a big fan of this dessert nowadays.

Orange Cake

The cake lacks moist to hold the cake together.  It had the right sweetness and orange taste but it’s too crumbly for me.

 

Panna Cota 

Every visit, you will receive a warm welcome from the owner and staff of this well-established restaurant that has become a landmark in serving authentic Italian cuisine.

 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/437/08_0511-_Bellinis

As you enter the restaurant, the white walls create a breath of serenity like watching the reflection of the sky on calm waters.  Wall pillars have black and white photos that have a stamp or postcard effect.  Silver curled tube snake serves as the holder of blue LED lights.  The kitchen has big circular windows, which give you a see-through what’s going on inside the hot area.  It reminded me of an aquarium.  The ceiling was designed with waves, which creates a ripple appearance.  One wall had mounted square paintings.  There are two different sets of tables and chairs, the long tables with blue and green (aqua color) leather seats, while the single tables have abaca-weaved chairs.  All tables are covered with brown Manila paper and a single white tulip in a clear vase is placed neatly on top.  The courteous wait staff was duly clad in blue uniform. 

 

On the Table:

Amuse Bouche

Crostini drizzled with olive oil and smoked fish pate

Vigan Longganisa Pizza PHP 295

Big chunks of local cheddar cheese and white cheese, julienne red and green bell peppers, shredded lettuce (taco style), vigan longganisa bits (ground beef type) on soft crusty dough make up this pizza. 

Crisp Butterflied Tilapia PHP 295

Deep fried medium-sized tilapia with black peppercorn garlic sweet spicy sauce on the side, served with huge Chinese pechay and garnished with crispy onion leeks.

I noticed that people only started coming in at 730pm, which is quite slow for a Saturday evening and for a restaurant that has good reasonable food.

On May 11, 2008, Fish Out of Water offers a Mother’s Day Special –free wine and free Mother’s Day gift.  This is one place you can bring your mom to without breaking your wallet.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/429/08_0502-_Fish_Out_of_Water