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April 10, 2008: Jem’s birth date.  The birthday dinner was spent at In Yo restaurant, which she frequents with Fidel.  This restaurant has been on my hit list since early this year but I haven’t had the chance to visit the place because I thought it was far.  I was surprised that only after a few blocks from Bubba’s place, we hit the long street where In Yo is located. 

The staff is very attentive and well versed in all the menu items. 

Jem recommended the grilled salmon.  I hesitated since she was ordering the same but went for it nevertheless.  Amusingly, Aunt and Bubba had the same orders too.  They ordered the US Hanging Tender Steak on Mushroom Risotto.   On the Table: Amuse Bouche: Cheese Pimiento Bread served with butter (with chives?)Bread was served warm which is the best way to serve it.  The bread in itself is good without the butter (how many “freebie” breads can disrespect butter?)

Raspberry Romaine Salad

The raspberry romaine salad was a delicious jumble plate of egg slices, beets, Romaine lettuce, onions, cherry tomatoes dressed in raspberry dressing.  I think it also had watercress (because I see watercress on my notes but I’m not sure which dish I got it from.  No I do not have the actual leaf staining the paper, but yes I’m a messy eater.  I scribbled watercress with a question mark and I do not remember now why)

It was dressed with a Miso citrus sauce that gave a slightly sweet taste.  This is the first time I almost mistaken a salmon for an actual meat steak.  It was tender but it didn’t easily break apart like any usual salmon would.  It had volume like cutting through beef but swiftly and with so much ease.  In Yo’s salmon is now competing with Café Verbena’s salmon for a place in my heart.  The brown sauce that accompanied it made fish look more macho than beef.  As for the wasabi potato salad, I wish I were able to order another serving.

I had only a piece of the steak but that one bite made my eyes dilate.  This is what I’m going to order next time.  Bubba grades the mushroom risotto as so-so.

As for the sweetest portion of any meal, it was ended on a sweet and satisfying note.

What a delicious meal we had.  I imagined myself going to the other room and plopping myself to bed.  That’s how comforting the ambience and the food make you feel… (okay, okay, my sister who eats and sleeps take after me.  I’m so unladylike that sometimes right after eating, I lax on the seat or couch and even rub my tummy after eating! Gross huh?)

On our way out, we saw big fishes swimming about underneath the wooden-glass porch.  There were fish feeds in a ceramic bowl in front of us so we couldn’t help ourselves (we didn’t eat the fish feeds!) and fed the fish with the minuscule red fish food.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/405/08_0410-_In_Yo    

CW made dinner plans for our Anniversary at Alba.  He knew how I love paellas.  That night though, I wasn’t too hungry and I didn’t want CW to spend P600++ each for the Alba buffet that would not be maximized.  I suggested another place.  Katre. 

A two-story restaurant quietly tucked in an unassuming street.  Katre can hold its ground against the other restaurants in the Timog area.  The dining area is dimly lit but the minimalist interiors give an aura of posh.  The wait staff is very knowledgeable about their menu and can explain what the 15% extra charge is if you ask the dish to be split into two.

 The price of dishes is normal at first glance but becomes ridiculous with the 10% service charge, 12% vat and local tax added. I ordered the Chicken Quesadilla while Chris had Lamb Curry with Papadum. The Chicken Quesadilla was sliced into 6 servings and was doled out with hummus, tomato salsa and thick sour cream.  The Quesadilla was tasty and was toasted to a get that perfect crunch.  It had the right amount of cheese and meat, which made each bite

glorious to the last bite.  

The Lamb Curry was nicely done as well.  CW is very particular with lamb because he doesn’t like the fishy taste of the meat when it’s not properly cooked.  The spice of the curry tingles the taste buds but doesn’t leave it searching for water.  It wasn’t overworked with spices too.  The taste was subtle yet flirty.  The Crispy Papadum was the perfect match to the dish, but CW had to order white rice on the side. It turned out to be a swell choice since we were able to enjoy a wonderful, relaxing dinner. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/361/08_0210-_Katre