July 15.  On a Tuesday night, after running a quick errand in Greenhills, my mom treated us to a dinner at Penang Hill.  Since she already ate dinner, she only ordered dessert while Bubba and I ordered meals.  Penang Hill is the only restaurant in Promenade that I haven’t tried yet.  From the name of the restaurant, one can deduce that it offers Malaysian cuisine. 

Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks, the major hill system of Penang, Malaysia. It is located six kilometers from the city centre of George Town. It stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. Penang Hill is also known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera, which refers to Flagstaff Hill, the most developed peak. 

Upon examining the menu, I saw that the dishes are Singapore-Malaysian fare. 

Crispy catfish topped with green mango with a Thai style fish dressing.  The slight saltiness of the dish and the balancing sourness of the green mango made me finish this dish in New York minute. 

Crablets glazed in honey chili sauce.  I have only tried crablets only once before and it was one measly bite.  Something about crablets’ appearance makes me feel weird eating it.  I was feeling adventurous that night so I ordered one.  The honey chili sauce gave me that Malaysian savory flavor while the crunchiness of the crablets made for happy chewing.

This is a dish that I really would not considering ordering since I’m an all flavor girl.  Maybe I’d order once a year but not more than that, unless I’m on a diet.  Bubba on the other hand is a fan of Hainanese chicken, so when I heard him order that, I had to look the other way to hide my frown.  This simple chicken dish was matched with a clear soup, three sauces, and chicken flavored rice.  The three sauces heightened my Hainanese experience, but the chicken meat itself satisfied Bubba already.  It didn’t stop him though from finishing the ginger sauce.

You typical Asian combo dessert of vanilla ice cream and fried banana, drizzled with syrup and topped with cherry. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/515/08_0715-_Penang_Hill   

One of the first dinners where I noticed CW was flirting with me was at Prince of Jaipur.  I was waiting for Kenny to pick me up at the gym to go an event in Absinth but CW lured me away and insisted that I have dinner with him first.  (Oh yes, I’m already expecting him to deny all this.)  

Anyway, after so many months, we finally got to eat here again Friday.  Travel Factor assembly for the Calaguas trip was at 9pm in Shell McKinley.  We arrived at 8pm and decided to get dinner first. 

On the Table:

In my POV, it is the best roti chanai in town.

Good portion of lamb meat and just the right curry spice

July 14, 2008.  The next 5 days is my last opportunity to go on a diet before the Travel Factor Calaguas trip.  Monday is always a good day to start as any, but my diet plan changed when CW invited me to have lunch.  He picked me up at the office and we drove to Metrowalk.  Our choice for that lunch was Steak Plus.

 On the Table:

Extra Order of Veggies

Rib Eye Steak PHP 180

T-Bone Steak PHP 170

The Rib Eye was worth its price.  If I want the t-bone cut though, I’d rather go to Everything at Steak.  The service of the staff was commendable, which is always an incentive to come back.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/501/08_0706-_Cibo_Dinner_Gateway 

July 3, Thursday dinner was spent at Pepper Steak.  I had the burger steak (Demi Glazed Hamburg PHP 140) while Bubba got the beef cut steak PHP185.  We ordered 2 sets of Xiao Long Pao from neighbor Su Zhou. 

I really liked Pepper Steak.  It wasn’t too far off from Pepper Lunch and the good thing about it is I didn’t have to wait 30 minutes standing in line to get a taste of a flavorful sizzling burger meat.

We ordered Cream Puffs for dessert.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/497/08_0703-_Pepper_Steak_GH   

Saturday dinner was spent at Mamou’s with my high school friends.  It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen my PIQC friends.  The last time we sat down for anything was a potluck dinner at my place last December where I cooked new dishes like Cajun Chicken, Pizza Roll and Beef Crispy.  Mark and Anne missed that dinner unfortunately.  When we all decided to get together, I initially planned to bring them to Sanctuario Tagaytay in Metrowalk or Chelsea at Serendra.  Since we all haven’t tried Mamou, I suggested having the dinner there.

Sean and Angel arrived at 730pm.  Grace coming from work had to pick up Mark and Anne.  Since it was raining all day and traffic was bad, they arrived at 820PM.  My PIQC friends are almost always on time and are rarely late for our meet ups.  For something fortuitous like the typhoon and the heavy traffic it causes, the dinner schedule quite limits the dining time.  Good food is usually enjoyed slowly especially when dining with good friends. 

We already started eating before everybody arrived since I was really very hungry.  I was so excited to order this and have been craving for it since the last time I was at Serendra.  I’ve read so much about Mamou’s steaks.  I heard that even PGMA chooses to dine here with the 1^st family.  A 400g steak priced at almost PHP 1700 is quite steep for a non-steakhouse joint but I shrugged and gave it a go.

I debated whether to get medium or medium well and settled on the latter.  It was served with your choice of 2 sidings.  I decided to get the red steak rice and corn pudding.  I was so excited to eat the red meat and had to resist the urge to grab it with my bare hands.  Patience is a virtue after all.  It was served on a white plate slanted by a small bowl underneath.  The inclined surface allows the excess oil to slide towards the low side. 

CW on the other hand didn’t complain at all about the steak.  He enjoyed the side order of rice that came with it, while I instantaneously finished the corn pudding.  I really like corn and Mamou’s corn pudding had the right sweetness and creamy consistency.

It was also served on a white plate, 3 pieces of fish fillets in a light beer batter with 3 unsalted potato wedges.  The fish wasn’t oily and the golden crust had the right crisp as you take a bite of it.  CW also liked this dish a lot.

Sean and Angel ordered two dishes as well.  One was the Roast Pork and Chicken with Beans and Rice PHP595 (To share serving) and the other was the Beer Batter Fish with Potato Wedges as I recommended.  Whereas the three ordered the Roast Pork and Chicken too and Batac Bolognese.  However, instead of the Bolognese, it was some Clam Pasta in Olive Oil that was served by mistake.

It was good to see my old friends.  Anne kept the atmosphere light and fun as CW anticipated.  I was so happy to be sharing stories with Grace and Mark again, while we were all delighted to finally meet Sean’s girlfriend of 3 years, Angel.  We met with Grace’s aunt, who we all call Auntie, at Cacao after dinner for some coffee.

I haven’t been inspired lately to write about the restaurants I’ve visited the past two weeks.  I thought the visit to Mamou can spruce up the lull I’ve been experiencing in restaurants.  Too bad that I was really disappointed and I felt like having a second dinner that night.  Still, several good reviews of Mamou from other bloggers prompt me to give it another shot.

Old Swiss Inn was the first date place I invited Bubba to.  His was Salcedo Market, but that’s another story.  It was more like an after-dinner thing.  Since he loves cheese, as I do, I decided to order the Waatlander Fondue PHP 650.  This is their cheese version of fondue, which is served in a clay pot (seals in flavor) over fire.  Small slices of bread served in a basket accompanied the cheese fondue. 

We decided to pay another visit to the Inn.  Since we were waiting for Michelle Callanta of Gadgets Magazine, we decided to grab some late-night chow at the restaurant around 1030pm of May 28.  It was still very much the same as I remembered it.  Beautiful oak paneling with log timber accent the elegant setting of this warm and inviting restaurant.  Etched glass scenes of Switzerland have created an Alpine look while wait staff clad in Swiss costumes add a striking ambience.  Even if the wait staff had costumes on, their professionalism is enhanced by their pride and their enthusiasm. 

The number of tables taken at almost 11pm in the night rightfully proves its reputation.  Specialties include their in-house cured corned beef and several fondue selections.  Not only is the restaurant a traditional Swiss house, it also offers many other varied cuisines. 

On the Table:

Fondue Bourguignonne  PHP 1040

This time around we ordered the beef fondue, which I’ve been craving to try for months!  It’s prime beef tenderloin cubes dipped in hot oil with a carousel of sauces (love the peppercorn sauce!), served with slim French Fries.

Old Swiss Inn is one of the restaurants that will always be sentimental to me.  Old Swiss Inn is located at the ground floor of Olympia Towers, Makati Avenue cor. Sto. Tomas Makati City.  Contact them at 8180098. 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/460/08_0528-_Old_Swiss_Inn

Since I’ve already eaten at home and Bubba is not a fan of shrimps, we went out for a quick dinner somewhere nearby.  We always see 4 x Force when we’re eating at JT Manukan’s but never got around to trying it.  Finally, we decided to eat there.  The area is divided into 4 sections, thus the name.  One section is for the auto detailing which is at the far end.  The rest are three types of grill restaurants.  One of which is the Persian restaurant right at the very front entrance. 

The owner was very accommodating and funny!  But maybe due to language barrier, he took down the wrong order.  Anyhoo, since Bubba was hungry, we decided to eat it anyway.  I ordered hummus too but it never arrived.  Still, with the owner’s ebullient personality, we didn’t mind much.  Especially with a huge albino snake displayed in the resto, Bubba was very happy.

On the Table:

Sizzling Persian Beef PHP180

Some parts were tough to chew on but the flavor was not so bad.

2 Pita Bread PHP 40

 Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/450/0522-_4_x_Force

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    

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. 

Texas Roadhouse is now included in my list of comfort food.  There’s Mom and Tina, Café Juanita, Shakey’s, Pasto to name a few.  Texas Roadhouse has become that feel good food for me.  After checking out at Makati Shangrila, we headed to Texas Roadhouse in Ortigas (since the one at the Fort is always full!).  Our body was still tired from the adventure race we participated in from 8pm-2am (more on that on a separate post).  I actually slept around 5am already.

 On the Table:

Nacho and Cheese PHP 250 ++

This is the first time Bubba tried this dish and I was right!  It was really up his alley.  He enjoyed the chunky layer of cheese on top of the nacho, garnished with a coin of Jalapeno on top.  He even discovered that there’s a layer in between the cheese and nacho that’s ground beef.  Ultra yum!

Parmesan Crusted Fish PHP 340 ++

A favorite of Bubba and mine.  Parmesan encrusted fish has a crunchy coating but the fish meat remained fresh and juicy inside.  It had Alfredo sauce poured on top and Marinara sauce on the side.  I was tempted to order this too but it doesn’t make sense to have two plates of it when we can try a new dish.

Shrimp and Salmon Skewer PHP 350 ++

Served with vegetables and pilaf rice. I wasn’t able to finish this but was a bit disappointed that the shrimp tasted bland.  It didn’t have any grill markings.  It was like steamed shrimp pierced by a skewer.  The salmon was dry. 

 I was stung by the heat of Tabasco (Bubba claims I had a spoonful of the spicy condiment) and couldn’t get my bearings.  I asked for sugar from the wait staff.  The manager saw what happened and was so nice to get me a slice of Mandarin to ease my tongue on fire.

 (Disclaimer: Prices are as my memory serves me.) 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/393/08_0330-_Texas_Roadhouse_Yet_Again#

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