family style Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Hello Panizza at Uncle Cheffy

September 18, 2009 by Janey

Our division head celebrated her 1^st anniversary in the office and decided to treat her one-downs for Friday lunch. She brought us to Uncle Cheffy.

C Italian restaurant in Pampanga introduced the panizza craze in the Philippines. It has since become one of Chef Mau’s (of Chef’s Quarters and Old Vine fame) favorite and the reason why it’s part of the menu of Uncle Cheffy, an Eastwood restaurant that’s gaining popularity in the area.

The restaurant is known for its brick oven specialty dishes that include barbecued meat and panizza. Panizza is almost paper-thin pizza sliced diagonally, with the option to add arugula, alfalfa and/or tomatoes, and rolled into a reel. There are variants but we decided to get half Meat Lovers and half Cheese and Cheese and Cheese, which is their take on 4-Cheese pizza.

Another Italian restaurant in A Venue in Makati has also replicated the Panizza used to be served only in Pampanga. Uncle Cheffy has expanded venues of where one can get a Panizza.

On the Table

Caesar Salad PHP

The salad was quite packing, with potato wedges and pork crackling to add taste and texture to the starter. Dressing is light, with a hint of wasabi and citrus. If salads are made like this, then it’s going to be a staple starter on the table.

Panizza PHP

The crisp thin pizza roll is fun to eat as well as it is scrumptious. Carla, Karen and Meann all liked this pizza Jaja introduced to them. Delish!

Memphis BBQ US Beef Finger 1kg PHP 595

The salad, panizza and Memphis US Beef Finger were the winners on the table. Smoky flavor, tender meat, almost finger-licking good.

Pasta PHP

Lechon PHP

Sangria PHP

Mix of red wine, club soda, brandy and triple sec, oranges, lemons and lime. Quite refreshing fruit punch but it had more liquor than I expected… Boss was cool about the Sangria (Yea baby!)

Although I had the most distressing morning on the way to work, the team’s lunch made the day lighter and it’s always good to bond with the people I closely work with.

Uncle Cheffy

2^nd Level, Eastwood Mall Veranda,

Eastwood City, Pasig City.

(632)

Uncle Cheffy Album

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Amici

August 7, 2009 by Janey

After Butch and Marie’s wedding reception, it was time for some good poker action.

We were able to play two full games. First game, Eric won while Jim placed second. 2^nd game, a come-from-behind win was secured by Woo, while I lost my chip lead and placed second.

4 hours of poker and we were famished. While Eric and Made headed to SM North to look for a toy gift, Woo, Bubba and I headed to Amici for dinner.

I first tried Amici at its original location at the Don Bosco canteen in Pasong Tamo. Salesian Italian missionary Fr. Gianluigi Colombo founded the Amici di Don Bosco Incorporated in 2001. The original set-up was canteen-style, self-service and fast food. Its claim to fame is the homemade Italian gelato that is relatively affordable. It has since expanded to 4 branches (Makati, Timog, Greenhills, and Megamall) when the Red Ribbon group bought the concept and brand.

The recently opened Amici branch in Greenhills still holds the concept but with a more modern polished look. The host at the door directs you to the table and hands you the menu, but it’s still pretty much self-service as you have to line up at the counter to order and pay for your food.

On the Table

Tutta Carne PHP 290

Meat lover’s delight in a pizza includes Italian sausage, ham and pepperoni. The thin layer of soft crust with nominal amount of tomato base and meat is good enough for its price.

Canneloni Agli Spinaci PHP 195

An Amici classic favorite! Pasta tubes filled with spinach and ricotta cheese topped with creamy tomato sauce is a must have order when at Amici’s. It’s pasta rich in creamy ricotta cheese and spinach that melts in your mouth with such smooth goodness.

Spaghetti White Vongole Gamberetti PHP 215

Our famous sautéed mixed seafood on al dente spaghetti in olive oil. Amici’s version that evening was a little bit salty for my taste. I like the generous amount of seafood and garlic that coats the al dente spaghetti pasta.

Roast Chicken PHP 190

Rosemary half chicken baked to perfection and served with vegetables. This is the highlight of the meal on the table. The chicken was good to share for three people. Take a waft of the rosemary aroma, as the dish is place on the table. The chicken was moist and tender at the same time that it’s flavorful with every hint of rosemary.

Spaghetti Aglio Olio E Pepperoncino (Woo’s Order)

Mild spicy pasta dish with a rich flavor of smoked salmon

More and more people are drawn to Amici as a go-to-place for Italian dining especially with their semi-family style dishes. Food is relatively enjoyable and the price decent. Their gelatos can brighten up any gloomy day even if it’s raining cats and dogs.

Amici

(632) 818 4444

Connecticut, Greenhills

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3 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: address, Amici, Amici di Don Bosco, birthdays, Canneloni Agli Spinaci, Cara Mia, casual dining, contact, delivery, Don Bosco, family style, fast food, fast service, food review, good food, Greenhills, group, Italian, Italian sausage, location, Makati, menu, original, Pasong Tamo, Pasta, photos, pizza, Red Ribbon, review, roast chicken, service, Spaghetti, spinach and ricotta cheese, Venue, Video

The Steaks at Texas Roadhouse

June 11, 2009 by Janey

I cannot count how many times I’ve been to Texas Roadhouse, whether in the El Pueblo or Bonifacio High Street branch. When I want no-brainer good food, it is definitely in my shortlist of go to restaurants.

Since this is a “Texas” themed restaurant, its main thrust is in its steaks –the all time favorite American grilled food. The hand fits the glove as the restaurant is equipped with a long bar for some heavy cowboy drinking, swinging saloon doors and the wait staff in cowboy attire.

On the Table

Santa Fe Nachos PHP 275

For starters, we never fail to order the Santa Fe Nachos. It is that bright cheesy triangle nacho dotted with a jalapeno slice in the center. It’s in the first bite that holds the surprise because underneath the solid layer of cheese is yummy tomato basted ground beef. Served with marinara and sour cream on the side.

Parmesan Crusted Fish Fillet PHP 350

It’s also a staple order in our table. More from the previous post

Boneless Barbeque Chicken PHP 275

My sister Joyce loves anything Barbeque-d and chicken. The dish she kept mostly for herself.

Herbed Trailboss Steak PHP 495

Add sautéed mushrooms PHP 90. My mom opted to add the sautéed mushrooms for an additional charge and she was happy with her steak. She loves her meat well done because reddish meat makes her feel repulsive. She really enjoyed her order and couldn’t be any happier. At any rate, her steak for me was okay but the flat iron steak was that evening’s table champ.

Flat Iron Steak PHP 475

It was very flavorful with enough juices in it to keep the meat moist and tender. There is little needed to boost flavor since the meat is wonderful on its own tender meaty glory. The meat wasn’t grainy or stringy. It was so tender that it delicately softens in your mouth . It is definitely a steak that “meats” your taste buds.