Fort Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Mad for Pizza

December 9, 2014 by Janey

These past 3 months have been nothing short of exhaustingly crazy busy and hectic. I’ve been remiss in posting and blogging. My last entry was in mid-November about Centrum and the last time I shared my last food / restaurant discovery was in October. It’s not like I have stopped eating. In fact, I can’t let being busy get in the way of sharing my recent fondness of a pizza parlor in QC.

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Pizza has been my favorite comfort food since I was a kid. From being taught shapes in kindergarten or pie charts in geometry class, anything circular makes me fantasize about a round cheesy pizza. There is no saying no to pizza. But the best way to enjoy it is to be able to share that comfort with people close to you like dear friends. Isis, EJ, Shar, Lia and I tried a new restaurant and set out for Mad for Pizza one Saturday brunch.

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The restaurant is located at the Il Terrazzo plaza in the Tomas Morato area. Cyril Reyes and partners birthed the concept for Mad for Pizza and officially opened its doors in June 2014. The interiors are bright, airy and spacious. It feels modern with elements of a retro pizza diner, especially their cool throwback music reminiscent of the Awesome Mixed Tape of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

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Chef Jessie’s 100 Revolving Restaurant

May 29, 2014 by Janey

Sometime early April, I finally found the chance to visit Chef Jessie’s 100 Revolving Restaurant. Chef Jessie Sinsioco of Le Souffle fame got me loving French Onion soup more than I would have and edified me with what a perfect soufflé is, whether savory or sweet. I also enjoyed visiting Top of the Citi and the Rockwell Club.

100 Revolving Restaurant, as the name connotes, is a 360-degree revolving fine dining restaurant that features Chef Jessie’s timeless signature dishes and a variety of international dishes including ones that highlight Filipino ingredients like Alugbati and Dulong. The 100 Revolving Restaurant’s menu offers continental classics as well as an international selection of sushi, salads, pastas and some Filipino-influenced dishes like adobo.

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Top of the Citi

Flavors of Spain 2009 at the Tower Club

Cav Excites the Senses

It’s located at the top of the MDC 100 building, where the 100 is supposedly the amount of pesos Mariano Que used as capital in starting the Mercury Drug business. 100 Revolving Restaurant is apparently not the first revolving restaurant in the country but is certainly the only one right now.

It gives a beautiful view of the Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. At certain points, the view stretches to silhouettes of mountain ranges. It is ideal to visit right before sunset and stay until Manila plunges into darkness for a magnificent view of the Metro’s skyline. It’s been a dinner date venue of many proposals and engagement banquets.

It’s a huge restaurant where the carpeted circumferential area is where the floor is moving. When you get to the portion where there’s no view outside, you get a clear view of their vast kitchen which was also interesting to see.

It takes almost 2 hours to complete one full revolution but you’ll barely notice the time with the view and the table conversation.

On the Table

Spicy Tuna Maki P450

Tuna, Togarashi, Tanuki

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Boqueria, Restaurante Chocolateria in Megamall

May 28, 2014 by Janey

The target to hit was really Tim Ho Wan, on its official second day of operation, but the long queue drove me off to wander and check out other restaurants at the SM Mega Fashion Hall. My friend Nat was luckier since she was able to secure a table last Saturday around 4pm with only 20 minutes of wait. I’d probably wait when all the hype has died down or when they open their SM Mall of Asia (MOA) branch or when I fly off to Hong Kong again in a few months where I originally had it. Maybe I should check out their branch in Singapore when I go middle of June.

Related Post:

Tim Ho Wan Opens in Megamall

Boqueria is a Spanish restaurant con chocolateria that looked promising but had easily disappointed as soon as we got the menu. The restaurant’s interior was nice with the striking open kitchen being the focal point. Service could’ve been more inclined and friendlier.

We had to ask for the menu even if we have been sitting there for a good 5 minutes with them barely being 1/3 full. When the tall wait staff finally reached our table, I asked them for their specialty and what he can recommend to order. He grunted a few dishes. When I ordered an item he said, he then tells me that it’s not available.

I clarified a few items on the menu but he wasn’t keen on answering staring at an empty table instead. I gave up trying to figure out the best dishes to order and finally decided to just order what strikes my eye. I was on the 5^th dish (3 tapas and two entrées) when I realized that he wasn’t listening to me. I asked him what he had listed down so far and he gave me only 2. I had to call him out for not paying any attention at all. He didn’t even apologize or tried to get the other order he missed since I only repeated one.

On the Table

Albondigas con Foie Gras P288

Foie Gras Meatballs

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On the Prowl for Hungry Hound

May 28, 2014 by Janey

Driving (or even sitting in the passenger seat while someone else drives) outside Greenhills or Ortigas area on a weekday is something I hardly liked when heavy traffic is anticipated. Unless you’re sitting in immovable traffic jam with the only and greatest love of your life, then “fuggedaboutit”! Life is too short to stare at car plates and bumpers for at least an hour just to get somewhere. And by the love of your life, I meant, that supreme food that comforts the very depth of your soul. You’ll have the greatest conversation ever.

On certain occasions though, my primordial instinct kicks in ready to brave any barrier just to get closer to some grub that I’ve got my eye on. I love a good hunt. I’d be on a prowl like a crawling, crouching tiger. It would take an army to hold me down. I was a hungry hound looking for Hungry Hound.

Inspired by The Eagle in London, Hungry Hound is a gastro-pub concept restaurant that Chef Rob Pengson opened with partners at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City. Pubs are drinking joints for cask ale and keg beers, quick brews and stews. Elevate that pub vibe with this one serving epicurean food, more carefully thought-out than just serving English ham and fried potatoes.

I love Hungry Hound’s dining interior, including the quirky vintage items.

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Hungry Hound anchors on being a freestyle gastropub, unchained by rules and predictability, it moves beyond the archetypal of the classics and plays a little around it… creating a menu with Asian influences like kimchi, bacon-silog and sriracha.

On the Table

Parmesan Tomato Soup P290

Goat Cheese Crostini. Cherry Tomato Confit. Pesto.

Served on a big white mug with a crostini balancing the cherry tomato confit, there was a good contrast of cream, acidity, sweetness and zesty sharpness. Douse the crostini in the soup to soften it and let it soak the liquid or snap a bite right after a sip.

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Todd English Food Hall at SM Aura, Manila

May 23, 2014 by Janey

“Our food hall is all about quality local food with provenance. Here you will find the best of house made items and locally sourced ingredients, presented in a communal atmosphere. Our menu items are best enjoyed shared, passed around the table. The possibility exists to meet someone new, whether to strike up a conversation or share recommendations over what to order. Our mix of cuisine is eclectic and inspired, but rest assured there is no “bad” seat in the house since you can order anything from anywhere.”

That’s what they said on the menu. There are 9 live cooking stations around Todd English Food Hall. One station is called Raw Bar for (you guessed it) raw items like tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, chilled prawn, oysters, clams. A station for their famous Flatbread Pizza that features Todd’s Signature Flatbread, Bronx Bomber and Fig & Prosciutto.

You, however, don’t need to be overwhelmed with the 900sqm food hall, as you can get a table, sit down and relax and peruse the menu.

If a table is not available, it’s also fun to sit in their bar-like sitting area, especially if there are just two of you. Trust me, their table for two won’t fit all your orders if you eat as much as I do.

On the Table

Greek Salad P260

Crispy Romaine Lettuce, Red Onion, Olives, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Oregano Vinaigrette, Greek Yogurt, Served with Feta Cheese Philo Triangle

Crunchy seemingly garden-fresh vegetables bring the taste of spring to the table. We trust that the vinaigrette and yogurt are low-calorie dressing and it pulls all the ingredients together. The feta cheese and philo triangle adds a pleasant salty shade to the salad. It was a great side and balancer for the meat we ordered.

Tuna Tartare P280

Marinated sushi grade tuna, crispy marmalade shrimp, finished with scallion cream

The tuna tartare was marinated but not cured enough to kill the fresh taste. I love the textures and the slight heat. Other than the scallion cream, the serving dish was dotted with red blotches of what I would guess as Sriracha sauce (Vietnamese hot sauce usually served with Pho).

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The Blue Leaf and Our Awesome Planet Presents The Big Banquet

May 22, 2014 by Janey

Last May 4, my friend JM and I checked out The Big Banquet event staged at the happening event place, The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion. The Blue Leaf, one of the country’s premier venues for weddings, debuts, and other milestone events, collaborated with the number one Philippine food and travel blog, Our Awesome Planet, to create a one-stop food tasting event like you’ve never seen before.

We’ve seen wedding expos here and there but couples who are getting married have to schedule separate times to have a sit-down tasting trial of caterers around the Metro. Upcoming brides and grooms go to great lengths planning the perfect wedding reception. The Big Banquet take all the frazzle and hassle away by bringing together a curated line-up of the country’s top caterers last May 4, 2014.

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New Palate Gems at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight

April 29, 2014 by Janey

Their restaurant frontage can barely be seen in 2010 with the long queues outside that wait to get seated. Flocks of families and foodies have trooped to Crystal Jade for their famed Xiao Long Bao and authentic Chinese dishes. You cannot spell authentic any less with the Chinese expats that are rebased here to head and run the Crystal Jade kitchen to ensure quality standards.

Crystal Jade is one of the largest restaurant chains and is just about everywhere in Singapore. They have established a strong presence in San Francisco and across the Asia Pacific region –in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Qingdao, Guangzhou among numerous places. The successful opening in Manila added to that portfolio, bringing in that passion of dishing out the finest delicacies served contemporarily.

We usually think of comfort food in the form of burgers, fries, and wings but when I want to eat a little more stylishly minus the grease and the common taste of diner items, I find my comfort at Crystal Jade.

Whenever I’m in the Greenhills area, there’s a magnetic pull to eat at Crystal Jade. I’ve been a long fan of their original Xiao Long Bao, Cantonese barbecue meats and noodles. In fact, I don’t order outside my usual of two orders of Xiao Long Bao, Noodle with Beef in Chili Oil (P228) and my all-time favorite Noodle with Dried Shrimp and Peanut in Spicy Sauce (P328 for sharing and P198 for snack portion).

I have visited again some weeks ago and noticed that they have renovated their interiors. It has maximized their seating capacity to serve more patrons and have shifted to vibrant welcoming hues of purples and pinks. I’m happy to report that their menu still retained their classic dishes and happier to tell that it has expanded to add more dishes that are surefire imminent bestsellers. Cuisine has delved into an authentic mix of Cantonese and Shanghai offerings that get your palate incessantly interested.

On the Table

Crispy Eel in “Wu Xi” Style P288

Prior to the recent visit, someone has made me try this before and it’s an appetizer that’s a staple on the table. It’s wonderfully crunchy that it cackles biting into it. The crispy eel has a dark sweet soy coating leaning towards a barbecue taste.

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The Beetle: An Icon is Back

April 23, 2014 by Janey

Baby you can drive my car, beep beep’m beep beep yeah. Of course, you would want to drive my car if I’m driving The People’s Car from Volkswagen! Built as one of the most successful cars of all time, people from all generations and cultures were drawn to it. Looking back at its beginning, it symbolized the democratization of mobility with 21.5 million cars sold since its first production in 1939 to 1997.

Nicknamed according to precisely what it looked like, a beetle, it is one of the first rear-engined cars longest running in a single design platform. In 1998, a New Beetle arrived and brought with it Beetle Mania. The Final Edition completed the New Beetle series in 2010 that had sold more than one million cars. And now, looking forward, the future of the most famous car in the world begins now, in a completely new generation.

Today, the third generation of the Volkswagen icon is officially back: The one and only Beetle. The new Beetle displays impressive sports appeal – primarily in its extended bonnet, sharply swept-back windscreen and a longer wheelbase.

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Relish Hello! Happiness Restaurant, Morato

March 19, 2014 by Janey

Last year, I suggested Lola’s Café to the SOLA gang to celebrate Isis’ birthday. They were pretty happy about the homey ambience in the traditional house-cum-restaurant and generally with the food. After a couple of months, they discovered another restaurant with a homey ambience in the Morato area and kept insisting to bring me there.

They were all telling me how it reminds me of my own living room at home mostly decked in white motif and neutral colors with minimal color accents. After our Christmas outreach, we wanted to grab a late lunch somewhere in Quezon City and finally ended up at Relish. The porch which serves to be the waiting area when the dining room is packed looks like a modern living room with lots of lamps and modish accents. I actually saw two pillows that were exactly the same as mine.

RELATED POST

Lola’s Café

On the Table

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup P140

I started off with the roasted tomato soup which tasted smoky tangy and slightly sweet. It was quite good to start my meal with.

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Color Dash 2014

March 4, 2014 by Janey

Color Dash 2014 happened last Sunday at BGC, Fort. It was a colorful fun run with 16 colors (I couldn’t count that high) dashing our way as we pass every kilometer of the path to 5k. It was quite fun except for my only quibble that it started late. Not a big fan of late.

Since I was so out of shape, recovering from a 12-day illness that befell me last January and my laziness to start working out a.k.a “my doctor advised not to until my SGPT level is normal”, I knew I won’t be able to finish 5K. At two points, I’ve persuaded Ace to take shortcuts when the marshal wasn’t looking.

After the run, I needed to replenish the calories I lost –quite IMMEDIATELY so we headed to Recovery Food. It’s my first time to dine at RF not coming from an all-nighter.

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Ramen Nagi in Manila, Philippines

January 29, 2014 by Janey

It’s called Nagi in Japan and Butao in Hong Kong. It’s Ramen Nagi in Manila, Philippines. They can take down the signage and call it the unnamed ramen place and I will still be there again and again encircling my order with a crayon on the paper menu they provide.

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Black Olive Cerveceria at Capitol Commons

November 7, 2013 by Janey

The two-level restaurant with an outdoor patio dining area only has its yellow signage as its spot of color. Stepping inside, the dimly lit dining room akin to a beer cellar is decorated in warm tones of beige and rich brown wood surrounded by glass walls. The long bar fronting the kitchen and the high ceiling add a dramatic touch to the interiors. Diners can enjoy cocktails or beers while waiting for a table or right before dinner –or vice versa.

After getting cooped up at home for 2 days due to fever and colds and working until 7pm last night, I was only glad to get a last minute invite to dinner. I was supposed to catch One Republic’s concert but ended up not going. Dinner alone wouldn’t have been what I wanted to do. Good thing Carol called and invited to check out a restaurant at Capitol Commons with Rizza and Rizza’s boyfriend Ken.

Exhausted from that day’s ongoings, I sunk into my seat perusing the menu. Something about the menu felt familiar and I asked the wait staff if my theory was correct. Menus sometimes feel like a chef’s penmanship and you tend to recognize the writing. In this case, Black Olive is another venture of Chef Carlo Miguel of Opus, Draft and Beso fame.

RELATED POST:

A Sweet Kiss of Tapas at Beso Cucina Venotika

On the Table

Squid Ink, Battered Prawns with Jalapeno-Honey Aioli P390

The introduction to our dinner started with two hot small plates. We immediately dug in as soon as the first tapas was brought out. The prawns were covered in squid ink batter, slightly crispy, and served with a delicious jalapeno honey aioli dip on the side. Gone in 60 seconds.

[Read more…]

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Mad for Garlic

October 10, 2013 by Janey

Some 4 weeks ago, I was at the Fort checking out a wine and garlic restaurant that showcases garlic-themed dishes using different varieties of garlic and cuts. There are other specialty ingredient restaurants in the Metro but Mad for Garlic tries to separate itself by infusing Italian cuisine with Asian flavors.

Opening its garlic-infused concept restaurant 13 years ago in Korea, Mad for Garlic is actually a local franchise but is available across different locations in Korea, Jakarta and Singapore. The restaurant uses both Korean garlic and the local garlic varieties. Their menu has a selection of pasta, pizza, salads, rice dishes, steaks and other entrees.

On the Table

Dracula Killer P195

The item that could kill Edward Cullen with a kiss – choice garlic cooked in olive oil and with anchovies. This starter is served with garlic buttered bread which is good with the garlic barbed with salty shade of the anchovies.

Gorgonzola Pizza with Honey Dip

One of their bestsellers, Mad for Garlic’s Gorgonzola Pizza is topped with Italian Gorgonzola cheese and served with honey dipping sauce. It was an easy buy-in for me. I enjoyed eating the thin pizza and loved the Gorgonzola cheese’s strong flavor, which was similar to Bleu Cheese only creamier and softer, its sharpness unresisting but mellowed by the honey.

It looks pretty simple but had lovely flavors. I could eat one whole order of this on my own.

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Griddle Melts at IHOP Philippines

September 30, 2013 by Janey

I see myself back at IHOP checking out a new reason to visit. IHOP Restaurant in BGC launched handcrafted made to order sandwiches that come in three variants – experience the new item in their menu, Griddle Melts.

These sandwiches are not your ordinary sandwiches as each is served on artisan sourdough bread with a choice of three fluffy omelets in large breakfast sandwich.

Big choices that give you value for your money as any order come with your choice of hash browns or seasoned fries. Full sandwich can be had at P385 and P325 for a half order. I say, always go full throttle.

On the Table

Spinach, Roasted Pepper and Cheese Melt

Sautéed fresh spinach in a fluffy egg omelet topped with roasted red peppers and onions, melted Provolone, Parmesan and Pepper Jack cheeses make up my favorite of the three. I know I am biased, 3 cheeses. How can I resist?

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Rekindled with Lolo Dads

August 23, 2013 by Janey

Somebody mentioned Lolo Dads during a table conversation and my friend Irene piped in, “hey, that’s Jane’s favorite restaurant.” I looked at her slightly bewildered like an illicit love affair was exposed. “How did you know?” I asked. She said, “Of course, I’m your friend. I know Lolo Dads is your favorite.”

That’s just how friends are… they know your heart and its desires. In this case, she has probably seen my photos of Lolo Dads dinners of past and likely has heard me say countless times that it’s my all-time favorite (when I don’t think about Antonio’s or vice versa –these two have an ongoing battle of who’s first inside my heart).

READ MORE:

Lolo Dads Exquisite World Class Taste

Take A New Flavor Turn

Of Mince and Men

Before the crazy month of August hit, like the universe conspired to bring back an old flame, I found myself back at Lolo Dads. Last time I visited was December but I didn’t realize how much longing was present until the first plate was brought out.

On the Table

Ahi Tuna Loin and Marinated Salmon, Grilled Watermelon with Soy Vinaigrette and Aioli P440 / P260

Whenever at Lolo Dads, I choose between a degustacion special of the month / season or just go ala carte. This specific dinner, we started with the All of the Above Appetizer Sampler (P1960), a tasting portion of all the starters, served family style. I think this is the best way to taste and share all the starters.

The ahi tuna loin tasted fresh and light. Tucked underneath is the marinated salmon stealing the scene from the tuna adding a richer aspect, its salmon meat creamy and continued towards the outer cover of the grilled watermelon. The watermelon block then bursts in the mouth with its juice almost erasing the slightest fish element.

Seared Duck Liver and Pate de Foie Gras, Pear Confit, Mesclun Salad, and Cranberry Compote P1320 / P795

Rich, buttery and delicate, the duck liver had a beautiful tan from its sear adding that layer of smokiness. The pear confit sheds a sheet of sweetness and helps cut through the sinful richness of the foie gras. [Read more…]

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Le Café Curieux

August 14, 2013 by Janey

I try to sneak inside Makati some Sundays or Saturdays, not that I’m declared as a persona non grata in this city, in fact I had a Makati residence for a while back in 2006-2007, but it’s the heavy traffic and clogged streets I try to avoid. About 2 Sundays ago after biking at UP and Ateneo, off we drove to Makati to check out an art gallery slash restaurant. 2 months ago, we traveled all the way to Tagaytay to visit an art gallery café there. I’m so glad Makati was just a half an hour away on a Sunday.

In the midst of the red light district stands Le Café Curieux. The eye on its logo is befitting its name and has become the object of curiosity along the alley of gentleman bars. For those interested in French home cooking but veers off due to the hefty price it’s usually associated with, Le Café Curieux will again pique your interest.

Inside is a small dining area with the bar taking most of the left while the paintings on the wall pan your attention to the right. Wine barrels are used for décor and tables.

We were ushered in the al fresco area, which was a good spot to watch and listen to the light rain while waiting for our orders. The outdoor dining area has somewhat a garden-style vibe.

[Read more…]

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Stockton Place

August 2, 2013 by Janey

Getting stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours last night is the main reason I avoid going to Makati during weekdays for the past 3 to 4 years. I made a table reservation for 4 at 8pm but my Twin and I arrived almost close to 9pm. I thought we’ll be arriving earlier at 730pm when we left my office at 6:15pm. Good thing my brother’s good friend JP was there to hold it for us.

Stockton Place has been on my hit list for the past month but I couldn’t get my schedule straight other than they’re also always full. A simple black chalkboard bearing Stockton Place serves as your mark, other than the cool white brick façade. Inside is a small dining area with the menu chalked on the large blackboards on the wall.

The outdoor patio should be lovely during balmy days. Currently they are only open for dinner service, but Stockton looks like a good place for a Sunday brunch too.

The men let me handle the ordering. I was too tired to chew over the choices so went ahead and voiced out our mission… it weighed almost 1kg.

[Read more…]

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Sunshine Kitchen

July 22, 2013 by Janey

Saturday night felt so bright celebrating Carol’s birthday. Rizza picked the place and we headed to Sunshine Kitchen at the Fort. This fairly new restaurant is located on the 2^nd floor of Shawarma Guys. A bar greeted us as we entered the almost full dining area. Low lighting with woodwork and stone bricks, it has a bistro-type design with a New York district feel.

Related Post:

Shawarma Guys Shawarma Rama

Las Flores Tapas at Fort

Thankfully the ladies took over in ordering our dishes that evening. I just relished the element of surprise every time there’s a dish brought to our table.

On the Table

Creamy Crab and Shrimp Dip with Artichoke P380

It arrived in a small dish with melba toast on the side. This was a good starter with shredded crab meat, shrimps and artichoke all equally sharing the creamy limelight, layered with a cheesy top.

Pizza Al Nero

Squid ink based pizza with cream sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Grana Padana cheese

The pizzas arrived next. I like squid ink a lot (in pizza, paella, risotto, etc) but I don’t love it all the time. It has that distinct flavor that’s uniquely briny, and somewhat murky too, that it can overpower the other tastes of the ingredients. But I like how it has that squid-calamari aspect to it. Squid ink-based dishes are apparently a specialty in Venice.

[Read more…]

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Revisiting Agave Mexican Cantina

July 19, 2013 by Janey

Mexican is my favorite cuisine and while I had to satisfy my incessant hankering for all things Mexican for many years with only 2 restaurants then, Agave Mexican Cantina broke into the scene in 2009 and paved the way for more Filipinos to open their palate to what this cuisine is all about.

Mexican cuisine is widely Mesoamerican cuisine with traces of Spanish influences and is highly defined with ingredients such as corn, beans and chili peppers and myriad of sauces. I revisited Agave in their Fort branch last month with my good friend Ace to post-celebrate his birthday. Ace has been helping me practice my throws and understand the game of Ultimate better. After all the grime, sweat and dieting we TRY to do, it’s time to indulge.

Agave’s interiors are always welcoming with its bright walls and hues of yellow, orange and brown. The restaurant is always filled with energy from the tables of crowds that gather for either a sumptuous family-style dinner or delicious original drinks paired with incredible bar chows. Their menu is extensive so you’ll have no problem finding something suitable for your appetite.

RELATED POST:

Agave Mexican Cantina

Agave

On the Table

Chipotle Buffalo Wings P355

Chicken wings and its drumsticks glazed in Agave’s tangy chipotle sauce. Served with cool Hacienda ranch for dipping. The heat range can be requested in mild or extra spicy.

This started our Mexican culinary journey and I enjoyed nitpicking the chicken meat drenched in this cloyingly tangy smoked sauce with outlines of mild spice. Ace would have enjoyed it better if we got the extra spicy but I was pretty satisfied with its chipotle sauce evenly coating the wings with just the right sketch of heat.

Queso Fundido P380

Rich Mexican cheese and spinach dip with chunks of chorizo and artichokes. Served with garlic bread, tortilla wedges, and chips. Perfect for sharing.

Nacho Grande is Agave’s bestseller when it comes to appetizer but I decided to deviate a bit and order a new dish as our second starter. You can also opt for Camaron al Diabla which is a plate of tender shrimps sautéed with fresh bell peppers and onions, served in Agave’s spicy Diablo sauce. That evening, the cheese-maniac in me won and ordered the Queso Fundido.

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Kitayama Meat Shop

July 17, 2013 by Janey

Wagyu is that renowned Japanese meat that has intense marbling that demands a high price tag. Breeds of cattle differ in several areas of Japan, which are known for the place it is sourced from like Kobe, Mishima, Matsusaka, Omi and Sanda beef.

Each area has its own breeding and feeding technique that they adopt. Some of which involve massaging the cows or adding beer or sake in the cattle’s diet to aid digestion and induce hunger during humid seasons. They massage the cows to prevent muscle cramping which makes the beef much tender.

Wagyu Cattles yield beef that contains higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids but its distinction is really its marbling where sections of fats are consistently chartered and lined throughout the meat.

Headed by beautiful Wagyu queen Vicky Lauchengco (who I immediately loved right after she said I looked like H.E. during brunch a few months ago), Kitayama specializes in wagyu meats and their story unfolds in the cool and gentle climes of the foothills of Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon, northern Mindanao, where the Wagyu herds are located. These cattle are bred from selected bulls from champion lineages pampered on lush pastures, maintained on grains and nutritious concentrates for at least 600 days. Absolutely no hormone-injections and no enhancers, Kitayama meats are all organic from paddock to plate which result to exquisitely tender texture and highly beefy taste.

A lot of restaurants use Kitayama Meat Shop as their supplier for their beef dishes. Nomama Restaurant and Malcolm’s Deli to name a few. Last Saturday for a midnight dinner, a friend and I dined at Charlie’s in Kapitolyo, which he picked since it was only his second return and my comeback after a long while (there was a season I was addicted to it, 2009-2010). I heard in the rumor mill that Chef Rob Goco is no longer part of it, to wit, some say the quality has degraded, so my expectations weren’t really high. I took a bite of their wagyu burger, which is now written on the chakboard on top of their USDA burger offerings, and was delighted at how juicy and tasty the wagyu meat burger was. I think I saw Kitayama in the description but I’m not 100%. I’m going back for it.

[Read more…]