Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle
An appetite for the good life!
It’s been a while since I last ate at Poco Deli but I was able to visit again sometime mid-July. Parking is still tough around this part of Kapitolyo but luckily, we were able to park right out front. I walk in the familiar dining area with the display case and counter on the right and a huge shelf of wine at the far end.
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Sometime July last year, I was invited for a “Secret Taste Test” and fortunately, I came out of it alive –alive and ready to kick for some more! I tasted a range of burgers and wings that Saturday and left the venue panting because I was working hard… eating… and eating… I couldn’t stop eating, even if my belt was complaining of near explosion. This got me eagerly anticipating for the opening of that restaurant.
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Now, the diner that haunted my burger/fries/wings fantasies stands like a small David in Xavierville. The small diner offers only approx. 30-seating capacity but don’t let the cramped space deceive you. It offers a Goliath of taste and personality that will make you change your mind about other burger places.
To simplify, everything almost starts with the Hero Burger, which is Boulevard Diner’s classic recipe of green ice lettuce, fresh tomatoes, beef patty, and pickle relish. It’s that familiar comfort taste that your taste buds would time and again come home to… that classic burger that withstood the test of time. Boulevard Diner cooks it medium to medium-well so as to keep the savory juices in. If you like it well-done, the kitchen can grill it some more upon request.
Let’s line-up again the full cast below:
Larry Lana’i PHP 175
Hero Burger, cheese, smoked bacon, grilled pineapple, red onions
Different layers of flavor in one simple Hawaiian burger. Dig the crunch of the crispy smoked bacon and contrast it with the soft sweet and citrus mellow of the pineapple… then sprung to a biting tinge of the red onions. As all other bacons, this one also can’t stay in place. Definitely one of my Boulevard Diner favorites!
Gorgon-zola PHP 180
Hero Burger, cheese, sautéed oyster mushroom, gorgonzola dressing
Using the classic burger taste as the foreground, bite into a chunk of tender oyster mushrooms that doesn’t compete with the meat’s beefy-ness and instead compliments it. The gorgonzola dressing is the tie that binds it all with its partly sharp and creamy essence.
Sgt. Slaw-ter
Classic burger coupled with cheese, red cabbage slaw, peanut-sesame dressing
This burger gives a pleasant surprise with its red cabbage slaw is tossed in a delightful peanut-sesame dressing that has a touch of citrus and tang that tastes refreshing.
Nuclear Bean
Hero Burger, cheese, special chili beans, chopped jalapeños
It’s definitely a number of things. The special chili beans aren’t soggy at all and add a depth of texture to the burger with an unusual bite. I’m not a big fan of beans unlike Bubba but this one caught my interest and opened my mind a bit. The chopped jalapeños make it more appealing to me. It’s such a happy mess to eat. You cannot miss not to try it.
Sha-Zam!!! PHP 195
If you’re like me that sometimes opens the top bun and puts fries in the burger for that extra layer of starch and bite, Sha-Zam is a must-order. The burger served with crispy potato strings and a fried egg in its ingredient roster.
Wingerangs PHP 130 / ½ lb and PHP 255 / 1lb
Their heat-o-meter ranges from the cowardly Hickory to Lust, Fury, Love, Smoked, Death and Better than Hell. As the name implies, you’d actually get what you’re asking for. If you’re Lust-ing for buffalo wings with just enough heat that’s tolerable, then this is what you should gun for. Lust has chili and lime flavor to balance out the taste.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, or so they say. Level with a scorned woman’s anger with Boulevard Diner’s Fury Wingerangs. Love Wingerangs is their chocolate-spiked wings while Death and Better than Hell is the heat torture that you’re aiming for.
Cheddar Charles PHP 170 / ½ lb
Other than the flavorful wings, these cheese-stuffed potato tots are my favorite sides to my burger at Boulevard Diner.
So if you’re a big grub eater like me who LOVES, LOVES, LOVES cheeseburgers, fries and wings, Boulevard Diner is going to be one of your top favorites. You will be so happy like me every time you see that Boulevard Diner is OPEN 😉
Yes, you know me too well, my dear readers, you’d probably bump into me at Boulevard Diner again. SOON.
Photo Courtesy:
Richard of TalesfromtheTummy.com
Carlos of FoodieManila.com
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I know you’ve probably gotten whiff of the news that there’s a new Charlie’s Grind and Grill branch somewhere in Ortigas Avenue. There is!!!
Charlie’s Grind and Grill
RONAC Building,
Ortigas Avenue, San Juan.
Don’t miss out to order:
Buffalo Wings (one of my favorites!)
Black Angus Burger with Fries PHP 175
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Clam Chowder PHP 150
Panko Crusted Deep Fried Cheese Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Black Angus PHP 350
Filly Cheesesteak Hungry Size PHP 220
Fish and Chips PHP 180
Have you paid the new branch a visit? 😉
And if Charlie’s is full or if you want a new taste other than burgers, CHECK OUT B&T Mexican Kitchen which is 2 minutes away from Charlie’s.
B&T Mexican Kitchen Chicken Mole
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Charlie’s Grind and Grill with Joyce
In My Restaurant List This Coming Quarter
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Bubba invited out to lunch and I can only be a happy beaver to get out of the office environment and enjoy a slow lunch with him. Away from the tall buildings of Ortigas Center, we found ourselves at a small deli near Charlie’s Burger (our usual for lunch dates on weekdays).
Poco Deli, situated unassumingly along East Capitol Drive in Pasig City, has only 5-6 tables including those outside. Upon entering, you’d notice Dave’s Natural Yogurt stand near the counter, display cases of cheeses and other deli products like sausages, and wine display at the end of the dining area.
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Their menu consists of pasta, pizza and sandwiches as well as cheese boards and cold cuts of Mickey Deli’s products. Dave’s Frozen Yogurt for dessert and a list of wines are also available.
On the Table
Pomodoro PHP 155
The pasta pomodoro arrived 5-8 minutes after ordering. It had that sweet light tomato base on angel hair pasta.
Pizza Margherita PHP 280
The pizza took approx. 20-25 minutes before it arrived that Bubba and I only had a slice each before we had it wrapped.
Glass of Wine PHP 140
Pistachio Yogurt PHP 80
I’d probably do a repeat once there’s another lunch out invite, especially if I wanted to stay off the crowded areas like Charlie’s Burger (unless I’m craving for Charlie’s!).
21 East Capitol Drive,
Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines
(632) 664 0519
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Charlie’s Grind and Grill is a stone throw away from the office that that has been the perpetual excuse to have lunch breaks there. It’s always at least half full –full when we dine there.
Bubba invited out for lunch that Wednesday, which is a QC holiday (he still went to work though), and by 12nn was already at the lobby area to pick me up. I got in the car and after a few seconds of dead air, a hooded person sitting at the back surprised me that made me shriek out loud. It was my sister Joyce. Bubba went to pick her up since QC schools were also on holiday.
On the Table
Black Angus Burger with Fries (2) PHP 175
Bubba and Joyce both got a burger set each. Juicy meaty hamburger patties that make you want to come back for more –grilled to perfection. Get it with fries and you add only PHP 20. Burgers can’t get any better than this especially when priced only this much.
Clam Chowder PHP 150
I had a heavy breakfast (Read: probably almost 2 cups of rice) so I decided to get something light. Clam chowder served in a bread bowl was creamy and tasted fresh –had generous amount of clams.
Key Lime Pie PHP 200
It was too sour for my taste that I didn’t get to finish even half.
This was also the time Bubba surprised me with the Nokia N95 Soul of Manila Wireless Adventure Race Part 1 televised video! 2007, Moi was fatty fat then but yay!
Even if it was a holiday, Bubba wanted to go back to ABS to work so I brought Joyce to my office instead after lunch. She had her own space, table and desk. She was so behaved and cute!!! Karen loved her and gave her many items to tinker with.
Other stuff to try at Charlie’s (ordered in previous visits):
Panko Crusted Deep Fried Cheese Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Black Angus PHP 350
We ordered this the last time we were at Charlie’s. That’s a mouthful of a description! And indeed it was. The cheese stuffed portabello mushroom was deliciously stunning in appearance and taste. You get a bite of layering flavors and textures leaving you hankering for more. The burger’s name is a mouthful but the taste can leave you mouthwateringly speechless.
Filly Cheesesteak Hungry Size PHP 220
The white bread was topped with local sirloin meat and charged with loads of tasty caramelized onions and green bell peppers. It was as good as the Black Angus burger –it will be quite difficult to make one a favorite over the other.
Fish and Chips PHP 180
Generous serving of dory fried to a golden crisp. Add malt vinegar.
Next on my list are the Meatballs Marinara and the Pulled Pork Sandwich. I can just hear my stomach grumble in anticipation. Executive Chef Rob Goco really knows how to tickle our fancy with great food from Cyma, Ristras to Charlie’s.
And if Charlie’s is full or if you want a new taste other than burgers, CHECK OUT B&T Mexican Kitchen along Ortigas Avenue.
B&T Mexican Kitchen Chicken Mole
Charlie’s Grind and Grill
16 East Kapitolyo Drive,
Pasig City.
(632) 635 4857
Charlie’s Panko Crusted Portabello Album
Charlie’s Fish and Chips Album
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We celebrated Mother’s Day with a Sunday lunch at Mesa Grill, Greenbelt 5. The place was packed when we arrived around 130 PM. Mesa Grill is not the first restaurant that famous Iron Chef Bobby Flay is known for in New York City. Mesa is another venture of the La Mesa Grill group of restaurants, where Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is supposedly one of the owners.
On The Table
Hito Flakes on Spoon PHP 180
Crispy pulled catfish with mango salad served on a Chinese ceramic soupspoon. The fried catfish was a bit too oily and I didn’t appreciate the scanty sliver of green mango garnish on top. I barely tasted the green mango on each spoon, which could have been a good balancer for the oil in the fish meat. The wansoy garnish clears off any funky catfish odor. 8 spoons were value for money.
River Shrimp (Swahe) PHP 280
My mom loves shrimps especially swahe and my sisters and I grew up liking them as well. I was egging my mom to try Rikki’s favorite I saw in Anton’s blog to see how the hot rocks cook the shrimp. My mom had enough of steamed shrimps in Chinese restaurants so she begs off. We tried the stir fried, salted and spicy shrimps. It was served salty and crispy with a hint of garlic and chili. I was the only person on the table who liked it.
I saw in the menu that they also serve elephant clams, probably the same ones we had during potluck a few months back. I find it interesting that this restaurant serves them.
Crispy Boneless Tilapia PHP 290
I seriously had enough of Tilapia the past two weeks. The four sauces that come with the dish intrigued me though and knowing that Bubba loves Tilapia and the word Crispy, I ordered the dish. I didn’t get to taste this but from the looks of the lonely head on the plate, the taste is a big seller to Joyce and Bubba.
Garlic Rice PHP 35
My mom is not a fan of smoked fish so she ordered herself a cup of garlic rice. Not like she hasn’t had enough of garlic rice, which is a staple in our breakfast table.
Tinapa Fried Rice PHP 150
Stir fried rice tossed with smoked fish flakes and topped with tomatoes and red salted egg
Laing Two Ways PHP 120
Taro leaves, shrimp paste, pork, and coconut cream topped with adobo flakes, served original and crispy. Bubba and mom didn’t like the Laing. I didn’t get to try it but I guess gourmet laing definitely tastes different from just the typical laing.
Crispchon (1/4) PHP 1,099
I asked mom if she wants lechon. I think I started her lechon craving (and mine as well) when I mentioned in the car that my poker friend, Rhommel, is in Cebu. That got me reminiscing about the Cebu lechon I brought home when we came from Cebu in August of 2008.
The Crispchon wasn’t anywhere near the Cebu lechon we had before but it was good enough for me that I had 5 helpings. I didn’t even bother to remove the excess fat in between the skin and the meat to my excitement to stuff my mouth.
Served with pandan crepes, wansuy cucumber, leek garnishes and a choice of three sauces from a roster. We weren’t asked what sauces we’d like but they made the choice for us and served us with spicy pork liver, Rikki’s Choice and garlic. Rikki’s choice reminds me of the hoisin sauce used in ducks while my sister Joanne liked the spicy pork liver sauce, which is the usual pair with lechon.
The wait staff asked if we wanted the leftover lechon tossed in garlic and chili to which we happily obliged. The lechon was made more flavorful with the garlic and chili.
Guinumis PHP 65
Oily is one thing to point out in all of the dishes we ordered at Mesa. Despite that, we cherished our slow enjoyable lunch. Mesa is definitely a must-try if one’s craving for high-end Modern Filipino cuisine. After lunch, we trailed to the Royce counter inside Greenbelt 5 for some chocolates.
The DC-C Clan of Strong Women
Mesa, Filipino Moderne
G/F Greenbelt 5
Ayala Avenue, Makati City.
+632 728-0886
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And the wind blowing my hair
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I’m every inch human.
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