tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78484078935560886852024-03-21T21:23:23.239-07:00NYARAP!A pocket review of food and restos in Manila and...
occasionally, even those thousands of miles outside the
Metro.
Shamelessly biased tips on where to make a beeline for.
And what to avoid - at all costs!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-78834886543336659732012-03-30T17:16:00.018-07:002012-03-31T03:54:37.883-07:00"Not-your-usual" Japanese fare<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiQnYVCJwaLig0zZ8H5abRm7HIfETOqHFpTpCSQstqccYea-lSrmK9P-CWrMstVyQ_HZQ7SgGBX40TQZoZwHo4eik9mEuVFBx82eZ5C0-otP9VZKLtQzFBUMcv72wQOkwi8dBnjmagd8/s1600/sign.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiQnYVCJwaLig0zZ8H5abRm7HIfETOqHFpTpCSQstqccYea-lSrmK9P-CWrMstVyQ_HZQ7SgGBX40TQZoZwHo4eik9mEuVFBx82eZ5C0-otP9VZKLtQzFBUMcv72wQOkwi8dBnjmagd8/s320/sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725858259204691714" /></a><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; text-align: left; ">From the creek to 34 Jupiter St.</span></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaODhD9N0JACp-ENGRwauMFLS0koGPYxL8e40s0wFrCvqS7iXTc1cFZSfMHuU7q_n7fvfAwtuvkaWieHCWx6bfq4DivOQgnL7FEILf_6GaAWtajvkwLKDvuXtTz1FPsvTgD_ySg3m_1E/s1600/sake.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaODhD9N0JACp-ENGRwauMFLS0koGPYxL8e40s0wFrCvqS7iXTc1cFZSfMHuU7q_n7fvfAwtuvkaWieHCWx6bfq4DivOQgnL7FEILf_6GaAWtajvkwLKDvuXtTz1FPsvTgD_ySg3m_1E/s320/sake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725857622776856834" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><div style="text-align: center;">A good indicator that the Japanese food will be good: </div><div style="text-align: center;">rows and rows of sake wine bottles line the wall</div></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cfq7t9bZjHZU5V3MlCgDx564yEnF5IvdMTrGCe0afJeefCJ7mJNds3ZX7RBxC9SUC6n8BSJEZYUGgOew4uk6SjOUm3njY3ecmC7rX9wOwzygQkSobtRgfpVzlQxGYzMfZsh5_SI1Yok/s1600/chef.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cfq7t9bZjHZU5V3MlCgDx564yEnF5IvdMTrGCe0afJeefCJ7mJNds3ZX7RBxC9SUC6n8BSJEZYUGgOew4uk6SjOUm3njY3ecmC7rX9wOwzygQkSobtRgfpVzlQxGYzMfZsh5_SI1Yok/s320/chef.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725857310833670338" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: small; "><div style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; ">Young Japanese chef in a huddle with veteran Japanese sushi master</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><span>Pinoy knowledge of Japanese food has been confined to/limited by sorties to good old <b>Tokyo, Tokyo</b>. Definitely, that fastfood chain of our youth is ex-owner Mrs. Virgie Ramos' exemplary contribution to introducing us to very basic Japanese comfort food.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-style: normal; ">Only problem is, when we began to try other establishments (as our budgets started to escalate), </span>we got stuck to ordering the same things, over and over again: <i>tempura, sashimi, sushi, sukiyaki and katsudon.</i></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><span>Good thing we were destined to evolve; we are now blessed with restaurants like <b>Mangetsu</b> on Jupiter that dares to introduce us to more modern and inventive Japanese fare. </span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZQVZfpL3yVDEQkkxpOEQJBIVWZH2WKvB29BoFXSzOIRVG884tpphtjlaB-iPx7nswrfHU83IGXFwnI997__kbitYHpQr018GdqL79AFopOLkwvkoJjwhOgWohcZLs74YmnLNNVEsUFg/s1600/shrimpBall.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZQVZfpL3yVDEQkkxpOEQJBIVWZH2WKvB29BoFXSzOIRVG884tpphtjlaB-iPx7nswrfHU83IGXFwnI997__kbitYHpQr018GdqL79AFopOLkwvkoJjwhOgWohcZLs74YmnLNNVEsUFg/s320/shrimpBall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725855886861453730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px; " /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; text-align: center; "></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; text-align: center; "> Prawn balls enjoyed with a fishy red paste</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; text-align: center; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FEsjluQD2ctIU1zziqCCTzjF_SIoQnOnL-PWO-Fudz2GWnZm5V8izaLEA-ZuOez2CWluKd6KVQEFYhbQFFhKjIvjuWcqzI8YdaNYjH1peWeL578LVVfQorRfP1zXeqoQ68IUczH3KKg/s1600/tuna+sashimi.jpg" style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FEsjluQD2ctIU1zziqCCTzjF_SIoQnOnL-PWO-Fudz2GWnZm5V8izaLEA-ZuOez2CWluKd6KVQEFYhbQFFhKjIvjuWcqzI8YdaNYjH1peWeL578LVVfQorRfP1zXeqoQ68IUczH3KKg/s320/tuna+sashimi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725856197221802370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Slightly boiled tuna sashimi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIfOtqJmqBMdUZSjFp1gaVafrZiavQOdC8gArRWEuNiJBK-ck2_bbQkTN2ICOanreQAmDFyszNuG1zXr_gOGdLFdEcnmoTAkeOpFwJ9-qbmVkCzRavMwhKMS6gfiE_E4fTMnOUKih9-I/s1600/sauce.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIfOtqJmqBMdUZSjFp1gaVafrZiavQOdC8gArRWEuNiJBK-ck2_bbQkTN2ICOanreQAmDFyszNuG1zXr_gOGdLFdEcnmoTAkeOpFwJ9-qbmVkCzRavMwhKMS6gfiE_E4fTMnOUKih9-I/s320/sauce.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725856707302992626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">... dipped in thick sesame sauce</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqm10T8DMQOWrqZ4qB3qmLRxxQtLyRduL_xGDJk9CVtXRPG-HgK5siGlhyphenhyphenU-ynfQit7wDrEFiOiBug_z-btSUUBsGBjrHIPGjZdkUM_yZb4gIrOjJE3KBiLodETQUHX6S7OenhtxorGU/s320/fish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725848969991708898" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></span></div><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Hamachi fish with tofu</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs99Oa8-nzVLg-CzxH7et7t4PHz1L-P1tue9aP_MtVZilsaxDxu2uxl0FkQTixXYbHHaIuc-09RAxxDroz9FOIxlJjVvyA4V7oFtKCr3xCAWAjglgQW-2AdJTs_NAcVTJEIoMVsF3_0o/s1600/beef.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs99Oa8-nzVLg-CzxH7et7t4PHz1L-P1tue9aP_MtVZilsaxDxu2uxl0FkQTixXYbHHaIuc-09RAxxDroz9FOIxlJjVvyA4V7oFtKCr3xCAWAjglgQW-2AdJTs_NAcVTJEIoMVsF3_0o/s320/beef.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725848667455484674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Skewered medium rare beef with two dips</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSowewsbyiSrlf1izMGDxmirK5zhbdg0jsSl6LQURhk2UkRXDAfRzrPXlZRzH7bhQyC3cRgkiIIIqY_JSaEE5C7E8-u_zEXEB5L3XVb8Ct_Ox2Nf9zAX7TAdUb0YVwF8uyHYgok76ElY/s1600/chix.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSowewsbyiSrlf1izMGDxmirK5zhbdg0jsSl6LQURhk2UkRXDAfRzrPXlZRzH7bhQyC3cRgkiIIIqY_JSaEE5C7E8-u_zEXEB5L3XVb8Ct_Ox2Nf9zAX7TAdUb0YVwF8uyHYgok76ElY/s320/chix.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725857070013548546" /></a></div><div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Fried chicken swirling in nanban sauce</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGZrY2rn3GjFoHXQQ_Xmr6InQ6t9KmhcGdNIWP7a90-L4fYNCwSToUGwud7xwlGvPqaCHr2xm31J5HMP0oBouB9fbtKnHfDuQ_fKd_cjR-Po52j2CW7z66QneQwAdEbSFtGzl-uZaK0w/s320/friedrice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725849239941746114" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Japanese fried rice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0oeitZV5FLv-ShllAlDxvwxxqfyU_yqvrEowsFNa2K72B4JcrY4t9MB8hzyFb8ciofYRLEovGOAa5BWhvlJoXyOi_HW_eVZ_FfPRW2Ga5qT8vcR3UKIfafbcSsdeiheiQQVBg13Pomc/s1600/cookie.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0oeitZV5FLv-ShllAlDxvwxxqfyU_yqvrEowsFNa2K72B4JcrY4t9MB8hzyFb8ciofYRLEovGOAa5BWhvlJoXyOi_HW_eVZ_FfPRW2Ga5qT8vcR3UKIfafbcSsdeiheiQQVBg13Pomc/s320/cookie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725849541543560450" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Home made cookie with a small scoop of ice cream</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>A delightful dinner without ever needing to go back to our "old ways".</span></div><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGZrY2rn3GjFoHXQQ_Xmr6InQ6t9KmhcGdNIWP7a90-L4fYNCwSToUGwud7xwlGvPqaCHr2xm31J5HMP0oBouB9fbtKnHfDuQ_fKd_cjR-Po52j2CW7z66QneQwAdEbSFtGzl-uZaK0w/s1600/friedrice.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></a></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqm10T8DMQOWrqZ4qB3qmLRxxQtLyRduL_xGDJk9CVtXRPG-HgK5siGlhyphenhyphenU-ynfQit7wDrEFiOiBug_z-btSUUBsGBjrHIPGjZdkUM_yZb4gIrOjJE3KBiLodETQUHX6S7OenhtxorGU/s1600/fish.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-size: 23px; "> my fearless rating:</span><br style="text-align: center; "><br style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg" style="text-align: center; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s400/nyar.004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313871771302488114" border="0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px; " /></a><br style="text-align: center; "></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-12560013161318775622009-04-09T06:43:00.000-07:002009-04-09T07:26:41.360-07:0012 Reasons It Wasn't Heaven For Me<span class="restaurant" style="font-size:180%;">Heaven 'n Eggs</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Eastwood City, Libis • Tel. 912-1172<br /><br /></span><div id="basic"><div id="primaryPhone"> </div> <div id="description"> </div> </div><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/dennisdg/pic/0002869h/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/dennisdg/pic/0002869h/s320x240" border="0" height="140" width="178" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >My first time was the last time I'll ever go to this place...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >12. Just about everything in the menu was not available</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >11. I asked for the Brazilian Breakfast Platter. Not available 'cause the empanada was frozen daw</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >10. Angela asked for Canadian Bacon. And, you guessed it, not available daw</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >9. Paolo asked for Twinings tea with Apple essence (which was bannered in the drinks menu as a specialty not to be missed)... and, of course, not available daw. Missing in action, I guess</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >8. We asked for calamares as appetizers. And yet again, not available daw</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >7. While waiting for several orders of fruit shakes, my tablemates and I were stunned by a noise as loud as the methane bombing of Glorietta. Turns out the man in charge of the shakes needed to sneeze. Twice.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >(No hanky. No hands and fingers to cover his mouth.)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >6. My nice sis from London was on my mind so I settled for Fish 'N Chips which the menu boasted came with three dips - tartar, cocktail and lemon sauces. Bad decision again</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >5. After a long wait, my Fish 'N Chips came. With one sauce: mayonnaise that the waitress insisted was</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > Tartar sauce. Sure there was one piece of pickle as puny as a snot... but Tartar sauce, this wasn't.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > I demanded that I be given the sauces that were promised in the menu. She came back with the cocktail dip but announced that they were out of lemon sauce</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >4. I asked to talk to the manager... and, while waiting, heard the kitchen staff frantically looking for "dayap".</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >The "lemon" sauce miraculously materialized ahead of the manager</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >3. The manager was apologizing profusely. Nice chap. But when I asked for the name of the owner, he insisted</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > on giving me the restaurant's website and email address. Bad decision. His.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >2. My blood pressure rose from a near perfect 120/70 to an emergency room reading of 180/110</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >1. A menu that doesn't deliver drives customers away -- for good... forever.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >(Even if you have a heavenly name!)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >my fearless rating:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLFhzjAsPmjQVzp8xZhYBIY2fyAgwKugwe-S0HVe0WTVWp-hez6LsABQ2-2S1p7A_liuMukXrl5nw6rAUfsB7j9pCdU5PvDEHZtR3aC18iel09Vp8MviLNPlYj5VNc-EDZEdF5iUxXZs/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLFhzjAsPmjQVzp8xZhYBIY2fyAgwKugwe-S0HVe0WTVWp-hez6LsABQ2-2S1p7A_liuMukXrl5nw6rAUfsB7j9pCdU5PvDEHZtR3aC18iel09Vp8MviLNPlYj5VNc-EDZEdF5iUxXZs/s400/nyar.004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322696803756234738" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-5083116031454864112009-03-27T16:33:00.000-07:002009-03-27T16:56:14.532-07:00As Cuban, as bulky as... Castro!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;">PEPI CUBANO Sandwiches </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Exclusively available at SALCEDO MARKET <br />For phone orders: 09212931784<br /></span></span><p style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj623MuD6bnokrtydE-mQX1qtjemeaczbKEjMNsZcYFeizU9b1EJ0J14nEX_9PpZpxFrdinyXKDzGHQCoNkOR8-A8ua-6TuWH9M_4zUrYwNj6qaJsmHrOarf6T9kMlNPjgG09nZCQaAvd0/s1600-h/kris.001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 792px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj623MuD6bnokrtydE-mQX1qtjemeaczbKEjMNsZcYFeizU9b1EJ0J14nEX_9PpZpxFrdinyXKDzGHQCoNkOR8-A8ua-6TuWH9M_4zUrYwNj6qaJsmHrOarf6T9kMlNPjgG09nZCQaAvd0/s400/kris.001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318015446802621810" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kris Aquino features Pepi Cubano in her magazine</span></p><p style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Many of the world's most popular sandwiches first gained popularity amongst the working classes, and such is the case with the hearty <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich</span></span></span>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" face="trebuchet ms"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o2juh2eh_eJbCbRkDWdhWE8v4NSpxBYQYeu4u7Q8c-ptcFDuBkmneIfPYShwJ-nt9BpV_1DulfObb2VhKtHdAqxNaKYU_T-qmSo6V0lvLTx0pbDYghPXmTK1Ffr5_Jrmu0SyE3mFN4w/s1600-h/cuban-flag-old.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o2juh2eh_eJbCbRkDWdhWE8v4NSpxBYQYeu4u7Q8c-ptcFDuBkmneIfPYShwJ-nt9BpV_1DulfObb2VhKtHdAqxNaKYU_T-qmSo6V0lvLTx0pbDYghPXmTK1Ffr5_Jrmu0SyE3mFN4w/s200/cuban-flag-old.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318019250313746706" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> workers during the early 20th century often purchased hot meat and cheese sandwiches from vendors stationed inside their workplaces. When many of these workers migrated to the United States, especially in the southern Florida region, they brought many of their recipes and food traditions with them, including the original ingredients of their beloved "<span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich</span></span></span>," also known as a <em>cubano</em>.</p> <p face="trebuchet ms">A long time resident in the US has come home with something Cuban in her luggage: the much sought-after recipe of authentic Cuban sandwiches. And her version has been christened... Pepi Cubano.<br /></p><p face="trebuchet ms">Pepi Cubano, a traditional <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich,</span></span></span> begins with a special bread similar to the long French bread loaves. </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> The <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> bread is sliced down the middle like a submarine bun, then buttered. Thin slices of pork roast marinated in a special <em></em>sauce is then added to the <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich</span></span></span>, followed by thin slices of ham.<br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the Tampa, Florida area, where the Americanized version of the <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cuban</span></span></span> <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich</span></span></span> is believed to have originated, the ham may be replaced with thin slices of salami. Next comes a layer of Swiss cheese, followed by thin slices of dill pickle.</p> <p style="text-align: left; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Pepi <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">Cubano</span></span></span> <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwiches</span></span></span> can be served cold, but generally are placed in a heated <span class="yellowFade"><span><span style="position: relative;" class="yellowFadeInnerSpan">sandwich</span></span></span> press until the cheese has melted and the bread has become grilled.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />my fearless rating:</span><br /></div><p face="trebuchet ms"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s400/nyar.004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313871771302488114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-60013663672309829602009-03-21T15:28:00.000-07:002009-03-22T02:47:15.898-07:00Sometimes, you'll walk into a place - absolutely clueless on what awaits you. Then, you get... lucky. This was one of those occasions.<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >MOZU</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" >Linden Suites Tower II, Amethyst Street, Ortigas Center</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" > Pasig City • Tel: 633-4259<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">The view from outside was what attracted me. Very small space (about 30 sq. meters) but neat, clean-looking and tastefully punctuated by provocative paintings.<br /></span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVULBxjOGQ25W1_a7VK8qTKjbpovofAMTvDIV5T3Mh4NiW9iTG7Lhbe5JSDhcvOQGzWE-ayoZzcOpZF05y22LAPZM5paxWIVGIBY2h8CQ25NNoAmuvbnpaSWNhmQfbK4KWRbtJFhUxtgI/s1600-h/IMG_0237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVULBxjOGQ25W1_a7VK8qTKjbpovofAMTvDIV5T3Mh4NiW9iTG7Lhbe5JSDhcvOQGzWE-ayoZzcOpZF05y22LAPZM5paxWIVGIBY2h8CQ25NNoAmuvbnpaSWNhmQfbK4KWRbtJFhUxtgI/s400/IMG_0237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315776627781541730" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And then, something even more delightful:</span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKIYncPqciBP2n4i4nUqtaHRm4GcliKz1558xiawtYj0GCnAtXDZUb1Fv5gEeSrXO8GBy8huqVtG6Ssw3t9-g7y6hPdfZQc5LKgfhQm-7XY-8dg3lVivs5g3nQJxfimmR78z22zx_dp0/s1600-h/IMG_0240.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKIYncPqciBP2n4i4nUqtaHRm4GcliKz1558xiawtYj0GCnAtXDZUb1Fv5gEeSrXO8GBy8huqVtG6Ssw3t9-g7y6hPdfZQc5LKgfhQm-7XY-8dg3lVivs5g3nQJxfimmR78z22zx_dp0/s200/IMG_0240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315775457012608354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Recession-sensitive prices!<br /><br />I opted to try Mozu's Lechon Laing. Authentic, Bicolano-tasting spicy laing topped by crispy lechong kawali. Plus rice... and two sauces for your meat - one, a'la Mang Tomas and the other, spicy and garlicky.</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7N4rFGeXvIlPoFPBw7mtdHgqe-4Wabhw6_ajBGJex_gygEWc2WWAKsu-L3MW7W0fFTJ_nKt_n5VdRk_BxriJcj6KgQL-53uX9sUky_8wsdllsE08DHBgJ8mTZeYgwq5Kvakd2c3EOLs/s1600-h/IMG_0245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7N4rFGeXvIlPoFPBw7mtdHgqe-4Wabhw6_ajBGJex_gygEWc2WWAKsu-L3MW7W0fFTJ_nKt_n5VdRk_BxriJcj6KgQL-53uX9sUky_8wsdllsE08DHBgJ8mTZeYgwq5Kvakd2c3EOLs/s400/IMG_0245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315821224863378098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The place is also a mini Starbucks of sorts serving a wide variety of coffee, tempting cheesecakes and chocolate pastries.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZZmZThZWFOan3D_DYdSTeZ8AhhSJoFWlFSWn-HS6n3c3hQNwgqEFNDTT1QN7BVOsmmeMqmn_OEA_Vy4cFvamYRTeuco1BBBomzLO6fwhGn6UQLrLxovJErLBH8nbnazf2LvdO_1L3vM/s1600-h/IMG_0247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZZmZThZWFOan3D_DYdSTeZ8AhhSJoFWlFSWn-HS6n3c3hQNwgqEFNDTT1QN7BVOsmmeMqmn_OEA_Vy4cFvamYRTeuco1BBBomzLO6fwhGn6UQLrLxovJErLBH8nbnazf2LvdO_1L3vM/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315862689326249378" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Plus some pretty creative smoothies and juices. </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >(My only beef, the industrial-strength aircon is too darn powerful for such a small place; one's food gets cold quite rapidly. A downer for people who eat ohhhh sooo slowwwwly.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >After I got my bill of less than P400, I told myself I will definitely come back to try the Buttered Fish the server was raving about.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">And, perhaps, schedule several more visits to try each and every treat in the all day breakfast listing.<br /><br />However, I'll make sure I'll take a seat far, far away from the aircon.<br /></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >my fearless rating:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbQqWsipJGGhwpjuavgOcAw8OImjQHwTwD2fzEDsUfuysy7ktTjf_V2dyV74WI38aRe8xtUsPGUBh07NnAcLMxGEutooTjxva2LS_dB5O3UfiiQDiUzp-pmoVGRZKv0MfkCMo8dLdL6E/s1600-h/nyar.003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbQqWsipJGGhwpjuavgOcAw8OImjQHwTwD2fzEDsUfuysy7ktTjf_V2dyV74WI38aRe8xtUsPGUBh07NnAcLMxGEutooTjxva2LS_dB5O3UfiiQDiUzp-pmoVGRZKv0MfkCMo8dLdL6E/s320/nyar.003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315879162607461426" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-42570950845074048082009-03-17T05:25:00.000-07:002009-03-19T15:21:42.157-07:00Thai Casual Dining – Indon Style. Where fantastic food is served with unbeatable ambience. Or is it the other way around?<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Lan Na Thai</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Dr. Kusumaatmaja St. No. 85, Menteng Village, Menteng District</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Central Jakarta</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Tel. +6221-31925037<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo4pO2r1Euc6KsBBx3iUOPj_jMhof2zbDyhyl-ByaSqxK0s_KDRKUQeU8CziMZaEw8yE293mHn5YeEMLQOUMIH9eRxGJ-g5ga9hfev4If0K1BWcXLjjc8vQk60GpihqVa4PH7N5fw0RY/s1600-h/lana.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo4pO2r1Euc6KsBBx3iUOPj_jMhof2zbDyhyl-ByaSqxK0s_KDRKUQeU8CziMZaEw8yE293mHn5YeEMLQOUMIH9eRxGJ-g5ga9hfev4If0K1BWcXLjjc8vQk60GpihqVa4PH7N5fw0RY/s320/lana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314147481947809026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jakarta is such an underrated destination.<br /><br />Pinoys usually dismiss it as just another hick place (perceived by many, so wrongly, as "just like being in Lanao"), dumping it for more 'cosmopolitan' cities like Shanghai or Singapore.<br /><br />What they're missing out on is... a lot. Jakarta is a genuinely astonishing jewel – an awesome artistic and avant-garde metropolis.<br /><br />Take casual dining. Indonesians take this experience seriously... so restaurants are geared to rise to the occasion. Bringing diners to higher levels: part theater, part bacchanal feast.<br /><br />One such place is La Na Thai.<br /><br />Definitely, my most favorite Thai resto in the world. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">(FYI, I used to adore fusion-driven People's Palace until I discovered a cotton bud and a piece of plastic in my Phad Thai. I kid you not.)</span><br /><br /></span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JdizwnBpEq0xT2JLoQRseLs6xLGVgzj_T5dJAmvOz8Rakxy4PslGDqH8GsAF39ztvoOzB3bxTyVf_HNRnPZKkYO8jh0VUvY1_Rt86j0PrfYFurqwazdmLrdD4Zb19HajyfqFV269EmM/s1600-h/IMG_1608.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JdizwnBpEq0xT2JLoQRseLs6xLGVgzj_T5dJAmvOz8Rakxy4PslGDqH8GsAF39ztvoOzB3bxTyVf_HNRnPZKkYO8jh0VUvY1_Rt86j0PrfYFurqwazdmLrdD4Zb19HajyfqFV269EmM/s320/IMG_1608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314150428875052626" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >... and this is just the foyer!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdv2yQtWfquyVMyJFcDK0o_hNIwndmafmZHyAQWp3dUiQ80-lXfGTZabfjSIVImv_GvYq7wVbccUhf4JBFM-qk3zCyG8H0DNhfvmIeNCiW9RnisT3z_othjhlGYnojOnfhETiJ0_GJDo/s1600-h/IMG_1643.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdv2yQtWfquyVMyJFcDK0o_hNIwndmafmZHyAQWp3dUiQ80-lXfGTZabfjSIVImv_GvYq7wVbccUhf4JBFM-qk3zCyG8H0DNhfvmIeNCiW9RnisT3z_othjhlGYnojOnfhETiJ0_GJDo/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314285244996957586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">perhaps, a table with a view?</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqkWXykAig4fCvkzWN1Ohe_Z50UKBZFbeILpZ6kUAZA0viQ8K_d7Zk0-dB8oNMT1PdTeCB69Fv-ujM7GZvv-cCRmqQDpL1r2ceYUzOlqIhX9KzXwsXycSBOagE6715JjWcfqj0wVAZG0/s1600-h/IMG_1623.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqkWXykAig4fCvkzWN1Ohe_Z50UKBZFbeILpZ6kUAZA0viQ8K_d7Zk0-dB8oNMT1PdTeCB69Fv-ujM7GZvv-cCRmqQDpL1r2ceYUzOlqIhX9KzXwsXycSBOagE6715JjWcfqj0wVAZG0/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314286093128952066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a family-size dining table...</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWsjRnWhooWffzUHIsGnkvJNg9e_IHYJTkXltaxO3Aj_IV783F7vJGH5WkJPJoaM0Z9QuEYYkGoEEwK_Ews7BSc4AhppQgMI3eHO-m9VARpVlrB7A7SQ40UOMwESU14Yods1s3CRQMU8/s1600-h/IMG_1625.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 402px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWsjRnWhooWffzUHIsGnkvJNg9e_IHYJTkXltaxO3Aj_IV783F7vJGH5WkJPJoaM0Z9QuEYYkGoEEwK_Ews7BSc4AhppQgMI3eHO-m9VARpVlrB7A7SQ40UOMwESU14Yods1s3CRQMU8/s320/IMG_1625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314286899444243618" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >or you might opt for a cozy corner with someone special</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiYb4-HGFiWy9DnFcem-svoeOtboDzEKkbMGIL3oqcauw6h26p8n8ATYghJh4cgIGXvv7e4Qyybw6b173z1UWf0CbJGdHH832Fgky2Ehcw3aHrecmxWs-Qmiuvagkjm9EYWYx8ktelTY/s1600-h/IMG_1684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiYb4-HGFiWy9DnFcem-svoeOtboDzEKkbMGIL3oqcauw6h26p8n8ATYghJh4cgIGXvv7e4Qyybw6b173z1UWf0CbJGdHH832Fgky2Ehcw3aHrecmxWs-Qmiuvagkjm9EYWYx8ktelTY/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314287916375373058" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">my catfish/mango salad overflowing with crispy cashew nuts</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">While your senses are being overwhelmed by your surroundings, the food reaches your table. The intense scent heralds the feast waiting to ambush your taste buds: super spicy tom yum... grilled fish (mmm, tilapia) with tamarind sauce... garlic shrimps... green curry beef... pineapple rice... mango sticky rice for dessert... (now stop fidgeting with your cellphone's calculator, you and your four friends will probably end up paying the equivalent of P2,000).<br /><br />Last time I was there, I wanted to test if La Na Thai's chefs were 'authentic'. So I ordered something that's not on the menu – Thai omelet. It's a neat trick I learned from a Thai friend: if the waiter says 'no can do', chances are there's no Thai in the kitchen.<br /><br />Guess what? I got my Thai omelet.</span><br /></span><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >my fearless rating:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s400/nyar.004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313871771302488114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">photography: angela f. garcia</span></span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848407893556088685.post-53673381042110178432009-03-15T20:34:00.000-07:002009-03-22T02:51:04.064-07:00If the Korean ambassador and his staff are 'regulars' here... how can you go wrong?<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >Korea Garden Restaurant</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div face="trebuchet ms" id="address"> </div> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >128 Jupiter St., Bel Air, Makati City, Tel. (02) 895-5443</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >I discovered Korean food in the mid '70s.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >And I discovered it right here -- at Korea Garden Restaurant.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >In those days, it was the ONLY Korean restaurant in the Metro... and, I suspect, in the country</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(I need to point out that Korean nationals then numbered a few dozens versus the thousands we now have.)</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Originally snuggled in a corner of quaint P. Burgos St (before the area became Makati's red light district), </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >the restaurant was THE best place to be spoiled with Korean comfort food. The kimchi and appetizers were varied and plentiful. And the stellar attractions -- beef stew (to-die-for), chap chae, bulgogi, bibimbap (rice topped with barbecued beef, an egg, pickled vegetables and chili paste) -- were consistently satisfying. No wonder Korea Garden was frequented by influential politicos, big businessmen, mega celebrities (like Sharon Cuneta) and just about every Korean in town.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Through the years, Korea Garden has zealously guarded the secret of its success: consistency.<br /><br /></span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >What loyal patrons enjoyed in the '70s are still very much around today.<br /><br />Nothing has changed except for the location. The food continues to be awesome... at such a low prices, you'll wonder if the owners know what the word 'profit' means.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxYssNI2ksemza6XhySFQoB8EYO-Gov6A3mPSxTfbdfG6SX9dJDxh8yVIB26f8OlWDonPss34e0bbVEdDEZE8MazGTyZiOjxAByZo4zI39Ln0La2T7K4glDsBZAX22RmpHgkx7fJmMfg/s1600-h/kbs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxYssNI2ksemza6XhySFQoB8EYO-Gov6A3mPSxTfbdfG6SX9dJDxh8yVIB26f8OlWDonPss34e0bbVEdDEZE8MazGTyZiOjxAByZo4zI39Ln0La2T7K4glDsBZAX22RmpHgkx7fJmMfg/s400/kbs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314128200590396658" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The beef stew</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > is unlike anything you've tasted before.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It continues to be the bestseller. The recipe continues to be a family secret.<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />The service is warm and friendly -- far from the aloofness and coldness we perceive as inherent to anything Korean. The atmosphere is homey and unpretentious. And if you're a 'regular' (like the Korean ambassador or the First Gentleman or Boss Vic or Pasig's Eusebios), you'll feel right at home because the waiters - and the hostess (Ms. Chu) - from the P. Burgos days are all still around.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cK6NJ3eRI0l5-rfNhISy8eSJzFJo-MZzkgXSNxm6WuLGWFn6QyIlKwQcGK2OEQWFklh0Qqhp2PsCb9upPTLw7ID4cxekByMD8b71N6mfJfXMVBqAFnFQWp47IXGs3DPsRCkQnuSzf8I/s1600-h/Chapchae-01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cK6NJ3eRI0l5-rfNhISy8eSJzFJo-MZzkgXSNxm6WuLGWFn6QyIlKwQcGK2OEQWFklh0Qqhp2PsCb9upPTLw7ID4cxekByMD8b71N6mfJfXMVBqAFnFQWp47IXGs3DPsRCkQnuSzf8I/s400/Chapchae-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314129032076475378" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > Chap Chae - the Korean version of our Pancit Sotanghon</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br />with much bigger glass noodles</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />A helpful tip: if you're scared to order, intimidated by the Koreanovela-sounding dishes, just ask for the Korean dinner. It's a sumptuous sampler with rice, soup, beef stew, bulgogi, spicy octopus, dumplings, dessert and a tableful of appetizers and kimchi. Enough to satisfy five hungry souls for around P2,500. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWvB0S6PsrAu1CtIDrZawztF0WE4UBSCFxl6tbQVZtSWG99UFgbM8Fo9e8g8cjKhFQIPDxzu5My_xi_vZy4ffICwhHXH3mW3ZEWHxv7UfP1b_LOrHdVrTCO0Zq9R-H_LrA3_36DwZ8GE/s1600-h/kg1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWvB0S6PsrAu1CtIDrZawztF0WE4UBSCFxl6tbQVZtSWG99UFgbM8Fo9e8g8cjKhFQIPDxzu5My_xi_vZy4ffICwhHXH3mW3ZEWHxv7UfP1b_LOrHdVrTCO0Zq9R-H_LrA3_36DwZ8GE/s320/kg1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313866681434245122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Want to impress your friends? Order the Gujeolpan: literally "nine-sectioned plate", this elaborate dish consists of a number of different vegetables and meats served with thin pancakes. For centuries, only members of Korean royalty were 'allowed' to</span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > enjoy this dish. Only Korea Garden offers this special treat in the Philippines.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The quality of the food and service is so outstanding, Korea Garden has consistently been in Tatler Magazine's list of the country's best restaurants, year in and year out. And the owners are so scared of tarnishing the resto's reputation that they've refused to branch out -- even with the non-stop prodding of Ayala and SM Malls.<br /><br />Simply shatters the myth that all Koreans are profit-obsessed. But I ain't complaining.<br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >my fearless rating:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s1600-h/nyar.004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUnV3KYDTTcikcx6ErmLx-vPSg6lk_SmWqElk_yJ9QfgzTOgj0ZUGtieXv1p3TPwifcTqUsAwE74JsGy6JyXtaO9CZju9Bh2Jw3_byv7h8OVR_aLRqcGwsvfxoXnKTZe-nLOi3IdH0xM/s400/nyar.004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313871771302488114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">photography: angela f. garcia</span></span><br /></div></div><br /><h1 face="trebuchet ms" style="font-weight: normal;"> </h1><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><div id="primaryPhone" face="trebuchet ms"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2