Pasakalye:

Nakakalungkot para sa amin ang daanan ang Glorietta branch ng resto na ito araw araw pauwi galing trabaho. Lagi kasing walang kumakain at hindi nakakatulong na sa mga panahon na walang customers, mukang bored na bored at matamlay pa ang mga staff sa loob.

Noong mga first few weeks na nadadaanan namin ito, nagkakatawanan pa kami dahil tipong "pustahan, wala na namang laman". Pero nung tumatagal na ganun pa din ang sitwasyon, habang may mga customers yung mga katabing restaurant, medyo nararamdaman na namin ang simpatya para sa may-ari. Nakaka-depress.

So minsan na pauwi akong mag-isa dahil may checkup si K at napadaan ulit ako doon (as expected, walang patrons), naisip ko na mag "random act of kindness" at mag takeout ng kahit anong pagkain from them. Take note, kahit hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang makakain sa kanila in the first place. Pasalubong ko na lang din kay K.

By the way, I didn't even bother to take much photos so I've stolen all over the web (there's not much).

from their FB page

Chicha:

• Special Batchoy
• Chopsuey
• Hot and Spicy Calamares 
• Pecho (Grilled Chicken Breast)

The batchoy is surprisingly good. Tama ang luto ng noodle, hindi al dente pero hindi din naman labsak. Generous ang sahog na laman (chicharon, egg, atay, at pork) at malasa ang sabaw. Yung isang serving nito ay malaki na para sa presyo at pwede na pag hatian ng dalawang tao.

from their FB page

Nothing special sa chopsuey but it's not bad. Tama lang ang lasa. Typical. Maraming lahok na gulay at okay para samin ang lapot nung sabaw. Can serve up to two persons as well.

Hindi crunchy yung calamares and nowhere near hot or spicy. Regardless, nasarapan pa din kami dito dahil malasa yung breading. Parang may halong suka. Malambot yung luto ng pusit sa loob. Sakto. May halo itong breaded onion as extenders. Panalo din yun sa amin dahil crunchy yung luto nung sibuyas. Nasa "grilled" section ng menu ang ulam na ito pero para namang pinirito.

from a customer

Addendum (4/30/2015): Dropped by today to try their inasal chicken and it's not bad really. It's on the dry side but the flavor is passable. Nandun yung grilled taste in addition to their marinade na nagbibigay ng yellowish na kulay sa manok.


Gastos:

Ranged at P120 to P150 per food item, sobrang mura dito. Considering nasa area sila ng mga restaurants like Max's, New Bombay, at A Venetto na nasa P200++ na ang price range. Wala pa silang service charge.

Isa ito sa mga rason kung bakit kami nagtataka na walang kumakain dito. Mura naman.

fancy menu

 
Chechebureche:

Unang mapapansin sa loob ng resto ay ang kanilang chic interiors. Parang ranch ang vibe na medyo girly. Malinis at pinag isipan ang disenyo ng paligid. Cute din ang table setup. It has the making of a laid back tambayan. So ambiance is definitely not the issue.

Konti lang ang laman ng menu, mostly Bacolod specialty. But straightforward is good. Hindi kailangang mag imbento ng kung ano anong putahe kung ang bentahe ay Negrense inasal lang. Cute pa ang menu nila.

my 1st of 2 photos

At the most, ang negative thing lang na napansin ko ay matagal sila mag prepare ng pagkain. In both of my visits (yup, bumalik ulit ako a couple of days ago para mag takeout ng batchoy for K), almost 20 to 30 minutes ang inintay ko para mailabas ang order. 

Meron din nangyari sa unang punta ko na after ko mag place ng order, imbes na idiretso sa kitchen nung waiter yung mga order ko para mailuto na, sumagot ito ng cellphone at nakipag kwentuhan ng mga hindi lalampas ng sampung minuto din siguro yun. So tengga ng matagal yung order ko.

table setup

Aside from that, generally okay ang service. At dapat lang, ako lang ang kustomer on both of my visits. Pag hindi pa naman ako mapagsilbihan ng maayos, ewan ko na lang. LOL!

Panapos:

Overall, misteryo pa din para sa amin kung bakit walang kumakain dito. I have a feeling we should have tried the inasal chicken. Baka yun ang crap.

Suggestion ko, imbes na mukang bored at tambay-mode ang mga staff sa loob habang walang customer, dapat lumalabas sila para mag offer ng menu sa mga dumadaan at mag tawag ng mga potential customers verbally.

Rating:
3.5 out of 7




[obi.February]

Backstory:

pininyahang manok

Recipe ito ni K at hindi pa kami kumo-couple, peborit ko na ito among sa mga niluluto niya. Hanggang ngayon, isa ito sa aming mga go-to dishes kapag gusto namin ng mabilis lutuin pero proper food pa din.

* * * * *

Ingredients:

ingredients

• chicken breast (filleted, mga dalwang piraso)
• evaporated milk (kalhati lang nung maliit na lata)
• pineapple tidbits (yung maliit na lata)
• medium-sized na sibuyas (diced)
• bawang (about 3 cloves, diced)
• kurot ng asin at paminta

Directions:

gisa muna

1. Gisahin ang bawang at sibuyas.

2. Pagkatapos, isama dito ang manok. Add a pinch of pepper and salt for flavor.

mamula-mula na ang flesh

3. Stir from time to time in medium heat hanggang sa maluto ng konti ang manok. Yung kapag namumula-mula na ang flesh. 

4. Ilagay ang sabaw nung pineapple tidbits. Yung sabaw lang ha. Takluban and let it simmer hanggang kumatas ang manok. 

katas ng manok + pinya juice

5. Kapag luto na ang manok, ilagay ang pineapple tidbits. Ibuhos na din ang konting gatas.

6. Haluin ng konti. Yung hanggang sa maghalo lang ang sabaw ng pinya at gatas, at uminit ang mixture na ito. Huwag tagalan at baka mamuo ang gatas. Then, tapos na!

gatas + pinya bits

Hopefully Helpful Tips:

* Silipin ang niluluto from time to time kapag nasa bandang Step Number 4 na. Ayaw natin na mag-caramelize ang sabaw ng pinya. Lalo na kung hindi masyadong makatas yung manok. Kapag nangingitim ngitim na yung sabaw, haluin lang. O kaya dagdagan ng konting konting tubig.

* Mas epektib ang lasa ng pinya ng Del Monte. Ito ang bilhin. Wag Dole. Peksman.

* Huwag sobrahan ang gatas (Step Number 5). Mapasobra nito at magiging matabang na ang sabaw. Hindi na malalasahan ang pinya juice. Kapag nangyari ito, pwedeng dagdagan ang sabaw ng pineapple juice na de lata para maremedyohan.

Enjoy!

Konting Intro:

K's scheduled to give birth anytime soon and she needs a place to walk around para mas bumaba pa yung pwesto ng baby before we head to the hospital, kasi wala pa din labor pains at that time. Sakto birthday ko. So we just decided to have lunch in Toho (the one inside SM BF) with our families para makapaglakad lakad kami around the mall right after.

birthday cake

Sandamakmak na Chicha:

• Ampalaya Beef
• White Chicken
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Broccoli Flower with Beef
• Spicy Squid
• Nido Soup
• Yang Chow Fried Rice
• Mango Shake
• Red Iced Tea

ampalaya beef

Di ako kumakain ng ampalaya but the guys looked that they enjoyed the dish, meaning hindi ramdam ang pait nung putahe dahil kung ramdam, for sure may magrereklamo.

We ordered half of the white chicken . Masyadong matabang. Well, medyo matatabang naman talaga ang mga ganitong parang Hainanese chicken variant pero a good one should taste ginger-y kesa katulad nung sa kanila na bland.

sweet and sour pork

Crunchy yung karne ng sweet and sour pork. Medyo sobra lang ang tamis ng thick na sauce neto. Medyo kapos ang serving para sa dalawa. Nakukulangan kami. Buti na lang madami pa kaming ibang order.

Malambot yung beef ng broccoli dish at malasa ang oyster sauce. Sakto ang luto sa broccoli flower which is malutong pa din sa kagat pero hindi naman uncooked at raw ang leafy taste.

beef broccoli

Gusto namin yung luto ng spicy squid. Hindi ito outright maanghang. Ang anghang niya ay something na nagbi-build up habang kumakain ng madami. Sakto din ang luto ng squid nito which is hindi masyadong goma ang pakiramdam kapag nginuya at hindi din naman saggy ang lambot.

Good for eight yung isang order ng nido soup bowl. Sobrang lapot ng sabaw. Sobra sa arina. Matabang. Pero hindi nag tipid sa itlog.

white chicken

Masarap yung yang chow fried rice pero nakokontian ako sa laman. Sabi ay pang 3-4 servings ito pero andami masyado. Mga pang 5-6 na tao.

Mango shake is meh. Red iced tea is meh (parang Cool Aid na strawberry flavor lang). Mag tubig na lang.

spicy squid

 
Saktong Bayad:

Price range per dish is P180 to P220. Sobrang mura nito compared to similar Chinese places. Sa dami ng kinain namin walang masyadong impressive, yes. Everything's just mediocre, yes. Pero sa mura ng pagkain, mamwede-mwede na din.

menu

Maraming Satsat:

Madami laging tao na kumakain dito (pati na din sa nauna nilang branch sa loob ng BF Homes) kaya naisipan naming sumubok dito kumain. Pero hindi namin gets kung bakit. Food's not too impressive as mentioned, so possible na dahil ito sa murang presyo for a restaurant with a decent service and ambiance.

Service is good and fast. Sobrang bilis lumabas ng mga pagkain namin at very attentive ang mga crew. Given na madami pang kumakain nung time na pumunta kami dahil lunch time.

Ambiance is okay, very oriental ang theme. Malinis yung lugar.

yang chow

Mainit naman na-serve yung karamihan ng pagkain so good.

Since 1888 pa daw sila at nasa Binondo ang orihinal na restaurant. Wow. Ilang gera na ang dinaanan nun! It makes the place the oldest restaurant in the country. Yun ang gusto naming bisitahin someday.

Maikling Panapos:
It's a good place for celebrations kasi sa murang halaga, madami ang mapapakain and food's not that bad.

attack!

Rating:
4.5 out of 7



[obi.Mar.7]

Konting Kwento:

Salamat sa komersyalismo at meron nang instant curry powder mix available right away sa aming suking grocery store. Kaya one time na walang laman ang ref namin kundi manok at patatas, sinubukan namin gawin ang instant chicken curry dish na ito.

chicken curry

* * * * *

Ingredients:

• patatas (mga dalawang maliit na piraso, chopped into bite-sized cubes)
• medium-sized na sibuyas (diced)
• bawang (about 3 cloves, diced)
• manok (pang tinola ang putol, mga apat na piraso)
• curry powder mix
• evaporated milk (pero mas maganda kung coconut milk)
• mantika
• salt
• pepper

ingredients

 
Directions:

1. Prituhin ang patatas hanggang sa maging mapusyaw na brown ang kulay neto. Think french fries. Ilagay muna sa isang tabi pagkatapos.

fry the potato

2. Sa ibang kalan, gisahin ang bawang at sibuyas. 

3. Pagkatapos, isama dito ang manok. Add a pinch of pepper and salt for flavor.

4. Stir from time to time in medium heat hanggang sa maluto ng konti ang manok. Yung kapag namumula-mula na ang flesh.

sautee the chicken

5. Ilagay ang gatas (or coconut milk) at curry powder mix. Haluin hanggang maging thick yung sauce. Takluban at hayaang mag simmer for about 5 minutes.

6. Isama ang itinabing patatas at lutuin pa ulit ng konti. Mga 55 seconds. Then, tapos na!

mix the milk and curry powder

Hopefully Helpful Tips:
* Pwedeng maglagay ng isang carrot. Wala lang kasi kaming carrot nung panahon na yun. Chop into bite-sized cubes tapos isama sa niluluto sa bandang Step Number 4 sa taas.

* Pwede ding lagyang ng isang pirasong red bell pepper. Cut into strips at ihalo sa bandang Step Number 4 din.

* Kung natatabangan sa lasa, maaaring timplahan ito ng patis.

* Kung nakukulangan sa anghang, maaari itong samahan ng siling Tagalog (yung mahabang kulay green). Just drop it in the mix at the final step.

consistency should look like this

Enjoy!

Intro:

A throwback to our visit in Cafe Mary Grace last year during one of our random eat-anywhere dinner. Dun kami sa may fancy Greenbelt 2 branch.

Food:

• Leek and Saffron Pasta with Dory Fillet
• Italian Sausage Pizza
• Mango Shake
• Tiramisu

Konti yung serving ng pasta. Parang kahit para sa isang tao mukang mabibitin dito. Malabnaw yung sauce at medyo matabang. Redeeming factor lang nito ay mabango. Amoy flavorful na chicken soup na most likely dahil sa saffron. The dory is seared just right and could have been a perfect match with the pasta if the sauce has better taste.

pasta

The pizza is a better catch. Recommended ito madalas ng staff nila. It's thin crust with olives, tomato paste, rings of white onion, pepper, melted cheese, and a generous serving of sausages. Bagay yung alat ng sausage at cheese na pang kontra sa manamis-namis na flavor ng onion at iba pang spices. Malutong ang crust. It can serve 3 to 4 so sulit.

pizza

Sobrang sarap nung mango shake. We were reminded of the mango shake from the Coron market. Milky ang lasa (probably dahil nilagyan ng madaming gatas). We enjoyed this one.

We love the tiramisu. Nasa number 6 sila ng "Top 10 Tiramisu in Manila" list ng Spot.PH and rightfully so. Sobrang fluffy ng sponge cake at lasang lasa ang cream cheese na bagay na bagay na contrast sa sweet-bitter taste nung coffee flavor at sugar powder. Ang sarap balik balikan nito.

shake

 
Price:

Cash out per person is P300-P400 on average (kung meal). It's not cheap but with the right food plus the relaxing ambiance, pwede na sabihing justified ang price tag.

Cakes are about P130 at ang mga ito ang sulit.

Commentary:

Unang kapansin pansin sa kanila ay ang sobrang homey na interior design. The place looks like a mix of vintage, country, and whimsical themes. There are bricks, wooden trinkets, lamps, ceramic figurines, antiquated items, and framed literature. It could look chaotic with all that crammed about but they managed to arrange everything that no corner of the place looks uninteresting. There's even a corner for kids on the mezzanine floor that looks like taken right out of fairy tale books. All this considered, sobrang comfortable ng pakiramdam inside the place.

wasn't able to take much photo... this should do

On the main dining area's ceiling, may nakabitin na isang set ng metal clockwork art piece na agaw pansin. Sobrang quirky.

Under the glass cover of the tables are written notes of past customers, dedications and testimonials. Nakaka-aliw basahin habang nag hihintay ng order.

Service is fast and the crew cheerful. 

Most of the time nagiging maingay yung lugar kapag dinner na dahil madaming kumakain. Yun lang yung turn off with the place. Mas bagay sana sa ganda ng interiors kung may katahimikan. One time, doon kami nag meeting ng team from work. May nagkakantahan boisterously (with matching dancing) sa mezzanine area dahil mayroong may birthday but the management won't do anything about it. It's celebratory and done in good spirit naman, but there are still other patrons in the place whose "peace" need to be respected.

Outro:
Try it if just to enjoy the ambiance.

Rating:
5 out of 7




[obi.Nov.7.14]

"Reese's First Month"

Location: Reese's HQ
Camera: Sony RX100 MK2
Date Taken: April 7, 2015

Pasakalye:

Much as it is very much hyped up and with tons of customers eagerly lining up, we reserved the itch to try it out immediately and patiently waited for the Glorietta branch kung saan mas malapit sa work namin. Hinintay muna namin pagsawaan ng mga tao, kumbaga. So one time na natyempuhan namin na walang pila, we finally got to dine in.

tim ho wan

 
Chicha:

• Rice with Beef and Fried Egg
• Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver
• Dumpling Teochew Style
• Baked Bun with BBQ Pork

Yung beef rice toppings ay disappointing. Ang lambot nung karne tapos ang tabang. Kailangan pa isawsaw sa condiments para magkalasa. Partida, sinasabawan pa nila yun ng parang special soy sauce on top of the egg pero bland pa din. Kaya nakakatawa kapag nakakabasa kami ng sambang samba sa putahe na ito. Nothing special here, moving on.

beef toppings

The vermicelli roll is so so. Tama lang yung nipis nung pambalot at yung texture nito. Hindi namin malasahan yung atay at hindi namin matukoy kung dahil sa konti ang laman o dahil wala lang talagang lasa ang pagkaka luto. In any case, masarap yung sauce na kasama. Gingery at manamis-namis ang lasa. Kaya pinaliguan namin ng maigi ng sauce yung mismong roll para sumarap. To sum up, mas masarap pa yung most vermicelli rolls na natikman namin sa Binondo.

vermicelli roll

Malasa yung teochew dumpling. Hindi kasing rich ng lasa ng paborito naming kuchay dumplings pero passable na ang sarap. May mani ito kaya nakakadagdag ng texture (malutong ang loob). Pero personally I hate nuts on it. Malambot yung pabalat at tama lang ang nipis. 

teochew dimsum

Yung baked pork bun ang star ng restaurant na ito and rightfully so. Manamis namis at napaka savory nung pork filling. Habang yung bun naman ay crumbly (with a bit of crunch) ang crust pero tender and fluffy sa loob. Perfect kainin habang mainit. Kung may hindi O.A. pilahan sa Tim Ho Wan, ito yun. Kakaiba ito sa mga bread roll at siopao na natikman namin (that is if it's even related to these type of food).

pork buns

Kaching:

Cost ranges for as low as P140 and tops at about P180 per food item. Sobrang mura na ito considering you are eating at a restaurant that has a star in the Michelin guide. 

Heck, mura na ito considering you are eating at a Glorietta restaurant. LOL. Parang kahit sa McDo lang aabot ng P140 ang isang meal eh.

O

Satsat:
Unang tanong palagi ng mga usisero ay kung sulit pumila ng mahaba at matagal para makakain dito. Kung kami ang tatanungin, hindi. Masarap ang pork buns and that's it. Yun lang ang babalikan namin dito (actually I just came back last week for a take away pork bun). At kahit sabihin namin na competitive ang presyo compared to less popular restaurants around the area, hindi kaya i-justify nun ang magutom at magsunog ng oras sa pila para lang sa kanilang pork bun.

K

Tulad namin, abangan na lang kung kelan walang pila. No rush. Hindi naman yan pabilisan ng pag check-in sa Facebook.

In fairness to them, mabilis naman ang turn around time ng customers at mabilis silang nakakapagpa-upo ng waiting patrons. Ayaw namin na pinagliligpitan agad kami ng kinainan namin na parang pinapaalis ka na. Pero ganun ata talaga sila magpaalis ng tapos nang kumain na kustomer.

pork filling

Magaling ang serbisyo dahil parang andaming staff. Napaghandaan nila ng husto ang dadagsang tao.

There's nothing much in the way of interior design and wisely so. Hole in the wall lang naman ito sa Hong Kong (kung saan ito sumikat) so veering too much from it and making this local franchise uber commercialized (if not yet) is, in our opinion, taking too much character out of the original place.

menu

Buod:
Okay kumain dito dahil mura pero sikat.

Rating:
4.5 out of 7




[obi.Jan.12]

Intro:

We spent this year's Valentine's Day a day late if just to avoid the "V-Day rush" and doesn't have to worry about cramming ourselves in a jam packed restaurant or having to make a reservation days ahead of time.

Madami nang nag-recommend sa amin ng restaurant na ito and sobrang lapit lang nito sa amin na dinadaanan namin ito araw-araw going to work. We think it's about time to finally try it out.

view outside

 
Food:

• Fried Calamari with Kimchi Mayonnaise
• Aussie Lamb Paella
• Roasted Beef Fillet with Potato Gratin and Buerre Rogue
• Mango Shake

As an appetizer, we picked the fried calamari and it's served just in time while we are thinking of what main course to chow down. Nakakalito kasi dahil sa dami ng masarap sa menu. Pag labas ng kalamares, first thing we noticed is the delectable presentation. Napa "wow" kami dahil ang sarap nito tignan. The breading is crunchy and cooked just right (color is golden with no brown marks). The squid inside is perfect. Malambot pero hindi goma nguyain. The kimchi mayo sauce complements it very well with its slightly spicy and tangy taste. The dash of lemon is a welcome addition. Madami ang servings.

fried calamari

K ordered the Aussie Lamb Paella. Again, the plating is impressive. Generous ang serving ng lamb chunks. Hanggang last spoon ay may morsel ng meat. It's tender and tastes gamey. We think the rice can be more flavorful. Medyo papuntang matabang kasi yung lasa.

lamb paella

I had the beef fillet and supposedly it has a piece of seared foie gras on top but ended up with a small prawn dahil wala daw silang foie gras that night. We think the value's not the same but we don't mind the substitution. Beef is cooked as we requested (medium well, para kay buntis) and the serving is just right for two. The butter sauce is a sweet delight but it can ruin the beefy taste kung isasawsaw ng madami so use sparingly. Yung potato gratin ay creamy at bagay ang consistency sa beef. Nice pick ito para sa amin.

roasted beef fillet

The mango shake is typical. Nothing impressive and nothing disappointing on it. Sakto lang.

Price:

Food items range from P300 to P500 on average with 10% service charge so it's on the expensive side. Quality of food though is as upscale as it can get so bagay lang yung presyo.

entree

Comments:

The place is immaculate, which is to be expected with such upscale restaurants. At night, the soft toned lights and the background music reminiscent of alfresco Italian dining, adds value to the experience.

It doesn't take much time before the food is served even when there are several customers at that time. Food is served hot. Plates are changed in between courses.

The staff are very welcoming and willingly explained how the dishes are prepared as we go through our prospective orders.

Adjoining the restaurant is their pastry store.

cakes and pastries

Summary:
This is a must-try fine dining experience when at the south.

O + K in Tito Chef

Rating:
6 out of 7



[obi.Feb.15]