tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61920261155471505892024-02-20T10:18:19.864-08:00The Mommy's Boy ChroniclesMother-and-Son's Delight of the Heart and GutFrancis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-84041034876798064732013-07-24T07:58:00.001-07:002013-07-24T07:58:16.297-07:00Dining A La Insulares<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, Mom said she wanted to go out and eat "something <i>Pinoy</i>". Her wish being my command, I decided to bring her to <i>Elias</i>.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Elias</i> is located in Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. Just like its predecessor <i>Crisostomo</i>, <i>Elias</i>, turn of the century Filipino cuisine, gives <i>Pinoy</i> food a modern take. The entire restaurant concept is so fascinating -- the place is classy yet homey and gives that conducive ambiance for family or friends' gatherings, and most items in the menu have Jose Rizal's characters attached to them. <i>Victorina's Secret</i>, a witty twist of <i>Victoria's Secret</i>, is an oyster dish named after one of my favorite characters in <i>Noli Me Tangere</i>, Dona Victorina de los Reyes de Espadana. With so many food choices with indirect names, it is easy to get lost in the menu. For example, <i>Paborito ng Katipunero</i> is simply the Filipino favorite <i>molo</i> soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lengua</i> being one of Mom's favorite dishes, she ordered the <i>Lengua Estufado</i>, slices of fried ox tongue cooked the traditional way with mushrooms, olives and <i>saba</i> banana. For our fiber intake, I ordered the <i>Gising-Gising</i>, chopped Baguio beans cooked in coconut milk with onions and chili <i>labuyo</i>. (<i>Lengua Estofado</i>, Php 395; <i>Gising-Gising</i>, Php 295)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love oysters, so I got <i>Elias' Choice</i>, baked oysters with cheese and lots of garlic. As we were about to finish our meal, our waiter Burgos gave us a complimentary slice of caramel cake. By the way, the name of our waiter was not really Burgos. He was using an alias derived from Fr. Jose Apolonio Burgos, one of the three Filipino priests who were executed by garrote in 1872. Interestingly, our waitress' name was Maria Clara. (<i>Elias Choice</i>, Php 315)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For our drinks, Mom had the <i>Buko Lychee Shake</i>. I had the bottomless <i>Iced Tea with Tamarind</i>. As for the latter, I highly recommend this drink. It tastes weird but there's something in it that makes it so delicious. (Buko <i>Lychee Shake</i>, Php 180; <i>Tamarind-Flavored Iced Tea</i>, Php 98)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I enjoying a gastronomic trip to the turn of the century. Our orders would definitely drive Sisa crazy.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-81811757533207995392013-06-27T09:58:00.000-07:002013-06-27T10:49:54.117-07:00A Little Delight<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I seldom go to Kapitolyo in Pasig City. Today, I decided to visit this lovely neighborhood again. This time, to try this cute, little restaurant which was recommended by my good friend and fellow foodie Dr. Tisay Buenaflor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since the traffic situation along Shaw Blvd. was terrible and horrible, I walked all the way from San Miguel Ave. to Kapitolyo. Upon reaching the restaurant, I realized the walk was worth it. Burning a few pounds was actually a subtle preparation for something big, literally, that would come my way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then, there it was. <i>Poco Deli</i>. A small restaurant located along East Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. From the outside, the place wasn't too eye-catching -- quite ordinary. It's the interior that's really jaw-dropping -- an attempt to bring Europe's culinary ambiance closer to Pinoys, with lots of wines and liquor, sausages and smoked meat, cakes and dessert.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIy1BWDf1ztFWZzLzFJ-x96P84P_jI37t6h9bYcZxrjhId_Ea7lnj1bPdY6rYbyIiP_tOBq558UNcvD6583H1zAPMLMiovIPWJ4wC143FPQHfEL9Fn-VBZ5_ViJHXYBsxXRFUaqGEcco/s1024/pod1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIy1BWDf1ztFWZzLzFJ-x96P84P_jI37t6h9bYcZxrjhId_Ea7lnj1bPdY6rYbyIiP_tOBq558UNcvD6583H1zAPMLMiovIPWJ4wC143FPQHfEL9Fn-VBZ5_ViJHXYBsxXRFUaqGEcco/s320/pod1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were so many interesting and mouth-watering items in the menu, but this one in the photo was my friend's highest recommendation. And so I ordered it. <i>Bacon Slabs</i>. I would understand eventually on my first bite why my friend wanted me so badly to taste it. Two big slabs (<i>not</i> slices) of bacon, smoked to perfection for six hours, with two pieces of sunny-side-up eggs on top of bacon rice (as in fried rice with lots of bacon bits). Translated, I ordered loads of cholesterol. So what? The guilt would just follow. It was delicious, juicy, and flavorful, anyway. <i>Php 320</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my drink, I ordered <i>Citrus Delight</i>. Generous slices of lime, lemon, grapefruit and orange in a big glass of plain soda water -- perfect match for my main dish. Its acidic but sweet taste sort of washed the oil from the bacon and egg that was carpeting my tongue. <i>Php 120</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That moment of glee when you were about to indulge. Next project: bring Mom to this fantastic dining place. And we're gonna try the cakes, too.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-34550990606488666242013-03-09T04:15:00.000-08:002013-03-09T05:34:32.001-08:00Getting Fat With Pata<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I decided to cook <i>estofadong pata</i> for lunch, the way my Mom cooks it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWobMCwHGlS01O5zoPf8-H_VdRQmnxU6uy_xcJxjo62QstwPzkLS0dcS1IHasRclJvAr0EQYB1OfpckDSKyIyWh_4AuTpAoCwrSjbOooDELukc6URiZlJREzzTyPlF4YgwZPmtsg2FZrM/s1600/ep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWobMCwHGlS01O5zoPf8-H_VdRQmnxU6uy_xcJxjo62QstwPzkLS0dcS1IHasRclJvAr0EQYB1OfpckDSKyIyWh_4AuTpAoCwrSjbOooDELukc6URiZlJREzzTyPlF4YgwZPmtsg2FZrM/s320/ep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Estofadong Pata</i> is basically slices of pork leg (trotter) cooked in soy sauce. Tradition dictates that it should be sweet and have strands of dried banana blossom. The taste is somewhat a fusion of <i>adobo</i>, <i>patatim</i> and <i>pinaksiw na pata</i>. This particular anatomic part is ideal for <i>estofado</i> because of the abundance of chewy skin and sticky fat/soft tissue. My recipe (or more appropriately, Mom's recipe) also has chicken liver, pineapple chunks and <i>saba</i> banana slices added. As for the sauce (and the way we cook it), that's our family's secret.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Estofadong pata</i> is best served hot with freshly-cooked steamed rice.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-14088263615828097592013-03-05T07:50:00.000-08:002013-03-05T07:50:00.869-08:00Gelato Love<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I love ice cream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a very tasty Chinese dinner tonight, we decided to cap off our meal with something cold, sweet and simple. And so I brought her to Caffe Ti-amo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbBC7vPsF7hkOGXZycJG9ChVtbiAgQ6EdXZcRsU-4xhFCfQFCwI35im_2HaYLUm8dWPxm6wxZPal8mp6sEnuii2kIhBYQ1p5Tqj5YcxTnZa2H9S8FfPI7p5w4oKIpR1uYZAim35HZwRc/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbBC7vPsF7hkOGXZycJG9ChVtbiAgQ6EdXZcRsU-4xhFCfQFCwI35im_2HaYLUm8dWPxm6wxZPal8mp6sEnuii2kIhBYQ1p5Tqj5YcxTnZa2H9S8FfPI7p5w4oKIpR1uYZAim35HZwRc/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Caffe Ti-amo Italian Gelato & Coffee</i> is located at the ground level of Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Cozy, that's the simplest word that can describe this cafe -- dim lights, pleasant interior, comfy chairs, and, yes, a tree in the middle. But this establishment's design is actually an eye-catcher... a blend of the casual and the classy, as well as the classic and the modern; more French or English than Italian.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Se9dOq23vQWsO5rryE935_88YSVwKvA-R9QsnjUC0DQdr5tVjyrYk7WfJgoMaLqk__naP9mEDOc0sduEyR3PbmNHhLTrhS-Ct9K-AGUjpCYLDjb2VnJuqXybyeoVP42cdHGJ8osmKps/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Se9dOq23vQWsO5rryE935_88YSVwKvA-R9QsnjUC0DQdr5tVjyrYk7WfJgoMaLqk__naP9mEDOc0sduEyR3PbmNHhLTrhS-Ct9K-AGUjpCYLDjb2VnJuqXybyeoVP42cdHGJ8osmKps/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This cafe boasts of its colorful collection and wide array of gelato (that's Italian for ice cream), artistically sculptured and displayed in a very inviting fashion. This is temptation literally in the form of an ice cream. Other items are also present in their menu, namely, cakes and waffles -- Waffle Gelato being one of the bestsellers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfwY20-y2AK8KjJu855XlLThk0ljLf5-tFqCLND5T1S3_4ItRuQchIliKCKwr7sjtsl8OE1i1ii3QJ_4ntETbDgbvSDYk4I2VZkTrUx15saxfNdniAQO2JWHEWAdHFzOas3WTYbByM6E/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfwY20-y2AK8KjJu855XlLThk0ljLf5-tFqCLND5T1S3_4ItRuQchIliKCKwr7sjtsl8OE1i1ii3QJ_4ntETbDgbvSDYk4I2VZkTrUx15saxfNdniAQO2JWHEWAdHFzOas3WTYbByM6E/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I chose our all-time favorites: pistachio and tiramisu gelato. The former was perfect for Mom, as the sweetness was just right. <i>Hindi nakakaumay.</i> The latter tasted like Bailey's ice cream (that's why I chose it), a pleasing and delicious deviation from the traditional, plain coffee-cocoa flavor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8z8bA77Yrxw06wsjHDUrh4wgQNue9XthOsQmZUvJ-JNQSgN8ea6hgIk9CC1vSF2uh5SY6km_kSvgMmpX9rC3jt8AE2Q_PStOKreaCo2qDG3WZULGSsWym7flZV9yQcVU3KlSb3Xhcl8/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8z8bA77Yrxw06wsjHDUrh4wgQNue9XthOsQmZUvJ-JNQSgN8ea6hgIk9CC1vSF2uh5SY6km_kSvgMmpX9rC3jt8AE2Q_PStOKreaCo2qDG3WZULGSsWym7flZV9yQcVU3KlSb3Xhcl8/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There. The diabetic mother and diabetic-to-be son, enjoying the dessert moment, savoring a single-serving each of heaven. Ice cream is love.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-49370620487261936792013-02-17T04:58:00.000-08:002013-02-17T05:08:57.951-08:00Crepe Est Bonne<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I wanted something light and sweet for lunch today, so I brought her to my newly-discovered and now-a-favorite dining place in Edsa Shangri-la Plaza Mall. <i>La Creperie</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>La Creperie</i> is located at the 2nd level of the Edsa Shangri-la Plaza Mall. The place is cute and simple -- a stand-alone dining area along the mall's corridor. The interior and design remind me of the beauty of a prarie-style kitchen. Although seemingly simple, this small restaurant prepares fantastic crepe varieties that outstand and/or compare to the more popular crepe restaurants in the Metro. In fact, I myself am not that much into crepes, but La Creperie made me change my mind. <i>Oui?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Creperie's menu offers a variety of crepe choices that look totally appetizing but surprisingly have reasonable prices. Dessert or entree, snack or main dish... their crepes are designed to satisfy any form of craving. They also serve soups, pastas and meat dishes, as well as coffee and tea to complement the meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first love... <i>The Salidou.</i> This is their simplest crepe, smothered with salted butter, topped with whipped cream, and drizzled with caramel. That's all. No fruits, meat or any other inclusions. The crepe, made from buckwheat flour, is moist and creamy. This is a must-try for any first-timer in this restaurant (like Mom!). Simple but tasty and full of elaborate flavors. For Mom, however, I added a few slices of banana for a healthier touch. Php 180.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my order, I chose one of their best-sellers, <i>Mango Hazelnut au Chocolat</i>. Bitter-sweet chocolate-flavored crepe with thick chocolate syrup and mango slices, topped with whipped cream, drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with thinly-shaved almonds. The photo speaks for itself. This dish will make your "taste buds fly to the stratosphere", the very descriptive words used by my friend and fellow gastronome Tisay Buenaflor who recommended this place to me. Php 185.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>C'est si bon.</i> Mom and I feeling excited like kids, so eager to devour their snack. Mom's picky taste for food was limited to the conventional and traditional, but I was pretty sure she would love the food in La Creperie as much as I did. And I was right. Our bill: Php 330 (inclusive of the senior citizens' discount). <i>Bon apetit!</i></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-31715613822588508432013-02-16T09:02:00.000-08:002013-02-16T09:15:36.778-08:00Maki-Kain<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After watching a play at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza, Mom and I checked the restaurants at the 3rd level for dinner. Since Mom is into Chinese food, we decided to try <i>Manosa Noodles, Seafood, & Chops</i>. (Chinese food is always the safest choice when addressing her cravings and hunger.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Manosa Noodles, Seafood, & Chops is located at the 3rd level of the Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The food court of RCBC Plaza is studded with good restaurants and has been one of my favorite dining places since the year 2001. The original and parent Manosa restaurant is located in Ongpin, Binondo and was built in 1940. It is delighting to know that there is a branch of this authentic Chinese restaurant in the heart of Makati. Thus, I can enjoy their dishes without having to travel all the way to Binondo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The interior of the restaurant is simple but appealing. The walls are decorated with sepia-toned photos of Old Manila. The chairs are made of woven rattan -- a subtle contrast to the modern-designed tables, and gives the ambiance of fusion of the old and the new -- thus bringing and adapting traditional Chinese flavor to contemporary and urbanized Makati taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Manosa is known to serve delicious <i>maki</i>, just like Ha Yuan and Maki Haus. <i>Maki</i> is a humble dish that is full of flavor. It is made simply of breaded pork slices in thick, gooey, soy-based soup and topped with chopped scallions. This big bowl of <i>maki</i> serves 2 and costs only Php 100.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chinese food is <i>not</i> Chinese food without noodles. The one in the photo is <i>pancit bihon</i>, a popular Filipino-Chinese dish composed of rice noodles cooked in soy sauce and mixed with meat (usually pork) and vegetables. The aroma of this dish is distinct and really appetizing. Serves 2-3, only Php 125.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom is so in love with this one -- <i>kikiam</i>. The real Chinese <i>kikiam</i>, as depicted above, is a large pork roll filled with ground meat and spices, a far cry from the more popular and cheaper <i>"kikiam"</i> that is made almost entirely of flour and flavorings, and shaped into shriveled spindle-shaped nuggets. Manosa <i>kikiam</i> is fried-toasted and served with sweet-and-sour sauce. I can't remember the price, but it is less that Php 100. Also serves 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our <i>pantulak</i>, generous servings of iced tea and watermelon shake in big glasses, each costing less than Php 60.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I living the infamous line of food bloggers, <i>"click before you eat"</i>. All in all, we spent approximately Php 400 for our dinner, and that's still exclusive of the senior citizens' discount. And as for the food, yummy. No need to go to Binondo. Manosa (RCBC Plaza) is just a quick 10-minute ride away from home.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-39938558409343288532013-02-01T09:56:00.000-08:002013-02-01T09:56:10.912-08:00Bienvenido A Barcino<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me encanta el idioma espanol, y me encanta la comida espanola.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that explains why I frequently visit Barcino, officially my favorite wine and tapas bar. I'm not really a wine connoisseur, so I will focus more on their fantastic food (and certain drinks). Interestingly, I always order a glass of wine to accompany my food, based on the recommendation of their very accommodating waiters and waitresses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to their official Facebook page, <i>Barcino</i> was established in 2004 to "answer the need for an authentic Spanish wine and tapas bar". To date, they have six branches all over Metro Manila. I always visit their branch in the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center (and occasionally, The Fort and Greenbelt 2 branches) for proximity reasons. Since I prefer resto bars with light and cozy ambiance, <i>Barcino</i> is a perfect place to unwind and chill-out, either alone or with friends. The food and drinks are relatively pricier, though, because they are imported from Spain. Nevertheless, I get what I pay for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It takes several minutes for the ordered food to arrive, so they serve a complimentary "bread basket" with tomato salsa. Something light to jumpstart the appetite. I have to add more salt though, because I have a preference for the saltier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Paella</i> is a hallmark of authentic Spanish cuisine, and so it is a must-order in <i>Barcino</i>. The variant that is close to the Filipino taste is <i>paella de marisco</i> (seafood paella, <i>top photo</i>). Well-cooked mussels and prawns, and risotto-like rice... this is a perfect entree. To add, this dish is served in just 10 minutes! Php 595</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite duo. <i>Chorizo picantes frito</i> and Estrella Galicia Light. The former is salty-and-spicy Spanish sausage, perfect for my taste buds. It's oil can also serve as a tasty dip for the bread. The latter is one of my much-loved beers -- smooth and kinda fruity. And I don't get that morning-after, hang-over effect. <i>Chorizo</i>: Php 185, Estrella Galicia Light: Php 200.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of <i>Barcino's</i> signature drinks, the Sangria. It's an addictive wine-and-brandy fruit punch. Light, refreshing, anti-<i>umay</i>. I'ts a big glass, by the way. Php 280</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A strong shot of caffeine after a <i>muy delicioso</i> dinner. <i>Cafe bombon</i> -- espresso served with condensed milk. It's actually a good after-dinner treat, especially with alcohol. Php 120</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A delightful Spanish dinner-date with my favorite food partner after watching the musical drama film <i>Les Miserables</i>. Mom is not much into the "not so conventional food" unlike her traditional favorites, <i>ie</i>, Filipino and Chinese dishes. Thus, I knew I was right in bringing her to <i>Barcino</i> when she gave me that comment after her first spoonful of <i>paella</i>: <i>"Naimas!"</i></span></div>
<br />Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-4890551773680953492013-01-19T02:41:00.001-08:002013-02-01T12:30:30.281-08:00I Should Be So Lucky<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was in Sta. Cruz. After collecting specimens from my colleagues, I decided to visit Lucky Chinatown Mall -- the first high-end shopping mall in the heart of Binondo. As it was my first time in this establishment, I took time to walk around and scan the place. And then, I saw it, like an apparition -- Kogi Bulgogi, a Korean restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kogi Bulgogi Korean Cuisine</i> is located at the third level of Lucky Chinatown Mall. There are only two branches to date, the other one being in Eastwood City. This restaurant has an intimidating facade and gives a false impression that it serves pricey Korean dishes. On the contrary, all the items are reasonably priced. The average amount per person is approximately Php 200.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Free Banchan.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> As with other authentic Korean restaurants, Kogi Bulgogi serves complimentary </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(and refillable) side dishes. The kimchi is fantastic. It has a bit of syrupy sweetness on top of the usual salty-and-sour fermented taste.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yoc5Z1ohu-ArpMFYFtnBHZl55z_P-Q1BCKbL95ux8ikkKIqt-5pj76NuMPHK6_27Wq1Ar4I5JycyELt3vaVXLSiQpcnojeZuhJR6B9gOZsrcIbYw_aHOTHYg3enG1HRQ11Lp-fSjIhs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yoc5Z1ohu-ArpMFYFtnBHZl55z_P-Q1BCKbL95ux8ikkKIqt-5pj76NuMPHK6_27Wq1Ar4I5JycyELt3vaVXLSiQpcnojeZuhJR6B9gOZsrcIbYw_aHOTHYg3enG1HRQ11Lp-fSjIhs/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kimchi Jeon (Kimchi Pancake).</i> This is the reason why I instantly decided to try Kogi Bulgogi. I am into Korean pancakes (and most are actually seafood pancakes). This one looks totally different and, of course, appetizing. Indeed, the pancake is true to its appearance. Big serving, and with just the right hotness. Serves 2-3, only for Php 138.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kalbi Tang (Beef Short Ribs Soup).</i> This one is weird because its soup base smells like the one being served in Masuki. In a way, it is predominantly Korean with a touch of Chinese. But still, this dish is heavenly. Four big chucks of beef ribs with well-cooked meat. Perfect for soup lovers like me. Serves 2-3, only for Php 285.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Yours Truly.</i> Enjoying a hot serving of beef short ribs soup to boost my appetite before devouring all my orders. All in all, I had a totally satisfying culinary experience in Kogi Bulgogi, for a reasonable price of only Php 423 -- and that's good for 2-3 persons.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-5120842628956492962012-11-13T19:58:00.001-08:002012-11-13T19:58:33.287-08:00Emerrific!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Definitely one of my favorite Chinese restaurants... Emer's Food Center is a humble, hole-in-the-wall restaurant located in the basement of Makati Cinema Square. For a small establishment, it satisfies my basic requirements for a good dining place: delicious freshly-cooked food, courteous and attentive staff, and value for money. Thus, I give Emer's a five-star rating and my highest recommendation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first glance, Emer's is not the usual commercial or high-end Chinese restaurant that attracts people instantly. The ones who dine here are regular customers who have known the restaurant for years -- like me. It's interior is uncomplicated, but the menu offers a wide selection of <i>lutong-bahay</i> type of Chinese food. And yes, food is cheap, really.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I'm basically a soup-person, so I always start my meal with a generous serving of hot soup. Most Chinese restaurants serve soup in big bowls, and they have no smaller orders. In contrast, a nice thing about Emer's is that they serve soup that is good for one person. In cup, that is. The photo shows chicken-asparagus soup. Plain chicken broth with chicken cubes, asparagus slices, and vegetables. Unassuming but very tasty, for only Php40.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Mom's favorite. Saucy pancit canton. Rightly cooked canton noodles with plenty of <i>sahog</i>: shrimps, pork slices, and fish balls. Serves 2, for only Php120.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of their best, salted shrimp with vinegar sauce. Eight pieces of large shrimp plainly seasoned with salt and deep-fried. This is literally "<i>sarap to the </i>shell". As in I eat the shell, tail and head, and the flesh goes to Mommy. Good for 2-3 persons, for only Php180.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I savoring a very satisfying lunch at Emer's. Our total bill (inclusive of the drinks and the senior citizen discount): Php337.50</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-17180665034308721852012-10-25T17:51:00.001-07:002012-10-25T20:18:20.811-07:00BigBang Dinner<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Korean food. Fortunately, Makati is studded with Korean restaurants. My favorite so far is located just along Malugay St., right beside the Ospital ng Makati Acute Care Center and Makati Golf Compound. Ara Korean Restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ara, just like most of my favorite dining havens, is an accidental discovery, being strategically situated right beside the hospital where I work. The seemingly high-end appearance of the exterior and interior is a far cry from its reasonably-priced food selection, relative to other Korean dining places in Makati City. The place is neat and wide. The food servers are welcoming and polite. Even the Korean owners smile a lot to the customers and supervise in the serving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As with most Korean restaurants, Ara serves a set of complimentary side dishes / appetizers. Although these vary from time to time, kimchi is a mainstay. What's more delighting? The side dishes, especially kimchi, are refillable. These side dishes are served immediately while the customers browse through the menu. Ara also serves pineapple slices and cold cinnamon tea at the end of the meal, also complimentary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are my much-loved dishes in Ara. In fact, the food servers already know that these are my favorite orders. <i>Top photo:</i> pork backbone broth -- two big chunks of pork backbone in chili-base soup, mixed with potato, onion leaves and cabbage. The broth is refillable. <i>Bottom photo:</i> seafood pancake. A simple but appetizing dish made of chopped squid and scallions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yours Truly feasting on a generous serving of pork backbone broth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I enjoying a Korean dinner with Japanese touch -- tempura. Mom is not that into Korean and Japanese food. She's still in the process of "acquiring the taste". She loves prawns/shrimps, though. Thus, the tempura.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-39987848376932811732012-10-11T09:55:00.000-07:002012-10-11T09:55:46.503-07:00Shi Lin Chillin'<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I were looking for a good restaurant for dinner in the Power Plant Mall (Rockwell Center, Makati City) when we decided to check the Archaeology wing, an area in the mall that we seldom visited. There we saw Shi Lin. Since it's the only remaining restaurant inside the mall that we still hadn't tried (being relatively new), we checked the menu and chose to give it a try.</span></div>
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The food selection looked Chinese but not exactly Chinese (I'm referring to the typical menu in most Chinese restaurants). It was, in fact, a Taiwanese restaurant. The place was neat and well-lit. The staff were all very courteous and knew what to suggest for first-timers like us. And most importantly, all the food we ordered were delicious and reasonably priced. It's getting our money's worth, so to speak.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shi Lin Restaurant is located in the Archaeology wing of the Power Plant Mall. The establishment has a very nice red-predominant interior with beautifully-arranged Chinese ceiling lanterns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Freshly-made and artistically-designed dumplings, ready for steaming or frying. <i>Top photo:</i> Mushroom & vegetable dumpling. <i>Bottom photo:</i> Shrimp & pork siomai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Top photo:</i> A hot pot of freshly-prepared, decaffeinated, tropical mango tea. Its light aroma and fruity taste are perfect complements to the strong flavor of the main dishes. <i>Bottom photo:</i> Our appetizer, Japanese cucumber. It's the usual <i>pipino-sa-suka</i> made spicier and more sophisticated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Top photo:</i> Noodles with shrimp and pork wonton. It's actually the broth that makes this dish special -- its light taste brings out the flavor of the meat. <i>Bottom photo:</i> To add soluble fiber to the diet... stirfry Taiwanese spinach, with just the right amount of garlic and oil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <i>Top photo:</i> Crispy prawn cake. This dish uses finely-chopped prawns, thus the fantastic "shrimpy" flavor in every bite. The sweet-and-sour sauce is a perfect match. Mom loved this dish so much. <i>Bottom photo:</i> For dessert... red bean pancake. Not too sweet, but so full of flavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I enjoying a fantastic Taiwanese dinner. Mom even requested for a food to go -- fried shrimp and pork wonton <i>(bottom photo)</i>.</span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-44388443237717310712012-03-20T10:05:00.001-07:002012-03-20T10:05:57.083-07:00Cool It Down<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Summer<i> na. Palamig muna.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left:</i> Iced tea float, Boracay. House-blend iced tea, Kabisera. <i>Tra da</i> (Vietnamese tea with ice), Pho 24. Guyabano iced tea, Blackbeard's Seafood Island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left:</i> Thai <i>halo-halo</i>, Crustasia. <i>Buko-pandan</i> shake, Buko ni Fruitas. Tropical fruit shake, Dulcinea. <i>Puto-bumbong</i> shake, C2 Classic Cuisine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left:</i> Avocado shake, Dizon's. Strawberry float, Icebergs. Blueberry milk tea, Tea Tattle. <i>Sago-gulaman</i>, The Aristocrat.</span></div>
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</div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-52048902793278969032012-02-26T08:20:00.000-08:002012-02-26T08:20:13.327-08:00Mrs. Saigon<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight she was Mrs. Saigon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They said Pho 24 served good food. I said it's time to eat. I needed to order fast, and I was not looking back. We'd devour 'em clean, that's what this dinner's about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, it's my Queen, ah yes! Lower your lips and let's sip. I paid the moon to get these fresh treats. Voila! At Powerplant Mall. Welcome to Pho 24!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heat was on in Pho 24. The food was hotter than hell. All of these dishes would be Mrs. Saigon's. God, the craving was high. Was there a hunger strike going on? Don't ask, I ain't gonna tell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See our soup bowls, they're just the right size. Didn't you enjoy how they filled up our guts? Look from above, they'd knock out your eyes. (<i>Above:</i> Pho do vien -- seafood noodle soup. <i>Below:</i> Pho tai gau -- beef tenderloin noodle soup with fat brisket.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me buy you a tea (or coffee). Tonight we're out of our minds. Not to mention reasonable price. (<i>Left:</i> Ca phe den -- Vietnamese coffee. <i>Right:</i> Tra da -- Vietnamese tea with ice.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were satiating, and we came back here tonight. The village we came from didn't seem far away. All of our loved ones knew much more what to order. But I knew, I had stomach like the sea. A million calories were in me. (<i>Above:</i> Garnishes for Pho. <i>Below:</i> Cha gio -- deep fried spring rolls.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-71759187342496761052012-02-24T12:39:00.000-08:002012-02-24T22:41:37.393-08:00Pathologic Eating<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an ultra-busy day at the Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP) Headquarters in Malakas St., Diliman. So, to replenish my energy stores and to refresh myself during this super hot and tiring day, I decided to have my lunch at Yviana.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yviana is a popular refreshment spot among Filipino pathologists because it is strategically located right across the PSP Building in Malakas St, Diliman, Quezon City. It is a small cafe -- humble, I must say -- in a predominantly residential area. Situated near three tertiary hospitals: the Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center and AFP (V. Luna) Medical Center, it is a preferred dining venue for physicians and healthcare workers in the area. From the outside, it may look like an ordinary bakeshop, but this establishment offers more than just bread. They make really good muffins, food for the gods and butterscotch. (For my <i>pasalubong</i>, I actually bought a big bag of butterscotch slices for Mom). They also serve meals and snacks. And yes, oh yes, don't forget to try the chocolate cake! It's to die for.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CW2BUpvFW-Lgw3TB7T6wXBzxeDrq8FD0zdBCSBaFa-ncWtEtY29VZe6lssp0fyBwYr-4hi7GrNMgocmkwcmRbovpFfb3LIx578la_kKh-nGZyeDMBgz3cO0ng3R2ueHUzaI9wGmCOs8/s1600/emb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CW2BUpvFW-Lgw3TB7T6wXBzxeDrq8FD0zdBCSBaFa-ncWtEtY29VZe6lssp0fyBwYr-4hi7GrNMgocmkwcmRbovpFfb3LIx578la_kKh-nGZyeDMBgz3cO0ng3R2ueHUzaI9wGmCOs8/s320/emb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> For today, I ordered one of my favorites: <i>embutido</i>. I love <i>embutido</i>, in general, but Yviana's version has its unique delicious taste. The consistency is soft, yet it is very meaty. It doesn't have that cereal-crumbs-flour-extender texture. Moreover, it is not the typical rod-shaped <i>embutido</i> -- the square contour makes it more visually appetizing. The egg is cooked the way it should be cooked... for me -- <i>malasado</i>. Yviana also serves really flavorsome <i>la paz batchoy</i>. The <i>dinuguan</i> is also a must-try.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-21671263911672579882012-02-19T21:49:00.000-08:002012-02-19T21:49:00.613-08:00Eating For Absolution<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an iceberg that sank the Titanic. It's also an iceberg that's lifting me high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, <i>Icebergs</i>. The glucose rush releases too much endorphins and gives me that exhilirating, euphoric feeling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unluckily and oddly, my favorite, blueberry cheesecake parfait, was phased out. Scoops of creamy cheese-flavored ice cream topped with blueberry syrup and cheesecake cubes. Perfect. Almost heaven. But just like the Titanic, it's gone now. In all branches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the name implies, Icebergs is mainly an ice cream restaurant. They also serve meals, sandwiches and other non-dessert items. Interestingly, they taste good. So good you'll sink to the ocean floor. Mom and I always order club house sandwich, buffalo wings and <i>halo-halo</i> -- those are our favorites. Surely, ice cream, sundaes and parfaits are just the "tip of the iceberg".</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M05kG83dpwkMMwSMYIV9uOrTQ19idushwNNUr-89KPs2bj_WONnfuDUl2tS_JS60SCBH-QgbHfQYiEvquD6JsqpW0FsSm-yyY-CeAQVCcvg9B0c3c5LHS449SiMK2Rmh0PuNuToqbXE/s1600/IMG00700-20120219-0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M05kG83dpwkMMwSMYIV9uOrTQ19idushwNNUr-89KPs2bj_WONnfuDUl2tS_JS60SCBH-QgbHfQYiEvquD6JsqpW0FsSm-yyY-CeAQVCcvg9B0c3c5LHS449SiMK2Rmh0PuNuToqbXE/s320/IMG00700-20120219-0115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More than an ice cream house. Icebergs is a place to be when craving for different kinds of good-quality food. There are several branches scattered in the Metro, but I always frequent the ones in Robinsons Ermita, Mall of Asia and Seaside Drive for proximity reasons.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic334m92elqdD7XjkSdd3pOY2gRy85n6wdtcQhyphenhyphenD3Or8BuSTleh9orSVKEdiU4jej9rh8RHsrhqU47c05m_hKbWQ4itS7sUxc2Zlk3RAAVPpmVH06N3qjDZUSfqL81w65B6ZRLkcIo7Ts/s1600/ibmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic334m92elqdD7XjkSdd3pOY2gRy85n6wdtcQhyphenhyphenD3Or8BuSTleh9orSVKEdiU4jej9rh8RHsrhqU47c05m_hKbWQ4itS7sUxc2Zlk3RAAVPpmVH06N3qjDZUSfqL81w65B6ZRLkcIo7Ts/s320/ibmom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Queen with her favorite. Halo-halo. The 'tip of the iceberg' is really eye-catching. See those two big scoops of <i>ube</i> and cheese ice cream? Yummy! (<i>Left:</i> Icebergs Robinsons Ermita. <i>Right:</i> Icerbergs Mall of Asia)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Icebergs sizzling <i>sisig</i> is a contradiction. It's not fatty, unlike the usual <i>sisig</i> in other more popular restaurants which is composed of small cubes of fat floating in pools of animal oil. And I prefer the egg served separately, <i>malasado</i>. (Icebergs Seaside Drive, MOA Complex)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG8zK6AVLhC6GmKUQmk4I-nfSsUu9sRXvwGgREF7VDL1YGIFBL0ltUZDSMn4v-8i4HcPD0p5t2xvk7tqNyyzifbUUKnzen7Q6cyKj3SlBRnJQVaoMzBMqFCDgvlZ5V5BzjAk5O3SyWSo/s1600/IMG00713-20120219-0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG8zK6AVLhC6GmKUQmk4I-nfSsUu9sRXvwGgREF7VDL1YGIFBL0ltUZDSMn4v-8i4HcPD0p5t2xvk7tqNyyzifbUUKnzen7Q6cyKj3SlBRnJQVaoMzBMqFCDgvlZ5V5BzjAk5O3SyWSo/s320/IMG00713-20120219-0152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom doesn't eat buffalo wings unless they're from Icebergs. This one in the photo is a surprise <i>pasalubong</i> for her Majesty at 4:00 AM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the embodiment of mortal sin. Strawberry float. It's like 500 cc of regular sugar-loaded soda with strawberry syrup, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and slices of sweetened strawberry. So sinful yet so divine. My mouth will go on.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-5737334896350516872012-02-19T10:32:00.000-08:002012-02-19T11:25:10.536-08:00Bench Body<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bench... my all-time favorite clothing line since high school. (You know, Richard Gomez and his famous rowing TV commercial in the early 1990's.) Just the perfect fit. Just the perfect size. Just the perfect comfort. And just the perfect price. I've tried several other local and imported clothing brands, but I've always ended up choosing Bench. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clueless. But yes, I am, in fact, the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ultimate</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Bench hunk. Here's me, everything Bench.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3wajpKOx6gxqpzKUNNMA-dJWYH3_S-hU8basghjFl9owaQ0DyE0KdhlfZIus10hMHbXyhIA3HieOjqx05PhLAOtMPD0Ur3am5vgAGd4mbfwTnEoTj0GG0B-9G8BiAB2_jbbjgkMRH80/s1600/bnc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3wajpKOx6gxqpzKUNNMA-dJWYH3_S-hU8basghjFl9owaQ0DyE0KdhlfZIus10hMHbXyhIA3HieOjqx05PhLAOtMPD0Ur3am5vgAGd4mbfwTnEoTj0GG0B-9G8BiAB2_jbbjgkMRH80/s320/bnc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-47113073842405144682012-02-02T11:26:00.000-08:002012-02-02T20:47:04.863-08:00Sta. Cruzin'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Why I love going to Sta. Cruz in Manila.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yeah, there is money there. I go to Sta. Cruz every week to collect specimens from my doctor friends. Aside from that, Sta. Cruz is a culinary sanctuary. The streets of Masangkay, Benavides and Doroteo Jose are studded with eateries, canteens and restaurants that serve authentic and delectable Chinese food. Here are some of the food spots that I frequent:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Wai Ying Fast Food.</i> My all-time favorite Chinese fast food since medical school. Wai Ying is located in Benavides St., a short five-minute walk from the Metropolitan Medical Center (and a quick 10-minute drive from UST -- perfect for medical students who intend to have a "quickie" lunch). Every item in the menu is a must-try. I always order <i>pata-bihon</i> -- it's <i>mami</i> but <i>bihon</i> is used instead of the usual Hong Kong <i>mami</i> noodles, mixed with two big pieces of <i>patatim</i>. Their <i>mami</i> is best paired with <i>siomai</i> or shrimp <i>chong fan</i> -- chewy shrimps wrapped in <i>ho fan</i> sheets and immersed in <i>asado</i> soy sauce. In the photo: beef-<i>bihon</i>, shrimp <i>chong fan</i> and almond jelly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Heavenly Grace Vegetarian Restaurant</i>. All flora, no fauna. This is a small restaurant along Masangkay St. right beside the Philippine Academy of Sakya. The food is comparable to the more commercialized vegetarian restaurants in shopping malls, only cheaper and more reasonably priced. One will be surprised to see high school students from nearby schools eat here for lunch -- definitely a good way to incorporate vegetables in the diet of the younger generation. In the photo: budget meal composed of two <i>ulam</i> (sweet-and-sour veggie meat and eggplant <i>guisado</i>) and rice with iced tea, all for Php 65.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ha Yuan Fast Food</i>. I was introduced to the best <i>maki</i> ever created at the age of 8 (circa 1984) when my aunt Flor brought me to Ha Yuan in the food court of SM Cubao (then, "Shoemart"). <i>Maki</i> became part of my culinary vocabulary eversince. Along Masangkay St., a few meters from Claro M. Recto Ave., is this old-fashioned Ha Yuan branch. <i>Maki</i> is actually bite-size pieces of breaded meat in thick, mucoid, soy-based soup and with scallion topping. Simple but totally pleasing to the taste buds. The establishment also serves noodles, rice meals and <i>dimsum</i>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4HWom1CPvodsZbRKQHfU68jNUJNFBxFZp_3mqtXbI9W2-mVzvu9RaPWqmfcUGd-Zrg0QWSrD9QEMScwn6mFP5aac7YqYLGhmcGc2snZBjdfxOiLBejcLWef6IGL_OREdwtA7N3pLaN8/s1600/mg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4HWom1CPvodsZbRKQHfU68jNUJNFBxFZp_3mqtXbI9W2-mVzvu9RaPWqmfcUGd-Zrg0QWSrD9QEMScwn6mFP5aac7YqYLGhmcGc2snZBjdfxOiLBejcLWef6IGL_OREdwtA7N3pLaN8/s320/mg.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>The New President Sharksfin Seafood Restaurant.</i> An accidental discovery when my Mom and I arrived in Avenida and we were looking for some really nice restaurants in the area. "President" is situated in the ground level of the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, a neat 3-star hotel in the corner of Doroteo Jose St. and Rizal Ave., right across the Doroteo Jose LRT station. The restaurant provides a retro ambiance, as the walls are decorated with photos of movie stars and celebrities in the 1950s. Appropriately called, the hotel stands at the site of the historic Manila Grand Opera House. The restaurant serves the best-tasting chicken feet in the Metro.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZiizLHTIY_O8pZghWLNT8dH_ngdoQH-zEGZeroSJ1sCMIm4Xjk9BPjhfrw_n2EmzlXDjQVc54UeN0-AnQAxF89R0a39IJ2jmFZITY3vKcIe1xK1-kdw8B_D0Lq06niA_tggpstTTazY/s1600/msk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZiizLHTIY_O8pZghWLNT8dH_ngdoQH-zEGZeroSJ1sCMIm4Xjk9BPjhfrw_n2EmzlXDjQVc54UeN0-AnQAxF89R0a39IJ2jmFZITY3vKcIe1xK1-kdw8B_D0Lq06niA_tggpstTTazY/s320/msk.jpg" width="244" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Masuki.</i> A <i>lutong-bahay</i> style Chinese fast food in Benavides St. towards Binondo. There are only three items in the menu -- <i>mami, siopao</i> and <i>siomai</i> -- and those are indeed the very specialties of the house. The <i>mami</i> and <i>siopao</i> taste like they are "traditionally" prepared, in contrast to the "commercial" taste of modern Chinese tea houses. Interestingly, Masuki is operated by the same group that owned the very famous Ma Mon Luk, claimed by my Mom to be the best <i>mami</i> house during her college days (circa 1950). In the photo: <i>asado mami</i>, special <i>asado siopao</i> and pork <i>siomai</i>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrqOfmd3Izn4zCv_UehD_FUaeqwUylLP2VNOhGfpaO8pMcUJne2vK9O_snwHVJEWXaanOGjhx7FBYKoZTVKBAaFq5hi8VbMM5mdmmcTP9Mrroz3tZ-Xjw2Qw92SdhP-ySinxtGhsWn8Q/s1600/IMGP2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrqOfmd3Izn4zCv_UehD_FUaeqwUylLP2VNOhGfpaO8pMcUJne2vK9O_snwHVJEWXaanOGjhx7FBYKoZTVKBAaFq5hi8VbMM5mdmmcTP9Mrroz3tZ-Xjw2Qw92SdhP-ySinxtGhsWn8Q/s320/IMGP2587.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mom and I in one of our Sta. Cruzin' food trips. A hot and delicous serving of asado mami in Masuki.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-42582820064813403332011-11-27T00:06:00.001-08:002011-11-27T01:10:49.970-08:00As Far As The Gut Can 'See'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When eating becomes limitless...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's a photo-collection of some of my ultra-digestive buffet moments with Her Majesty. We always say that food is our ultimate passion... Well, let the photos do the talking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG1e5aNVsha-HysvbMMbFU6H9bfUv-7Ce2giMdjoqgkkYQvqGN1ZWEt1b6ep9GLnd_mP6zGXFW2-XDPNdcEgdsFOGh-D5AtFO1JCNt6Rjb7eZdm7sNUgiN2LRF_zrIIylq47ps845i48/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG1e5aNVsha-HysvbMMbFU6H9bfUv-7Ce2giMdjoqgkkYQvqGN1ZWEt1b6ep9GLnd_mP6zGXFW2-XDPNdcEgdsFOGh-D5AtFO1JCNt6Rjb7eZdm7sNUgiN2LRF_zrIIylq47ps845i48/s320/a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Seoul Garden, Singapore.</i> Mom celebrated her 77th birthday in the Lion City by having a shabu-shabu and barbecue/grill lunch. My friend Millie and her two loveable kids treated me and Mom in this Korean buffet restaurant somewhere along Orchard Road.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1GF85szBbhM9Yew-GiIs54cKYOFjnT8po9VcRnQxlTPCuKdhCbkDVMzIU-_SpbEKtWYn4miswPSnRqULO0trPavMYTUUSjcD6_XWvvixdlgVuaC1eHomp10DE6n1xNxDfXNz6bT9W4A/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1GF85szBbhM9Yew-GiIs54cKYOFjnT8po9VcRnQxlTPCuKdhCbkDVMzIU-_SpbEKtWYn4miswPSnRqULO0trPavMYTUUSjcD6_XWvvixdlgVuaC1eHomp10DE6n1xNxDfXNz6bT9W4A/s320/b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spiral, Sofitel Manila.</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> An alimentary evening in Manila's most famous buffet restaurant. It's dining a la rich and famous.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-MJXlV4d4V5g1DuYs8Vl7h76y-j1TsH9PgVlS3UwsPzYmq5lqB3YwFJ9TwXHQg0uKOL7XM71f2tYqdt0DME9RupjvWzHF8gEJowUUb72uM7NKjkFIDgCxVykaudjMFJ2U43Xe6YRIsw/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-MJXlV4d4V5g1DuYs8Vl7h76y-j1TsH9PgVlS3UwsPzYmq5lqB3YwFJ9TwXHQg0uKOL7XM71f2tYqdt0DME9RupjvWzHF8gEJowUUb72uM7NKjkFIDgCxVykaudjMFJ2U43Xe6YRIsw/s320/c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Escolta, The Peninsula Manila.</i> A five-star dinner in a five-star hotel. The abundance of crabs, oysters and lobsters in this restaurant made Mom give a five-star rating.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjyjxlh3ZNmlyKKQvnZtEsgkhSwyFWN82BYWx-LMsRZLVS0e9O6LJsGg3agn_ySfTJODOKnnkU6ZTRppdrd_NWYiodBLf3_s6FydUYyhDOzGfJl0C01JWMPaEbgafGBg1EXCpYEA-RKg/s1600/sn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjyjxlh3ZNmlyKKQvnZtEsgkhSwyFWN82BYWx-LMsRZLVS0e9O6LJsGg3agn_ySfTJODOKnnkU6ZTRppdrd_NWYiodBLf3_s6FydUYyhDOzGfJl0C01JWMPaEbgafGBg1EXCpYEA-RKg/s320/sn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Siam Niramit, Bangkok.</i> An authentic Thai dinner right before the spectacular Siam Niramit Cultural Show. Tom Yam never tasted that good and hot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX97gqXIG32rYMXTU8YtXqGEhZxbUZeOZ2s0U-k24lwbB3saoLZ0yeAuq8Kdu-U6DK6lyttEb7kkz44UF5qQ_-4LwwlSb3hLWfYpjs4MFlhPl-bRKvRXGRrkO3XJrwr8dVX0dwfvA-MtI/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX97gqXIG32rYMXTU8YtXqGEhZxbUZeOZ2s0U-k24lwbB3saoLZ0yeAuq8Kdu-U6DK6lyttEb7kkz44UF5qQ_-4LwwlSb3hLWfYpjs4MFlhPl-bRKvRXGRrkO3XJrwr8dVX0dwfvA-MtI/s320/d.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Revolving Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur Tower.</i> Mom turned 78 in this unique buffet restaurant, 420 meters above sea level and with full circumferential view of Kuala Lumpur. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers glistened like a diamond in this lovely birthday evening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTTVCGUwxM0PyVbA0IaCcAEOgpqHh2OBtildfZSNDMSO2o02abJ349cmL__9zHPAWELt_e7Tqqleiu-9RfrFYfSvgNoqOY6Zvgb1VFJKRpNrEFfLRX0PNs2o-PqMfGuwf8rxgl72U59U/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTTVCGUwxM0PyVbA0IaCcAEOgpqHh2OBtildfZSNDMSO2o02abJ349cmL__9zHPAWELt_e7Tqqleiu-9RfrFYfSvgNoqOY6Zvgb1VFJKRpNrEFfLRX0PNs2o-PqMfGuwf8rxgl72U59U/s320/e.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Paseo Uno, The Mandarin Oriental Manila.</i> For my 35th birthday, I brought Mom to the seafood night of one of Makati City's famous landmarks. It was our first time to taste <i>curacha</i> -- a native crab imported from the country's southern regions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOQloVYju6JmhnkGGHD4sZ25NRGjT1v2PA5sKGqn2fxaa1TFzIhv9MbfdUrD-aS4XM4dKt7L78T8HpxnWL1i6QvoxjxNHuCF0HIV6HPyTSvk7VHjNojFuZzz0K1j326K1HPK6l8AmZCY/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOQloVYju6JmhnkGGHD4sZ25NRGjT1v2PA5sKGqn2fxaa1TFzIhv9MbfdUrD-aS4XM4dKt7L78T8HpxnWL1i6QvoxjxNHuCF0HIV6HPyTSvk7VHjNojFuZzz0K1j326K1HPK6l8AmZCY/s320/f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Seoul Garden, SM City Annex.</i> Singapore's famous Korean restaurant, now in the Metro. My Uncle Ponce invited me and Mom to a dinner treat in this venue as he celebrated his 50 golden years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-6761329448732408812011-10-29T11:33:00.000-07:002011-10-29T11:33:43.962-07:00Rockwell Rockin'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, mainly because of its proximity, but also because of what it has to offer. The Rockwell Center, especially the Powerplant Mall, is a quick five-to-ten-minute cab-ride away from our place. It's a must-do, <i>ie</i>, to dine or just have a taste of what's in there -- from fast food to restaurant-type, when you visit Rockwell every weekend and make it an extension of your home. And so, here it is, a collection of our photo-documented Powertrippin' and Rock-and-rollin' gastro-delights at the Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm2AvP4iRuXX5eTuoa06-467hkZHaEm4697i22aKUYBoypjfusWquy5r_1lBOPYDdW41g7awRq31Zp1TJY9nHYApNiEZa_OuEVaaeP-jBFo9xEsbtlJCLzc-G0yQObaThcNiDC3peYLc/s1600/pp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm2AvP4iRuXX5eTuoa06-467hkZHaEm4697i22aKUYBoypjfusWquy5r_1lBOPYDdW41g7awRq31Zp1TJY9nHYApNiEZa_OuEVaaeP-jBFo9xEsbtlJCLzc-G0yQObaThcNiDC3peYLc/s320/pp1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left: </i>Cucina Victoria, Kenny Rogers Roasters, KFC, Kulinarya.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX-f8Yy0JXR4-cu5QacZlA6vNqsaUIYRVuFYgLD_ERDgrLAyCl3dDIcdi6CHVq5LFH6oKaI3bt84X3PrCjX0NOfn9FJI3lTlgJeEX-KIDnHw31aOr772nL5JcmHafEoTorQHkr4ON9nA/s1600/pp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX-f8Yy0JXR4-cu5QacZlA6vNqsaUIYRVuFYgLD_ERDgrLAyCl3dDIcdi6CHVq5LFH6oKaI3bt84X3PrCjX0NOfn9FJI3lTlgJeEX-KIDnHw31aOr772nL5JcmHafEoTorQHkr4ON9nA/s320/pp2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left: </i>C2 Classic Cuisine, Crustasia Asian Crabs & Seafood House, Cantinetta, Dulcinea.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Iw8ymiOqt2TtVwtURuNoBgChJAVqfmgB7MdQFFwNIObUB0pK2TExqZymWX74Bk4RUevHMvdPdV2Tmb27D5LpnRe1sirETJQz2ipnZVa6uwgdzF-ZSNPslvvmXjsmfcL2J59B6UNH2O0/s1600/pp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Iw8ymiOqt2TtVwtURuNoBgChJAVqfmgB7MdQFFwNIObUB0pK2TExqZymWX74Bk4RUevHMvdPdV2Tmb27D5LpnRe1sirETJQz2ipnZVa6uwgdzF-ZSNPslvvmXjsmfcL2J59B6UNH2O0/s320/pp3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left:</i> Cibo, Cafe Via Mare, Kaya Korean Restaurant, Fruits in Ice Cream.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cTEvGsHmLNuDx7RsT5irJQLUVj99C4M6zmg1j9-jkty3tNgQ_rDzo6m0kjKRpn3RoFANKEyYn7F11PNL1E2bz4fdJbh0nK21horoG83E2wstBPRlrVHdX2GABnFAoxO0PFnB39iVk4/s1600/pp4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cTEvGsHmLNuDx7RsT5irJQLUVj99C4M6zmg1j9-jkty3tNgQ_rDzo6m0kjKRpn3RoFANKEyYn7F11PNL1E2bz4fdJbh0nK21horoG83E2wstBPRlrVHdX2GABnFAoxO0PFnB39iVk4/s320/pp4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Clockwise from upper left: </i>Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles, Lulubelle Frozen Desserts, Sugarhouse, Chilli's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-88860389308999333192011-10-02T02:02:00.000-07:002011-10-02T07:09:29.295-07:00Endangered Lipid<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's on the verge of extinction. I'm not really sure why. It used to be ubiquitous -- in all northbound buses and bus stations. But recently, there has been a decline in its production, and it has become less visible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm talking about this cheap <i>chicharon</i>. That which is made from carabao skin (but is claimed to be pork rind), deep-fried in naturally-hydrogenated cooking oil that has turned brown and a bit rancid from repeated use, and seasoned with lots and lots of salt and monosodium glutamate. It's yummy, really.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I call it "plastic-balloon <i>chicharon</i>". No, not because it has toxic chemicals (its cholesterol and salt content is too much for the arteries, though). It is filled up with air. The inner section is multiloculated, composed mainly of air-spaces. One bite then is actually equivalent to a mere 30-40% of the original size. That's a psychological reassurance that you are getting only 30-40% of the assumed nutrients (if ever there are any) and dangerous substances. Plus, you also ingest sublethal doses of clinically important microorganisms (<i>Salmonella typhi</i>, hepatitis A/E virus, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, etc.). That's good, because you're giving your immune system its natural vaccine and booster dose (Google-search this one: <i>hygiene hypothesis / old friends theory</i>).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKTJiU0Donf_jFio6ogDiSfCPssU0CFgceNebueqCF8TjNMrCuuQhlcwo9urMgRALVpiy13Rgz7AyQdGwZTtiqRWQSwcse7MfaBwliSVZnIv0mlzn0_fXe5WE0uQ9j2FEr6LMUnSIQ2k/s1600/ch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKTJiU0Donf_jFio6ogDiSfCPssU0CFgceNebueqCF8TjNMrCuuQhlcwo9urMgRALVpiy13Rgz7AyQdGwZTtiqRWQSwcse7MfaBwliSVZnIv0mlzn0_fXe5WE0uQ9j2FEr6LMUnSIQ2k/s320/ch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My favorite snack during my weekly trips to Tarlac and back: "plastic balloon <i>chicharon</i>". I'm glad this was available at the Dau Bus Terminal last week when Mom and I returned to Manila. Cheap, somewhat unhygienic, but definitely tasty and crunchy. All for 20 pesos. It is endangered. We may have to settle eventually to more commercially prepared and quality-controlled <i>chicharon</i> like <i>RL Lapid's</i> (which is also one of my favorites).</span></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-84829429666494231692011-09-24T20:19:00.000-07:002011-09-24T21:42:03.101-07:00It's Our Secret<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I thought Secret Recipe originated from Singapore. I saw one near our hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and I believed it was a branch since the chain was widespread in South-East Asia, and there were four stores in the Philippines. Just a few days ago, I learned that it was established and common in Malaysia. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-4pN7X45gY43Yihm3KD0uEE5UNzqjuw1bIdFO161ZSjclXbHGRlB2LOMVfwOEy3NA9dlZ0_ElcljEbMr60ovu7SQZcc5EcswQHFYncib8JVul1D0vaZl0g-EMKQV1I1PZV6uRc4ilU8/s1600/srm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-4pN7X45gY43Yihm3KD0uEE5UNzqjuw1bIdFO161ZSjclXbHGRlB2LOMVfwOEy3NA9dlZ0_ElcljEbMr60ovu7SQZcc5EcswQHFYncib8JVul1D0vaZl0g-EMKQV1I1PZV6uRc4ilU8/s320/srm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Secret Recipe serves fusion food (Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian) and offers a great selection of cakes and pastries. Although a 'common' restaurant in Malaysia (as described by a store manager), the appeal in the Philippine setting is more of a semi-high-end, lifestyle, cozy restaurant/cafe -- in the same manner that Starbucks is a social hang-out place in Metro Manila but is actually a 'common' coffee shop in the United States. <i>(Photo: Secret Recipe menu)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMWVz2TksDQ9X8CUagrky80VC6rH_ecFgxcq5V8zrdPGHdc73BRu_ZactG0myzCpcMUiLaNFOh_l8ak2PM3pjOdU86eeq_I2FW_a0aGThFg_9X6gSPbbCpXfTuJbWzE6tVSONiHz4d78/s1600/sr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMWVz2TksDQ9X8CUagrky80VC6rH_ecFgxcq5V8zrdPGHdc73BRu_ZactG0myzCpcMUiLaNFOh_l8ak2PM3pjOdU86eeq_I2FW_a0aGThFg_9X6gSPbbCpXfTuJbWzE6tVSONiHz4d78/s320/sr5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mom and I frequent Secret Recipe - Global City branch because of its proximity to St. Luke's Global City (where Mom usually has her ophthalmologic and head-and-neck check-ups) and NU-U Asia Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic Dentistry (Mom's vanity and beauty haven). The photo shows the two of us satiating ourselves with the delicious entree and/or dessert in Secret Recipe on four different occasions. All four photos were taken right after Mom's check-up from the two medical centers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Clockwise from upper left.</i> (1) Mom's favorite -- fish and chips, and moist chocolate cake. (2) Chocolate chip walnut, white chocolate macadamia, strawberry frosty yogurt shake and ice blended mocha espresso. (3) Fish and chips -- I told you it's Mom's favorite, and Japanese soba. (4) Chocolate fudge, lemon cheese cake, and their own blend of iced lemon tea.</span></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-13827445873667959182011-09-16T20:29:00.000-07:002011-09-16T20:29:30.927-07:00Wendy's Tayo, Wendy's Hindi<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's Mom's first time to eat at Wendy's. And it's my first in three years -- after devouring the Baconator in just one sitting back in 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tuesday evening. We still had an hour before the last screening time of </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> at Greenbelt 1. I showed her our choices for dinner -- Tokyo Tokyo, Piadina, Cafe Mediterranean, Jamaican Patties, Auntie Anne's -- but she looked at Wendy's with inquiring eyes. That was her answer, and so we went to Wendy's.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSzir2b019MI21D-svHO1ntBLGoaSVnGwn1BfiENlF_51gAfQp4Z8uLUCn48qfSkZzAguHk-Ep_mJApYKGRjc39Phdenkxzc3mSL1VmbiLrVpNJNijrfc3YnCW1YPebFXkcTQm0g6JQc/s1600/w1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSzir2b019MI21D-svHO1ntBLGoaSVnGwn1BfiENlF_51gAfQp4Z8uLUCn48qfSkZzAguHk-Ep_mJApYKGRjc39Phdenkxzc3mSL1VmbiLrVpNJNijrfc3YnCW1YPebFXkcTQm0g6JQc/s320/w1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wanted to get the Baconator (after three long years) and share it with Mom, but the horror of </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">sebo</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> damaging her arteries made me drop the idea.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I let her choose her own combo meal, instead. She had chicken breast fillet (with extra cheese), and I had the bacon mushroom melt. Coke Zero for our drink, of course.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJB4df4ohQsYaXrHRxM_3RDxBZeHH_XoS1V-eLU93uyWV4i22e9lmykRZc2K0zvRsheBossV2U4xMmjIHFL5sqFoJPcBmelxwztJI3HJXYFVJoYaDjvn4NATizroeg3N0XChwwUm5Buc/s1600/w2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJB4df4ohQsYaXrHRxM_3RDxBZeHH_XoS1V-eLU93uyWV4i22e9lmykRZc2K0zvRsheBossV2U4xMmjIHFL5sqFoJPcBmelxwztJI3HJXYFVJoYaDjvn4NATizroeg3N0XChwwUm5Buc/s320/w2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mom has this weird addiction for tomato ketchup and the habit of sucking it directly from the sachet. She doesn't want the ketchup in bottle. It should be in sachet. Thus, I always ask for lots and lots and lots of ketchup whenever we eat in fast food restaurants. The cashier at Wendy's was too generous to give Mom 12 sachets.</span></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-55669260211498568592011-09-12T02:31:00.000-07:002011-09-12T02:45:25.904-07:00No Lament for La Mien<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have this insatiable craving for restaurants that offer something different. Hand-pulled noodles, for one. Well, hand-pulled noodles are widespread in the Metro. However, in Masangkay St. which is studded with Chinese restaurants, this one is unique, and very accessible to my weekly Sta. Cruz visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lan Zhou La Mien noodle house intrigued me the day it opened its door three years back. What really caught my attention was this guy making hand-pulled noodles by the restaurant's front glass window. And so I went in, and that was my first taste of hand-pulled noodles ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I visit this place once a month, and I order the same dish -- spare ribs la mien. I also order steamed dumplings to go with the noodles. The average price for their noodles is Php 120 (a big jump from the former price of Php 90). One serving can actually feed two persons. A single-serve big bowl is composed of 60% noodles, 10% meat, and 5% Taiwan pechay, leaving only 25% for the <i>sabaw</i>. That's not a problem though, 'coz one can ask for a broth refill. That's getting your money's worth.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU_BecX2J2Njgjaw5cqLcAvOzLIIxmtXdqbp9rWl7TaxlnkSX0sW_3akTBiStzDrXrnOu_QeHy5Cq8s7pwNWwVlcAEpiNJuBbSoEvuSkIdMGYnVF79TZQnE6bhTJOekhm44NuYw0FUeA/s1600/lz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU_BecX2J2Njgjaw5cqLcAvOzLIIxmtXdqbp9rWl7TaxlnkSX0sW_3akTBiStzDrXrnOu_QeHy5Cq8s7pwNWwVlcAEpiNJuBbSoEvuSkIdMGYnVF79TZQnE6bhTJOekhm44NuYw0FUeA/s320/lz.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i>Top:</i> Lan Zhou La Mien noodle house is located along Masangkay St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila, right across Metropolitan Medical Center. It's a small, air-conditioned restaurant that offers a variety of noodle dishes. Based on my observation, their best-seller is the beef la mien. They also offer dumplings and friend noodles. The restaurant is always filled with customers, especially during lunch and dinner. <i>Bottom:</i> The "master pullman" working on a lump of dough to produce the desired consistency. To his right is a big pot of flavorful soup base. La Mien literally means "hand-pulled noodles".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Spare ribs la mien. I've tasted all their la mien varieties, but this one is my favorite. This is one of their underrated dishes, since most customers order the more popular beef la mien. Spare ribs la mien is oozing with flavor. The noodles are firm but not hard, the meat is spicy and tender, and the broth is rich and tasty.</span></span></div>
<br />Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-35325182683541226592011-09-10T18:42:00.000-07:002011-09-10T18:48:57.690-07:00Getting Dirty<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was in Makati City Hall a few days ago. No, not for business or document concerns. I was there because of the food bazaar. Yes, there's a food bazaar in the parking area, and they sold lots and lots of <i>ulam </i>and <i>merienda</i>. Oh, the price was cheap, by the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, I bought<i> giniling na baboy</i> and<i> binagoongang baboy</i> (Gosh! <i>Ang-baboy ko!</i>) for lunch. I wasn't in the mood for the <i>sinigang na</i> salmon belly which Mom asked me to buy from Chick-Boy. And when I went out to hitch a trike, I saw it. An apparition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There it was, in its magnificent glory -- the fishball cart. I tried to avoid it, but it was a temptation too much to resist. (I promised myself not to eat fishball or other street foods again. I was hospitalized because of them -- during my residency training in 2006, and I was the chief resident! Wonderful. No, perfect.) Five years later, I decided to give it another chance, now with "standard precautions".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I bought five-pesos worth (10 pieces) of fishball. Oh, the fun of making <i>tuhog </i>the balls. Amusing, 'coz the price of 50 centavos had not changed in the past 10 years. This time, however, I didn't dip the balls in the <i>sarsa</i>. It's the sauce, honey, that harbored the <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Salmonella typhi</i>, <i>Shigella dysenteriae</i>, <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>, and <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i>. It's the same sauce that gave fishballs the superb taste that would put all those savory Italian sauces to shame, but I didn't want to take the risk and be hospitalized again with severe dehydration. Even so, I enjoyed the sauceless fishballs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To date (three days after my fishball ingestion), my gastrointestinal mucosa is still intact.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPareuObsnP8Exw8T4HenkJnPpIlhIGppHeJ0ghB3RRLdITk4SriBmwcIcU13o-UtOjJZmDMW4hVRkhDEZfO6Y8gu80ApDoQdKFAUsesFoeDH5oeDwFh8sLsmFJB0HnhFfWDGfvvcKk14/s1600/fbal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPareuObsnP8Exw8T4HenkJnPpIlhIGppHeJ0ghB3RRLdITk4SriBmwcIcU13o-UtOjJZmDMW4hVRkhDEZfO6Y8gu80ApDoQdKFAUsesFoeDH5oeDwFh8sLsmFJB0HnhFfWDGfvvcKk14/s320/fbal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I secretly took this photo of the fishball cart while I was eating my balls (Ugh!). The sauce looked appetizing. Surely, it would taste even better. Nah, I settled for the sauceless. Not as scrumptious but nonetheless satisfying.</span></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6192026115547150589.post-24830239650345908922011-09-10T01:03:00.000-07:002011-09-10T01:03:33.312-07:00I Love You, Sabado<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's Saturday, seven o'clock in the morning. Time to wake up, freshen up, dress up and prepare for our Saturday morning routine. We're not going to a party or social event. We are going to the market. Yes, <i>mamamalengke kami. </i>Oops, don't forget the camera.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's odd, really, but Salcedo Saturday Market (SSM) in Jaime Velasquez Park is a place to be in and seen. It's a <i>palengke</i> with a twist. Situated in Salcedo Village, Makati City (a quick 10-minute cab ride away from home), SSM is where we can choose from and buy a great varety of stuff -- from the edible to the usable, the organic to the refined, the conventional to the extreme, and the fresh to the cured. It's also a place where we can dine and see everyone taking photos and videos. For documentation, posterity, feature reporting, blogging?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mom and I love it here, obviously. It's sort of an extension of our kitchen and pantry. This is where we can eat our favorite native dishes, and be (psychologically) assured that what we're having are fresh, hygienic, genuine, and of good quality. For Mom, <i>gatas ng kalabaw</i>, <i>tudok-tudok</i>, <i>ginisang camaro</i>, and<i> puto-bumbong</i>. For me, <i>okoy</i>, <i>empanadang Iloco</i>,<i> suman latik</i>, and<i> tapang damulag</i>. This is where we buy <i>alimasag</i>,<i> suhang Davao</i>, pecan pie, quiche, and<i> chicharon may taba</i> to go. Among others, of course.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YhErsdgeRc8uGMHWaV0qXeXSFE41OcFGxxR4m5JuIvgi7Dh-lzVue6FEyGUzAwM-dkJ9EcOXj0MjWr99ov9CT5f5qAIx3cn95MTlg0LDX8Gk0mr71KnJCgXQe1fqE00oYH9uk73hhbw/s1600/ss3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YhErsdgeRc8uGMHWaV0qXeXSFE41OcFGxxR4m5JuIvgi7Dh-lzVue6FEyGUzAwM-dkJ9EcOXj0MjWr99ov9CT5f5qAIx3cn95MTlg0LDX8Gk0mr71KnJCgXQe1fqE00oYH9uk73hhbw/s320/ss3.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top: </i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">SSM is actually the Jaime Velasquez Park turned into a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">sosyal</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> market. (I actually saw a </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">tindera</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> selling </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">kangkong</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and heard her conversing with a</span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">customer in perfect English.) Most of the people who go here are residents of neighboring condos, BPO employees from a night shift, television personalities and celebrities, and simple people who simply want good quality merchandise -- like us, hihi. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bottom:</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Mom, still undecided on the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">inihaw</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztbnmtRBA2UBGD29imBENAQnTIQY37L4Zm0yUt7j4_vqOq0d7NRoOZxYU73ICQP8WkPTfM9s2E4w7Ms8t04lpCEe8BWZRM6GXJnJl4bWNaf7nkTTJrDVc679_Cmwn4rhhqci6E6xwyoc/s1600/ss2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztbnmtRBA2UBGD29imBENAQnTIQY37L4Zm0yUt7j4_vqOq0d7NRoOZxYU73ICQP8WkPTfM9s2E4w7Ms8t04lpCEe8BWZRM6GXJnJl4bWNaf7nkTTJrDVc679_Cmwn4rhhqci6E6xwyoc/s320/ss2.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<i> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top:</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> One of Mom's all-time favorites is the chicken <i>empanada</i>. Here she poses with her purchased<i> empanada</i>, with the face that shows her excitement to have a taste of that chicken pastel wrapped in bread. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bottom:</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Just a shot of the moment in front of the stall that sells native handicrafts.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hJscstI9MtE4k09LmmxiH9MRsoEFDUX1Dxr0DGqGACYEJGSLAuhh9BTpnM3xGzO2Oz1TZg8I8wHwGQgysNmCaZv616C5UUMMNSKISYzKKYLbuIXelquLFeoJd-lMjRjNW93FliNwxDY/s1600/ss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hJscstI9MtE4k09LmmxiH9MRsoEFDUX1Dxr0DGqGACYEJGSLAuhh9BTpnM3xGzO2Oz1TZg8I8wHwGQgysNmCaZv616C5UUMMNSKISYzKKYLbuIXelquLFeoJd-lMjRjNW93FliNwxDY/s320/ss4.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top:</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The fairest of all flowers finds this perfect spot for the perfect shot. The beauty of the orchids, the brightness of the red floral polo, and Mom's natural splendor all complementing each other. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bottom: </i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grawl! Mega-giant tiger prawns. Oh yeah, crustaceans (including crabs) belong to Mom's top 3 favorites (lechon and ice cream are the other two). We bought three pieces and cooked <i>sinigang na sugpo</i>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD40ksFQmsjrM6EEzS-CNqDdgp9LL_hQ3T7vzWpuZLmz7evWJLBPOvwoLBNU5w07mdQR5UEZ0u6T5deaGLNq-fFbqiy_GWv2_q4si54newekww4ldqMxQyKeWrhfyF86zv2ZEmVgVFbY/s1600/ssm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitD40ksFQmsjrM6EEzS-CNqDdgp9LL_hQ3T7vzWpuZLmz7evWJLBPOvwoLBNU5w07mdQR5UEZ0u6T5deaGLNq-fFbqiy_GWv2_q4si54newekww4ldqMxQyKeWrhfyF86zv2ZEmVgVFbY/s320/ssm1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Left:</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Eating time. <i>Puto-bumbong</i> and chicken <i>empanada</i> (among others) for breakfast. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Right: </i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Salcedo Village, in the immediate vicinity of SSM, and Mom having a feel of the neighborhood.</span></span></div>
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Francis Moriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02959501615336913669noreply@blogger.com0