The Best and Most Favorite Filipino Restaurant

Posted on August 29, 2015 by heavenliner

It is a common notion and a customary aspiration that if you are in a foreign land, you would want to taste the best and most favorite that such locale or country has to offer. Meaning, if you are in France you would normally want to dine in the best or most preferred French restaurant. Or if you are in Italy you would of course aspire to eat at the best or most popular Italian restaurant. But when in the Philippines, has it been determined which would be the restaurant where to taste the best and most preferred Filipino cuisine?

The Filipino cuisine is experiencing a renaissance in the world cuisine stage. The world is now discovering that the Filipino cuisine is not just the exotic “balut”. Thus, it is essential to determine in today’s generation which Filipino restaurant in the Philippines is the best and the most favorite. Here are two trusty basis for this. One for being the best while the other for being the most favorite.

One would be based on the selection made by MBKRS which is short for Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secret award. MBKRS is a biennial awarding body considered by a lot of Filipino foodies and food establishments as the most prestigious award that recognizes excellence in city dining scene.

Two would be based on the honor given by the recently concluded Choice Awards 2015. A new food-scene recognizing body which was established and organized by popular and “powerful” food bloggers in the Philippines. This award does not recognizes the best of the country’s food and food establishments but instead honors the most commonly preferred and most favorites.

These two recognizing bodies has bestowed honors to food establishments in various categories – best or most favorite: buffet, Italian resto, Spanish resto, burger joint, coffee shop, steakhouse, Chinese resto, and a lot more. But these recognizing bodies being based in the Philippines, I would personally consider their choice or their award for being the best and most favorite Filipino Restaurant would be the most prestigious. It’s like bestowing the Best Picture award during the Oscars or the Golden Globes of Philippine dining scene!

Few people I guess knows that there is one Filipino restaurant (in the Philippines) which has received and has been awarded by both these recognizing bodies. MBKRS in 2012 awarded it as the “Best Filipino Restaurant” while the first Choice Awards held this year (2015) chose it as the “Most Favorite Filipino Restaurant”.

That restaurant is Abe.

at the trinoma branch

at the serendra branch

Award wining!

Royce Potatochip Chocolate: The Ultimate Snack for a Cheat Day

Posted on August 23, 2015 by heavenliner

Now that I am back to going to the gym after more than 6 months of hiatus, I am also back to having a cheat day. And for the initial salvo in this very important moment of calming my cravings, I will eat a snack that contains all of the elements that a fitness trainer forbids. It is a snack that will ultimately resolve my one week old wicked cravings! Carbs, salt, sugar, fat!

I will devour the outrageously delicious Royce’ Potatochip Chocolate. This unique and incredible snack is a combination of salty potato chip and rich chocolate.

japanese snacks never fail to amaze me…

What I like most about this snack is that the potato chip is not fully coated with chocolate. The uncoated side of the chip results to the brackish flavor of this snack. Perhaps, if the whole chip is choco-coated, the unique saltiness would not be achieved. Thus, for every chip that you munch you would experience the fleeting sense of saltiness but would eventually mix up to the precise sweetness of the rich Royce’ chocolate. This amazing sensation to the palate makes it a truly unique snack.

wicked ration for the next cheat day!

The only problem that I have with this snack is that it can extremely be addictive. It will take a lot of will power not to consume everything in one sitting or to save some so as to munch in the future cheat days.

Sobrang makasalanan ang chibog na ‘to! Pero grabe sa sarap!

Keeping, Serving, Enjoying The Traditional Kare-Kare

Posted on August 7, 2015 by heavenliner

kare-kare overload

The Filipino cuisine is at its renaissance in the present generation. And because of this global upwelling, it is frustrating to note that there have been lots of Filipino restaurants popping up in the metro that has gone modifying and fusing the tasty traditional Filipino dishes with the western or other Asian cuisines.

The grassroots and nature of the Filipino cuisine is about being economical. Ingredients were based on what the environment offers. Filipino dish is not about just taking, using and eating the best part of an edible fruit, plant or animal. It is about the development of dishes utilizing every edible part of an edible element present in the environment may it be a fruit, a plant or an animal. That is why western world would often perceive Filipino dishes to be bizarre and outright disgusting.

Because of this perception, to tweak Filipino dishes in terms of plating and visual presentation so as to not scare people and achieve global marketability is okay for me. But the complex taste and palatal balance of the traditional recipe that Filipinos of the past has concocted and developed must remain.

the chosen one!!! the authentic good old kare-kare

the chosen one!!! the good old traditional kare-kare (i obviously erased the labels…)

It is good to know then that the LJC Restaurant Group, a leading group of restaurants in the country continues to serve traditional Filipino dishes. Though I am not the final authority regarding the taste of traditional Filipino dishes, I have been fortunate to be chosen as one of the lucky Filipinos to taste and determine which among their Kare-Kare is the best! Aside from adopting the chosen best Kare-Kare for all their outlets, this project by the LJC Group in way ensures that the good old Kare-Kare (stewed oxtail in peanut-based sauce) is available for the present generation to enjoy.

This project only shows how the LJC Restaurant Group is serious is keeping the traditional Filipino cuisine. No wonder the LJC Restaurant Group operates the leading and best Filipino restaurants in the country, i.e. Abe (which now has 6 branches) and Bistro Remedios located in Malate, Manila.

With the rousing global interest about the Filipino cuisine nowadays, it would be sad to know and would be hard to imagine in case the best Kare-Kare would not be found in the Philippines. So, good job LJC Group! At least for now, the best Kare-Kare is still found in the Philippines!

Yami parang ako!

Banana Choco Lava Cake by Lorenzo’s Way Greenbelt

Posted on July 18, 2015 by heavenliner

When dining out, I always consider the dessert as the main course. I admit, I love dessert and I have the biggest sweet tooth ever!

You may not know it yet, but if you happen to be in the Greenbelt area in Makati City Philippines, one superb dessert can be found at Lorenzo’s Way. And I strongly suggest discovering what you might have been missing! It’s called Banana Choco Lava Cake.

It is the type of dessert that would not overwhelm on the first bite. It has just the right amount of sweetness. It’s a warm, moist chocolate cake that would make you feel like it just came out of the oven surrounded by a creamy sauce topped with thin slices of caramelized bananas!

it’s insanely delicious!

It’s the type that would make you crave for more every time you have a bite. This dessert is so unbelievably yummy!

Mapapamura ka sa sarap!

TED Talk about a New York Style Pork Adobo

Posted on April 18, 2015 by heavenliner

I don’t cook but if I am to give a TED talk, one possible topic that I would discuss would be the event when I cooked Adobo. A pork adobo for that matter. It is because this is the first time ever that I cooked such a Filipino dish and this happened not in the Philippines but no less than the high-end, well-heeled and sophisticated New York.

I would talk about the feelings of anxiety on how such ingredients would end up being edible and be fit for human consumption. I would talk about the various moods I felt when I was being instructed to the point of being obligated by my friend (Jhong) on what to do as well as the tips on how a perfect adobo would be like.

jhong at times square, my preferred venue for my pork adobo TED talk

jhong at times square, my preferred venue in case my TED Talk talk will become a reality

Super Sid and the secret ingredient

me at jhong’s crib, the birthplace of “new york style pork adobo”

I would talk about the joys of learning how supportive another friend (Sid) became and gave a cooking-adjustment-advise during the duration of my cooking when the dish is turning to become salty and tough to the bite. I would talk about the pleasures of slow cooking and low-fire culinary technique as well as the innuendos of having to wash the dishes while waiting for this amazing dish to cook. I would talk about the thrill of discovering the secret ingredients that I learned so that the dish would be considered the best adobo ever.

hilaw pa

luto na. tadah!
new york style pork adobo

I would talk about the ecstasies, the bliss and the delight when friends considered my first time Adobo to be such a great adobo dish! We all finished it! Jhong even brought some to his office as a “baon” (packed lunch).

And by the way, I’ve tagged this adobo as the New York Style Pork Adobo. I’m pretty sure, I would gain standing ovations and be invited to various TED talk events and venues if I would talk about it. Even Mr. TED of TED talk, whoever he may be, for sure would love my pork adobo.

Naka-tsamba lang ng masarap na luto gusto na kagad mag-TED tok. Hahaha!

Shake Shack: A Kick Ass New York Burger

Posted on April 16, 2015 by heavenliner

Feeling famished, I used up all my remaining patience on waiting in line so as to experience and savor the taste of New York’s most popular burger. Though the line moved pretty quickly, it was actually the longest 30 minutes of my New York adventure.

where yumminess happens

yumminess

When I picked up the tray that contained two savory-looking burgers and a salver of freshly cooked French fries with gooey cheese on top from the dispatching counter and placed it in front of me and my friend Amiel, I swear I thought I was about to shed a tear. The aroma of grilled meat filled my lungs, making me question whether exhaling has to be necessary.

This is what I experienced when I and Amiel (a New Yorker sweetie and the niece of my super friend Jhong) dined at Shake Shack at 8^th Street in New York. Shake Shack has been touted as the holy grail of burgers in New York and their burgers have had lining up customers for an hour or more at their New York City branches. It’s the counter part of west coast’s yummy In ‘N Out which I equally enjoyed when I stayed in Los Angeles last year.

“pakagat!”

happiness

As for the taste, Shake Shack’s Shack Burger can easily be considered one of the best burgers I had in my life. The meat was enchantingly juicy and tasty while the potato buns were like little soft clouds to the palate. The full glory of the burger was all over it, from the first bite up to the last.

Aside from the crinkle cuts of the fries, there’s nothing fancy and complicated about it. Shake Shack fries are simply freshly cooked that is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The simplicity of the fries somehow works well because it compliment the complex phenomenal taste and flavor of the burger.

Shake Shack burger was one dreamy encounter. I loved every nano second of it!

Jusko… sana magka meron na nyan dito sa Meynila!

Miso Ramen: The Seventh Level of Heaven

Posted on February 21, 2015 by heavenliner

The non-negotiables when I’m travelling abroad with friends or family are the sights to see and the food to eat. I can scrimp on room accommodations and modes of transportation but the gastronomic exploits needs to be remarkable. Besides epicurean remarkability need not be expensive and extravagant.

That is exactly what I and my family had when we were in Hokkaido. Since Sapporo is the birthplace of Miso Ramen, letting the humongous chance to try the authentic would simply be absurd.

That is why we had Miso Ramen not once but twice while we were there. The enticement is just too strong that is why we tried twice which I classify as the old and the new forms.

First stop was Horyu (TakaraRyu), a Sapporo Ramen specialist operating since 1957. Prior to going to Sapporo, we were not aware of the existence of this ramen house located right at busy street of Sapporo-Ekimae Dori. This was actually our first meal after our smooth flight from Osaka to Hokkaido. Everybody were so hungry we almost ended up eating inside a FamilyMart near our hotel.

so hungry i wanted to eat the facade!

clueless how prestigious the ramen house is…

But thrusting and trusting my instinct on which food establishment to dine by the mere look of the façade, I urged my family to dine in this authentic Japanese ramen house. And by the looks, smell and taste of the special miso ramen served by Horyu (TakaraRyu), I can proudly say that my hunger instinct did not fail me that time.

enchanting!

wicked rice topping!

they were actually requesting for my autograph but i was to amazed to say yes

they were actually requesting for my autograph but i was too hungry to say yes

It is surprising to note that as you enter Horyu (TakaraRyu), photos of Japanese celebrities are posted on the wall enjoying their miso ramen. What is also surprising to know is that this restaurant has been awarded the Governor of Hokkaido Prize because of its traditional taste and old-fashioned way of preparing miso ramen. My further research about Horyu (TakaraRyu) indicates that this ramen house is a very successful and well distinguished food establishment in Japan operating in multiple branches in 9 prefectures in Japan. And the one we dined at (with a total of 29 seats only) was the main or premier branch were all its success started.

Another opportunity we embraced to enjoy slurping the now universal classic Miso Ramen (aka Sapporo Ramen) was on the night when we just came from adoring the sparkling ice carving exhibits at Susukino. This time we tried the new and modern-day ramen house called Kita Ichi. As expected, I ordered the ramen with the biggest photo on the menu called Tokusen Miso, in which my nephew translated as high-grade or Special Miso.

where magic happens!

bewitching!

kita ichi means north one

Kita Ichi is a new ramen house that is starting to swell and pop up like shitake mushrooms in Hokkaido. The outlet were we dined is actually not available/posted yet in Google (can’t find it!).

braving the freezer cold outside kita ichi! hahaha!

braving the freezing cold outside kita ichi! hahaha!

After clearly demolishing the bowls of Horyu (TakaraRyu) and Kita Ichi, I can profess that there really is no clear-cut difference in terms of my enjoying the delicious Sapporo Ramen. May it have been served and prepared by an old or a new ramen house, I consider both as the 7^th level of heaven…

Kesarapsarap!

Osaka has Pablo while Snaffle’s is in Hokkaido

Posted on February 13, 2015 by heavenliner

When me and my family visits Japan (which fortunately has been a regular occurrence in the last couple of years) not having the Osaka-originated Pablo Cheese Tart seem like a mortal sin. Thus, during our present visit we again lined up to buy and enjoy this amazing dessert. Not only did we have the medium soft version of this enslaving cheese tart, we also had the newest version which has fresh orange on top.

yummy!

But since the highlight of our present Japan adventure is to experience the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, we were fortunate enough to come across Hokkaido’s best version and equally popular cheesecake.

a little piece of heaven

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the fascinating palatal experience brought about by Snaffle’s Cheese Cake from Hakodate, Hokkaido. The soft creamy texture is simply perfect. This heaven-sent dessert brings a different penchant to your sweet, smooth and cheesy impression. The savory flavor brings a unique invigorating assault on the taste buds. Its addictive character is equally impressive to that of Osaka’s Pablo.

the box that easily gets empty

savoring every bite

Snaffles was a big hit with my family. Everyone loved it! Unfortunately, Snaffle’s as we found out is not yet available in Osaka while Pablo is nowhere to be found in Hokkaido. I hope I would be the one benefiting from these delicious gastronomic highlights by having these exceptional desserts available in the Philippines. I know Pablo will soon be available in Manila (by the 3^rd quarter of 2015) and I’m wishing that Snaffle’s will follow suit.

Best tsiskeyks eber!

Little Fuji by San Maruku

Posted on February 11, 2015 by heavenliner

I know that the popular Japanese-originated St. Marc Café is a freshly minted icon in Manila. But that did not dampen my yearning to try it in the country where it all started. I and my family had it at a branch within the Namba area in Osaka.

the now iconic choco cro by st marc cafe

People go to St. Marc Café because of their signature and sought after Choco Cro (short for chocolate-filled croissant). But for me, I would return to St Marc (pronounced as San Maruku) because of their Little Fuji.

Little Fuji which I guess the name was derived from Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji is composed of warm buttery flaky Danish pastry with soft vanilla ice cream drizzled with addictively light caramel sauce.

little fuji (a delicious piece of heaven)

one happy customer…

As expected Japanese vanilla ice cream is so heavenly. But what is so amazing about this dessert was the savory taste of the Danish pastry. Japanese pastry chefs of St Marc Café would indeed give the Danish people a run for their money. We were so impressed we bought the wicked Danish roll for takeout.

Little Fuji, though uncomplicated in its components, is foolishly delicious. It is so good my soul was screaming “Oishii!”

Kaloka sa sarap!

Cigare by Yoku Moku

Posted on November 22, 2014 by heavenliner

Sweets have the strange power to make people smile. This principle is totally accurate especially when you are eating a piece of Cigare butter cookie by Yoku Moku. This Japan-made cookie is the most delicious butter cookie I have ever tasted. It is so rich in butter yet so subtle it melts in your mouth. It’s better than excellent! This cookie is a bombdiggity!

delicious smokeless cigars!

I would consider Yoku Moku Cigare to be a luxury kind of a cookie. To seal its freshness, each rolled cookie is individually wrapped and packed in a beautiful metal tin box. It is made from all-natural ingredients that is why its shelf life is shorter as compared to an ordinary cookie or confectionary. It is actually one of the most overpriced cookies I have purchased.

The hardest part after eating this cookie is the struggle and resistance of refusing to take another one. The strong craving to eat another will ensue after the first stick. You would realize that it‘s definitely very difficult to eat just one Cigare. You will either get so sad or much worse go so insane if you would not buckle down to eat and enjoy another round.

Ito ang stik-ow ng mga sosyal. Sarap sobra!

Nengkoy

ruminations & travesties of the favorite yet naughty son of Nengkoy

Tag Archives: food