My Chinese Choice

One warm and boring Saturday, my friend and I decided to junk cooking lunch for a change and do what we nowadays seldom get to treat ourselves to: eating out. After cruising a few blocks from her place, we found a good and reputable food stop that served delicious and absolutely tasty bites. Holding shop along Ortigas Avenue, we made a final vote to take on Mien-San Noodle House.

                                                          photo courtesy of appetite.ph

Upon entering the restaurant, you're immediately met with polite and cheerful staff members who attentively attend to your needs: a table, a ready menu and a personal attendant who patiently waits on you until you've nailed your particular food pick. The dining area is clean and brightly inviting. It's also never out of customers, a sign of quality in flavor and service their loyal patrons always go back to.

It didn't take that much time for us to give our orders since my friend was a long-time client of theirs. We settled on four dishes, the soup of which I wasn't able to take a snap of. My personal choice was the Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet. 

With the perfect mix of the sweet and sour, this dish was one I truly didn't wait long to sink my hungry fork in. The breaded pieces of fish fillet were tender and scrumptiously juicy that I couldn't help but indulge myself with bite  after bite of this orange feast of yummy goodness. Topped with red and green bell peppers and leeks with sweet pineapple chunks  as it's main flavor popper, it was one plate that suited my  taste to a T.

My friend took the liberty of ordering the veggie dish and it came bundled up in siomai wrappers. I've never heard of this before but we had a delicious serving of Kutchay Dumplings. Kutchay, also known as garlic chives, is unlike the usual chives that one will find in the vegetable section of the supermarket. It's leaves are thin and have a strong garlicky flavor that compliments well with Asian cuisine. It's leaves and young flowers are a good substitute for leeks and green onions and are good as well cooked on its own. 

                          photo courtesy of http://masteringhorticulture.blogspot.com/
                          2010/02/ garlic-chives-kutchay.html 

This is how the Kutchay Dumplings look like cooked and already in dumpling form. 

 

Interestingly, it had a bold flavor that wasn't overpowering, but was definitely distinct and extremely tasty. For little veggie baggies that only featured the kutchay, it really was a delightful treat ones taste buds would surely appreciate. It came served with slightly sweet soy sauce on the side. I honestly could eat 10 to 15 of these little pockets in one sitting...yum!

We also had soup that warmed our bellies well. It had a mix of noodles, greens and corn and was one we particularly enjoyed partaking. The last from among our orders was what I like to call Taiwan spaghetti because of it's similar meat mix to the more common spaghetti we all are familiar with. The difference between the two was the one we had had a more Oriental take to it, with Asian flavors and herbs taking the spotlight in this otherwise twin version of its Italian counterpart. It came served in a platter that held a huge fishball, a piece of breaded  fried prawn, strips of green onions, bits of fried potatoes and carrots and bean sprouts.

  

All taken with a cup of steamed rice and a glass of iced water, we were  stuffed crazy. We left the restaurant fully satisfied and happy. Mien San Noodle House, contrary to what it's name implies, serves a huge variety of dishes that, though innovative to cater to the different tastes of it's comprehensive clientele, still stays true to what authentic Oriental cooking is all about. Heavy in herbs, sauces and spices, it still remains the restaurant to go to for your favorite Chinese cuisine, with a little bit more.

Going Gaga Over Greeka

I've always been fascinated by the way the Greeks prepare their food. Healthy and almost always fat-free, theirs is a cuisine comparable to a palette of dazzling, beautiful colors on a plate. Immensely flavorful using only the best in natural ingredients, humongous servings of their culinary creations can't really be equated with guilt because you know that what you're taking in is good for you.

My birthday me-time found me cruising P. Guevarra Street in San Juan, and quietly tucked along it's long, lazy stretch is one cozy and laid back restaurant that has proven to be a huge favorite from among those who live within the area. Check out Greeka Kouzina.

Excited to give this new Greek go-to a whirl, I quickly went inside and seated myself on the second floor of one of the most comfortably relaxing food parlors I've ever been to. Knowing I could only eat the healthy lot and I mean only fish and veggies, I made a meticulous review of their menu and decided on their Couscous Salad and Veggie Gyro. 

I was kind of taken aback at the Veggie Gyro's size when they brought it to the table and was amazed at the same time at how beautiful it came served. It was literally an edible bouquet of brightly-colored vegetables in a large pita wrap. Served with a delicious yoghurt dip and a slice of lemon on the side, it was a sight to behold. It really took some time for me to slice into it because I didn't know where to make the cut. But after 5 minutes of admiring it, hunger got the better of me so I sprinkled the lovely fresh greens with a little lemon juice and sliced on. What met my palate was a burst of unbelievable fruity and tangy goodness. It was wonderfully delicious considering it was all vegetable. With a little feta cheese to break the astringency of the dish and a dash of the yoghurt dip, it was sheer pleasure. 

The Couscous Salad was one I ordered out of curiosity. Over the years of watching shows over the Food Channel, I always wondered what and how couscous was and tasted. 

Couscous is made up of tiny granules of durum wheat and these grains are steamed until light and fluffy. Though closely related to pasta, it also reminds me of steamed rice. It actually has no taste but it enhances the dish by adding balance to it. And I wasn't disappointed. The Couscous Salad was another feast for the eyes and the palate as well as incredible splashes or reds, greens and yellows graced the entirety of this whole exquisite presentation. Red, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and yellow bell peppers sprinkled with couscous and topped with feta cheese came together as a swig of olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper made for the salad's finishing touch. The marriage of flavors and textures defines the uniqueness of this dish as it had a little bit of everything: sweetness, saltiness, tanginess, and crunch. Freshness in a bowl is the best I could do to describe it. I wanted to order more, even get some dessert but I was too stuffed to do so, which leads me to the conclusion that the Greeks serve with heft.

A look at their comprehensive menu will also tell you there's a plate that will satisfy just about everybody who walks in: the meat lovers, the vegetarians and the dessert buffs.  

 

No matter what part of the food pyramid floats your boat, you'd be sure to get satisfaction guaranteed on their authentic take of these Mediterranean classics. This is hulk without necessarily gaining much bulk. 

If I were to make a favorite food pick, I'd definitely go for Greek. Not only do their key ingredients focus on the natural, they're meals also lean more on the healthy, assuring you of great gastronomic fulfillment without the risk factor.  You're safe, sure and satiated. What else could anyone ask for? Greeka Kouzina. Now that's one kitchen I'd more than surely go back to.

More Than Just Seafood

T'was two nights before my birthday and as I always traditionally do, I had dinner with a good friend of mine as a commemoration of a day I, in reality, am now appalled to openly celebrate what with the expense nowadays of hosting a happening shindig and, well, because of the nagging reminder it brings of the years I've already spent walking the face of the earth, which really isn't that old but one I'd rather not dwell on.

It was a Friday so all the good restaurants were full. It took a while for us to settle on one that would offer us peace and relaxation with good wifi connection. So, what was our pick for the night? We went for Almon Marina.

photo courtesy of http://almonmarina.com/ 

                                               

In first hearing of this quiet nook of a hashery, what immediately came to my mind was seafood, as so implied by it's name. But there's really more to this warm awesome automat than meets the eye. Their menu also boasts of a collection of supreme sandwiches, soups and salad choices that cater to every one's whim in filling and combinations.

My friend's diet wasn't as sensitive, in fact, he could take on anything he wanted so it was the Petaluma Treat for him. I wouldn't know how it tastes like but according to him, it was good. Served with fried potato chips on the side, his sandwich had layers of mouthwatering slices of roasted pork with pineapples, pitted prunes and chutney. Atop fresh, crunchy lettuce in between two huge slices of rye bread, the sandwich, as with all of their hefty hoagies, came with a flag toothpicked in that was depictive of the country it got the inspiration of its creation from, and to hold the good stuff together. His was succulence in every scrumptious bite.

My sandwich, on the other hand, was more cautious in terms of filling because I couldn't have any other meat aside from fish. Simple yet replenishing, I went for the Tuna Cheese and Pineapple Sandwich. Served in brown bread with lettuce, it showcased everything it's name said it was gonna be: tuna, cottage cheese and pineapple. With a slight slathering of mayonnaise, the simplicity of this nevertheless delectable delight was given height and depth by sweet and juicy pineapple bits. Also served with crunchy potato chips on the side, it was heaven on a plate.

In between sandwich bites, we also enjoyed a serving of their ever-so-light Fruit and Walnut Salad that came in a bed of lettuce with slices of sweet papaya and roast pork, croutons, walnuts and prunes.

Aside from the sandwiches, salads and soups, they also offer an array of rich pasta dishes that are totally to die for as well as grilled specialties that certainly prove irresistible.

All in all, it was a dynamite dinner for sharing. Hefty yet healthy and light but filling. A great find in gourmet food stops, Almon Marina is definitely one in the list of do-over dining dives.

The Old World Revisited

Amidst all the hype and hullabaloo attached to the festive and high-spirited reputation Malate is known for, you will find right smack within it's center an intimate, fine-dining bistro that proudly stands as one of Manila's  foremost landmarks in the area. Serving satisfied clients since 1979, Cafe Adriatico is slightly reminiscent still of the warm and historic old  Manila abode it once used to be. 

                                               photo courtesy of m.spot.ph

Though I would love to frequent this cozy charcuterie in Remedios Circle, I couldn't due to it's location which is far from where I stay. I'd grab any chance I could, though, to go and just as promised, I so did when I got an invite from a friend to do an errand with her in Malate.

Making a rundown of the menu and with such a sensitive diet, I immediately went for the healthiest choices they had and that was their pita bread and hummus with a siding of gherkin-shallot-olive appetizer and my favorite, Caesar salad.

The delicately roasted pita bread was cut into two and served with a hefty ladle of hummus. Sprinkled with chickpeas, it came drizzled with olive oil and had a salty black olive as an attractive centerpiece.

The gherkin-shallot-olive appetizer was a blast on the palate. Soaked in what I think is vinegar and olive juice (something I'm not quite sure of), it was definitely tangy with a hint of salt, making it the perfect partner to the mild and creamy hummus and pita bread combo. 

I know this should've gone first but since it was the one I was really pining for, I ate the Caesar salad last. Very lightly dressed, it came with crouton cubes peeking through it's leafy mix. It also had a sprinkle of minced bacon that crowned this tasty delight. I had to, however, ever so gingerly pick out little bits of this succulent fried to a crisp pork belly strips for me to fully take on this fresh and crunchy plateful of healthy greens.

Their menu boasts of an wide array of authentic cuisine. Bestsellers include Lola Ising's Adobo Rice, Squid Tactics, Suman with Latik (well, a bestseller for me at least) and their famous Tsokolate Eh concocted with the use of a batirol, a small pot with a stirring rod that you rotate using your palms. It is used to make hearty chocolate drinks.

                                          photo courtesy of www.circuitmag.com

All in all, it was a dinner worth the travel. Good food coupled with a laid back yet classy ambiance that bridges the old world to the new is an experience everyone should, at one time, seek to indulge in if only to submerge oneself in a historical rendezvous with culture while enjoying superb Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine.

Sometimes, you need to go the distance for a feast that can fill the senses. 
Cafe Adriatico is one restaurant capable of just that. With it's relaxing, comfortable setting and delectable dishes that promise satisfaction to the hungry and curious passerby, it certainly is worth all the effort.

Max's Minus The Chicken

I'm currently on leave yet again (!) for a few days because of a temperamental back and a swollen foot that I need to rest so as per doctor's advice, I had to stay home and stay off my feet for now. My friend had graciously invited me to stay with her for a while a month ago which actually is to my advantage, so I am without company while battling my uncomfortable dilemma. Nights ago, we lost the lights to a power problem within the area. Being extremely warm, we decided on eating out.

Our pick for the night was Max's Fried Chicken and since we were both doing the healthy route, we scoured the menu for something we could stuff ourselves with and enjoy without feeling like we've sinned. We went for Max's Tinapa Fried Rice and Seafood/Veggie Lumpia that were both culinary masterpieces bursting with bright colors as well as flavors. 

The Tinapa Rice was a surefire winner.

That, in itself was one whole meal, considering it's serving proved to be humongous enough to satisfy more than two. Fried to brown delectable perfection, it had a merry mix of rough chopped tomatoes, onions, spring onions and water spinach or kang kong in it's more common name here in the Philippines. Served in a huge plate that could fill up four hungry people, it came with a generous peppering of lip-smacking and wonderfully salted tinapa flakes. Adding texture as well as heightened flavor, the tinapa sealed the score to this carbo fave crave. 

The Seafood/Veggie Lumpia was a delight to have. 

Partnered with brown peanut sauce that was a flawless mix of the salty and sweet and topped with  chopped garlic, it came openly served in a crunchy edible bowl. Completing it's artistic presentation was the hodge podge of colorful veggies that crowned this gorgeous culinary work of art, satisfying not only your sense of taste but your sense of sight as well. A totally filling and gratifying experience.

Max's  Fried Chicken is a restaurant well-known for its chicken, as made obvious by their name. But it certainly is good to know that they also cater to a population whose diets are sensitive and limited. Most dining places nowadays are. All that needs to be done is to know your diet and make a patient preview of their menus for dishes you can enjoy guiltlessly. It is, after all, really part of the adventure and my ultimate aim, as I go on exciting food trips to uncover good and healthy food finds. : )

Superb Sandwich and Salad Servings

Me-times are just about the most enjoyable indulgence I could ever grant myself and this is what I really look forward to during the weekends. Though it comes in different forms, my most favorite are the ones that would involve me outside on the streets aboard a bus to wherever. I like the adventure of not knowing where I'm actually heading deciding last minute where to get off and then starting my discovering from there. In the context of discovering, I always get giddy at the idea of exciting food trips to uncover great food finds. This particular me-time, though, saw me closer to home. The weather was a bitch again so I opted for the most convenient jaunt. A trip to the nearest shopping haunt.

Malls do have a lot of food stops to offer. But  what really floats my boat are the small, itty-bitty joints I happen to come across that are huge in ideas, servings and most of all, flavor. This me-time led me to an experience I found surprisingly pleasing not only because of the warm and efficient service I was given, but because of how their simple food concept was creatively presented, fulfilling you not only aesthetically but gastronomically as well. Say hello to The Sandwich Guy.

I found this tiny, intimate dining dive at the first floor of Robinson's Galleria amidst all the tech shops and clothing stalls. Though it was right smack in the middle of it all, I nearly missed it because of how oddly it was placed, passing it twice before actually seeing it. Since I haven't had lunch yet at 4 pm, I decided on something light like a sandwich or salad  or both in case I decide to fill in at night and The Sandwich Guy seemed like a great idea to me for my required serving but was I totally wrong about it. Checking their menu, I saw that they had a little bit of everything from sandwiches, which was their main feature, obviously, hence their name, to pasta, salads, desserts and even potato dishes. 

I'm currently heavily into my veggie and fish phase, so I decided to go for their version of Caesar's Salad and the Country Tuna sandwich. This is what I got:

A neatly wrapped sandwich in brown paper that opened up to

a humongous treat. Hexagonal in shape, their huge wheat bread sandwich was literally oozing with sinful goodness that was comprised of tuna, tomato and potato bathed in their lemon aoili dressing on a bed of lettuce. It proved overwhelming to me at first glance, what with all the oil, but what's good about their restaurant is you could customize your sandwich by asking them to lessen or remove whatever ingredient you don't see fit for your diet. In my case, it was their rich dressing. But of course, a snap of it's actual serving had to be done and this is how it is normally served.

It tasted whoppingly good because everything went together excellently. There was a bit of every flavor and texture: sweetness from the tomato, slight saltiness from the tuna, a little of tang from the dressing and the velvety feel of soft potato. A definite bite of delight.

The salad was a wonderful mix of romaine lettuce, tuna, tomatoes and cucumber presented topped with squares of melted cheese that, in my case, I had to do without, and served with, as per my request, a little of their very own special salad dressing that complemented well with the juicy crunch of their fresh vegetables. A mouthful of this healthy edible garden promises a party for the palate one will find definitely hard to resist. Having had this meal left me full and happily satisfied.

I placed an order for their Veggie Delight to be taken out but forgot to take a pic of it since it was devoured the minute I got home so you could check the menu for details on it. But I do have to say, it's perfect for vegetarians because it only holds lettuce, tomato, cucumber and cheese with a light brush of their very own dressing. Mine without the cheese still proved very filling and really is the perfect close to a busy day, with it being light and healthy.

Nowadays, in looking for food stops, you not only take note of what kind of food they serve. You also take notice of how it is served and what new innovations are added to make what we are traditionally used to look more interesting, both in sight and in taste. The Sandwich Guy has definitely revolutionized what we normally pass off as just a filler to tide you over to lunch or dinner. Now your once simple, ordinary sandwich isn't as simple and ordinary anymore. It can also pack you up good just as well as your typical everyday meal can. It's good to have options and this is one for the list of even the most ravenous of eaters, hands down guaranteed.

Homemade Veggie Goodness: My Ultimate Comfort Food

The weather outside is dark and overcast again, sign of impending rain and we all know better than to stay indoors and keep safe. So, what's a girl to do when she's given only the limited corners of a two-story condo unit to play in? Well, there really is a hundred and one you can come up with but in my case, I knew just the thing. Opening up the fridge and doing a double on my pantry, I check to see what I can find to come up with the  perfect partner that would compliment a good DVD. Lucky for me, I stock up well, compliments right there to my mom who taught me to always save for a rainy day, excuse the pun. Here's what I found and finally came up with: 

Pretty obvious now, isn't it? Yes, spaghetti is my ultimate comfort food. Just thinking about a plateful of this yummy slightly sweet, slightly tangy goodness brings a smile to my face. So I have the basics. But it needs a little more. Being part vegetarian, though, I realize I can't have meat. So, what do I pull out? This handy replacement that may not be as tasty as our farm-bred friends, but is a very good stand-in for what we may know to be as just veggies. 

I got this pack from monks I met in the past. They make these special veggie meat products to sustain their diet of pure vegetable and fruit and recently have introduced it to a very limited market. I was lucky enough to be one of the few to get some home. These tasty meat substitutes are bought already flavored so you get more than just vegetables in a bag. Saute them with a main dish or make them the star of your veggie creation. The possibilities are limitless. I made them the meat in my delectable treat

and I just can't wait to get it in my mouth.

Veggie meat isn't as scarce as it used to be. In fact, it can already be found in different specialty stores around the metro. Not only does it provide a healthy alternative to meat, it also discards that feeling of guilt whenever you take an extra bite or two of your favorite culinary work.

It's a weekend and rainy days may prove to be a party pooper but think about the party you can create if you will only look within your space. There's a downpour now outside and I'm sitting in front of the TV with a plateful of scrumptious meat-free spaghetti and  a bottle of iced tea on the side. Now who needs a party elsewhere? Definitely not me. Yum!