Obi Macapuno

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 22: A Veneto Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante

2012-01-14T00:54:00.001+08:00

You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six.
- Yogi Berra

Naging benchmark na namin ni Coach Potato itong lugar na ito when it comes to pasta and pizza that sadly majority ng ibang "pizza and pasta" place na nakainan namin pales in comparison.

Ang pambungad:

May mga araw na sadyang di namin trip kumain ng kanin for a meal. Times like this, we need A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante! 80's baby ka kung nakuha mo yung korning juicy fruit gum throw in.

Ang madalas namin puntahan (dahil malapit) na branch ay yung sa Glorietta 3. It's facing the park right in front of the 6750 Building, a few steps to the left after going out of the Glorietta 3 exit. This is the same side where Subway, New Bombay, Max's, and Kamayan are.

Dahil along the way ng ruta namin pauwi, we usually go there sa gabi. Yun nga lang, they're pretty popular sa mga nagtatrabaho around Makati kaya kapag payday weekday, sooobrang puno. Maliit pa naman yung waiting area nila (pero may couch) so minsan umaapaw hanggang labas yung mga nag hihintay.

Isipin ko pa lang kung ano ano ang mga isusulat ko, craving na ko para kumain ulit dun!

Ang chicha:

chicken wings
buffalo wings
Hungarian sausage parmigiana
meatball parmigiana
baked ziti with meatballs
lasagna
bacon burger pizza
all meat pizza
sausage and pepper calzone

buffalo wings with onion sauce

Kapag walang buffalo wings, chicken wings ang ino-order namin. They're basically the same deep-fried breaded chicken wings (served four pieces). Ang pinagkaiba lang ay manamis-namis ang sauce nung regular chicken wings while yung buffalo wings ay spicy barbecue ang sauce (the usual buffalo). Ang patok saken dito ay malaki yung wing part ng manok na ginagamit at sulit ito sa presyo.

Special props sa onion sauce na kasama ng mga wings. Ansaraaap!

meatball parmigiana

Yung mga parmigiana nila ay gawa sa spaghetti noodles with tomato sauce and topped with melted Parmesan cheese. It's served with three slices of bread. Sobrang kamatis yung lasa ng tomato sauce to the point na may katabangan na siya. Yung parmesan ang nagbibigay ng lasa kaya ako, binubudbudan ko pa ng madami. Ang madalas naming kainin na variant ay yung may sahog na Hungarian sausage (2 pieces) or meatballs (2 big lumps sliced in halves). It's served hot in ceramic plates kaya napapanatiling mainit yung pasta ng mas matagal. For two to three persons ang isang order.

hungarian sausage parmigiana

Yung baked ziti nila ay similar in preparation with their parmigiana, except na ziti ang gamit na pasta. Doh. A ziti is a hollow cylindrical pasta with cut edges.

I've always preferred thin crust pizza over sa thick crust and A Veneto did their thin crust just right. Hindi tutong at hindi rin naman sobrang lambot. Tama lang para suportahan sturdily yung sandamakmak nilang toppings at hindi ganun ka-filling para mabubusog sa crust pa lang (the reason I hate it thick). Ang top two namin orderin ay ang bacon burger at all meat. Gadaming budbod ng grated bacon at small burger rolls in tomato sauce ang bacon burger pizza. Ang all meat pizza naman ay halo-halong sangkap... meron ako nakitang pepperoni, ham, bacon, mushroom, bell pepper, at keso. Can't go wrong.

punong-puno na bacon burger pizza

Malaki yung serving nila ng calzone. Purse-shaped ang dough ng calzone na may pizza ingredients sa loob. Ang paborito namin sa A Veneto ay sausage and pepper. Aside from these ingredients, meron itong mozarella cheese, bell pepper, ham slices, at iba pang gulay gulay.

Ang iba pang satsat:

On most weekday nights, mas madalas na puno sila kesa makahanap agad ng mauupuan kaya nakaka-gutom lang mag-intay. So usually, kumakain lang kami dito pag nakita namin na medyo konti lang ang kustomers since along the way lang namin ito pauwi. May sistema naman sila sa mga patrons na naka waiting list.

uma-ambiance kahit pano

May attempts at a decent ambiance naman sila kahit kapag tumingala ay medyo turn off ang kisame (or the lack of it). Gusto ko yung malaking painting sa isang dingding ng construction workers na may mukha ng mga ilang sikat na Hollywood personalities. Aliw kami ni Katlina sa pang huhula kung sino sino ang mga ito.

A Veneto should be nothing new from frequenters of Glorietta. It's one of the more affordable place na pwede kang mag-mukang konyo-konyohan (e.g. mag-post sa Facebook status ng "eating at A Veneto... sent via iPhone 4s"), knowing that pretty much everyone is aware of the place's reputation in terms of good enough food, ambiance, and service. So halos 65% ng white-collar working population ng Makati had at some point dined here. Syempre, like any other self-serving articles, gawa gawa ko lang ang 65% na figure.

the kitchen

Okay ang service ng crew at personally may paborito ako. Yung waiter na parang laging lasing magsalita. Kasi aliw, para lang may tomahan lagi sa A Veneto. In any case, attentive naman silang lahat lalo na kung walang masyadong kustomers. Wala akong maalala sa ilang taon na din na pabalik-balik kami dito na nagkaron kami ng problema sa serbisyo nila.

May ayaw pala ako. Walang condiments on each table. Kelangan pang hingiin lahat. Eh ang kaso kapag madaming kustomers, ang hirap tumawag ng waiter. Pinakamahalaga yung parmesan cheese. Minsan sa isang platito lang nila sinisilbi instead ng dun sa typical na lalagyan neto na parang pambudbod ng paminta. So kapag kulang, hihingi na naman ng paulet ulet kaya nakakatamad.

the "construction workers" art behind us

Hindi sila matagal mag prepare ng pagkain. Considering they serve it hot and prepare it fresh, hindi mamumuti ang mata ng diners sa kaka-intay maluto ng pagkain.

Kaching:

Price range is at P250 to P320.

Mura ito dahil kaya ng up to tatlong tao ang isang serving at sadyang quality ang pagkain. Malalaki ang servings nila na usually may pa-balot pa kami pauwi ni Couch Potato.

If there's any regret, it's that we can't order a lot dahil sobrang busog na kami sa isang order ng pasta. So bring more friends para mas makarami ng ma-sampolan.

Ang hatol:

Compared sa ibang Italian pizza and pasta resto, the price to food quality ratio would lean heavily in favor of A Veneto.

Mura na, masarap pa. Must try!

13 out of 14!

*****

Project 12x2-1

...is a year in the palates of me and my Couch Potato.

January (Month End): Nihonbashi Tei (Click Here)
February (Filler): Good Taste, 50's Diner, Oh My Gulay! (Click Here)
February (Mid Month): Sakae Sushi (Click Here)
February (Filler): Ba Noi's (Click Here)
February (Month End): Makan Makan (Makansutra) (Click Here)
March (Mid Month): Toast Box (Click Here)
March (Month End): My Thai Kitchen (Click Here)
April (Filler): Cafe Mediterranean (Click Here)
April (Mid Month): Le Ching Too (Click Here)
April (Month End): Dong Bei Dumplings, Wai Ying Fastfood (Click Here)
May (Mid Month): Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken (Click Here)
May (Month End): YakiMIX (Click Here)
June (Mid Month): Thousand Cranes Shabu-Shabu (Click Here)
June (Month End): Wingman (Click Here)
July (Mid Month): Nanbantei of Tokyo (Click Here)
July (Filler): LZM Restaurant (Click Here)
July (Month End): Old Penang (Click Here)
August (Mid Month): Spaghetti Factory (Click Here)
August (Month End): Adobo Connection (Click Here)
August (Filler): Chubby's Rib Shack / Buffalo's Wings N' Things (Click Here)
September (Filler): Pizza Volante (Click Here)
September (Filler): Jim's Retro Diner (Click Here)
September (Mid Month): 101 Hawker Food House (Click Here)
September (Month End): ElarZLechon (Click Here)
October (Mid Month): Luk Yuen (Click Here)
October (Month End): Vikings Luxury Buffet (Click Here)
November (Filler): Mister Kabab (Click Here)
November (Mid Month): Izakaya Kikufuji (Click Here)
November (Month End): Ye Dang Korean BBQ (Click Here)
December (Mid Month): A Veneto Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante (Click Here)

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 21: Ye Dang Korean BBQ Restaurant

2012-01-08T11:01:00.001+08:00

The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.
- Confucius

Hindi pwedeng matapos ang taon ng wala kaming napupuntahang Korean shit. So with much racking up of Google-fu, nakita ni Katlina ang raves about Ye Dang in Ortigas and from the looks of it, it's worth the try.

K-pop zone

Pasakalye:

Bago tuluyang maging probinsya ng South Korea ang Pilipinas sa dami ng mga Koreano dito, wise na pag-aralan nang kumain ng mga pagkain nila. Instead na makuntento sa mga rip-off bulgogi at kung ano ano pang kimchi dishes sa tabi tabi, naghanap kami ng authentic at bumagsak kami sa Ye Dang Korean BBQ Restaurant sa Ortigas.

Malapit ito sa Metrowalk. Kung galing Ortigas Avenue, kumanan sa Meralco Avenue. Ye Dang should be a few steps past Metrowalk (nasa ilalim ng flyover ang U-Turn). Medyo problematic ang parking dahil ilang sasakyan lang ang kasya sa harap ng resto. Pwede mag-park sa Metrowalk then lakarin na lang. Kung ayaw mag-lakad, sa bahay na lang kumain at magpaluto ng Shin Ramen.

dining beneath a bulgogi

Kinaen:

assorted appetizers
seafood pajeon
kimchichigae or kimchi jjigae (kimchi pot stew)
kalbi or galbi (grilled sweet beef ribs)
dak-kui or dakgui (grill chicken)
hot tea

sari-saring side dishes

Libre ang unang serving ng iba't ibang uri ng appetizers. Pag upo pa lang, pag sisilbihan na agad ng mga ito. At sa totoo lang, kanin na lang at pwedeng na ang mga itong i-ulam! Kapalan na lang ng muka kung yun lang ang kakainin at extra rice! Pwede magpa-refill ng up to two platito of any of the served items.

Appetizers:

some pickled leafy plant (spinach?)
sweetened dilis
spicy fish cake
radish kimchi
sweetened potatoes
lettuce at iba pang salad greens
kimchijeon (kimchi cake)

L-R: pickled leafy thing and kimchijeon

Yung pickled veggie ay mukang spinach ang ginamit na gulay. Parang steamed na gulay lang ang lasa neto. Still, good enough for my veggie-fix.

Masarap yung dilis, manamis-namis yung glaze. Isa ito sa mga pina-refill namin.

L-R: matamis na patatas, manamis-namis na dilis

May fish cake at radish strips na binabad sa kimchi sauce kaya naging spicy ang lasa.

Hindi ako kumain ng sweet potatoes pero maliliit na bilog ng patatas ito na may caramelized sugar na malabnaw kaya matamis. Mukang nagustuhan naman ni Coach Potato and sister.

L-R: spicy radish, fish cake, more kimchi, salad greens

Yung mga salad greens ay ni-reserve namin para i-combo sa grilled meats na in-order namin.

Interesting yung kimchijeon. Nagpa-refill din kami nito. Pancake sya na gawa from kimchi at ansarap in combination nung accompanying spicy na sawsawan or your own DIY toyo concoction.

*****

Balik sa mga bidang ulam.

pancake ng mga Koreano

Isang tradisyonal na Korean dish ang seafood pajeon. Pancake ito na malasa dahil sa generous amount ng spring onions at may sahog na iba't ibang seafoods. Eto ang pinaka sulit na kinain namin nung araw na yun. Sobrang dami ng sahog at ang lasa ng itlog na ginamit sa torta.

sinabawang kimchi

Yung kimchi jjigae ay sinabawang kimchi na nilagyan ng pepper paste kaya kulay pula at maanghang. May small slabs ito ng malambot na tofu. Hindi ako fan ng tofu kaya hindi ko trip ito gaano. Pero okay sya magpa-init ng tiyan. Matabang ang lasa para sa akin. Panay anghang lang.

inihaw na tadyang ng baka

Ang kalbi naman ay marinated beef ribs served raw then coal-grilled sa lamesa mismo. Bawat lamesa ay may dedicated ihawan at retractable exhaust vent galing kisame. Kaya kahit gadami ng nag-iihaw, hindi kami nangamoy usok at hindi amoy usok ang paligid. Sa totoo lang, lasang tipikal na inihaw na beef ribs lang yung kalbi. Nagta-transform lang ito ng lasa kapag binalot sa lettuce at iba pang appetizers na nauna nang inihain (pwede ding samahan ng kanin) sabay isasawsaw sa toyo. Mmm... mmmm! Turo ito sa amin nung waiter. Ang personal mix na peborit ko ay kalbi beef + lettuce + radish/fish cake + konting kanin + dip in toyo.

inihaw na manok

Dakgui should be similar to kalbi except it's grilled chicken. Marinated din ito but mas ramdam ko yung lasa ng marinade dito than the beef ribs. Matamis tamis.

May bayad yung hot tea. Hindi libre compared to most Oriental restos. Same lang din naman ng lasa. Lasang dahon ng tsaa.

dahon + manok + kimchi

Props sa tubig nila na may lasa dahil may dinadawdaw silang dahon ng pandan.

Chechebureche:

si Jang Geum!

Pag-pasok pa lang sinalubong na kami ng mga ngiti. Attentive yung mga waiters at yung na-assign sa table namin ay malugod na sinagot yung mga tanong namin regarding the menu. There are ample pictures and English translations sa menu para maka-order ng hindi kelangang mag-mukang mangmang. For the heck of it, we still hounded the good waiter with questions. Nasagot nya naman lahat to satisfy us plus more... ang dami nyang kwento regarding sa mga common na ino-order sa kanila at sa mga ingredients nung bawat ulam na balak namin upakan. Good service!

exhaust vents na parang ilong ni mister snuffleupagus

Maganda ang interiors nung lugar. Ramdam ang Korean ambiance. Everything is with wooden accents. As I said earlier, may sariling grill at exhaust vent ang bawat lamesa. Uling talaga ang gamit nila na pang-ihaw kaya smokey talaga ang lasa nung mga lulutuin dito. Hindi kelangang magpaka-bayani, yung waiter ang mag-iihaw ng mga bagay bagay para sa mga kustomers.

some items in the menu

Nakakatakot yung kubeta. Malamya ang ilaw at eerie ang design. Parang pwedeng gamiting scene sa next Sadako movie.

Kaching:

Walang service charge! Wow. Above all the great service, it's for free!

Price range is at P230 to P350.

Mahal ito pero magiging makatarungan kung madami kayong kakain. Besides, ang isang order ay pwede nang pagsaluhan ng hanggang tatlong katao. So if you think about it, a dish can be as low as around P80 buckers. So the more the barkada, the cheaper.

food all around!

At gaya ng sinabi ko, sa dami (at sarap) ng libreng appetizer at wala pang service charge at sa ganda ng ambiance, hindi na masama ang magagastos.

Hatol:

Definitely a must-recommend place for those looking for alternative courses aside from the typical city resto options. O kaya naman dun sa mahilig sumubok ng mga foreign delicacies. Lalong matutuwa dito yung mga kume-Korean pop shit.

Super recommended ko yung pajeong. Mas malala ang "super recommended" kesa sa "mighty recommended" at "ultra recommended" kaya ganun na lang eto ka-sobrang dapat matikman.

12 out of 14!

anyong!

*****

Project 12x2-1

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 20: Izakaya Kikufuji

2011-12-15T14:45:00.002+08:00

I don't eat anything that a dog won't eat. Like sushi. Ever see a dog eat sushi? He just sniffs it and says, "I don't think so." And this is an animal that licks between its legs and sniffs fire hydrants.
- Bill Coronel

Matagal na naming gustong mag Little Tokyo.

Natuloy din sa wakas!

gates to satiating nirvana

Ang intro:
Little Tokyo is a reference to this small compound near Makati Cinema Square where several Japanese establishments (mostly restaurants) are located. It has been a main hub for foodies in the prowl for authentic Japanese chow.

Kami ang pinuntahan namin ay yung Izakaya Kikufuji.

menu frontispiece (not really a frontispiece pero trip ko gamitin yung word)

The place is actually "outside" the compound of Little Tokyo, along Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces Avenue). Kung galing Buendia, head straight towards Pasay Road and Little Tokyo/Kikufuji should be on the left bago mag Makati Cinema Square. May katabi itong Japanese convenient store.

This place was researched by the Couch Potato and based from a few online reads, this is the place-to-be pag dating sa mga sushi at maki.

Ewe. Di ko talaga trip ang mga hilaw na pagkain. Kaya nga inimbento ang salitang "luto" eh, at kaya biniyayaan tayo ng Panginoon ng apoy. Still, ika nga ni Sir Jamie Lannister, "The things I do for love..."

Ang chicha:

chawanmushi
tempura soba
chicken teriyaki don
sake (salmon) sushi
tsaa

steamed egg custard

Tamo nga naman, may chawanmushi! Natutunan namin itong dish na ito sa Teriyaki Boy and we've been a fan eversince. Simpleng egg custard ito na steamed sa maliit na porcelain pot. Nilalagyan lang ng konting sahog para magkalasa. Yung sa Kikufuji ay rich yung lasa ng itlog kaya ansarap. May toppings itong shrimp bits, pork, fish cake, at kabute. Malaki yung servings than those we've tried elsewhere kaya shoot siya sa amin for the price.

It should be an appetizer pero based on experience, sa apat na establishments na naka-try kaming mag chawanmushi (including dito sa Kikufuji), tatlo ang nag serve na during OR after we were served our main course already. Haha! Sa tagal niyang i-prepare, hindi na nagiging appetizer.

take notes para kuwari credible

Tempura soba ay literally tempura in a noodle soup. In-order ko ito para two birds in a stone, may soup na kami, matitikman ko pa ang tempura nila. May tatlong klase ng tempura na kasama sa isang order: isang pirasong hipon, isang pirasong isda, at isang pirasong talong. Medyo tinipid ata sa sahog. Al dente ang luto ng soba kaya kumakapit ng maige sa chopstick. Flavorful yung lasa ng sabaw (parang sukiyaki... manamis-namis) kaya aprub. Ansarap ng breading ng tempura. Hindi binastang harina kasi may lasa ito by itself. I can imagine how their fried ebi tempura would taste. Sayangs, sana nag-order na lang ako.

teriyaki chicken

The don meals are for those ignoramus na katulad ko na hindi kumakain ng hilaw. Among them, chicken teriyaki ang pinili ko at thanks the Maker, I did! Gasaraaaap ng teriyaki sauce! Sobrang match sa lambot at sakto sa pagka-ihaw ng juicy na manok. Malambot yung laman pero crispy ang balat. May combo itong sticky rice (no problem using chopstick with it) at miso soup (na ayoko ng lasa... not a fan of miso in general). May bed of seaweeds yung rice na hindi ko gaanong nalasahan yung effect niya sa lasa nung ulam in general.

hilaw na salmon

Sake or salmon sushi. Hindi talaga ako kumakain neto pero napilit ako ni Katlina na sumubok ng isang kagat and it's not bad really. The fact that my palates did not auto-reject it by means of puking outright says a lot. May pickled ginger garnish na kasama ito na ako ang tumira.

Unlike other Oriental restos, per baso sila magbigay ng house tea instead of the usual small kettle. Nothing special about it and there's none to expect. It's just plain tea.

Ang iba pang satsat:
When I first got ahold of the menu, my face did it's best impression of the letter "S"... capital letter pa. Haha! Wala akong ma-gets. It's in Niponggo. May katakana translations pero equally confusing still. Buti na lang there's ample pictures to help yung mga katulad naming mangmang. Out of context and stock knowledge na lang yung iba para ma-gets. Worst case, you can just always ask the waitress, WHO I should add, at that time, was not that helpful in how we can figure out what to order.

oooh-kay, NOW what are these??

Andaming laman ng menu. Again, kung alam lang sana namin kung ano ano yung mga nakasulat dun OR kung na-explain lang sana ng mas naiintindihan nung waitress.

May libreng hot towel. Pwedeng ipang-hilamos sa buong katawan... kung makapal ang muka.

Maganda yung lugar. Mukang hindi kagandahan sa labas pero sa loob, malaki ito, malinis at Hapon na Hapon ang kapaligiran. Nasa gitna ang primary kitchen nila kaya maaaring panuorin yung sandamakmak nilang cook at kitchen staffs habang gumagawa ng mga chicha. Dagdag ambiance pa ang mga naka kimono na waitress.

looks like in Japan, only with Pinoy staffs

Frankly, mukang scene ng typical Japanese sindikato hideout yung loob. Yun bang front lang ang restaurant pero sa mga kwarto sa likod o sa upper floors may headquarters ng mga goons na may matabang Hapon na big boss na maraming tattoo at magaling mag karate na kanang kamay.

Okay. Bago kami lumabas, binigyan pa kami ng parang tarheta o discount coupon na tadtad ng Niponggo. Kanji pa yata ang sulat neto eh. Kelangan pa namin mag renta ng interpreter para magamit ito.

Kaching!:
Not really expecting the experience to be cheap. And "not cheap" it is.

Price range is at P160 to P320. A piece of sushi or maki costs around P50 on average.

Pwedeng mag go-tipid via the don meals at P220 to P250. Yan na ang pinaka-tipid na busog meal na pwedeng mabile.

momoroblema??

Ang hatol:
Kung hindi mahilig sa gentong pagkain, dine in just for the experience. Pero mas patok ito for those who swears by Japanese food dahil masarap naman talaga. Sa daming kumakain na Hapon, the food must be authentic good.

Kung Pilipino ka sa ibang bansa, kakain ka ba sa resto na nag sisilbi ng peke o try-hard na Pilipino food?

11 out of 14!

*****

Project 12x2-1

Project 12 x 2 - 1: Mister Kabab, Nuff Said

2011-12-13T14:44:00.004+08:00

“Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.”
- Socrates

The next grub place I want to blabber about is not really something "new" and we've been frequenting this place since before me and the Potato became an item. I even treated friends here for my birthday about three years ago. But saving the best for last, the next few articles capping our Project 12x2-1 would be our own personal favorites. And so we ought to be biased, starting with this one.

You've been warned.

Ang pasakalye:
I pity the uncool who've never dined or, at the least, knew/heard about Mister Kabab.

From that humble shack along the West Ave. - Quezon Ave. intersection to its current and superficially better place further down the West Avenue stretch, the Persian resto has always been one of my lamon-place of choice. Walang panahon na hindi ko kinekwento ito kapag kainan ang pinag-uusapan. Para saken, harboring info about the existence of this place from your friends is a crime punishable by eternal craving.

mister kabab

As mentioned, Mister Kabab is along West Avenue in QC. Kung galing EDSA then turning right into the avenue, nasa kaliwa ang Mister Kabab, just past Col. Martinez street. May katabi itong talyer at maliit na eskinita (kahit redundant ang "maliit" at "eskenita").

Let's go!

Ang inupakan:

ox brain
chelo kabab
chicken liver stick and dish
shawarma plate
pita bread
lamb korma
yoghurt shake

braaiiiiinzzz!!!

Palaging out of stock ang ox brain nila pero on our latest return-of-the-come-back doon, naka swerte kami't meron! Lasang yellow ng balut ang ox brain. Medyo mas rich lang ang lasa ng balut ng konti. Trip ko na nilalagyan ng malupit na garlic sauce yung ox brain ko. It also comes with calamansi, pampatanggal ng lansa.

sikret weapon

Chelo kabab ang secret weapon nila. Ang pinaka sikat sa menu. Dalawang skewered meat (may option for chicken or beef), grilled and topped with rice (topped with butter) at inihaw na kamatis (na hindi ako kumakain). Pwedeng papalitan ang rice ng pita bread.

Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa kanilang kabab pero sobrang nakaka-adik in combo with their equally addictive garlic sauce (na malupit talaga!). It tastes smokey at kung minsan ay makunat, pero patok pa din sa amin.

Yung liver stick ay inihaw na atay habang ang liver dish naman ay yung sinabawan na version neto. May sauce ito na parang sa korma (malabnaw na curry). Gusto ko yung luto ng atay, eksakto lang para hindi maging mapait at hindi din undercooked. Get the dish over the stick.

plato ng shawarma

Shawarma plate is as it is, shawarma beef na nakalagay sa platong may chopped kamatis, pipino, at sibuyas. Pita bread served separately, with the aim of having you create your own shawarma wrap. Although frankly, the ingredients would make TWO shawarmas... for the price of one!

extra pita

I have no idea how an authentic korma should taste or if I, in my several visits on grub places around the metro, have already tasted one, but their lamb korma is creamy enough, flavorful enough, and spicy enough for us to warrant a thumbs up. Malambot ang lamb at chewy. When Mister Kabab was featured on TV, they claimed their cook is Persian (no idea if he was cooking there regularly) so their korma might be authentic anyway. In any case, it's worth trying.

yoghurt shake

I'm not a fan of yoghurt shakes pero dahil lang ito sa ayoko ng yoghurt in general. Si Katlina ang nag-order nito at masarap naman daw.

garlic sauce of adik doom

On each table is a canister-ful of garlic sauce at hot sauce. Yung garlic sauce ang sobrang patok! Up-to-sawa pa. Parang nilalagyan nila ito ng drugs kasi nakaka-adik, haha! Binabalik-balikan din ito dito at personally, malaking factor ito kung bakit patok ang lugar. Sinasabaw ko ito sa kanin ko. So so lang yung hot sauce. Not really that hot, kaya medyo kelangan damihan.

Mga chechebureche:
Maraming options sa menu pero ang kelangan lang na mandatory matikman ay ang mga kababs nila at shawarma. Most nung mga ibang ulam ay pa unti-unti naming sinusubukan habang bumabalik-balik kami sa kanila para kumain. So far ox brain at korma ang nasa top ng list.

hangin hangin

Open air yung lugar pero hindi naman mainit. Punong puno ng ceiling fan at tuloy tuloy ang daloy ng hangin. Never mind the interiors, it's not much superficially. Pero kumportable naman ang pakiramdam kapag nasa loob na't kumakain. Wala silang individual na upuan but instead used long wooden stools (bangko sa Tagalog). In short, halos karinderya ang experience. Medyo pina-class lang na version. I see no problem with it.

waitress gallore

Gadami ng mga waitress! Napaghandaan nila ng husto ang sandamakmak na customers na pumipila sa kanila araw-araw (lalo na pag holidays at sa gabi). Speaking of, on most cases, may pila laging pagdadaanan bago makakain dito. Ganun kadami ang customers. At partida, their new location is almost twice the size of their old place already pero napupuno pa din.

Ganun sila kasikat.

Kaching!:
Price range is at P80 to P140 lang.

Sobrang mura for the food they offer. I can rave all day about how people would go back for the food but it will always boils down to the relative cheapness of their prices as one of the main reasons.

At around 180 buckers, gagapang ka na palabas ng Mister Kabab sa kabusugan. Chelo kabab na yun at good serving ng inihaw na atay or shawarma plate. Nom nom!

hi, i am mister kabab!

Ang hatol:
A good majority of those who've tried this place will swear by it. At parang laos ang pakiramdam kung hindi masusubukang kumain dito while people around you are talking about it with gusto.

Until now, several years after I first tried eating here, bumabalik pa din kami regularly at laman pa din siya ng aming cravings.

14 out of 14!

*****

Project 12x2-1

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 19: Vikings Luxury Buffet

2011-11-27T00:56:00.001+08:00

We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.
- Adelle Davis

Nung birthday ni Couch Potato, baligtad. Ako ang sinurpresa niya with a lunch date. And surprised I was! With a feast waiting for us at Vikings Luxury Buffet.

lamang lang siya sa buhok sa ulo

Panalo!

Unang hirit:

It's just a couple of months ago that I kept on hearing raves about this new buffet resto in town. So much, that curiosity requires me to schedule a visit someday. But alas, the Kumander beat me to it.

She did the reservation way ahead of time. And from what I heard, medyo mahirap talaga magpa-sched ng reservation dito especially on weekend nights dahil sa dami ng patrons. We visited on a weekday kaya medyo moderate lang yung amount ng customers.

peaceful on a weekend lunchtime

Vikings is located along the commercial strip of Seaside Boulevard sa Mall of Asia (eto yung likod ng MOA na katabi na ng pampang). Kung naka-harap sa MOA, take the right side of the boulevard. Tapos diretso lang hanggang sa dulo. Vikings should be the last establishment on that area. Lampas pa ng Hooters.

Pag-pasok pa lang namin, we are immediately seen to our table and the chow begins!

Roooound one! Fight!

Ang chicha:

chawan mushi
dimsum
tempura (many)
various maki and sushi
Japanese fried rice (some)
steamed veggies
various chicken dishes
various beef dishes
various pork dishes
steamed shrimp (tons)
baked oyster
grilled squid
grilled beef tenderloin
beef kebab
grilled sausage
cold cuts
crackers with white cheese
DIY salad
mango
carrot cake
chocolate cake
sari-saring kakanin
cox
kape

So many food, I don't know where to start.

the salad bar

I can't begin to imagine how many combination of salad ingredients and dressings are there but the options are endless. Para saken ang ginawa ko ay egg bits, variety of greenies, bacon bits, corn, at carrots strips on honey mustard dressing. Mukang fresh naman lahat. Andito din sa area na ito ang mga tinapay, spreads, at soup.

sandamakmak na hipon

Tons of cold shrimp. Sa sobrang fresh andaling tanggalan ng balat kahit naka kubyertos lang.

sushi bar

Andami ding options ng maki at sushi. Di ko trip kumain neto pero mukang nag-enjoy naman si Katlina sa mga pinili niya. Nakaka-aliw lang yung iba't ibang kulay.

pasta area

our first plates

Maganda yung mix ng main course options. May Asian at may Western dishes, and among those we've tried, wala namang disappointing. A special nod on their lemon chicken. Gusto ko eto kasi hindi O.A. yung tamis compared to those I had on other restos.

cold seafood tray

There's a wide choice of fresh seafood to pick. Pumili lang kami ng gusto namin tapos iluluto na nila. No need to wait. Just give the table number and it will be delivered.

give me my tempura

Tuloy tuloy ang luto ng tempura dahil isa ito sa mga mabilis maubos.

pana cotta, mousse and cake

more sweets!

Name your sweets and they got it. Gusto kong gumulong sa tsokolate sa tuwa dahil andami daming desert!

the grill

May isang section ng grilled meat and fish. Patok saken yung kabab at sausages. Tamang tama lang ang pagka smokey ng lasa. On one of its corner makikita yung meat grill. Pwedeng bigyan ng instructions yung cook on how you want your meat prepared. At andami ding sauce to choose from. I went for the US-grade beef... medium in red wine sauce. Nom nom!

baked oysters

Other food stations to choose from:
* Chinese food
* Japanese food (masarap yung mga Yakitori)
* Thai food
* Hot pot (shabu shabu)
* Pizza and pasta
* Yogurt and ice cream bar!! (Tip: Go grab some scoops then splash it with fruits from the...)
* Fruit bar
* Beverage (Pwede magpagawa ng fruit shakes. At may draft beer!)

Mga chechebureche:

"A feast from the sea" ang tagline nila and boy it was a feast! Andaaaming choices (and no, hindi lang sa seafoods). The most dishes I've had in a buffet in my life (next to Yakimix and this dinner we've had at the Heritage). Ang nagustuhan ko ay tuloy-tuloy ang refill nila ng ulam. Almost hindi nababakante yung mga putahe. May presence of mind sila na tignan kung ano yung mga ulam na dapat nang i-refill.

the mad-hatter left something

Medyo strategically located din kasi yung kitchen nila. Most of the food stations are ringed around the cooking areas. This, plus the number of crew and waiters (which is a LOT!) manning the dining area, it should not be hard to monitor the food trays.

that's an octopus

Una naming napansin ay mabigat ang kubyertos. Hindi sila nag-tipid sa bakal haha. I don't mind really, pero nakakangalay din pag nagtagal.

Ang ganda ng interiors ng resto. There are hints of a seafaring theme to it as befits the place's name. Napaka elegant ng mga muwebles and sobrang comfy ng couches. Malinis yung lugar... or at least, it looks like it. Medyo sumabit kasi ng konti when across from our table, we saw a small roach creeping out of a wooden panel. Sa likod ito ng sushi and maki area. Tinuro na lang namin sa isang dumadaan na waiter, who immediately disposed it off... by hand! Angas.

kung nasan yung lady in black, dyan banda lumabas si ipis

Mabilis and attentive yung mga staff. Ang bilis nila mag-ligpit ng mga wares sa lamesa namin na hindi na kelangan. Pag kuha namin ng pagkain, wala na agad yung mga used plates namin pag balik sa lamesa.

As I mentioned earlier, may kahirapan magpa-reserve. Hindi dahil mabagal yung sistema nila, kundi dahil sa dami ng customers na nagpapa-sched. So I suggest to call for a reservation way ahead of time o kaya weekday lunch na lang pumunta. Kung dinner weekend, asa pa na makapag walk-in.

Kaching!:

Hindi mura dito.

At hindi rin dapat mag expect na mura. Dahil sa quality ng pagkain at sa ganda ng lugar at sa pagka-sulit ng serbisyo, hindi talaga dapat mura ang kumain dito.

Weekday lunch is at around P700+ and dinner is a couple of kesos more expensive. Weekend lunch and dinner is at P1000+.

introductory rate... stay that way, please

Get ahold of their current promo kung merong may birthday sa pamilya. The celebrant is free of charge. As in! Promo lasts until December 7.

Nakalagay sa price board nila na introductory rates pa lang yung mga presyo. Ibig sabihin ba nito ay tataas pa ang presyo ng pagkain? Abangan!

Ang hatol:

Kung may masusunog na pera at gustong magpaka-bundat, Vikings is a must try. Experience ang kumain dito at hindi lang basta pang tawid gutom. And why not, the price entails it to be so.

Babalik kami dito... hangga't may ipong maaaring gastusin at pangyayaring dapat i-celebrate!

12 out of 14!

her gift

*****

Project 12x2-1

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 18: Luk Yuen

2011-11-08T22:33:00.004+08:00

All food tastes good to the starving man's mouth.
– Lin Yutang, 'My Country and My People'

It was a payday Friday and all of the grub spots around the area was full to the brim. Gutom na gutom na kami at pang lima pa sa waiting list ng isang resto at pang labing-isa naman sa isa pa. Lumalalim na ang gabi. Kahit sa foodcourt jampacked.

Without much choice, we chanced on a place we never even cared to consider stepping into before - Luk Yuen.

Unang hirit:
Luk Yuen in Glorietta 5 is on the outside of the premise along the roundabout lane where North Park, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee, and Yellow Cab are.

Luk Yuen - Glorietta 5

Frankly, we see it as just another typical Chinese resto the likes of David's Tea House or Hap Chan. Kaya ang iniisip namin, why bother to try it kung ilang hakbang lang may North Park na which offers better options. That night changed our opinion. In fact, at the time of writing this (which is a month late!), nakaka-tatlong balik na kami sa Luk Yuen.

my side of the table

We decided to stay despite the waiting list. Pang-apat na naman din kami at mabilis ang turn around ng customers. Hindi nag-tagal ng mahigit sampung minuto at naka-upo na kami. Kudos kay Manong Guard na malupit na binantayan yung listahan niya ng pila.

Kamuka pa niya si Guy Smiley. Hehe. Aliw.

Ang kinain:

Beef Brisket
Ravioli Noodles
Dumplings in Hot Chili
Fried Noodles with Shredded Pork
Shanghai Buns
Beef with Brocolli
Yang Chow Fried Rice
House Tea

beef brisket and the odd shaped bowl

Nothing special on their beef brisket kundi yung lalagyang bowl. Naka tilt ito diagonally sa isang side. Ang kulit. Yung beef brisket halos kalasa lang ng sa Chowking.

shrimp-stuffed ravioli

Yung ravioli noodles ay noodle soup na may limang ravioli dimsums. Hindi gaano kalasa yung sabaw nito pero sulit yung presyo para sa laki nung servings.

patok sa amin yung sauce neto

Dumpings in hot chili nila ang di namin inaasahan na patok. It's basically eight pork and kuchay dumplings dipped in chili soy sauce. Ang sarap ng timpla nung toyo. Sobrang malasa at bagay sa dumplings. And again, mura yung presyo neto para sa dami ng servings kaya good buy.

ubos ubos na bago pa naalala piktyuran

Parang crispy noodles ng North Park yung Fried Noodles with Shredded Pork. Dry noodles ito na binuboan ng tinimplahang pork broth at sahog na gulay. Unti-unting hinahalo yung noodles sa malagkit na sabaw hanggang sa lumambot yung mga strands para makain. Masarap naman yung timpla nung sabaw concoction nila.

shanghai buns with asado sauce

Typical na bola-bola siopao yung Shanghai Buns. Pinaganda lang yung pangalan. Pero yung lasa at itsura ganun din. Medyo mukang may chopped veggies lang yung loob nung meatball.

pume-plating!

Beef with brocolli tastes good. Again, it's typically the same with most Chinese restos. Gusto ko yung butterfly-shaped carrot na garnish. Aliw.

Yung yang chow fried rice is a bit overcrowded with greenpeas pero patok pa din naman yung lasa and it looks and tastes as how it should be. Good for two ang isang serving.

Mga chechebureche:
Andami ng pagkain sa menu. Most of them ay common nang offerings sa mga Chinese resto pero madami pa din namang never-heard pa namin before at mukang interesting.

ang menu... dimsum section

Ang angat sa kanila against the usual Chinese resto of their league is their dimsums. Hindi sila madamot sa servings. Malaki yung sizes ng dimsum at madami at masarap para sa price. Eto ang nakikita kong babalik-balikan namin dito.

Maasikaso yung mga staff at bihira na hindi kami mapansin kapag may kailangan kaming hingiin. Medyo mabagal lang sila magligpit ng mga pinagkainan ng mga umalis na patrons. Pero hindi na namin problema yun. Ang mahalaga mabilis kaming naka-upo.

nice place

Kaching!:
Price range is at P90 to P180.

As I mentioned, mura ito dahil madami ang servings nila at nothing to scoff at ang lasa ng most dishes we tried so far. Dahil dito, mas advisable kung may ka-share sa ulam... the cheaper it will get while being able to try more dishes. Most of it serves two.

Ang hatol:
It's a good place to load on good food and still pay lower than you should compared to others of its kind.

Magiging balik-balik place na namin ito when we crave for dimsums for sure.

the devastation

12 out of 14.

*****

Project 12x2-1

Couch Potatoes Have Birthdays Too

2011-10-28T01:34:00.002+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATH!

From me and Hur Hur

I love you always and if I only knew life would be this fun and meaningful with you, I should have started us together 15 years ago! Kahit elementary ka pa lang noon at college na ako... hahaha!

Disclaimer: Maaga akong nag-umpisa mag-aral... ahaha! Lusot na??

Balang araw magagawa ko din yang cupcake na yan para sayo. For now, ikaw muna ang gumawa ng cupcakes para saken. Haha! Pero tandaan mo! Hindi kita hahayaang mag-mixer mag-isa. Maglagay ng icing mag-isa. Mapaso sa oven, mamantsahan ng tsokolate sa damit, o masugatan sa pagbubukas ng lata.

Ako ang iyong resbak!

Kakainin natin kahit anong lasa pa ng cupcake mo. Alam mo, ang maganda sa baking... you can eat your own mistakes ¹. Hanggang sa ma-perfect naten yang lintek na yan! Ang mahalaga, magkasama tayo all throughout the journey.

Walang iwanan.

Enjoy your day ma!

All yours,
Obi

*****

¹ - Juday. Junior Master Chef. ABS-CBN, October 2011. (ahaha!)