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Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

When it comes to comfort food, burger, fries, mac and cheese and pizza are bound to come to mind. Now that it’s March, your idea of comfort could use a little update. There’s nothing more comforting than food you’ve been eating while growing up. To me, it’s Chinese food, which half of the world, if not more, also crave for.

To keep us fueled, last Tuesday, we were treated to a “thanksgiving lunch” by colleagues in one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in the country: David’s Tea House, SM Mall of Asia. Yay! This branch of David’s Tea House in MOA is relatively new, as the restaurant has moved from the front side (near Hypermarket) to the back side facing Seaside Boulevard.

Review of David’s Tea House (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

With tall seats, high ceiling, huge chandeliers and spacious dining area that could fit about 70-80 people, David’s Tea House in MOA displays modern interior design with a cozy vibe. The place was quiet since we were the only customers there, even at the peak of lunch hour. It was like the room was reserved all for ourselves, yet it didn’t feel wrong but just provided us with an advantage: shorter waits. It might be an exact opposite story come dinnertime.

Service: ★★★★☆

Our orders arrived fast. The waiters refilled water and tea and fulfilled requests quickly, too. They were kind and polite, but what could add another star to this rating would be their smile. They all seemed so tense and serious. A pleasant smile would invoke a charming countenance and make customers feel more welcome. As long as they are doing their job well, that’s okay I guess.

Food: ★★★★☆

As an appetizer, the Nido with Quail Egg Soup (PHp 245) may be the most basic, almost tasteless soup that will surely cleanse your palette and soothe your stomach for the dishes to come. This soup was not the best version I came across, but still it was okay.

The kitchen of David’s Tea House produces a very fine plate of Yang Chow Fried Rice (PHp 195). Of all items on the menu, I think this is the one that’s most ordered. The perfectly cooked grain rice was mixed with bits of fried eggs, salty ham, small shrimps and green peas for that much needed dose of herbal brightness.

We also had Pineapple Fried Rice (PHp 255), which is similar to how the Yang Chow Fried Rice tastes but with added pineapples. This is another Chinese classic with a twist. I liked how the sweetness of pineapple merged with the fried rice’s flavor. The smell could instantly put everyone in a good mood.

For our vegetarian viand, Buddha’s Delight / Lo Han Chai (PHp 240) was served. Filled with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots and young corn, David’s Tea House’s lo han chai was not enjoyable mainly because it didn’t have many ingredients that are typically present in the oriental dish.

I was silently hoping for glass noodles, wan yu (dried cloud ear fungus) and dried gluten balls. Like always, when dining out with friends, I notice that anything that seemed like a herbivore’s meal would always be the bridesmaid and never the bride. Truth be told, the vegetables were again overshadowed by the meat. Up next: chicken, beef and pork.

The Crispy Fried Chicken (PHp 250, half) was a hit on our table. The chicken skin’s crispiness was so addictive that one might want to put a ring on it! The white meat was lean and even without adding extra sauce or condiments, the taste was satisfactory.

Credits must go to the chef as the natural taste of ampalaya in Beef with Ampalaya (PHp 265) was pronounced without being too bitter. The bittergourd itself would have made the meal, but the soft and tender beef really sealed the deal here. Taking the entire saucy dish to new levels of deliciousness, the thin slices of beef did not give us a hard time to chew.

I had initial reservations about trying the Fried Spareribs with Salt and Pepper (PHp 240) because it’s pork. The last thing I wanted was to be punished by formations of red patches and acne only to discover later that eating it is not worth the investment. Anyhow, I took the knife and cut a piece of spareribs for a small bite. My say? The spareribs punched way way above its weight in flavor. It was savory, so even if I do have an acne now on my forehead, it’s well compensated.

Finally, we had the Fish Fillet with Beancurd (PHp 340), my favorite among all these food. Actually it was ordered just as an “insurance policy” (we had too many food already), which paid off. I loved that the skin of the beancurd and fish fillet was fried and still crispy outside despite that they were swimming in sauce.

In any way it’s cooked, the fish may not have the sex appeal of an oyster, but it’s got romance. And with a sip of David’s Tea House’s light jasmine tea, it’s true love. ♥

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

David’s Tea House is a restaurant that can boost your confidence in spending for authentic Chinese food specializing in the taste of Hong Kong. Portion sizes of food are good for sharing, making food prices here totally reasonable in my sunny corner of the universe. If you’re really on tight budget, simply getting the Yang Chow Fried Rice (their flagship) sans additional viand may be fine as a completely filling meal.

David’s Tea House in MOA accepts reservations for parties of all occasions. Book a party and avail of their free photo booth. Discover how and why their name became famously synonimous with hotpot table top cooking with their shabu shabu packages: PHp 780 for 2-3 people and PHp 1080 for 4-5 people.

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March 8, 2014
Pyromusical Competition 2014: Brezac Artifices of France and Tamaya Kitahara of Japan
From Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop, we drove to SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City to watch The 5th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition: France and Japan. In this post, let me tell you about the spectacular experience we had on the night of March 1, 2014. 🙂
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G and Nic
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Since we arrived at MOA pretty early for the show, we went window-shopping around the mall until we get tired and decided to grab refreshing citrus drinks from Happy Lemon. There we met G’s brother who gave us our VIP tickets for the “Spectacular Pyrotechnics” Pyromusical Competition 2014. A few minutes before showtime at 7PM, we moved to the area by the bay and prepared to be mesmerized by the majestic display of skills and artistry through fireworks technology.

Buffet Dinner for Patrons

Since the program had a 30-minute delay, it was like the heavens giving us the chance to have dinner first and ease hunger out. Actually, as much as I was excited to see the fireworks, I was looking forward for the food! 😛

On the buffet table were steamed white rice, carbonara, beef, sauteed monggo sprouts, pork chops and fish fillet curry. We had water and iced tea for drinks. A small serving of sans rival cake was offered for desserts. The food caterer differs every week. I’m not sure what it was last week, but the dishes overall tasted good.

The Bulb Mode is the Bomb!

To signal the start of the program, the Philippine national anthem was sung. We stood up from our dining chairs and walked towards our cameras which were already set up on tripods to capture great photos of fireworks as they’re exhibited. It was another good chance for me to experiment with the shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings of my DSLR.

Thanks to a WhenInManila rep who was beside us, we learned how the “Bulb” feature of the camera works. The Bulb shutter speed setting allows for long exposure times under the direct control of the photographer. This is mostly useful in situations and scenarios when you feel like 30 seconds is not enough. Because we could not estimate the number of seconds it would take to shoot all the fireworks as we wanted, the bulb mode came in perfect handy. It also helped us get a detailed exposure with the shutter speed.

Accessing the bulb mode is easy. Steps are as follows:

1. Decrease the shutter speed to its lowest possible setting.
2. Once you have gone past the 30-second point, see to it that the camera’s LCD says “bulb” as its shutter speed.
3. Press the shutter button to open the shutter.
4. Press the shutter button again, and this time to close. (Note: The duration of the exposure is completely up to you. It can be more than 30 seconds, and yes, even hours.)

Pyromusical Competition 2014: Brezac Artifices of France and Tamaya Kitahara of Japan

Below are the shots I took (no flash, no zooming in, no editing except for resizing the photos for this blog). Enjoy! Also, feel free to share more tips on taking fireworks pictures in the comments. 🙂

France – Fireworks Highlights
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16.1s F/22 ISO 100
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15.2s F/22 ISO 100
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16.4s F/22 ISO 100
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13s F/22 ISO 100
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Japan – Fireworks Highlights
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2.7s F/22 ISO 100
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10.2s F/22 ISO 100
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6.3s F/22 ISO 100
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12.6s F/22 ISO 100
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Wrap Up

Life is too short for basic, bleak and boring activities. For the nth time, I realized that we really need to take a cue from our routine and attend events like these! More than just a demonstration of finesse and beauty, the Pyromusical Competition is the Olympics of fireworks. France and Japan gave their best shot, but if I were to judge, I’d pick France as the winner. Anyway, there are more participants who’ll showcase their artistry in the coming Saturdays.

5th International Pyromusical Competition

Here’s the complete Pyromusical Competition 2014 schedule:
- February 15, 2014: Platinum Fireworks Inc of the Philippines (Opening Exhibition) and Howard and Sons fireworks of Austrailia
- February 22, 2014: Spain – Brunchu Pyro Experience and Jubilee Fireworks of United Kingdom
- March 1, 2014: Brezac Artifices of France and Tamaya Kitahara of Japan
- March 8, 2014: Liuyang New Year Fireworks of China and Vulcan Europe of Germany
- March 15, 2014: Oy Pyroman Finland Ltd of Finland and Royal Pyrotechnie of Canada
- March 22, 2014: Atlas Pyrovision of USA and Platinum Fireworks Inc. of the Philippines (Closing Exhibition)
If you’re keen to watch, check the Pyro Philippines’ official website and like their Facebook page here. To purchase tickets, go to SM Tickets (call 470-2222), TicketNet (call 911-5555) or Ticket World (call 891-9999) or take advantage of online deals via MetroDeal, Ensogo and similar sites.

Regular ticket prices (without discount from online deals sites) are: Patron (with dinner), PHp 1,500; VIP, PHp 500; Gold, PHp 300; and Silver, PHp 100. For more info, please visit Wikipedia – World Pyro Olympics. For more inquiries, contact SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City, Manila via phone number (02) 359-1486.
March 6, 2014
Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

Nestled along the borderlands of Mandaluyong, Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop serves a menu of comforting and familiar fare: coffee and liquor. The concept is creative just like that of Da.U.De. Tea Lounge (where tea is infused in drinks and food). In sheer comparison, Tipsy Beans uses whiskey and white wine to bring out flavors in some of its dishes. Are you ready for a “redefined coffee experience“? Read on for a thirst-quenching review of Tipsy Beans! 😉

Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop started its course of business in June 2013. While fairly new, it has been attracting many customers which are mostly from Califonia Garden Square, the residences and commercial offices in the vicinity. Last Saturday, G and my sister tagged along with me over lunch for another foodie adventure. Tipsy or sober: Which side are you on?

Review of Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop (Highway Hills, Mandaluyong)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

A cozy dining room easily reflected by the transparent glass walls greets customers on their way in. Not long after you sit down to a quick meal at Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop, the venue sends out a message. Don’t get me wrong; no words are spoken, but the overall interior theme says a lot.

Each wall is designed with different accents, contributing to a cohesive attractive whole. Quotes about coffee, signages, life lessons, lovers’ keys, freedom board and dangling Instapics make up for the playful and casual vibe of the place.

Instead of candles, vase or flowers as the table’s centerpiece, Tipsy Beans decided to have these two bottles of liquor on top of coffee powder to kick off the meal’s presentation. To me, it’s the coffee shop’s way of saying, “Hey, you came for the coffee and booze in one sip, right?” Might as well start to feel and get at it.

Service: ★★★★★

Tipsy Beans Coffee Shop has only a handful of employees, but few does not mean inefficient. Service was fast and staffs were eloquent and friendly. They are the smiling kind but not the overly peppy which is annoying. There’s a rather warm vibe on the attitude. It also didn’t take long before I met the owners, and they made us feel so comfortable with personal service that you don’t get at many coffee houses these days. Yes, we felt at “home” right there.

Food: ★★★★☆

The menu is basically divided into “Sober” and “Tipsy” food and drinks categories. You will find several unexpected dishes such as the Drunken Hungarian Sausage (PHp 128), Gin Margherita Penne (PHp 128) and Beer Buttered Fish Fillet (PHp 80). There are also classy ones such as Good Ol’ Chicken Pesto Sandwich (Php 95) and Creamy Carbonara (PHp 118), which likewise are posted as their suggested viands.

With all interesting names on the menu, choosing was hard. We ultimately asked for house recommendations and gravitated first toward the Cheese Steak Bomb (PHp 95). The name promises a bomb of cheese steak, and I expected it to be so. The portion did not turn out to be substantial, and it didn’t seem like “the bomb.” Despite that, I thought the sandwich tasted nice. Potato chips on the side somewhat single-handedly transported this dish to a happy place.

Next, we had the Spicy Tuna Pesto (PHp 128) which was spiked with pesto herbs, tuna and crushed nuts. The spice did not sing the high notes I had hoped for. The pesto flavor dominated and registered loud and clear. Accompanied with garlic bread, this depth of this pasta dish took a turn for the better. The strands of pasta have been handled with care; they were not too starchy but dense and quite toothsome. Each forkful, with a few spins, gathered a winning bite.

Have you ever tried putting sisig as bread pan’s filling? These Delectable Sisig Triangles (PHp 75) were pleasingly subtle, allowing the real taste of sisig take center stage. I think it’s an exceedingly comforting merienda to have, especially if you’re fond of Filipino food. The crusty bread sopped up the taste just fine as well.

Tipsy Bean’s Bacon Milkshake (PHp 95) is a stunner that may just be always worth your perusal. Imagine bacon and milk mixed together – so unique. You get to taste a smoky flavor of real bacon bits in a milkshake! According to the owner, the bacon bits are pan-fried on their stone-coated frying pan fresh before adding to the milkshake. How cool is that? 🙂

We resorted to choosing two coffee-based drinks. One is the sober variant: Oreo Frappuccino (PHp 95). The topping of frappe loses its lusciousness after awhile, as the whipped cream tends to melt down to the table (a bit messy). For that reason, you want to drink it fast. On the other hand, you can still savor the flavor. File this dilemma under “Good Problems to Have.” This drink is beautifully composed with a mini Oreo on top, and the rest of the drink has both coffee and chocolate flavors in tango.

For the tipsy variant, we chose Irish Cream on Coffee Rocks (PHp 80). It tasted most like Bailey’s Irish Coffee, but this alcoholic concoction was made with whisky. I assure you, this stuff is inherently delightful; it can please everyone. If you have a sweet tooth, waiting for the coffee rocks to be merged with the smooth cream flavor would be a good idea as sweetness becomes more intense. How the mixture of dairy and alcohol happen to be silky remains a puzzle to me.

When I think of the ultimate sensuous desserts, cupcakes just about tops my list. As a great meal-ender, we had the Maltesers Chocolate Cupcake (PHp 55). Rich and supple, this Maltese chocolate-laden cupcake envelops the mouth in a way similar to a rich chocolate cake. Note: This is not available on the menu as a regular item, and the cupcake flavors are limited each day in the coffee shop.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Tipsy Beans has good ambiance, great service and food and drinks that are matched with affordable prices. To top it all off, they offer free wi-fi which is always a bonus for those of us who work on the Internet. So what more could I ask for? The only con is that I don’t live very close, but I’m willing to go out of my way sometimes to get their delicious coffee. 🙂 Try it and you’ll love it.

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March 4, 2014
Review of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant (Cubao Expo, Quezon City)

Honestly, I don’t know how to start this post without sounding too negative at once, but I cannot sugarcoat things and pretend that we had a nice experience dining at Bellini’s Italian Restaurant in Cubao Expo (formerly Marikina Shoe Expo). Bellini’s is totally disappointing! There, I said it—out loud, though virtually, to the world.

Anyway, the reason why we chose Bellini’s for lunch last Thursday was that there’s not many unique and specialty restaurants near SM Cubao, where we had meetings the entire day. My boss checked FourSquare and found Bellini’s. A mix of good and bad reviews were shared by customers through blogs. What’s up with the inconsistency? Ah, maybe timing is an important factor. If it’s so then our timing was definitely the worst. You’ll learn why below.

Review of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant (Cubao Expo, Quezon City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

No doubt, the ambiance in Bellini’s was enchanting, warm and fancy. Oozing with personality, the three separated dining areas in Bellini’s were nicely decorated with seemingly embossed European art-inspired murals that looked grand.

Contributing to the laid-back feel was the brick design and wine bottles arranged on the wall. The lights were dim, setting off a romantic mood for couples. Privacy and intimacy could best be enjoyed, as quietness reigned despite that the place wasn’t eerily empty during the peak of lunch hour.

Service: ★☆☆☆☆

I took a five-second moment to make myself comfortable, while still appreciating the interior design of the dining room. The waiter handed each of us a copy of Bellini’s menu. Before turning to the first page of the clear book folder, we were offered appetizers. The waiter suggested foccacia bread and quickly, we said okay (without knowing that it’s not complimentary).

My boss gestured that the owner of the restaurant, Signor Roberto Bellini, was seated right next to our table. When I turned to his direction to see, he greeted us in indistinct language which could be understood as either “welcome” or “hello” or “enjoy.” I said thanks, smiled and thought that was the end of our conversation. But then Roberto Bellini acted differently (wildly) when he saw that I took a shot of the first page of Bellini’s menu with my iPhone camera. He got mad and explained that taking pictures of the menu is not allowed. My boss said it’s for the blog, but Mr. Bellini shook his head and refused to accept the answer.

What’s the big deal? Is Bellini’s menu camera-shy? It was as if the ingredients, contents of their recipes and other precious secrets were all listed on the menu and we were taking them away to replicate for our own business. Wah lau! Their menu is far from being comprehensive; it contained only a listing of food names side by side the prices. After receiving the rather rude sermon, I thought… never mind, it’s not my lost. The “unwritten rule” is still a rule made by the owner and the least we do as customers is to abide by it, right? Oh well, moving on…

Side comment: I think menu pictures are useful to inform potential customers what the restaurant serves and help them make choices if they’re going in or not. Zomato has been doing this as it’s found very beneficial for the food establishments as well, in terms of marketing and publicity. Note that MunchPunch’s captured menu for online reference is outdated.

I felt pissed and offended when Mr. Bellini continued to talk about the issue with his Italian friend in Italian while we were waiting for food. Maybe he thought we would not understand, but I heard the keywords “blog,” “camera,” “photo,” and “menu” very clearly. Tsk tsk. That was very unethical.

I mean, everyone has the right to speak in the language they know best, but in this case, he was like stabbing me (a customer) on the back. He knew that we were there and he still went on. How impolite!

Aside from the ill attitude of the owner of Bellini’s Italian Restaurant, another bad feedback is that servers were not attentive. I had to stand up and go to the counter across the main door or look for service attendants around the dining room to call them.

Food: ★☆☆☆☆

For appetizers, we had the Bread Sticks and Foccacia Bread with Olive Oil which we thought were both for free. I learned later that the foccacia bread costs PHp 100. Usually, Italian restaurants serve these pieces as complimentary, right? The long bread sticks were almost tasteless, and I agree with a blog post which suggested that these bread sticks should not be touched unless one is super hungry. The foccacia bread was soft but not as warm as I expected.

We had to go back to work immediately, so to make sure that we get the best of Bellini’s in the shortest time, we obediently followed the staff’s house recommendations on pizza and pasta.

For pasta, we had the Pasta Cinghiale (PHp 400), which was not even on the menu. The waiter said this variant is special because it’s topped with a sauce of wild boar stewed in tomatoes. It’s almost a rarity since not many restaurants serve that same dish. Sadly, the wild boar pasta turned out to taste bland and the wild boar bits were hardly noticeable.

No herbs were present and the tomato-based sauce did not taste of ripe, juice tomatoes. There was no balance of acidity and sweetness as it tasted just bland and unappealing.

We also shared the Ravioli al Tartufo (PHp 270) which in plain English means Spinach and Ham Ravioli in Truffle Sauce. Out of the six pieces of raviolis on a plate, the fillings in two were cold and the rest was either hot or warm. What does this unevenness imply?

I’m thinking they were not made fresh from the kitchen but just taken from the refrigerator and then heated. Like the pasta, the tomato sauce used in the ravioli al tartufo did not taste good. It looked dull without the nice chunks of tomatoes. Compared to the quality and taste of raviolis by Bistro Ravioli, El Cangrejo, Balducci Ristorante and Deli and L’Opera Ristorante Italiano, Bellini’s raviolis were a let-down.

With thin and crisp crust, the Quattriza (PHp 610) consisted of these four flavors: cheese, veggies, sausages and anchovies. Each had its distinct taste but none was praise-worthy. I’d rather go to Pizza Hut, Shakey’s or Greenwich anytime.

Finally, our plates were taken out and red wine courtesy of Bellini’s was served to wash the food tastes all down. The red wine tasted like the standard red wine in our church during service minus the kick of alcohol. It tasted like sweet grape juice, a nice end to our meal. It might be the only thing that I liked.

Price for Value: ★☆☆☆☆

Sigh. I must admit, Bellini’s Italian Restaurant in Cubao Expo got the atmosphere right. However, with poor ratings on food and service, the expensive prices tagged on food are not worth their value. It’s easy to figure that this restaurant failed on multiple infractions. Needless to say, I won’t be going back for another terrible experience.

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Operating hours: 11:30am-11:00pm

February 28, 2014
Si-Co Wedding (The Bellevue Manila, Muntinlupa)

I’ve just returned from a wonderful bash held in The Bellevue Manila, Muntinlupa. It was the wedding of Sean Si and Apple Co last Saturday where “I will’s” were exchanged as declarations instead of the usual “I do’s.” Their marriage vows, Christian testimonies and love story touched me and made me almost cry big-time!

Sean and I belong to one college barkada, and Apple became our friend when she was introduced to us in December 2010 (see group photo below). My relationship with them grew as I joined SEO Hacker in the following year. They both are very down to earth, professional at work, and so I respect them deeply. We get together with friends to update about latest happenings in life especially career-wise. Of course, we were thrilled upon learning that they have decided to keep a covenant and follow Christ’s blueprint in marriage.

In several instances, I have attended similar ceremonies and have also participated as part of the entourage in my aunts’ and uncles’ weddings. But maybe because of the self-detachment that I do to release underlying emotions each time, I was never wired to get emotional at weddings. This time, it was different.

Thanks to G and her driver, we arrived at The Bellevue Manila in Muntinlupa early and saw Apple walking down the stairs. We said hi and were happy to see the bride wave at us back. Soon, our other friends found us and we headed to the wedding ceremony proper. In the function room, the backdrop was dashing. The flowers in the aisle provided a cool, romantic and modern vibe.

The couple looked absolutely radiant and incredibly happy. The groom shone in white suit and the bride was breathtaking as ever in her gown. The bridal bouquet consisted of orange and yellow flowers in bloom. Members of the beautiful set were all so elegantly dressed in apple green and orange.

A few minutes later, the ceremony began. I thought it was going to be boring like usual weddings whereby guests have to wait a while before the pastor finally announces the couple as man and wife. It turned out to be livelier and more moving than I expected.

Pastor Dennis Sy, Senior Pastor of Victory Greenhills, was present to give an inspirational preaching about marriage. And when it was the groom’s and the bride’s turns to share their messages with parents and their stories on how they became Christians, I saw many people in tears. Theirs were the greatest words I’ve heard at a wedding. Needless to say, their union was an emotional moment for everyone there.

The reception was held about one and a half hours after. I was seated with friends near the stage where the band played and where significant people in the couple’s lives also went up to tell stories and read their messages. All were true to heart and we were touched once again. The wedding couple also performed with no holds barred. They sang the Tangled theme song “I See the Light,” and the sense of energy in the entire room was almost tangible.

Come dinnertime, Chinese lauriat food were served to our table. I didn’t bring my DSLR that day because I believe the professional photographers’ “pro shots” were enough to cover the details of the wedding including food. I also didn’t intend to review the dishes but can’t accept not taking photos of them at least for my own documentation.

It was funny that my friends turned the lazy Susan in their own accord to face the food to me. I guess they really know me well. Tralalala… 😛 The menu was superb! We had: Assorted Cold Cuts, Roasted Peking Duck, Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with Shredded Meat, Hot Prawn Salad, Cha Misua, Braised Sea Cucumber with Chinese Mushroom and Abalone, Fried Rice with Salted Fish, Steamed Lapu-lapu with Soya Sauce, Two Variety Chicken Kung Po and Stuffed, Masachi Roll and Chilled Mango Sago.

I felt honored to have witnessed the Si-Co Wedding. Running separate lives and in different backgrounds, Sean and Apple met each other by serendipity. It took them signs to discover it—but we’re so glad they did. And like in a fairy tale, we hope they stay happily ever after. ♥

February 25, 2014
Celebrating Our Parents’ 26th Wedding Anniversary at Gumbo (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)
Our reservation at Gumbo for dinner was only 30 minutes away, after work hours. Desperate to catch it on the quickest time, I walked briskly (almost ran) until I reached my first stop: Chocolat, SM Mall of Asia, where I bought a red velvet cake for my parents’ wedding anniversary. The night, after all, was all about celebrating this wonderful occasion.

My parents hit their 26th this year. *Big congrats!* It’s our first time to dine in at this branch of Gumbo (read review of Gumbo at Robinsons Place, Manila). Funny it’s located exactly beside Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant, where we celebrated our parents’ silver anniversary last year. We were led to our seats and before we knew it, the food arrived.

Celebrating Our Parents’ 26th Wedding Anniversary at Gumbo (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

It’s already more than a decade when Gumbo opened its first branch in the Philippines, but it already feels like longer. Featuring New Orleans cuisine, this restaurant is considered as iconic an institution as any of the high-low, smart-fusion, upscale-casual restaurant archetypes that have redefined how we eat. Its menu reflects a melting pot of different cultures. A decade later, the crowds are still here. Gumbo branches are all spacious and thus serve as great venues for celebrations and parties.

For the food, we opted with the tried-and-true classic, Gumbo’s Spaghetti Puttanesca (PHp 375, Petite; PHp 575, Grande). It consisted of spahetti pasta, tossed in pomodoro sauce with fresh basil, capers, balck olives, artichoke and anchovies. With flavorful and aromatic sauce, this version of spaghetti is a comfort food favorite that’s rich and satisfying. The best thing about it? It’s free from meat and is completely vegetarian! At least for our family, it’s a timeless dish that’s ideal for any day’s supper.

Like Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant, which is also owned by Specialty Restaurant, Inc., Gumbo gives customers the liberty to choose up to four pizza flavors on the menu and make them into an order of one pizza. We had the following:
- Jumpin’ Shrimps – all fresh-shrimp pizza with pomodoro and mozzarella
- Quattro Formaggio – mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar and bleu cheese
- Pomodoro and Cheese – pomodoro sauce topped with mozzarella cheese
- All-Meat – a hearty combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, grilled chicken cube and andouille sausage
Gumbo’s pizzas are so good that I’d want to eat a slice every day, but then my diet would be doomed.

Lastly, this wedding anniversary celebration wouldn’t be a feast without us ordering the Family Feast (PHp 795, Petite; PHp 1395, Grande) plated with the best of everything. It had the combination of honey-grilled chicken, Bourbon-style barbecue ribs, batter coated cream dory and shrimp kebabs and grilled skewered veggies (zucchini and mushrooms). We generally agreed that each viand was a pleaser. The balance between the seasoning, sauce and smoke of the seafood, meat and veggies had captured the subtle complexity of what we regard as good food.

After eating, our attending waiter quietly offered to serenade us with a song and at the same time serve the cake. I said okay and they waited for my signal. Shortly, all of Gumbo’s staff (yes, including the chefs and kitchen assistants) arranged themselves in a horizontal line and sang “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” in front of our table. It was such a joyous moment that we wholeheartedly appreciated.

My sister gave my parents a handmade heart-shaped letter and personalized couple mugs with prints of their name and faces. These things are not anything monumental or life-changing but enough to make my parents that know and feel they are loved and cared for. We then exchanged sweet nothings, enjoyed wearing Gumbo’s hats and took pictures with their lovely background and cozy ambiance for the rest of the night. 🙂

Every year since I was in secondary school, I make a self contemplation about marriage. Looking at how my parents live life together, I learned that seriously loving someone is not much about having butterflies in the stomach or having extravagant gifts to exchange every day. Rather, being together is more about the day-to-day co-existence. It’s more about living simply—smiling when a message is received from the partner, laughing at inside jokes, cooking meals, serving food, watching shows, telling stories and setting directions.

When one is sad about life, unmotivated to wake up in the morning or when one is ready to give up on everything, the other should give purpose and excitement over again. I told myself I should remember all these. I must take pictures and write about them, so I’m reminded how great my parents are with everything that goes on around them.

Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary, Mommy and Daddy. We love you, always. ♥
February 24, 2014
Review of Mamou (Serendra, Bonifacio Global City) – A Valentine’s Day Special

Last Friday, I took a vacation leave from work to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Louie. We had a celebratory meal at Mamou, Serendra and walked down memory lane as well in Bonifacio High Street where we spent V-day five years ago. ♡

As foreign as it may sound, Mamou is totally a 100% Filipino-owned restaurant. Mamou (pronounced as “ma-moo”), we’ve learned from the “Matter of Fact” section on the place mat, is what Malou Fores’ nephew used to call her, and the rest is history! This restaurant specializes in steaks: USDA prime grade beef in different cuts and done-ness. However, we didn’t go to Mamou for their steak because try as I might, even a massive hunk of tender beef in front of me won’t appeal as tempting. 😛

Review of Mamou Serendra (Bonifacio Global City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Red walls, black and white checkered floor tiles, and wide counter across the dining area—all these remind me of the restaurant I used to design back then in Restaurant City, an app on Facebook. 🙂 The relaxing and modern vibe tends to gear toward welcoming a casual yet elegant crowd and environment. And oh, look at the bright, candle-inspired chandeliers! The color seems to be observing Valentine’s day all-year ’round. The place can get pretty noisy though when more dining customers talk at the same time.

Service: ★★★★★

I was surprised when the waiter made a hand gesture to hook my bag under the table. I smiled and said it’s okay for me to do it on my own. I liked the servers’ attitude here: courteous, responsive and friendly. They have the kind of customer service that’s fit for a classy environment.

Food: ★★★★☆

After being caught in heavy traffic jam, we came in late for our reservation but still just in time for lunch. For complimentary appetizer, a basket of bread with regular and wheat sourdoughs was given with an ample helping of butter on the side. The bread was soft and tasted fresh but not phenomenally delicious.

We were glad that our actual order was served quickly. Succulent, juicy and not overly oily, the Tofu and Spring Rolls (PHp 210) with vinegar and sweet chili sauces were a unique take on the traditional Shanghai rolls. The crunchy lumpia skin gave way to mashed tofu, ubod and tinapa. Taken together, few comfort foods can compare.

The sweet white flesh of the Fish Mamou Katsu (PHp 300) righted all wrongs, with nearly melt-on-your-tongue tenderness. The fish fillet had an impossibly delicate and crispy crust that held its shape just long enough to be briefly dipped into the apple tartar sauce. While Louie liked the condiment, I thought the breaded fish was better without it. The red buttered parsley rice that came with the dish merely delivered a straightforward performance. More glutinous than the white rice, the red rice tasted so healthy and wholesome.

Mamou is also famous for its Roast Pork and Chicken (PHp 345, half). Many other restaurants we know may have the same name on their menus, but Mamou’s monstrosity made of citrus rubbed pork and chicken, buttered onions, red Cuban rice, cinnamon saba and black beans taste far different for sure. Yes, their version is worth the praise, though perhaps not to such an ecstatic degree that it receives.

I tried a tiny chunk of the roast pork and thought it was tasty but not sublime. The roast chicken almost tasted the same, so the highlight of the plate for me were the black beans and the banana. 🙂 The contrast of flavors worked wonders. Overall, diners can best enjoy this entree by alternating each piece as their taste buds find fit.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Mamou’s diverse menu piques the curiosity of the insatiably food curious like me. Prices are mid-range and the dishes in terms of portion, quality and presentation were all well worth. We had a great time. I thank Louie for bringing me here and breaking my misconception that Mamou only serves a lot of steak and other meaty food that signal a turn-off.

Apparently, Mamou’s menu features plenty of vegetarian finds I’m very interested about. To name a few, there’s the Vegetarian Adobado with Pickled Ubod (PHp 295) made with tofu, saging saba, pickled ubod, white or red buttered parsley rice, Mamou’s Shroom Burger (PHp 495) that has a portabello and shiitake patty on buttered bun, with lettuce, tomato and onion, and Truffle Flavored Vegetable Mushroom dip with Whole Wheat Melba Chips (PHp 195). I can’t imagine how these taste right now, but I’m definitely in for some surprise in our next visit. 😀

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Operating hours:
Mon – Fri: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sat: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Sun: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Other branch:
Mamou too! Rockwell
L R1 148A, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City
Tels. (+632) 822-6218 / (+63917) 806-2668

February 18, 2014
Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

Do you know which restaurant has got the best burrito in Manila? Well, according to spot.ph, the champion in this category is no other than Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar in Makati. Beat that? There’s only one way to find out—and it’s when you grab a bite of their “finest Mex-Tex” food yourself!

Ines Cabarrus (in photo with me below) and Elian Habayeb have ventured in the Philippines to serve authentic flavors of Mexico and American Southwest cuisines combined. The menu is so joyously predictable. To boost their competitive edge against Mexican food establishments that are sprouting over the city, Chihuahua plays with much creativity and innovation.

With bigger and newer plans still up and coming to improve their menu, Chihuahua teams up with world leader Monin, the French company that has been producing gourmet flavors for over 100 years. This February 2014, they will be releasing three new margarita variations: strawberry, red berry and passion fruit. For the non-alcoholics, there are new flavors of quesadilla, new variations of nachos and smaller size of burritos to intrigue patrons like me. Let’s see how Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar’s food fared in my taste test.

Review of Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar (Makati City)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

This branch of Chihuahua across A-venue Mall has two floors and can accommodate up to over 50 people. This place is screaming RED! Making the ambiance pretty upbeat, this predominant color in the interior stimulates the energetic vibe.

Acoustic music pumping through the speakers helped to set the mood for the night. Incidentally, we came on a Wednesday night and Chihuahua has a live acoustic singer/guitarist every Wednesday. Tip: Say the password “acoustic” to the cashier and get a free Chihuarita shot to help you sing along.

Disco lights pulse and dance around the walls and ceiling. Props such as game boards, cowboy hats, balero cups and other toys are placed at the sides. These can be borrowed for picture-taking.

Service: ★★★★★

The owners and staff are very accommodating and friendly, so ordering from a wide variety of food on their menu board on the wall behind the counter can be done easily. The ordering process starts upon selection of meats or veggies, then deciding whether you want them in a soft taco, burrito, salad or burrito bowl. Third step is either you witness how preparation of food is done or wait at your table. Mostly everything else once the food is served must be self-service.

Different types of condiments (pickled Jalapeno peppers, fresh guacamole and Pico de Gallo) are available at a counter, and several types of homemade sauces are accessible from their “hot sauce library.”

Food: ★★★★☆

First and foremost, we had the classic favorites: three types of nachos, namely Chips & Queso “Special” (PHp 195), Steak Nachos (PHp 385) and Chicken Nachos (PHp 345) which all had corn, salsa, grilled pepper and onions. The Chips & Queso “Special” was made with queso and some chili con carne; the Steak Nachos, with tender, char-grilled, perfectly marinated American beef; and the Chicken Nachos, with lean marinated breast. All were really tasty and the matching condiments were as well rich and intense.

After having a bit of everything, it was hard to say which I preferred the most. The nachos were crisp and crunchy. The toppings worked harmoniously with the delicious corn flavor.

It seemed almost like a rare deal when the dish was served to us warm. I loved that melted cheese was still runny-rich and viscous and not a state where it had already cooled and thickened. What I also liked was the mix of quality ingredients in a bowl.

Next were two types of burritos, the “pride and joy of Chihuahua.” The Mini-Me Burritos (PHp 225) are lighter, less packed but just-as-good-yet-smaller portion of the original 12-inch sized award-winning burrito.

The Two-bean Burrito (PHp 135), an entry-level burrito worthy of the coveted Chihuahua brand, can suit vegetarians’ taste best. It is made with smoky refried beans, Mexican rice, black beans, creamy queso, and chipotle salsa, wrapped in the 10-inch soft flour tortilla.

Thirdly, we had two different viands of brilliant quesadillas: the Veggie Quesadilla (PHp 385) and the Chicken Spinach Quesadilla (PHp 495). These quesadillas look like a large Mexican pizza made with two toasted flour tortillas held together by three kinds of cheese. Both were served with pico de gallo, chipotle salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

I tried a slice of each but I could not just finish the whole thing. There was a lot going on upon the first bite. I thought the Veggie Quesadilla was more delicious, since the corn kernels, grilled peppers, onions and zucchini had a good contrast.

On the other hand, the overall taste of Chicken Quesadilla was not as appealing to my taste buds, but I liked it, too! This quesadilla was made with grilled marinated chicken breast and butter-sautéed spinach with garlic, onion and cilantro.

Coming soon are the Steak Quesadilla (PHp 545) with grilled USDA beef, onions and peppers; the Carnitas Quesadilla (PHp 485) with slow-cooked pork, red onions, and cilantro; and the Picadillo Quesadilla (PHp 465) with spicy ground beef and red onions.

For a good Mexican dessert, we closed the deal with Chihuahua’s Banana Nutella Quesadilla (small PHp 195, large PHp 345), which had a firm but moist patty. Each bite was nice, juicy and nutella-flavored, thanks to the following ingredients: Nutella®, Jiffy’s Peanut Butter® and then topped with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, shaved almonds and cajeta (a Mexican caramel similar to dulce de leche). The fresh bananas were responsible for the hint of sweetness. Yum! 😛

We washed all the food down with Strawberry Frozen Margarita which was made with real tequila. It was nicely tart but wasn’t too fruity or too sweet for me. As a “powerful cocktail drink,” this margarita was a little less syrupy than most versions I’ve tried in other bars. The acidity was adequate and the drink didn’t come with an unpleasant aftertaste.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Chihuahua Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar is a Mexican food lover’s paradise. Their offerings are so much a marriage of Mexican and Texan food and flavors. I was mostly impressed with the quality and presentation of the food but less impressed with the prices which I thought should be tagged a little lower. Of course in Manila, you can get nachos, burritos, quesadillas and drinks for half the cost. However, what you can’t get elsewhere is the FUN!

In Chihuahua, one can take advantage of the festive ambiance and enjoy the night away with free salsa dancing lessons every Saturday night at 10:30PM. Yup, this place transforms instantly from a rather quiet dining area to a home of the best salsa dancers residing in the metro. The good news? Everyone is invited and the party lasts until 5AM. 😀 So if you feel like chilling and letting loose, schedule a trip to Chihuahua this Saturday right now. I bet you’ll have the most fun, hands down.

If you’re not okay with Saturday, you can still have an equally fun ride at Chihuahua’s every Friday when they feature music more on the Reggaeton tip. You’d know it’s real when you see Domicans, Cubans, Costa Ricans and Panamanians in the crowd. The Corona-sponsored weekly’s Urban-Latin club music comes courtesy of Jonathan Picayo and some of the best DJs the city has to offer.

I’m not exactly running back for another set of Mex-Tex food right away, but if a burrito craving strikes me back again, I’ll know where to go. And by now, I think you also do. 🙂

Thanks, Aldous, for the invite! 🙂

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Operating Hours: 11am until 3am (Mon-Thurs), 5am (Fri-Sat), and 12am (Sun)

Other branch:
G/F Greenbelt 2 (Esperanza street-side across from The Residences) | 625-0106
Operating Hours: 11am – 11pm daily

February 14, 2014