Matakaw for Taka

If you were to ask me what my very favorite restaurant in Manila was, somewhere I could eat everyday only if I could afford it, it would be the little known restaurant, Taka that specializes in kaiseki style dining. I treated my hubby here for our 8th wedding anniversary and have written an article about it in the Tatler. If you missed it, it was reposted on luxedining.com here.


I took my sister and brother in law there recently, and was I nervous. They have both been to Japan several times and tried authentic Japanese cuisine, from the small ramen noodle houses to the formal kaiseki meals. When Margie asked me why a place so simply decorated would garner a 10 out of 10 in a restaurant guide, she asked me if I was influenced by the food.


"Terribly," I replied.


It didn't help that Jack was very hungry since he did not eat breakfast that day. We were to have the basket meal. The first time I had the basket meal here was quite memorable too. In fact, every time I come here is memorable. I love the food so much, I don't even bother to bring a camera, which is why the ones here are from my crappy camera phone. 


In this photo, you have your perfectly battered tempura on the far left, served with calamansi. Then is o-toro, salmon and tuna sashimi served with chizo leaf. Next, in the blue covered bowl, is a silky soft tofu in broth hiding inside. Jack says it had that malinamnam taste! After that is super fresh and soft tamago. Next, on the bottom, is eggplant in a sort of plum paste then above it is a leafy green veggie with bonito flakes on top and the most tender octopus I've ever tried in my life on the right. Isn't the presentation so well thought-out? I get so excited when I see this.

Then our server Joy came out with this, sticky Japanese rice topped with ikura and some sort of seasoning. Love love love this!

These pickles were crisp to the bite and the right amount of sweet with briny.

Margie took a photo of the izugyu steak and the pot of root vegetables. As usual, no dessert photos. It was a pineapple sorbet refashioned back onto a wedge of fresh pineapple. My sister and brudder were impressed. "This is really just like being in Japan!" they said.


Every time I have eaten here, I get something different. This time, it was the rice with ikura and those pickles on the side, as well as the pineapple. When you leave, you are full, but not bursting to the seams the food is in your throat full. You are perfectly right full. I love how thoughtful everything is presented and how all the food is delicious and full of umami. The Japanese really got it right.


If you check out Suzuki-san's kitchen, it's so clean you think he created these dishes magically out of it. Can't wait 'til I get to go there the next time!