You Can Never Have Too Much Tapas

While I was in London last month, our very nice tour guide Maria took us to a favorite Spanish restaurant round the corner from where our meeting was.

"Do you have much Spanish food back home?" she asked me.

"Oh yes," I said, remembering how, on a trip to Barcelona a few years back, I was comparing how their cuchinillo simply didn't hold a candle to our version in Manila. Indeed, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to Spanish food where we live.

Maria said that the modern Spanish tapas at Salt Yard was divine, her particular favorite, the crispy roast pork (lechon kawali to us!).

Salt Yard's simple interiors

We all bunched up at a table (there were 8 of us) where the joint was just kicking for 1pm on a weekday. Get ready to enjoy London's version of "modern tapas." We started with cheese

The cheese choices were to die for at Salt Yard, and I especially liked the unleavened-type crackers (I do like the rough edges!) it came with. I have no idea why I was craving so much cheese on this trip, but it was all deliciously creamy and tasty.

Everything looked amazing on the menu. We ordered Chargrilled Tuna with Marinated Beetroot, Tarragon and Crispy Quail Egg. Presentation wise, it was beautiful, but it lacked a bit of seasoning.

Of course we had to try their version of Jamon Serrano croquettas with Manchego. It was delicious and well-flavored. I'm usually wary of croquettas if I've never had them at that restaurant before but this one was a winner.

Now this beautiful dish was amazing. Pan-fried Goat's Cheese Gnocci with Tropea Onions, Chard and Black Olive. I wish I had more of this but it was placed on the other end of the table and devoured. Fresh produce was another thing I was craving on this trip. Each vegetable was fresh and flavorful, cooked perfectly with a bite.

The next dish was something that immediately caught my eye and which I had ordered. Duck breast, good. Broad beans, goood. Garlic and mint dressing...not so good. Perhaps I was looking for more seasoning in this one too. And apparently my table friends agreed with me, it was one of the few dishes that had some leftover.

Now this is what Maria was waiting for: Confit of Pork Belly with Cannelli Beans. Myself, not so impressed. I've had better pork belly and better beans. Spoiled!

This Crispy Hake with Aioli is their tapas version of fish and chips. I loved the aioli- it was good with the other dishes as well. The fish and chips weren't bad either. I rather like the portions it came in, though, not like a massive fried fish you have to dig into.

Now they almost forgot to serve this little bugger, the Chargrilled Chorizo with Pepperonata and Basil. It was like regular chorizo, but with fancy menu items like "pepperonata" and "basil". With those things or on its on chorizo is always tasty!

Though we were almost too stuffed, Maria and her friend shared this dessert, Meringue with Poached Strawberries and Biscotti.

But what I wanted to try was their churros with Valrhona chocolate. Judging from all the other food I had tried thus far, I kept my hopes up. A foodie can dream, can't she?

So the chocolate was good, but too runny to dip the churros in. And the churros themselves were a bit raw in the center and a bit like those churros you buy at theme parks. Hello, someone from Dulcinea please teach them a thing or two!

The modern tapas were interesting but I realized one thing: I'd rather have my tapas the traditional way. And just throw in some pepperonata or so.

Salt Yard
www.saltyard.co.uk

Oh Glorious Brunch

I love brunch.

Not quite breakfast, it can be as filling as lunch, with a yummy mimosa or Bloody Mary to boot.

There are only a few places in Manila that serve a true brunch, and I am happy to say that the ever-elegant Masseto has started serving brunch on their "day" off: Saturdays, from 11am to 2:30pm.

So it turns out I've eaten at the place twice in a row. G wanted to get dressed up and have dinner somewhere. I had just gotten a text from Masseto saying they were going to have their chantrelle and truffle festival and I got excited, so I suggested Masseto, only to find out the festival was to start on Friday, July 1.

Duh!

Then on the day of dinner, M and I wanted early dinner and G and S wanted late dinner, which just turned out to be drinks. When S arrived at Masseto, she called G on the phone, saying, "You should see the place! It's a proper restaurant!"

So it was M and I that were the only ones who ate; sharing a very delicious foie gras and having a pecorino cheese ravioli each. But the truffle/ chantrelle festival was still lingering in our minds.

Then, upon looking at their website, I noticed Masseto had Saturday brunch. OMG.

Every single dish on its menu called out to me. Lamb sausages. Fresh homemade corned beef Benedict. Gruyere frittata.

So I trooped over there to see what all the fuss was about. And oh there was a fuss.

First, the fuss was about the dress code: apparently sandals and shorts are not allowed in Masseto, not even on a casual Saturday.

But when they saw it was me (and I had just been there a few days before), they let us in.

Chef Tippi sent over some mimosas to start our meal (thanks Tippi!!)

The menu confused me. I thought I knew what I had wanted but I had forgotten the truffle and chantrelle festival had started and so there was another menu of dishes to tantalize the taste buds.

To start we decided on chantrelle mushrooms in puff with 5 grams of truffle. If you don't know what 5 grams looks like, check it out here:

It comes out to about 3 slivers of truffle.

The puff and chantrelle was beautifully presented. The chantrelles did not disappoint but unfortunately the scent and flavor of the truffle was a little too subtle. In fact, you could only smell a woodsy aroma, not the usual truffle one, if you sniffed it real close.

I had just come from London in mid-June, and I had attended Taste of London where chantrelles and truffles were all the rage in many of the dishes. So do you think I was A) spoilt; from the abundance of fresh truffle or B) desensitized from being sniffing it everywhere back then or C) being greedy.

Unfortunately, I think the answer is that on its way to the Philippines, the truffles drank and partied too much and didn't maintain themselves properly in airtight containers so the flavor and aroma had lost some nuance. But that didn't stop me from saving a sliver of truffle for my next dish.

The mushroom lover that I am, I ordered the poached egg with bacon and mushroom in hollandaise and red wine sauce, with a side of fried potatoes. It kind of looks like a Rembrandt painting, if Rembrandt painted eggs instead of portraits.

I thought I was really hungry but I could hardly finish my food. The wonderfully greasy bacon with the woody earth-flavored mushrooms and rich hollandaise on this bread that just soaks it all up makes for a very heavy meal - possibly to soak up a lot of the alcohol from the night before. Well, I didn't have any alcohol from the previous night, so it had filled me up all day until dinnertime. 

A ordered  the lamb sausage with potato hay, two eggs sunny side up and a side of greens. Another fabulous choice.

The lamb sausage was full of succulent flavor. When you pair it with the sunny side ups and the crispy fried potato hay, it created a perfect bite that blended flavors and textures.

And just when I thought I couldn't eat anymore, Chef Tippi sent over another dish for us to try, the cheese frittata (thanks again Tips!)

It was fluffy and light, with the cheese harmoniously blended into the egg, to make it sort of like a souffle. Unfortunately, there was not a single centimeter of space left in my tummy, so we couldn't finish it.

I would highly suggest anyone who loves their brunch to head over to Masseto the next Saturday. Not only do you get to enjoy a delightful gourmet meal in ultra-lush settings, you can enjoy your meal in peace, where waiters don't rush you but are quietly on hand to bring you whatever you want. This is definitely not a Chelsea!!!

Masseto
114 Valero Street
Salcedo Village, Makati City
tel +632.810.3565

The truffle and chantrelle festival started on July 1 and will go on until supplies last. Try the chantrelles and truffles with other things on their menu, such as with roast chicken, quail, fresh pasta or en cocotte.

Holy Gastronomy!

Do you ever get the birthday blues?

I do, the day before my birthday. I guess I look back on what milestones I've achieved since the last birthday, and since none of us aren't spring chickens any longer, reflect on what I desire for the future. Feeling deep, no?

My birthday began with some of my bestest girlfriends at our favourite neighborhood hangout, Apartment 1B (and if you follow this blog, I'm sure you are gagging with the thought of another salmon eggs Benedict right now).

Being surrounded by loved ones is always a mood enhancer, better than anything out there you can buy!

When I got to the office, a surprise was waiting on the table. Danelle and Prateek from Dusit Thani Manila always remember me on my birthday, thank you once again! The Tatler family thanks you too, hehe!

Then remember when I told you that I had foie gras earlier in the week for my birthday?

I decided to treat my family to Enderun's Restaurant 101. My cousin Tricia is its marketing director and she used to invite me to events when it was still in Ortigas. Aside from the venue, I can safely say the menu has come a long way from then. From comfort foods such as baby back ribs, it has ventured into more sophisticated dishes for discerning palates.

Amy's foie mood was infecting me so I ordered this

It was a small plate but well presented and cooked perfectly. Just the right amount of bite and condiment for the foie.

I had a sea bass for my main course, and ordered the Kurobuta pork belly with rice pilaf for Enzo. Unfortunately they weren't very flexible when it came to some orders (no plain rice, only rice pilaf; some dishes arrived ahead of others) but hey, it's a learning curve.

For dessert, they treated me to this (thank you cousin!)

Aside from spelling my name correctly (yayy) they had that fabulous little chocolate rectangle that I tried when Alain Ducasse was last in Manila. Pure heaven! Everyone enjoyed trying a little bit of everything and getting surprised at the flavors and the mediums.

So, I started another birth year celebration with a bang in my belly, but a birthday so worth the calories and especially, the company...

Apartment 1B:  tel +632.843.4075
Dusit Thani Manila
Restaurant 101 at Enderun 

Birthday at Antonio's

Hello, dear friends! I am back from the dead, literally speaking, in the blogosphere.

Life has a funny way of catching up with you and getting in the way of important things, such as updating one's blog. Summer is practically over, and all I can do is look back and not regret having a real life instead of just a virtual one. Moving on...

I recently celebrated my birthday and all I wanted to really do is have some opulent QT and really excellent food with good friends.

In true Pig Out Fashion, we first made our way to Santi's for some wine, cheese and cold cuts and without further ado (there was some ado about something, but not much) A and I left for Tagaytay to be in the company of pine trees and fresh mountain air and our beautiful icon, the Dame VC. After settling down in our home for the weekend (thanks seester!), we decided we needed MORE supplies- and I'm not talking about a Japanese woman who pops out of a cake. So to 7-11 it was, for chips, water, milk tea, ramen noodles, chocolate and mints. All for one night!

When K and T arrived from Manila, we made our way in the Venga Bus to Antonio's, the most romantic spot in Tagaytay. Chef Tonyboy was there to greet us.

the entrance to opulent gluttony

They asked if we wanted to sit inside or sit in the garden. We all enthusiastically agreed on "Garden!"

our view

The menu was fantastically proportioned with everything good to eat and this made it difficult to choose, despite having eaten cheese, salami and chips only a couple of hours prior. A, who had been on a foie gras and steak kick all month, was also rattled. A, rattled?!

While enjoying some wine and fresh mango shake and strawberry balsamic shake, we were trying to think when the three of us were last at Antonio's together, and recalled it was when we wanted breakfast and were told Breakfast at Antonio's was being served there...we said it had been too long and must make another trip back. And we haven't even eaten yet!

We ordered our mains, and this came with a house salad and soup of the day and dessert. Beat that!

cream of cabbage soup

The salad always tastes as if each leaf was handpicked straight from the garden. I love the bitter varieties...

The kids got to choose from their own gourmet menu as well. Both Enzo and T opted for the good ol' favorite, carbonara. It arrived first and we all wanted a bite of its creamy goodness!

For our main dish, we all wanted to order the same thing, but I decided to change my order since I had some foie earlier in the week and just share both dishes with B. Of course, hers and Amy's were champion. Meet duck with foie gras

Whereas, here is my Sounded Better on the Menu dish, the assorted seafood Thermidor in a vol au vent pastry...

Cue: wahhhh-wahh sound effects ala Saturday Night Live. Looks kind of nothing special, no?

The flavor was good, the scallops and prawn cooked well, but compared to that duck and foie, it fell on its face and ate dirt.

So, it all turned out fine because we had the soup and the salad and then we shared and then we still had dessert to come. And B gave me a big serving from her plate.

To make up, I ordered chocolate souffle for my finale, while A and B ordered chocolate cake and homemade ice cream.

We were so full and happily satiated, we rolled Spike Lee-style out of that joint, making a vow and promise to definitely come again real soon.

Antonio's
Bgy Neogan
Tagaytay City
0918.899.2866

Andale andale, arriba arriba!

It's amazing how Mexican restaurants have cropped up in Manila. But back in the day, when I was high school, there was only Tia Maria's.

Aside from Thai and Japanese food, Mexican is tops on my list of favorites.

My friends and I loved Tia's because well, frankly, they had good food - especially the taquitos - and really, really good zombies you can take out by the bottle.

Now that's service!

Recently, I noticed a Tia Maria's near my office at the ground floor of the Enterprise Center along De la Rosa Street in Legazpi Village. At first, I didn't think it was Tia's, because the logo was different. But lo and behold, it was the same Tia's that I remembered from my teen years.

I ate there last week with some new friends, old friends and old friends I haven't seen in a long, long time and the food was really delish.

I didn't have any expectations, because it had been a long time since I had eaten at Tia's.

When Shauna and I arrived, there was a huge platter of appetizers on the table as well as a pitcher of margarita! Perfect after a long day of being on our feet at a shoot.

This is Kai's (hi Kai!) favorite dish of appetizers because it's literally got everything on it and its best to share with friends. There are (from left to right) barbecued liempo, Mexican pizza, nachos, mini tacos, buffalo wings and cheese sticks. Plus, I love the sauces that it comes with: cheese sauce, sour cream, salsa verde and ranchero sauce.

I loooove nachos, so I ordered one with the meat on the side and extra jalapenos.

This monster order of nachos has everything yummy as well. I love how the cheese sauce is that gooey nacho cheese sauce and not the thick kind. It's got olives, tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and a bit of salsa. Yum.

This was my main course! I could hardly fit anything else in my tummy, but Shauna ordered chicken wings.

Ok, ok, chicken wings are not very Mexican, but the spicy, crunchy wings went with everything else we were eating. This was nice and not oily or greasy at all, like some other chicken wing places.

 If you're craving for an enchilada, it might be best to share with someone, as portions are huge here. It also comes with cheese sticks. Me love me some cheese!

 Michelle, Cat and Annie

 Glenn and Shauna

The whole gang is here!

I'm happy to know that not only had Tia's maintained its consistency, it has expanded its menu to include more things for pica-pica to go with yummy drinks like margaritas, chi-chis or zombies. Plus, it's so close to my office, it will definitely be a place to have a quick lunch or celebrate five-thirsty (or more seven thirty thirsty in my case) with officemates and friends who live in Makati.

Tia Maria's
G/F Enterprise Center
De la Rosa Street corner Paseo de Roxas
Legazpi Village, Makati City

Valentine's Date

I was waiting for the flowers I ordered for my mother yesterday for Valentine's Day, and when the delivery man came he had two sets of the exact same type of flowers!

Now, I've said this before. My sister Margie and I are not twins, although many people think so. We are more like accessory twins and menu twins. When we eat out, it is so natural for us to split food because we want the same thing anyway.

Apparently now, we are flower twins hee-hee.

flowers by Fiori di M

My mom said that she and my dad were to do some errands in Makati yesterday, and asked if I would like to eat lunch with them at People's Palace?

Oh, would I!

I made a reservation right away. It would be folly not to- People's Palace is always, always full, weekday, weekend, whatever.

My mom loves mango salad with crispy catfish. She was so disappointed when she went to Bangkok and couldn't find it on any of the menus there. We used to eat it at this Thai restaurant called My Thai which was owned by Nora Daza or Sukhothai in Megamall. Are there any Nora Daza restaurants still around? 

Notice how the peanuts are on the side. I am highly allergic to peanuts, I always have been, ever since I was little. My dad loves nuts. He can't get enough. 

 Mom's favorite

 tom yum gung

Without fail, I always have to order pad Thai whenever I am in a Thai restaurant. It's as if my meal is not complete without it.

Once, on a press trip to Thailand, we did this tour of One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) which are livelihood programs in the countrysides. We went to a bag-making tambon (this is like barangay) where the ladies sit together, work together and eat together. One woman made this awesome-looking pad Thai for everyone to eat. It looked so delicious and authentic, of course instead of watching them make bags  I was closely watching her cook it. Unfortunately, the base she used was freshly ground up peanuts. Oh the horror of horrors. I felt so bad having to turn it down.

 pad Thai

I ordered a dish that I tried at Amanda's birthday dinner, turned out to be something called Morning Glory that had crispy pork and kangkong. I loved the kangkong! I forgot to take a photo but for some reason, it tasted better at Amanda's dinner than today. Well, you win some, you lose some. Sometimes when you go out on a limb and try something new, it could be great or it could be meh. Hopefully you get more great experiences than meh ones!

People's Palace

Ground Floor Greenbelt 3

Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati 

tel +632.729.2888

Hanging Out In Chelsea

It's not every year you celebrate a big party for your little one. When Enzo turned six, I decided to just eat out then take him on a trip to Universal Studios Singapore during the summer. Chelsea, whose original location is in Serendra, opened a new branch at The Podium. This is perfect because it is right near the house and the food is always good. 

Again, I must say that eating together as a group and trying a lot of different things is just love for me. Everyone sharing little bits of this and that is the reason why people go out to eat together.

We started with some appetizers. Jack thinks these crabcakes are even better than Ruby Tuesdays in Hawaii. 

We also ordered the rocket salad, I love all those bitter greens such as arugula, alfalfa or watercress

The burgers here are simply huge! The potato wedges are awesome with its thick cut and breading, like potato wedge twister fries!

The meatball with Italian sausage pasta is tasty and its portion great for sharing. Don't you just love opening up that meatball and twirling pasta on your fork, and eating it all in one big messy bite? Meatballs always remind me of that scene in Lady and the Tramp.

This was my burger with a fried onion ring and barbecue sauce. Really, these are so huge I halved it and ate the other half for dinner.

That was in January. Last Saturday, my friends and I wanted to go somewhere to have lunch that would also be "kid-friendly." We opted to go to the original Chelsea.

Not only did we bring the kids but the dog as well! Unfortunately he had to stay outside while we ate inside. The kids checked on him from time to time. As Kate said to her daughter, "You brought the dog, it's your responsibility."

complimentary foccaccia

You know how you eat at a restaurant, and you see a fantastic dish come out of the kitchen? Well, I had this moment when I saw the Greek salad. "Whose is that?" I wistfully inquired. Marga said, "I think it's ours V." Bang!

 the best Greek salad ever!

It may look funny, and the thing on top look like agedashi tofu, but when you realize it is breaded deep fried feta, you will also go "ooooh" just as I did. The yogurt dressing was the right bit of tangy, and the vegetables were crunchy and colorful. Who knew we had tomatoes that big and red??

Now this next dish came first. I think Sarah ordered it for Chloe, but she ended up eating more of it than Chloe did (cue "This mac and cheese is really good!") I am so happy to have a good dining experience with Sarah. Seems like the past ones she had were sh*t on service, and sometimes she thinks if it's pick on the white girl!

 mac and cheese: for mommy or for baby?

I ordered for the kiddos before everyone else. I specifically said cheese pizza. I never asked for a garden.

 if you were a kid, would you eat this?

Kate, who is preggers, had a hankering for Caesar salad with chicken. It was damnnnn good! I am so loving the salads here at Chelsea!

 Caesar salad

This is my choice. I tried it for the first time on Enzo's birthday celebration and I absolutely love their aioli. It's got capers, lemon, artichoke, calamari and asparagus.

 fritto misto: I love!

And in honor of our dear friend Estelle who is in the UK, where it is cold, we ordered this pizza, which she says she loves. This is for you Stella!!! We'll eat here again when you come back!!! Treat pa! Come home na!

in honor of Estelle

We got to catch up on several things during lunch, such as plans for Kate's wedding, Sarah and Reggie's move to Boracay in April, as they say its cheaper to live there than here. (Can you believe that???) All in all, a lovely way to spend a day with friends who want to take a break from socializing over alcohol hahahaha!

 Blondy and busty

 B and B and more busty

Enzo cracking up T

I'm happy to tell you everyone enjoyed and the service and both establishments were consistently good. Again, different groups, different set of dishes. Why not come here with a new set of friends next time?

Chelsea The Podium

G/F The Podium 

ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

Tel +632.914.0005

Chelsea Serendra

G/F Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Tel +632.909.7011