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Monday, August 31, 2015
CAFE YSABEL: Good Friends and Excellent Food

 Great friends and Better Food. That is what bounds us together. It's like a family of sorts. Yes, that is the KTG for me. Known as the KAIN TULOG GANG. A band of brothers and sisters enjoying each others company. More than the food, we strive to help one another and be one awesome family. That is how I see THE KTG. 

Recently, one of us, JUSTINNE of BABE FOR FOOD. Visited the Metro to take her license exam which she aced and passed might I add. She is based in CEBU and is an awesome foodie blogger and an authority when it comes to CEBU food finds. I remember the first time I met this gorgeous fun loving girl. We became friends ever since. On a Friday night, she invited everyone to go to CAFE YSABEL in SAN JUAN. 
There, CHEF GENE greeted us and dined with us. He showed us all the elements of a great dinner. From food, to drinks and of course excellent company. 

The food journey started with a piece of bread that was chewy inside yet crunchy outside. The patte like dip is actually "roast beef" like that one dab is truly not enough. I told myself that I need to stop myself because more good things are coming. 

GAMBAS (268Php) was served almost simultaneously. Plump pieces of shrimps cooked in amazing sauce. The fresh shrimps absorbed the flavor. 

 The PIZZA 4 CHEESE (468Php) or what's left of it. Excellent thin crusted pizza. I love the flavor and the mix up of the 4 cheeses that were used.

Another special pizza dish that was served to us was the BOBBY CHIN'S PIZZA (618Php). Originally this was all veggies. From goat and fresh cheese to smoked tomatoes, fresh arugula and red wine shallots. Prosciutto was added in for the general public. Wohoooo!!! Love the meat and the mix of the arugula and the shallots. 


Throughout the meal, different wines and liquor were served to partner with the dishes we had. One thing that was incredible was that most of the alcohol were made and bottled for CAFE YSABEL or if not were actually made in house. I'm not a wine connoisseur but I did enjoyed the pairings as they enhanced the flavor of the dishes. From Cafe Ysabel's Sparking Pinot Noir by Bird in Hand to Adolaide Hills 2011, to KyohoYamabe Winery 2013 Rose, to 2007 Petite Sirah By Corte Riva and Gran Monterfisoke Valley Bussaba 2013.

Since it was raining, we had soup to soothe our tummies. THE SOPA YSABEL (168Php). This has been in their menu ever since they started. Mixed seafood chowder with a dash of saffron made the soup taste like the sea.

For their 30th anniversary, they had made a PASTA TRETISSIMO ANNIVERSARIO (468Php). A white sauce pasta dish. Topped with mad bacon that you wish you had more. The pasta is made fresh daily and is sits somewhere between an udon and a normal spaghetti. The shell is actually made of parmesan cheese just because we love our cheese. 

When seafood comes to shove, CAFE YSABEL knows their stuff. SEABASS with SEAFOOD & VIETNAMESE BUTTER (1,248 Php).  Crustacean Sauce Hazelnut Butter and Wild Mushroom Ragout.
 An incredible dish. I don't usually love seafood but this dish is an exception. I can't explain the butter sauce but it was sublime. This is a playful work on a sea dish. The flavors were elevated to a different level. You can really taste the sea. 

Since we had been going on and on, we needed a time out. A SORBET. A way to cleanse our palette. 

FILLET ALA GINO is the perfect meat dish. Grilled fillet of smoked beef with bone marrow. Wild Mushrooms with truffles, foie gras in grappa sauce. This is a little rich for me but believe it or not, I still went for it just because. The foie gras just made everything better. It gave it a more buttery feel. It was a dilemma for me if I could just lick the sauce off the plate. That good.

After a heavy dish, we had our pre-dessert. A CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE (218Php). IT was soft and the chocolate didn't have an overwhelming flavor. I enjoyed the burnt part on the edges too as it gave it a little crunch. 

 Our real dessert came afterwards, MINI STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE with PETER PAN CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE & VANILLA CUSTARD SAUCES.
 The strawberry shortcake was mushy that it was so perfect with every bite. The accompanying "ice cream" dessert was sort of like a cold ice cream cake. Different levels of chocolate and vanilla. Delicious.

To end the meal, we had the homemade mead. Chef's very own making. Back when he still had a girlfriend and went into making alcohol, this was their baby. Excellent. Just the right sweetness and it did make everything go down better.  

Good Friends and Excellent Food. That is what one can only hope for. 
See the girl on the right with the white shirt. That's Justinne thinking about the abyss. 


CAFE YSABEL has been ahead of its time. More than 30 years in the business, CHEF GENE has mold the dining scene in the metro. CAFE YSABEL has been the go to place when it comes to intimate dinner and power meetings. I am glad to say that it is very much still the best place to eat and dine with friends and love ones.

All I can say is CHEERS and CONGRATULATIONS JUSTINNE. 
Epic dinner by Chef GENE GONZALES

CAFE YSABEL
455 P. Guevarra St., San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
FACEBOOK
(632)726-9326 ; (632) 725-5089
CafeYsabel.com


Disclaimer: Was invited to this event. Wrote this based on my experience. Enjoyed truly. Prices might not be updated. Please call on ahead.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015
THE GRILL BOY in The Spark Place: Extra Rice PLEASE!!


I am craving for some good old fashion grilled FILIPINO FOOD. When that goes into my mind, I go berserk. I look and look until I find the missing thing in my life. For me at that particular time, it was good old fashioned Chicken Inasal and Sisig. One place that I could think of that could deliver these without emptying my pocket would be THE GRILL BOY. 

THE GRILL BOY is situated at the 2nd floor of the SPARK PLACE. Right infront of SM and Ali Mall along P. Tuason, SPARK PLACE houses the right establishments  that we would need in our every day lives without the hassle and bustle of a regular mall. 
Picture by R. Zamora of Pickiest Eater.
It has a ROBINSON'S SUPERMARKET, APPLIANCE CENTER, and even a HANDY MAN HARDWARE STORE. Best part? It offers free parking on the side and also in the basement.

 Going back, one of the best food establishment in the SPARK PLACE would be THE GRILL BOY. One thing though before we move one, THEY OFFER UNLIMITED RICE! Yes, you got it. Boy, you would be needing it.

Before all the heavy heart pumping dishes, they served something healthy. THE CRISPY PORK and MANGO SALAD (66Php). This right here mixes the flavors of the mango, tomatoes and onions. The fact that it has crispy pork on top, gives it a crunchier texture. 

Another healthy option that they have is the LAING (53Php). For the price, this could be compared to any laing dishes around the metro. 

I did mention that they serve unlimited rice right? Just in case, you don't want it. They also have some "pasta dishes".

Like this PANCIT and 
BATCHOY (82Php)

For the BIG GUNS, we start with the BETTY'S CRISPY PORK SISIG (95Php). A whole sizzling platter filled with sisig is served. Sisig is basically everything you would love in a food. Crunchy, a little oily and yes, deadly. You could opt to add an egg so that you could properly mix the flavors together. 

Of course they also have other pork dishes like this 
LECHON KAWALI (99Php) for that crunchy bite.
or a GRILLED LIEMPO for something more "healthy"

and in case you want something more, they also offer, PORK BBQ.

For seafood, the GRILL BOY has a couple of dishes that I enjoyed. 

The PINAPUTOK na BANGUS got me eating fish. I don't normally like to have fish but the flavors of the tomatoes and the onions were absorbed by the fish meat and was definitely a treat. 

GRILLED TUNA BELLY (121Php) is a work of art. You wouldn't know that something so simple and so normal looking would actually taste pretty well. If you aren't a pork eater, you sure as hell would love this.

One thing that surprised me was the BONELESS CHICKEN INASAL (99Php). It was flavorful and properly marinated. I could taste the inasal flavor deep inside the chicken meat. Furthermore, it was moist, tender and definitely yummy. 

To cap the meal, you could go for their affordable desserts. Here, I was able to get a halo-halo and a leche flan on the side.
 One more dessert I liked was the Buko Pandan.. Pretty good, I must say. Excellent way to end the meal.  

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As you can see, THE GRILL BOY has affordable meals with UNLIMITED RICE. You get to pick between: plain, garlic, and java. Plain rice would be served after. The meals are pretty good and could make me go for a second or a third extra rice because they warrant it. The fact that the meals are pretty affordable and tastes great, I could see myself going back.

THE GRILL BOY
2nd Floor The Spark Place
P. Tuazon Cor 10th Ave.
Cubao, Quezon City.
Infront of SM and Ali Mall.
Facebook

Disclaimer: was invited to try out their dishes. Wrote this based on my opinion. Definitely impressed with the food and I really enjoyed it. For the price, this is a steal.
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Monday, August 24, 2015
EARTH KITCHEN now in BGC: Healthy and Delicious Cuisine

There's this restaurant that I would always pass by when I drive along White Plains in Quezon City. I really didn't bother trying it out as the traffic there is horrible and parking isn't that good. Fast forward a few years and here they are in BGC. EARTH KITCHEN opened up their second restaurant in Bonifacio High Street Central. 

Dishes can be seen as somewhat come what may. One thing can be assured off though, these are organic and are all farm to table. 
 
EARTH KITCHEN in BGC is going for the healthy and sustaining environment when it comes to food. Locally sourced ingredients are used and as a way, they help local farmers.

Drinks are pretty amazing too. From this DALANDAN juice
to their different smoothies. Made with fresh ingredients that definitely could help if you are going for that cleanse or healthy streak.

For starters, we had a go with the WATERMELON and ROCKET SALAD (270Php). Pili nuts alongside with organic and fresh arugula and watermelon, is a perfect combination with the balsamic vinaigrette. 

RISOTTO BALLS (250Php) is a fun snack. Cheese with mushroom and risotto stuffed in deep fried balls. I liked how this is perfect for young kids to transition to healthy dishes. 

FISH and MANGO (190Php) Mahi Mahi fish is used and breaded and is partnered with mango and cilantro. Plum sauce is used to give it a more tangy taste.

SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS (295Php). This is for the veggie eater. I skipped this as I wasn't really going for the veggie in me. 


One thing I liked about EARTH KITCHEN is that they serve soft tacos. It may not be as authentic as those Mexican themed restaurants but they are pretty good. The BEEF BULGOGI (280Php) is pretty good. 

Boneless beef ribs was perfectly used. The kimchi rice was perfect as it gave a sting on each bite. 

For pasta, the PUMPKIN and GOAT'S CHEESE PACCHERI (310Php) is a must. I didn't really expect much. But after a bite, the pumpkin blended well with the cheese. Thankful though that this had bacon cubes as it was getting too healthy for me. 

Another pasta that came highly recommended was the SQUID INK and ALIGUE (430Php). A lot of local scallops with squid ink pasta and aligue or crab meat was used. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the use of crab fat was deadly to say the least. 

Another interesting and yummy dish was the BRAISED BACON (530Php). This was what I was waiting for. A huge cut of bacon, with cabbage and marbled potatoes. It was a little sweet but it was perfectly done. The bacon though could be more tender.

The BEEF KABAB (380Php) was a simple dish. It was straight forward and tasted pretty good. Organic Ifugao Rice Pilaf was served with the sauces. The meat was tender and I did enjoy the flavours. 

For dessert,  scoops of ice cream were served. From Goat's Cheese to Tablea to Pastillas. I enjoyed the Goat's Cheese with its toppings of figs. It works pretty well. The Tablea tasted liked old school chocolate. Like back when we were kids. The Pastillas wasn't really that great for me. I would skip this one. Would definitely go back for that Goat's Cheese Ice Cream though!!!.

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EARTH KITCHEN in BGC recently opened. Allowing its patrons from the south to no longer brave the traffic all the way to QUEZON CITY. Aside from serving organic and fresh dishes, EARTH KITCHEN partners with farmers and sourced their ingredients locally. They are all for sustaining local livelihood. Eliminating the middle man, gives a lot more chances for them to serve their diners better. The food can be seen as somewhat from all over. There is no general theme, just that they are pushing for organic and locally sourced ingredients. Even if, I believe that they are doing a pretty good job. Service was excellent and I will definitely be back even if it would be just for desserts. Congratulation EARTH KITCHEN. 

EARTH KITCHEN
Upper Ground Floor
Bonifacio High Street Central
Taguig, Metro Manila



Disclaimer: was invited to try out their dishes. Wrote this based on my experience.
Pardon for I am still trying to adjust to MAC.
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
PANCAKE HOUSE: Old School Favorite

 
A couple of weeks back, I found myself driving in a place that I have never been to. It was somewhat far and I didn't know my left from my right. It was all guessometer and I had a hard time with that. Just because of food, I did it. After going around in circles, I found my way to Pasig's newest food stop. It was here that I saw PANCAKE HOUSE. 

It is never too early or late for breakfast. That is one statement in which I know a lot of us agree with. 
PANCAKE HOUSE serves amazing dishes that one could definitely say is distinctly FILIPINO. The food may have originated from a different place but PANCAKE HOUSE'S version of them definitely shout FILIPINO FLAVORS.

Don't get me wrong, PANCAKE HOUSE has been in the business for a long long time. I could remember eating their tacos and their classic dishes ever since I was a little kid. I enjoyed it. IT is pretty amazing that even until now they continue to innovate and spread their reaches. 

For Starters, Pancake House delivers new fresh salad.
The SHRIMP MANGO SALAD (295Php) is served with a fresh tangy dressing. The addition of the nuts in the salad gave it a different texture. I liked this one.

If shrimps or mangoes aren't really your thing, I suggest you get their WARM BACON POTATO SALAD (164Php). Given that this is basically potato salad, can still enjoy every last bite.

 Since this is the house of pancake, you can choose between waffles to flavored pancakes and other carb goodies that are usually made for breakfast. 

In case, you aren't into that good morning stuff, you could go for their simple meals. Like this, HOUSE SPECIAL SET (257Php). Taco, salad and a piece of chicken. Works every time.

 Now, I can't help but say that the TACOs in PH is definitely different from their Mexican counterparts. IT is more Filipino. The sweet flavour coming from the ground beef and its juices makes it homey and distinctively Filipino. I super duper like their tacos.

The same goes with their SPAGHETTI. Yes, it isn't the usual thing that we would get from an Italian Restaurant but it is reminisce of what we used to have during birthday parties. A little on the sweet side if you know what I mean. 

Yes, they too offer dessert. Seeing that it is a little bit over board already, I would suggest that you stay off it. In case you don't want to listen to me, they also offer crepes.

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PANCAKE HOUSE has been in the country for the longest time. Seeing that they are continuing to expand makes them an awesome restaurant that caters to the FILIPINO PALETTE. Yes, the tacos and the spaghettis are a bit on the sweet side. Yes they mostly serve breakfast food. BUT, they definitely make them definitely FILIPINO. 

PANCAKE HOUSE
HAMPTON GARDENS, PASIG
Metro Manila
Opened a couple of weeks back, 
open from 7am to 9pm


Disclaimer: was invited to try out their dishes. Wrote this based on my experience
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