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Showing posts with label Chef Kalel Chan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chef Kalel Chan. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
M CAFE'S Sunday Boutique Brunch: The Perfect Sunday

Sunday is the day of rest. Traffic is awesome. Quezon City to Makati City in less than 30 minutes. It must be a sign telling me that SUNDAY is the best day ever. That, and the awesome food at M CAFE's SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH.

The BIG M made a big impact. M CAFE stands in as the place to eat at when in the area of the Ayala Museum. They have a great interior. Perfect for meetings or just lounging around.
The Al fresco area is also nice as it is under the shade and you get to watch and listen to a jazz band. Yes, that happens every Sunday during M CAFE'S SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH.
 Along with friends, I was invited to try out the delicious spread known as SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH. 

This buffet is not your ordinary buffet. It might cost a bit but seeing the different choices they offer, I will gladly pay that sum. At, 988++ Php, you would stuff yourself silly.

 Bread, dips, and different cheeses greet you.

 You have a choice of Rye, Focaccia, Sourdough and a lot more when picking for those morning carbs.

The cheeses offered are a lot. These aren't to be missed.

Some crackers for this honey laced cheese dip.
 Something that surprised me was the COCONUT CHEESE. Try it! It is differently good. They have fig and cranberries to different jams and fresh fruits to get through all these cheeses.

To accompany these, you will go for the smoked salmon. 
Premium meat selection like Jamon Serrano and Chorizo Iberico goes perfectly with the cheeses as well.

If these are a bit too early, you could go over their salad bar. With pre-made base salad and other veggies, you could mix and max to make the perfect combination. A lot of dressings are present for your imagination to go wild.

IF you are looking for something more substantial, these HERB CRUSTED SEARED TUNA bites would make you go delish.
My brother couldn't help but get some more dish after dish.

and FRESH RIVER PRAWNS are available as well as FRESH AKLAN OYSTERS. A dab of lemon or vinegar would make these babies rock!

Another section would have the omelette bar. Aside from making your own, you could go for other egg dishes done like a quiche or a tortilla de patata.
 and even a CROQUE MONSIEUR. A ham sandwich infused with cheesy goodness.


On the next table, you could make your own pancakes. French Toasts are also there.  Different jams, syrup and toppings are available to have those exquisite morning fluffies.

Going around back and forth could make one thirsty. This M CAFE drink which has a little alcohol in it could be refreshing. As an add on, you could have unlimited bubbly at 495++Php.

With the unique options, I could muster just these two plates to start off.
Of course, I went back for the oysters and more salmon, tuna and Iberico.

If that isn't enough, this brunch buffet makes it standout from others. You get to pick a main dish to accompany your buffet experience.

 If you are a little pasta holic, you could choose the ROASTED SEAFOOD LINQUINE. Cilantro Pesto, Grilled Seafood, Fresh Lemon.

The favorite though would be the "KABILA FAVORITES". You get to pick between US BEEF BELLY GARLIC TAPA, ALAMINOS GARLIC LONGGANISA, CRISPY PORK BELLY CHIPS and BANGUS BELLY "BISTEK SYLE". It comes with brown or white rice. 2 eggs of any style, Atchara, Tomato Salsa and salted egg. 

My seatmate Bea went for the US BEEF BELLY GARLIC TAPA.
 Rather than the usual sweet tapa we have all been accustomed to, this one is on the garlic side. Lovely to partner with vinegar.

For a behemoth eater like me, I went for the CHAR-GRILLED US BEEF BURGER. Wild Rocket, Swiss Emmental, and Tomato Jam. This huge baby burned me. I was a bit full from all the starters that I went home sobbing. I wasn't even that strong to take a bite in it. This is one MANLY BURGER.

The usual suspect that oen would order is the M BENEDICT. Poached Egg, Hollandaise, Arugula, Grilled Cherry Tomato, Jamon Excellente. The egg was perfectly cooked. One slice and the egg yolk bursts out.

The GRILLED CHICKEN TANDOORI would wake you up. This chicken is a little hot but perfectly cooked. It is accompanied with garlic yogurt to balance the heat. I liked this dish.
 

Also for the big boys, the GRILLED BONE-IN PORKCHOP is their bet. Underneath, spiced pumpkin puree makes the combination of meat and veggie work well.

and for healthy eaters, the BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS would be the choice.


By this time around, I was already in a food coma. BUT, I knew I had to push through because there is still one station that I left out. The desserts!!!

Your munchies would love it here. From revel bars to brownies to other sweet indulgences.
 Oreo Cheese Cake.
Chocolate Cake.
If you are into Matcha you would love the GREEN TEA PANNACOTTA.

It was the only thing I could have eaten to finish my meal.
Along with coffee of course.

Also, who wouldn't be happy as that day we all greeted JOKO MAGALONG of www.abs-cbnnews.com a Happy Birthday!!!
She forced me to try the IMPOSSIBLE CAKE. A bundt cake with leche flan and rich chocolate at the bottom. DEADLY!!!



THE SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH at M CAFE is an excellent way to end the week. You get to relax and enjoy cool classic jazz while having the best food in town. You don't really over stuff yourself because you are getting just a main dish. It's just that you have an array of appetizers, salad, snacks, egg dishes, and desserts to accompany it. Definitely work the price. The quality of the food was excellent and the service of the staff impeccable. I will go back with my family. Yes, I am already planning it.


SUNDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH
10am-2:30pm

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MUSEUM CAFE/ M CAFE
Ayala Museum Complex
Makati Avenue cor De La Rosa St.
Makati City.
Contact 632.7573000 or 632.7576000
*** Greenbelt Mall




Disclaimer: Wrote this based on my opinions. Invited to try out this experience.

These photos are from M CAFE:


 
** Menu is subject to availability and change. Please call the restaurant first to verify. 
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015
SIMPLE LANG: Filipino Comfort Food in Makati

I rarely venture to MAKATI. Knowing that the whole city is synonymous with the word TRAFFIC. I only go there when I have a driver or if someone is kind enough to invite me on a off peak weekend. 

One of those rare places that was able to lure me out was SIMPLE LANG. Granted that the place is difficult when it comes to parking, I still went for it because I was craving for some delicious straightforward Filipino Food. I believe SIMPLE LANG offers that laid back, quick and delicious food that is affordable to the everyday Filipino.

This is just the second time I have been to AYALA TRIANGLE. It was a new experience for me as the last time I was there, it was night and I wasn't able to see the beauty of the entire park.

SIMPLE LANG is located along a strip of restaurants. Ready to serve the hungry masses and fill them up.
The restaurant is quirky with a general design of red in mind. Red as we all know is similar to passion. SIMPLE LANG has that when it comes to food.

CHEF KALEL made sure to deliver awesome Filipino dishes with a little twist and I was impressed. He adds things to dishes to make them blend together.

Usually, you would get drinks such as sago't gulaman but what they have are these minty refreshment. Reminiscent of the Double Mint Gum, these drinks give that refreshing flavor.

An interesting veggie dish is the TINAPA'T TOPS (185Php). Kamote Tops, Kang Kong, Alugbati Tops, Tomatoes, red Onions, Salted Egg Dressing, Topped with Tinapa Bits. This dish is amazing in terms of flavor. The salted egg sauce works well with all the green tops and the tinapa.

My favorite dish though would be the CRISPY "CHOP CHOP" PORK BELLY DINAKDAKAN (195Php). Chopped Roasted Pork Belly with calamansi and paminta to liven the dish. Special sauce was used to bring everything together.

I had another favorite and I know it is too much but the ILOCOS STYLE SISIG EMPANADA was the bomb!!! Papaya strips were inside along with the sisig. AMAZING!!!
 Real sisig!!! And inside the crunchy empanada. The flavors worked well with each other and it was amazing.

I wasn't thinking of rice but the SISIG FRIED RICE (180Php) was already a meal in itself. The rice is overwhelming with the sisig flavor.

Other rice or carb dishes that would interest you would be old favorites.

SIMPLE LANG ARROZ CALDO. Flavorful and filled with a lot of toppings to make it delicious and interesting.

This peeping hot dish is the BATCHOY with egg and chicharon. You may think it is simple but the "creamy" soup makes this a perfect comfort food.


CRISPY PALABOK (275Php). Topped with bagnet, shrimp, tinapa bits and egg. Everything in this dish shouts CRUNCHYYY!!!.

The sauce makes the dish come well rounded. Just be sure to eat it quickly once you add it. The noodles absorb the sauce pretty fast.

PANCIT TINOLA (195Php) .. Hainan Style Chicken bursting with ginger flavor and fried sili leaves. If I were to choose, this would be my noodle of choice. This simple dish not only gives you that chicken flavor from the tinola but the ginger background reminds me of Hainan Chicken.
Another innovative dish is the TINOLA INASAL.The chicken has that inasal feel and yet you have the soup to assist and blend with the chicken flavor. ANG SARAP!

To end the meal, you can be sure of interesting desserts.
From left clockwise.
MANGO MADNESS CRUSH (175Php) - 4 kinds: Fresh, Ice Cream, Custard & Puree with Sago & Crush Ice. If you love mangoes, you would enjoy this to the fullest.
TURON BITES (95Php) - Saba, Toasted Sesame & Condensed Milk. Use the sticks to get everything in one go. Dip them on the condense milk to have a better experience.
HALO-HALO (175Php) - The old classic. This makes your inner child dance with joy
ICE GINATAANG BILO-BILO- This is one of their newest dessert. It has your bilo-bilo and some macapuno like strips accompanying it. It has pinipig bits to make the texture more interesting. 



SIMPLE LANG if a restaurant that offers quick and fast Filipino Comfort food. The dishes are interesting to make you go back and try some more. The chef made sure that the everything is familiar but still different from what you get at home. The food is straight forward and the service is impeccable.


SIMPLE LANG

Ayala Triangle Gardens
Makati City, Metro Manila

(632) 6216162;
(632) 6216162
http://www.raintreerestaurants.com/




Disclaimer: Was invited to try out this Restaurant. Wrote this based on my experience.
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