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Showing posts with label San Juan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Juan. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2016
HAI KANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT: Greenhill's Old School Favorite

New Chinese Restaurants have been popping up left and right as of late. Even if this is the case, there is something alluring with an old classic. At HAI KANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, you are treated to delicious classic Chinese dishes.
HAI KANG is located along Wilson St., in Greenhills. Parking might be a problem but do not let this hinder you as the cuisine they serve are delightful and worth the visit. Dishes are also served in different sizes. Hence, you are able to choose the amount of food depending on the number of guests that you have with you.
For starters, guests might want to try out the SEAFOOD PUMPKIN SOUP. Something warm to prepare the appetite, the soup has a curry flavor mixed into it. Different types of seafood are also present.
It is amazing how a simple ingredient could be transformed into a dish with a lot of flavor and texture. Take for example, chicken. Here, it could be a cold cut surrounded by deep fried wanton wrapper and some mangoes and century egg. Producing a crunchy dish perfect for the kids. On the other hand, it could cooked and mixed with SOY to produce a moist and tender product.
Being named as a SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, HAI KANG knows its a b c 's of the sea.
ABALONE is served with mushrooms that make it as savory and decadent as ever. SCALLOPS are baked with different herbs and spices to make it enticing to the patrons.
Huge prawns are cooked in Laksa sauce to deliver an interesting twist. Partner it with the mantou to scoop up the juices.
Fresh GAROUPA will be picked from an aquarium and cooked in the simplest of ways. This is to bring the flavor out from the fish rather than covering it. Each bite is smooth and heavenly.
HUGE CRABS are also available at HAI KANG. Different suggestions are given as to how and what way to cook them. Some would prefer that it be breaded and cooked with just pepper and other spices.
Since HAI KANG is a Chinese Restaurant, the mandatory must order dish would be the PEKING DUCK.
Beautifully presented and cooked, this duck is a form of art. The skin was light yet crispy. Having it wrapped in pancake with a dab of hoisin sauce gives it a deadly yet scrumptious blow.
After cutting and presenting the meat, the rest are cooked in another way. Deep fried and with lots of pepper, garlic and other spices. Perfect to go with rice.
Speaking off rice, when at a Chinese Restaurant, Filipinos tend to order one thing. The Sweet and Sour Pork.
Their version has the right amount of meat and seasoning. A bit on the sweet side, this would go perfect with any type of rice. The Perfect Match.
HAI KANG lives up to its name. Seafood dishes are straight forward and definitely delivers. The quality and quantity of the dishes are proportional with the amount of money you pay. The only hard part is parking but that is easily remedied by going here early or being able to have someone drop you off. Definitely a must revisit.



HAI KANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
27 Wilson Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila


Disclaimer: Wrote this based on my experience. Was invited to try out this restaurant.
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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, May 27, 2015
7 FLAVORS in SAN JUAN by Chef Boy Logro

 BANG BANG BANG ... That's the way CHEF BOY LOGRO does it. Curios that I wanted to try out their newly opened resto.

I was late because we got lost. Me and my driver. FINE I was late because I was late.  Anyway, I was quite impressed with the setup when I arrived. The Wilson Area is somewhat known for having little parking space. Here you have 7 FLAVORS having a huge lot for cars to park at. A good first impression.
 
I was led inside and was advised that the buffet area was on the 2nd floor. Walked as I did and saw some inspired art work like paintings. The place for the buffet itself could easily fit around 150. They have small function rooms for small parties.

A little background on this, 7 FLAVORS is a new bakery, cafe and buffet place in SAN JUAN. It capitalizes itself in having something sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, umami and astringent. Opened just last May 13, it started serving a variety of dishes.

But first. I needed to hydrate.

 Drinks are not the usual as they play with soda. Adding different fruit flavors. 
They also offer some shakes which are also interesting.

After having a cool one, I surveyed the spread. It wasn't as big as the other buffet places but it does serve some interesting dishes.

PUMPKIN FRITATA is something you don't normally see on any spread.

A carving station that serves ROAST PORK 

SHRIMPS


A cooking station that serves STIR FRY.
Other than these, they had some meatballs, chicken dishes, eggplant lasagna, tofu and other notable dishes.
 and a small dessert spread that served a few sweet goodies along with fruits.
 

and my plate.
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Honestly, I was expecting a little bit more. The dishes are somewhat unique but I believe they could improve and deliver exciting new dishes. The service was great although once the people racks up, the wait staff needed a little guidance. I guess it's because they just opened. The dishes were refilled quickly. Patrons never waited on an empty dish. I guess for the price you are paying, this could be a good idea for a simple dinner place. No frills. Also, please note that drinks are not yet included in the prices. 
Hope this gives you a little idea on what to expect when you go. 

I might drop by again next time to check out their BAKERY. They got interesting dishes that I know I would want to check out. Cheers.


7 FLAVORS
196 A. Mabini Street,
Addition Hills, San Juan del Monte
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Disclaimer: Invited to this event and wrote this based on my opinions.
From the Facebook page of 7 Flavors. Discount applies till June14

MENU from their BAKERY/CAFE






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