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Showing posts with label rockwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rockwell. Show all posts
Monday, September 30, 2019
CHECKING OUT THE GRID: More Reasons To Go Back

 I found myself in Rockwell again. It seems I keep on visiting this busy Makati Mall more and more. With a new wing added, they now offer a ton of choices to visitors in terms of restaurants. One of them would be THE GRID. The best food market around, in my honest opinion. The geniuses behind Hole In The Wall concept, they made it into the greats of the great. This time around, I was able to check out stalls 1, 4, and 11.
 Most of the purveyors in THE GRID are veterans in the food industry. Stall 1 or BUCKY'S, came out with their big guns and made me drool right off the bat. Their baked ziti was filling and cheesy.
The twister fries were better than McDonald's. No joke. But what was really delicious was their FRIED CHICKEN. They were crunchy and juicy at the same time. Each bite made me want to partner it with rice. I really had a great time chewing this baby.
 Whenever I visit THE GRID, I always see a line at STALL 4. LE CHON by Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, is everyone's favorite. Here, you can have your meals customize. You pick a main like their flavorful chicken, or their crunchy pork belly. Then, you partner it with different side dishes like fried potato, banana cue chips, and even an eggplant with baba ganoush.
 The skin of their pork belly is just crunchy. You hear that sound with each bite. The meat is tasty and tender. They went well with the rice that they serve and the sauces they have.
 
 Another must try stall would be BUN APPETIT. This started way back during Salcedo's Sunday Market. The couple behind this concept figured that there is no decent seafood roll in the metro. I got to agree with them. Years later, they are now part and parcel of the growing industry. In my honest opinion, I prefer their lobster rolls compared to another foreign Jedi-named restaurant. Even if it seems a bit expensive, they are definitely more affordable compared to those rolls in other countries. Trying to reinvent themselves, they now offer grilled cheese and even avocado toast. You can actually order whole lobsters from them with prior notice.
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 If you're asking me if I'm going to return, my answer would be a resounding yes. I actually been to THE GRID more than 5 times already. Yes, there's a lot to choose from. I can't wait for their expansion to open up.

THE GRID FOOD MARKET is located on the 2nd floor of the Power Plant Mall.


ROCKWELL POWERPLANT
MAKATI CITY,
PHILIPPINES.

Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience. was invited to this tasting event.
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Monday, August 14, 2017
ARUGA CAFE BY MESCLUN: Your Quiet Spot in Rockwell

 Rockwell seems to be a bit crowded nowadays when it comes to dining. It tends to be difficult to look for a spot that you could take your time and enjoy your meal. At ARUGA CAFE BY MESCLUN, you could stay away from the crowd and still feel at ease with your companions while having a hearty breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner.
 Located on the ground floor of ARUGA BY ROCKWELL and just across Rockwell Mall, this small cafe-ish like restaurant has the perfect amenities you and your friends might want. Good food, relaxed ambiance, and a small private room perfect for your needs.
 When visiting for a snack, you and friends would definitely enjoy the MUSHROOM and SPINACH EMPANADITAS. These babies are filled with a mushroom and spinach concoction and a hint of truffle and cream. Each piece would stimulate your taste buds to ordering more.
Another must try small dish would be the BUFFALO BALLS. Avoiding all the fuss of removing the bones, this dish would be just right for getting all the good stuff without the mess. The flavors are all present and it goes well with the blue cheese sauce.
IF something light and healthy is desired, the GOAT CHEESE SALAD might help you. Arugula would be the base alongside the walnuts and cherry tomatoes. A basil vinaigrette is used to put everything together.
 Afternoon snacks are just as important as everything else. At ARUGA CAFE BY MESCLUN, they can offer a variety of flatbreads and sandwiches as well.
 A mix of sweet and salty, the SHRIMPS and ANCHOVIES flatbread would be best for sharing. The CLUB HOUSE though is another dish for someone with a big appetite.
 Pasta wise, you can't go wrong with the black spaghettini. With squid ink being the main ingredient, you get to taste the sea with each bite. Just don't forget to wipe your lips after.

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 But if a whole meal is a must, the FRENCH ONION SOUP with be the soup to go to first. Caramelized onions and melted cheese layer on top, you get a gooey and sweet flavor with every mouthful.
 Two highly recommended main dish would be the GUAVA PORK ADOBO and the CHICKEN TIKKA. A favorite among guests, the use of the guava on the adobo gave it a spark. The flavor stood out, though, I would have wanted the meat to be more tender. On the other hand, I have no qualms with the CHICKEN TIKKA. The chicken meat has absorbed all the right seasoning. Partnered with the fresh yogurt and papadum, it's like having Indian flavors play in the mouth.
 If you're into something heavy, the steak would be a wise choice. Cooked to your preference, you have a pinkish center. Accompanied by a mushy mashed potato, this meat just makes everything work.
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Originally located in LINDEN SUITES, MESCLUN is now handling ARUGA CAFE. Old and new dishes have been placed into the menu to entice patrons to come on over and have fun.

ARUGA CAFE BY MESCLUN
Ground Floor of Aruga By Rockwell
Waterfront Drive, Rockwell, Makati City,
Metro Manila

Parking is available but somewhat complex.
One would need to get a gate pass from the guard manning the main entrance to the lobby of the hotel.
The Main elevated drive entrance is on the side near Dean and Deluca.
From there, you will be able to use the parking slots reserved for ARUGA BY ROCKWELL
in basement 1 by entering the other side of the complex near Single Origin.
Flat rate of 50Php to be settled at the front desk.
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Monday, February 8, 2016
KAFE BATWAN: New Menu for the New Year


 One of the best Filipino Restaurants that I could recommend to my friends would be SARSA. Sarsa came from the genius mind and palate of CHEF JAYPS. Negranese cooking was perfectly done to enhance the flavor of Filipino dishes and lure people in. One of SARSA's sister brand is KAFE BATWAN.
 KAFE BATWAN is located in the ROCKWELL area of MAKATI. Granted that it is Makati, I made an effort visiting KAFE BATWAN because of its incredible dishes and amazing chef.
 This time around, I was excited and thrilled that I would be able to try out the new dishes from KAFE BATWAN for the New Year.
Things started off with the MONGGO TRIO (220Php). Green, black and red monggo with fried danggit and coconut milk. Honestly, I don't like monggo. I don't eat it. But, this dish totally changed that. NO JOKE. The danggit was salty and gave a flavor contrast to the monggo. The monggo was cooked in a way that the coconut milk enriched its flavor and deliberately made it malinamnam or tasty and savory. The pork in the middle is perfect to make us non vegetarians to love the dish even more.
 Another revelation was the KAFE BATWAN LAING (250Php). Grilled coconut meat and pork rinds. This was an excellent dish. Well executed and perfect with rice. Did I mention they have a bunch of rice to partner their dishes with? If you are a rice eater such as I, please go for their GARLIC COCONUT RICE or the new DANGGIT FRIED RICE. Yeah, you'll love it here.
 A staple of any Filipino Restaurant would be the sisig. KAFE BATWAN made theirs a little extreme. THE BRAINY PORK SISIG (440Php) with siracha sauce. Believe it or not, the sauce isn't too spicy so just mix it all in. The Sisig, on the other hand, has a little bit of crunch. The product of different parts of a pig. Don't ask what they are. Just know that they are so good.

 The COCO JAM-MARINATED GRILLED LIEMPO with Batwan atchara (355Php) is something that works. Grilled Liempo could be a little salty but it worked with the coco jam. The sweetness melts into the meat and that makes it perfect.
 The best dish for me though would be the NOSE TO TAIL KARE-KARE (500Php). Served with ginamos, this dish is somewhat a deconstructed KARE-KARE. The meat were grilled to give it a little burnt taste while the peanut sauce gives a little sweetness that is balanced through the ginamos' salty flavor.
For dessert, there is only two dishes that you must get. The SIZZLING BUDBUD (250Php) and the BRAZO CREPE (280Php)
 The sizzling budbud (above) is somewhat similar to PUTO BUMBONG but on steriods. It in itself is not sweet but is sort of a sticky rice dish. With the addition of the ube butter and coco pandan coffee cream, the dish comes full circle. The other dessert to try is the BRAZO CREPE (below). It looks like a lame pacman creation but it is simple and straight forward. The rum cream sauce works and I swear by it. Delicious ending.
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KAFE BATWAN in the ROCKWELL, MAKATI area is like a reincarnation of SARSA. Same feeling but on a different flavor and level. I believe that this restaurant is more adventurous. Menu is somewhat similar to SARSA but it has a different set of best sellers and a diverse take on Negranese cooking. I can say this proudly: When I am asked by my foreign friends and balikbayan relatives, this is one of those restaurants that I point them too. Yes, I am in love with SARSA and KAFE BATWAN. 

KAFE BATWAN
122 Joya Lofts & Tower, Amorsolo Drive,
Rockwell, Makati City, Metro Manila
7am- 10:30pm

LINKS: 
KAFE BATWAN: GLOBE partners with CHEF JAYPS
SARSA: Awesome Get Together
SARSA: Damn Good Food
SARSA: Revisited

Disclaimer: Was invited to this tasting. Wrote this based on my experience. Yes, I'll go back.
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