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Showing posts with label sarsa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sarsa. Show all posts
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.
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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Monday, April 20, 2015
SM PARTNERS with MADRID FUSION MANILA


This coming April 24-26, 2015 , MADRID FUSION MANILA will be happening at the SMX Convention. If you aren't in the know, this is an awesome foodie festival. The Department of Tourism helped made this event happen. Incredible Chefs from Spain and Asia, all awarded with Michellin Stars, along with our very own super star chefs here in Manila are all going to give talks and demonstrations as to which hundreds would be lucky enough to have a go and taste their innovative creations.

Aside from the talks, they have a huge hall with a lot of booths and even things to discover and try out.

 SM Malls being an official partner of MADRID FUSION MANILA, went ahead and made the deal sweeter. On APRIL 24-26, SM GOURMET WEEKEND MARKET would open up in SM MARKETS.
A premium selection of cheese, tapas, wine and ingredients would be available.  Furthermore, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, and SM Mega Food Hall all have exciting deals during this weekend.


L-R Millie Dizon, SM Mart Inc SVP Marketing Com Group, Verna Covar-Buensuceso, DOT Director of Market Development and Madrid Fusion Manila Project Director, Chef Rob Pengson, Chef Claude Tayag, Chef Bruce Ricketts, Chef JP Anglo, Steven Tan SM Senior Vice President for Operations.

A couple of days back, SARSA in SM Mall of ASIA was the host in the media launch of the partnership of SM with DOT and MADRID FUSION MANILA.The Media was treated to gastronomical inventions by awesome rockstar chefs that would be some of the Philippine's representatives to MADRID FUSION MANILA. 

Since foodies and media were in attendance, awesome dishes were served from the kitchen of SARSA. My friends and I were all in agreement that we were in for a treat. 

We had some TOFU Inasal. Grilled with the inasal flavor. Definitely great for those vegetarians. LOL!


Crispy Chicken Skin were also served. Let me tell you that these babies are really deadly but worth the extra pounds.


One can't go to sarsa without having a try of their ISAW or chicken intestines. Crispy and cooked to perfection, these do not have that awful after taste. Really delicious.


The PRITCHON pancake was also incredible. The sauce wasn't over powering so it was a delicious treat.


After a few minutes of settling down and munching these treats, we were given a little presentation by the awesome chefs. A little sneak peak to what will happen in MADRID FUSION MANILA

First up was CHEF BRUCE RICKETS of MECHA UMA fame. 
 He made great use of the local ingredients to create an incredible shrimp based dish. He even talked about how easy it was to cook Filipino because everything is based to taste.

The Seared Prawn with Marinated Saba, Avocado and Burnt Coconut Vinegar. 
 I won't even try to describe this dish. It was down right incredible. The avocado gave it a sweet touch. Along with the saba.

Next up was Chef ROB PENGSON of The Goose Station.

He went for a dessert based dish. The MANGO TAPIOCA SURPRISE.
 Featuring Mangoes from Guimaras. Manchego cheese, and silken tofu or taho.

 Chef CLAUDE TAYAG of BALE DUTUNG fame went for the ADOBO.

HE talked about how adobo and how it came to be. He was able to create "ADOBO ni JUAN TAMAD" and ADOBONG PUTI. Both are basically the same but still different. One was simple and plain yet the other was a bit salty and perfect as a rice partner. It really differs on what the diners would really want to eat.

Last but not the least, Chef JP of SARSA talked about making something simple but incredibly good. 

 He presented the BANGUS SPRING ROLLS with TALANGKA VINEGAR and BATIKULON MANG TOMAS SAUCE.

This spring roll was perfect. The bangus or fish made it a little sweet. The Batikulon Mang Tomas Sauce is a sort of gravy that would be perfect for meat like lechon or roasted pig. The Talangka Vinegar is hands down the perfect sauce combination for this. It is sour yet has a over powering taste of crab fat. This with rice is just pure love. 

SM, being the main mall in the Philippines, partnered itself with the Department of Tourism and Madrid Fusion Manila to provide a platform for a culinary experience like no other. They saw this opportunity to service the foodies in the metro with amazing products that would really feed the cravings of the foodies and normal person alike.


With that, the presentation and launch ended with people going home with tummies filled with happiness. I can't wait for APRIL 24 as MADRID FUSION MANILA will open up its doors and show the international community what Manila could do in the global scene.




Location of launch:
Sarsa @ Sm Mall of Asia


 MADRID FUSION MANILA
SMX CONVENTION on April 24 to 26 , 2015
PASAY CITY, Metro Manila
 
Check out SM's Facebook for more exciting deals and events
or
http://www.madridfusionmanila.com/


Disclaimer: was invited to this event by Sm Super Malls, wrote this based on my experience.
Some of the photos/logos are not mine. credit goes to SM.
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Monday, January 5, 2015
Awesome Get Together at SARSA and HATTENDO Sneak Peak!

Good food and great friends. That Is what I believe KTG stands for.

We come from different backgrounds but when it comes to awesome food, I believe we have a passion towards it.
 To enjoy and to share.

Last month, our dear friends Fran and Paul of Frannywanny.com obliged us with a mini get together. It was the Christmas Rush, traffic was awful and they were just here for a couple of weeks and yet, we were lucky enough to get them for a day! Lucky!

We made up our minds and went to SARSA.
 I guess I have been here quite a number of times. Click here and here
So, most of the ordering was left up to me. LOL!

Aside from the usual, special batchoy, sizzling kansi, and veggie dishes, I saw fit to order these:

ISAW or chicken intestines grilled to perfection. Crispy burnt parts were a joy to eat.
You won't get the freaky aftertaste as these were properly cleaned.

Of course, when you go here, please don't order the plain rice. Rather go for the GINAMOS rice.
Sort of their "bagoong" or fermented fish paste placed on top. You will definitely ask for seconds.

Something new that I had to try was the SINIGANG FRIED CHICKEN!
Incredible. You could taste the sinigang yet it was fried. Definitely a great reinvention.

The lechon kawali was as simple as it could be. Crunchy skin and tender meat.
Yet, it wasn't that simple. The sauce made it incredibly good. The chocolate dip had a hot chili flavor. Sort of like, Spicy and sweet all at the same time. Yummy!

For something to end the meal, we had a taste of Piyaya Ice Cream Sandwich.
Piyaya is kinda like flatbread that has a sweet filling. In this case, it was salted caramel with a choice of ice cream. 
Now wouldn't you know, Richie of The Pickiest Eater
Had a little surprise for us. Along with our friends from HATTENDO Manila, we were all given a small treat.
We were able to try out HATTENDO CREAM BUNS. The first in the country to do so. LUCKY US!
They come in 5 different flavors. From custard, whipped cream, chocolate, azuki sweet bean and my personal favorite the MATCHA!

Fresh and soft bread has the filling enclosed. Don't worry it actually won't melt because the inside is cream. Believe me! I tried to melt it but it won't ooze out! LOL! It kinda felt like dirty ice cream sandwich but we just don't have it in MATCHA! In a month or two, they will open up in SM MOA and they said that they will add a few more products! YAHOO!

Of course after all the eating, we are just like anyone. We love taking photos for memories!
Almost all the girls. LOL! Ray, Ethan and Lynne of En Route , Mama Bear of SugarGoSpice, Joan the better half of The Food Alphabet.  and of course, Rina and Rain of Rina's Rainbow.
Ray, Ethan and Lynne of En Route, and the Fran and Paul of Frannywanny.com



SARSA is one of those amazing resto to bring your balikbayan relatives to. The food is straight on and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Reservations are a must when dining during peak hours. 

HATTENDO is a welcome dessert treat for us. Being in a hot country, who wouldn't want a cold ice cream like bun to munch on. Can't wait for their store to open in the Mall of Asia.



Now, I know it may be a little too early, but I just got to say this. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHIE!!!
I will never forget your birthday sir!

Cheers!!! I am so lucky to have met a handsome  funny family man such as you! LOL!

After all is said and done, it was an amazing night... Too bad I wasn't able to go to the after dinner party. LOL!


SARSA
Facebook
BGC, Taguig City
Metro Manila

HATTENDO MANILA
Facebook
Mall of Asia
Soon to Open
Disclaimer: Paid for the food in SARSA. Hattendo Cream Buns were courtesy of our good friends for us to try out. Wrote this based on my opinions and experience.

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Monday, July 28, 2014
SARSA KITCHEN and BAR Revisited

Not the First time, but definitely not the last. SARSA has been on the radar of foodies ever since it opened. Negrense dishes were served to different heights and yet everything was simple and done to we like to say as MASARAP or delicious.
Since the family was celebrating Father's Day, my family and I head on over to BGC. Dad loving everything simple and Filipino, I knew he would enjoy this place.
The place was packed right on the dot. 11am it opened and the place was filled with patrons with just 10 minutes. Thankfully, we had the foresight of getting reservation and didn't have to wait a single minute. 

The server informed us of the things that were served quick and fast since the place was full. We figured we might wait a while so we got the PANARA ROLLS (180Php).
Basically togue or mung bean filled rolls. As the name of the resto implies, its the sauce that made the difference. Served with Tokwa't Baboy Sauce. It went well with the deep fried rolls.

The SARSA BATCHOY (275Php - special) was definitely a crowd favorite.
Served with egg, bone-marrow and bacon cut liempo.
The soup was just incredible. Milky and soup. Not too rich but you would love it. The serving size was also good for 2-3 persons. WORTH GOING BACK FOR!
We tried the LECHON MANOK SALAD (240Php).
Served with pickled vegetables and kesong puti. Dressing of Mango Tuba.
I think this dish needed a little more development as it wasn't that remarkable for me. 

To start the BBQ, we had sticks of ISOL (170Php) or chicken tail
Juicy butt!!!
and some ISAW (155Php) or chicken intestine.
It was crunchy and didn't have any of that weird after taste of the usual street food we would have.

In case you haven't been paying attention, this is a Filipino Themed Restaurant, and as such, you can't go on and not order rice. The GINAMOS FRIED RICE (55Php/Cup) was incredible good since the damn good stuff was on top of it!!! Incredible.
Of course, who would go here and not order the chicken (175Php/part).
The flavor was intense to say the least. Pair this up with the sauces and you are good to go.
Let's go on over the healthy, ehem stuff we got. LOL!
The GRILLED OYSTER MUSHROOM (140Php) is definitely for those veggie lovers. It gives the flavor one could get from any of the grilled offerings just that its mushroom. A little disappointed with this as it was supposed to be served as an appetizer but it was brought to our table way way way into the meal.
Another healthy option would be the ROASTED KALABASA with GREEN BEANS and CRISPY DILIS (190Php). Although the flavors were there, I would have liked the veggies mushed up as when we previously ordered this on a previous visit. The texture component could have improved with that.
Dad loves his fish so he got the SIZZLING BAGUS ala POBRE (295Php).
He enjoyed it, so I will take his word.
The TORTANG TALONG with Crispy Sardines and Kesong Puti (165 Php) wasn't right. 
It was weird to say the least. One bite and we left it there. Skip!
Moving on to my favorites and the not so healthy stuff...
The PORK GINAMOS GATA (270Php) was delightful. Yes it was a bit heavy but, the gata or sauce made the flavors jump in my mouth. I liked it.
Another must try would be the SIZZLING KANSI (380Php).
Sort of their go to dish, the gravy is awesome and the bone marrow is fatty and deadly!
Just look at that gooey fatty marrow!!!

The place definitely is simple. Family friendly and is easy with the pocket. Dishes not going above 400Php range, you could budget around 300Php per person. Suggest you get a reservation or go on a non peak hour as the place is easily filled. Parking is a hassle so go early. Limited slots at the back but you could park at the strip and walk.


Previous post click here.


SARSA
Ground Floor, Forum South Global,
7th Ave corner 25th Street , Fort Bonifacio
11am-11pm Monday-Sundays
Facebook
0927-706-0773 For reservations
Disclaimer: paid for our meal. wrote this based on my opinion.












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