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Showing posts with label westgate center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label westgate center. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2015
NEIL'S KITCHEN: Alabang's Quirky Filipino Restaurant

" Wait... this is a Filipino Restaurant right? Why does everything look foreign? " One step in and it was if I was in the rabbit hole. NEIL'S KITCHEN is one mad hatter.

With just a few months of operation, NEIL's KITCHEN has been making waves in the local food scene. I was fortunate enough to get a taste of awesome Filipino comfort food done in a creative way.
Looking playful, the place notes happy tones for something simple yet sophisticated take on the usual Filipino comfort food.
Not a good idea to bring oldies here as a spiral staircase is the only way to go to up and down.
 
 NEIL's KITCHEN have been in the catering business for years. With that, I could say that they definitely know how to handle food so calling in ahead is a great idea to avoid the disappointment of not having seats.
 You have been warned.

That day of all days, I was stuck in traffic. Coming from way up north, I arrived fashionably late. More than 2 hours on the road just to get here. Incredible right? Way after lunch, the place was still packed. I knew then that the travel was worth it. One look at the spread made all my driving frustration go away.  

To start off, we had two kinds of  TOKWA'T BABOY. One with chicken another with pork. 
Both tasty and with a lot of meat.
Traditionally served with rice pudding or lugaw, these babies had a ratio of meat to tofu of 1:1. Actually, it seemed as if the meat was more. Not the usual thing you would see but the chef wanted for the meat to stand out. Not just with this dish, but with others too.

If you are looking for steak, this is as close as it can get in NEIL's KITCHEN. The TBONE TAPA
A perfect breakfast meal, that you could have all day, the TAPA flavor is present in this huge chunk of meat. It was tender and flavorful. A joy to eat with that garlic rice on the side. It was so huge though that you could share this with someone else.

The SINIGANG NOODLE SOUP was like ramen made with sinigang. Underneath all the meat, you could slurp the noodles as the sour taste is ever present.

Not your usual Paksiw, this one is the POACHED SALMON in VINEGAR and GARLIC
There is flavored rice underneath. So you need to mix everything up. The fish is perfectly "paksiwed" and the rice makes it great all in one big bite. Just like another Japanese rice bowl that needs to be mixed.

Being innovative, the chef wanted to mix and match things that worked. Rather than putting things on the side, he infused them into the meal itself. 

The BAGOONG PAELLA with KARE-KARE is one of them. The usual play on kare kare would be to have the bagoong on the side. This time around, they placed it in the rice to make things easier and tastier.

Same with the SINIGANG PAELLA with GRILLED PORK BELLY. The rice is just sour! Definitely what a sinigang is. Having some grilled pork belly is like putting icing on the cake. A great combination.

For dessert, I couldn't decide which is better. 

The PUTO BUNGBONG with BUCO JELLY and TOASTED COCONUT is love. Smooth silky puto bungbong with jelly on top and a lot of butter goodness. The toasted coconut with muscovado on top gives the right crunch to this dish.

The FRIED SUMAN, MANGGA and CHOCNUT is not for the weak hearts. The chef reinvented the mangoes by making them into a pureed version. Having chocnut bits everywhere gives a different texture that takes you back to childhood. Making you smile with each bite.
How can I forget the SUMAN or the sticky rice? It absorbs all the creamy sauce and puts everything together. YUMMY.

Chef Neil is making a mark into the local food scene down south. He is changing the way one looks at FILIPINO FOOD. He makes it comforting and enjoyable.



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You would think that the place would serve American or maybe Spanish delicacies rather than Filipino Food.
BUT it doesn't. NEIL's KITCHEN delivers honest to goodness Filipino Food with a twist. A different take that would make any tummy hungry. Can't wait to go back.


NEIL'S KITCHEN
WESTGATE CENTER, ALABANG
Metro Manila
Facebook
Opens at 11am
neils.kitchen@yahoo.com
7108962 / 7711334/ 09285247404 / 09173112916



Disclaimer: wrote this based on my experience. was invited to try out Neil's Kitchen.

 They also have a bookstore. Weird right? But it is the FATHER'S BOOKSTORE.
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Sunday, March 22, 2015
TUS' IS YOURS: Alabang's Clay pots and Skillets

TUS means Yours.

Another reason to visit down south, TUS Clay Pots and Skillets in Alabang offers wonderful dishes that makes you relax and feel at home.
Once you enter, you are treated as family. Everything you may need or want is given.
That Saturday night, along with friends, we were able to try out different dishes TUS offered.

Started off with an interesting drink. The PINEAPPLE FLOAT (390 Php/pitcher)
Interesting use of pineapple. We rarely have it as a float and TUS made it so wonderfully well that one glass is not enough.

Complimentary garlic bread were served while waiting for the other dishes.
and you know what we did with it? we had these with the SPINACH DIP (220Php)
It was the perfect dip. Creamy and the bread had that crunch to make it the best partner for the spinach dip. Never mind that it was vegetables. It made every bite yummy.

Aside from the dip, I also enjoyed the JALAPENO CROQUETTES (150Php)
Although the name suggested that it was spicy, it wasn't. It just had a tiny hint of the Jalapeno. Creamy as it was, one piece is not enough.

For snack lovers, the WET BEEF BURRITO (370 Php) is the perfect almost a snack item that they have.
 The burrito rice is covered with salsa and cheese. The question is what is inside? Of course there is rice, and beef and when you mix them all together, you get a wonderful delicious, surprise.

A folded pizza if you will. This BLT CALZONE (430Php) is one huge baby.
Almost as long as my arm, it is stuffed with lettuce, bacon, tomatoes, cheddar and has a side of aoili sauce to enjoy the mix.

But, for their specialty, I would suggest you go for their POT PIES. TUS' Pot Pies is almost similar to pizza pies. They are stuffed and a joy to eat.
The HOUSE SAUSAGE (390 Php/ top) is a made out of love. They make their own sausages in house to make you taste their hard work and enjoy it with them. The MARGHERITA (380Php/ right) is something for the healthy eaters and yet even non veggie lovers would agree that they enjoyed this dish. Basic as it can be. Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil.

But for me, I enjoyed their CHICKEN RANCH (360Php). Pan Seared chicken tossed in buffalo sauce topped with homemade ranch dressing. This is freaking good! Believe me, I was already full and yet I could stop getting that "one more piece".

Now , I know there are healthy eaters also that aren't into meat, and this is a dish that you guys will like. The PAN SEARED SALMON FILLET (450Php)
 Served with herbed rice, it is the perfect dish

and for the big boys, they serve this big sized skillet steak
Each with their own merit, you can't go wrong with what ever you decide to get.
These babies are rib-eye cut and cooked to your preference.

CHEESE and ONIONS (630Php) ... The cheese is perfect with any type of meat.


THE SPICY LEMON PESTO (630Php) . Herby flavor due to the pesto that carries a little punch.

THE HERBED BUTTER STEAK (620Php) Topped with a mix of herbs and butter.

You can't go to the TUS without trying out their dessert.

They have their own version of TIRAMISU (220Php). The flavors were all present and it wasn't too soggy. 
The cake absorbed everything that it makes we jump for joy because of the coffee flavor.


If you must order only one dish, please have the HALF BAKED COOKIE (160Php)
You can't properly describe this dish without trying it multiple times. With every bite, you are entertained with the soft, gooey, and chewy consistency that it has. Not too sweet and not too hot, the vanilla ice cream on the side, gives the temperature contrast that it needs. It makes your taste buds feel as if you are in heaven. If only they could make that scoop bigger and that cookie larger. This is bliss.


Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @mr_jeng.

Tus serves amazing not your ordinary comfort food down south. A visit is warranted even if there is only a need for dessert. The pineapple float, the chicken ranch pot pie, and the half baked cookie can make me go down south in a heart beat. I truly enjoyed my stay with them. Budget around 400-500 Php per person.


TUS CLAY POTS AND SKILLETS
D1 WestGate Center, Filinvest Corp. Alabang
+632 8283178
+63 917 5680964

 
Facebook
www.tusrestaurant.com

Disclaimer: Was invited to try out Tus, Thank you very much Tus for the wonderful dinner. I truly enjoyed it. I wrote this based on my views and opinions.
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Monday, March 16, 2015
BUTAMARU in Alabang: Porking up your Ramen!

The Ramen Craze definitely has invaded the metro and it is here to stay. For the past year or so, Ramen stores have opened left and right in the metro. Down South, one ramen place stands out. That is BUTAMARU. 

Yes, I found myself down south again. Although I am quite familiar with the area due to previous engagements, I didn't know that there is a ramen place here worthy of a visit. BUTAMARU is that place.
What does BUTAMARU stands for? BUTA is pork while MARU is round or circle.

A little background on BUTAMARU:
They make their tonkotsu broth for 16 hours. Yes that long. For inspiration, the ramen was based on variations of Hakata-syle. They learned the art of ramen making from Sugimura-san of Menko noodle company. A master artisan in the field of ramen.  

Once you enter, you are greeted by the staff. The ground floor has the kitchen and a long bar while the upstairs houses the booths and tables for big parties.

On a foodie Saturday, along with friends, we were able to try out their offerings.
We started off we gyozas. They served 3 kinds.

From CHEESE GYOZA...
 Rich cheese flavor which happens to be my favorite of the bunch.

To the usual GYOZA (130Php) and CURRY GYOZA (150Php)
 The normal gyoza was filled with the perfect pork while the curry flavor was different and very distinct. The use of Aburi Chasyu and a special type of curry paste made it so.

 Don't forget their specialty. THE CHASHU (150Php), I suggest you get this for maximum goodness.
This slices of glorious meat made the meal incredible. Imagine a caramelized flavor attached to this tender slice of meat. Incredibly good and delicious.

In case you didn't want ramen, you should try their TAKANA CHAHAN (200Php)
 Japanese Syled Fried Rice that is a meal into itself.

and of course if you just wanted plain rice, that could be arranged.

With CHASHU DON (280Php).
 You get the perfect BUTAMARU ROAST PORK over steamed Japanese rice and soft boiled eggs. I will definitely go back for this. I know it is a Ramen Place but still, it serves the perfect pork that is the best to partner with rice.

Another dish that I would go back for is the RAMEN SALAD (280Php)
Beautiful with all the colors, this is a noodle dish with fresh vegetables tossed in Black sesame. The noodles were firm and incredibly good. This is a cold noodle dish that I definitely love.

Going for the big boys, here are the ramen.

TANTANMEN (350Php) is basically spicy peanut and sesame. You could go for spicy or mild.
Be warned though, mild already has a bit of spicy while spicy is really super spicy. If you can take the heat, I dare you, go for it.

 To make it more interesting, you could have it with curry. CURRY TANTANMEN (350Php)


If spicy ramen doesn't appeal to you, I would suggest you get a dose of SHIO (300 Php).
Salt based Tonkotsu. It gives you a broth so rich but just right for your ramen cravings.

Since I just had spicy stuff, I went for the SHOYU (320Php). It is soy sauce based Tonkotsu.
It was a little salty, I will admit but the noodles were cooked perfectly and complimented the broth well. I loved it.

Special mention would have to be the eggs. Yes, I did have an extra order. No ramen is perfect without eggs. If I were you order an extra. It is so worth it. It wasn't over cooked so it was great with the ramen.

Food In The Bag is now in Facebook. Click Here to follow and like.
If you are into INSTAGRAM Follow me @mr_jeng.

BUTAMARU seats in a quiet side of town. Down south with some incredible restaurants in a small compound, it stands out. As I said, I wouldn't mind going back and braving the traffic to have another go with BUTAMARU. The prices are reasonable compared to other Ramen places and yes, their CHASHU is the bomb! Budget around 400 Php per person. It is so worth it.




BUTAMARU
CE405 Westgate Center,
Commerce Avenue cor. Filinvest Avenue ,
Alabang, 1781 Muntinlupa City
(632)8874255
http://www.butamaruramen.com/
Facebook

Note: They allow take outs although, since this is ramen, it would be better to eat it in house.
Disclaimer: Was invited to try out Butamaru. Wrote this based on my experience and views.
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