#MAFoodDiaries: Filipino food

Showing posts with label Filipino food. Show all posts

Monday, January 15, 2018

Casa Roces: Keeping the legacy alive

Unknown 12:57 AM

Casa Roces has been around as early as the Pre-World War II era. It was owned by one of the prominent families that survived through the generations of the Spanish, American and Japanese colony in the Philippines. This was also used to be the home of the National Artis Alejandro Roces, a freedom fighter and newspaper publisher Joaquin "Chino" Roces and painter and essayist Alfredo R. Roces, it was converted by Roces descendants Mercedes "Peachy" Prieto and her daughter Bianca Prieto-Santos into a Filipino-Spanish themed restaurant. Located just across the Malacanang palace, the restaurant feels elegant yet dated because of the interior, the different frames displayed on the wall.

We ordered Sopa Molo Castiliana and Oyster Mushroom Frittura as our appetizers, Callos a la Abuelita, Pinakbet with Vigan Bagnet, Pork Stew Binagoongan and Paella Valenciana as our main entrees and we ended our meal with Turon a la Mode and Leche Flan Brulee

Sopa Molo Castiliana (good for 3, 210php) - A rich garlic soup with deep fried pork dumplings, poached egg and parsley. Comfort food that started our meal

Sopa Molo Castiliana

Oyster Mushroom Frittura (200php) - Oyster mushrooms deep fried to perfection and served with spicy marinara. The fried oyster really complemented well with the spicy marinara sauce.

Oyster Mushroom Frittura

Callos a la Abuelita (315php) - Soft tripe stew with chorizos and chick peas. The soft tripe paired chorizo's are spot on to our palate.

Callos a la Abuelita

Pinakbet with Vigan Bagnet (210php) - Stewed vegatables in bagoong Balayan topped with crunchy pork. The stewed vegatables balances out the deadly yet sumptuous bagnet on this meal.

Pinakbet with Vigan Bagnet

Pork Stew Binagoongan (310php) - Crunchy pork belly with string beans and cherry tomatoes sauteed in shrimp paste

Pork Stew Binagoongan

Paella Valenciana (565php) - Classic Valenciana style paella with chicken, pork, clams, mussels with chorizo and hard boiled egg toppings. One of the best paella that I have tasted.

Paella Valenciana

Turon a la Mode (165php) - Fried banana rolls filed with ube jam served with caramel langka sauce and mantecado ice cream

Turon a la Mode

Leche Flan Brulee (415php) - Rich custard coated with caramelized sugar

Leche Flan Brulee

Overall, we really did enjoyed dining in this restaurant. The food was superb, the ambiance was cozy and this is a perfect place for people to relax, unwind and enjoy the legacy and heritage that this restaurant offers. Reservation on this restaurant (especially for large groups) are highly recommended. Valet parking is available.

All smile after that sumptuous meal

Casa Roces

1153 JP Laurel corner Aguado Street, San Miguel, Manila

Mon - Fri - 8AM - 10PM; Sat - Sun - 10AM - 10PM

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

lechon kawali

Wooden Spoon: Elevating the filipino food we love to eat

Unknown 11:00 PM

Wooden Spoon is a filipino restaurant located at the basement level or Powerplant Mall in Makati. The restaurant is owned by the Daza family and they have their own take on our favorite filipino food. The ambiance reminds you of the old traditional Filipino houses. We ordered dinuguan bagnet, lechon kawali, sitaw sa gata, dinakdagan sa lechon and garlic rice.

Dinuguan bagnet (245php) - the recipe came from Ilocos norte and what made this dinuguan special is that they have maintained the crunchiness of the Bagnet event though it was already dipped in dugo. A truly must-try order for Wooden Spoon.

Dinuguan

Lechon kawali (265php) - this is one of every Filipino's favorite dish. To make it more unique, they add three different dips (vinegar, mayo with pesto-ish taste and sarsa sauce) for you to enjoy the lechon kawali.

Lechon Kawali

Dinakdak na lechon (265php) - A combination of kilawin flavor of dinakdakan and the crunchy lechon kawali. Both of them really complemented and taste good.

Dinakdak na lechon

Sitaw na Gata (150php) - A combination of squash, string beans simmered in coconut milk then topped with toasted young anchiovies. This is the first time that I've tried that anchiovies was put instead of shrimp or pork and it perfectly blends well with the coconut milk and squash.

Sitaw na Gata

Garlic rice (140php) - White rice seasoned and stir fried then garnished with chopped spring onions and toasted garlic. One of the best garlic rice I've ever tasted.

Garlic rice

We enjoyed dining in this filipino restaurant. Nora Daza and Chef Sandy Daza really did a great job of elevating the Filipino food that we always love to eat.

My officemates while we had our sumptuous lunch at Wooden Spoon.

Powerplant Mall

Lower Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City

11AM - 9PM

Friday, June 9, 2017

taco

7 Flavors:

Unknown 2:33 AM

7 Flavors, owned by celebrity chef Boy Logro is a two storey restaurant which caters an ala cart style on its first floor and their buffet international cuisine on its second floor located at the busy street of San Juan. We were lucky enough to have been invited by their operations manager, Sir Albert Borja to try out their buffet dinner last week.

The parking space outside of the restaurant was really big and You won't get lost while finding the place because of the good placement of their logo. The interior of the first floor of the restaurant was really nice but we didn't liked the interior of the second floor. We just wished that their VIP rooms were more covered for people who availed the room will enjoy their little privacy.

1st floor interior

7 flavors offers a wide choices of food from Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and even Mexican food. On weekday lunch, its just P399/head and P499 for dinner which is really an affordable price when it comes to buffet restaurant. On weekend the price is P500/head for lunch and P600/head for dinner.

Chopsuey

Seafood Kare-Kare

Tofu kangkong in oyster sauce

Chicken Ala Pobre

Salmon head teriyaki

Pancit Bihon

Fresh Fruits

We tried all the food that was served and here are my top 3 favorite dishes of the night.

DIY tacos - this has been their best seller on their buffet and it really lives up with it. We even asked Sir Albert on what are the ingredients on their taco shell. I personally think the secret to this taco was its tomato salsa, since the garnished tomatoes, onions and cilantro really worked well together. Plus you have the power to adjust the amount of beef and cheese on it.

Roast chicken - I honestly thought that this would be bland and would just like taste like any other normal roast chicken but their chicken really gets you after your first bite. It's flavorful and you really don't need the gravy for it

Black Pepper - The beef is not hard to chew and the balance of its marinated sauce and the pepper is just right and a rice is perfectly suited for this meal.

Black Pepper

Their dessert food was also good, they have a selection of different kinds of sweets and they also offer halo-halo and big scoop ice cream flavors.

We really had a great time in dining in this restaurant and hoping to go back on a weekend to try out their Sashimi's (they only served it on weekends, but hey it's unlimited!).

7 Flavors
196 A. Mabini Street, Addition Hills, San Juan City
Mon - Sun: 10AM - 11PM

Friday, August 12, 2016

Ortigas

Isla Una: Your Urban Filipino Comfort Food

Unknown 4:50 AM

Isla Una is a three-storey food haven located in City Golf Plaza, Pasig City that serves authentic Filipino comfort food. I was lucky enough to be invited by my good friend Janine to their grand launch last March 28, wherein I also tagged two of my office mates to share a sumptuous lunch with me.

2nd floor

The first floor is perfect for family gatherings and lunch conferences because it has a bright and eccentric interior, which can accommodate 30-40 people. On the second floor, the interior is cozy and dim. A mini bar on the side completes the club vibe which will definitely attract college students and young professionals. Lastly, the roof deck is perfect for romantic dates and for people who love to chill while having an overlooking view of the Ortigas skyline.

3rd floor

One of the owners, Meliza, welcomed us as we entered the restaurant. The staff gave us their house blend iced tea which is not that sweet; you would really taste the lemon flavor on it. We were given an option to choose among their best sellers on the menu so we decided to order Crispy pata, Sizzling bulalo, Kare-kare, Yamang Dagat and Prawn aligue.

Crispy pata (650php) – Cooked to a perfect crisp and delicious fall-off the bone meat that delivers a carnival of familiar and comforting flavor with every bite. The meat was juicy and crispy just the way everyone likes a crispy pata. Also, the sauce blends perfectly with the meat.

Crispy pata

Kare-kare (360php) – Original Filipino stew of ox feet, ox shank, tripe and native vegetables in ground peanut sauce. The peanut sauce strikes my taste buds because the sauce is creamy, not strong and not bland at the same time.

Kare-kare

Yamang dagat (410php) – Prawns, squid and mussels cooked in a flavorful broth of garlic, ginger and coconut milk. The smell of the coconut milk together with the fresh prawns, squid and mussels was a delight not just in our eyes, but also in our mouths as well. Seafood lovers would definitely love this.

Yamang dagat

Prawn aligue (280php) – Prawns cooked in smothering and creamy aligue sauce. The prawns and aligue sauce complement each other and are perfectly paired with rice. Just watch your blood pressure though before eating this food.

Prawn aligue

Sizzling bulalo (490php) – slow oven-baked beef shanks braised in Filipino style herb mushroom gravy. This was the highlight of my lunch. The beef shank was soft and tender and the gravy just melts in your mouth that will make you want to eat more rice.

Sizzling bulalo

The prices are also not that expensive and are good for sharing. Overall, I enjoyed our lunch stay at Isla Una and will definitely be back to bring my family and friends to experience good authentic Filipino food. If you find yourself longing for the comfort of authentic Filipino cuisine, but aren’t too keen on leaving the urban cityscape, this is the perfect place for you.