Filipino – Page 2 – Kain Pinoy

Milky Way at the Powerplant Mall

After a blog event in Makati last Saturday, Arpee, Noreen, Eric, Bong and I headed to Rockwell for the Negros Trade Fair. A freak thunderstorm had us changing our plans at the last minute — it was pouring so hard that visibility was zero! Luckily, we were already inside the mall during the sudden downpour. We were left without any plans though… where do we eat?

I seldom go to Rockwell, so I asked Arpee and Noreen to pick out where we’d have an early dinner since they frequent the Powerplant mall. We went down to the lower ground, where most of the the restaurants are. We were overwhelmed with the choices, each restaurant with its own specialty. We were all set to go to Mongkok when we spotted a restaurant that is near and dear to the Lazaros: Milky Way.

I’ve only heard about Milky Way from Arpee’s blog, and I’m glad to finally able to try it. Milky Way is set up much like a turo-turo, where each dish is laid out in glass display and you point to the dish you want to order. My eyes were immediately drawn to the gorgeous pile of Pork Spareribs, and ordered one for myself. I ordered one order of rice to go with it, and a plate of Pancit Luglog.

When the food was served, I went about taking photos as I usually do (except when I’m extremely hungry). Arpee and Noreen, on the otherhand, having eaten at Milky Way several times before, didn’t bother and went about attacking their spareribs and Adobong Pusit. I heard Arpee gushing about the spareribs — how tender the meat was, and how flavorful it is. Quickly finishing my photoshoot, I put my camera and Gorillapod back in my bag and digged in.

I’ve learned to take Arpee and Noreen’s word when they say something’s good, but nothing prepared me for how good the food actually taste. The Pork Spareribs was great in every way — it’s tasty, it’s tender and it has a good proportion of fat at meat. Priced at Php 180 for one slice, it may seem pricey, but bear in mind that it’s a pretty big slice: it’s big enough to share. One rice is not enough for the whole slab, but I refrained from ordering an extra serving because I still have my pancit. The Pancit Luglug was another hit in my book. Unlike other palabok/luglog that tries to overwhelm you with the number of toppings, Milky Way keeps it simple with the delicious aligue sauce, hardboiled eggs, chicharon and spring onions. At Php 90 per order, Milky Way’s Pancit Luglog is a good choice for a filling merienda (try it with their Sago’t Gulaman, which I hear is another clear winner).

Milky Way
Concourse Level
Power Plant Mall
Rockwell Drive corner Estrella St.
Makati City

900 Arnaiz Avenue
Makati City

Ground Level, V-Mall
Greenhills Shopping Center
San Juan

Chowking's Chao Fan (Fried Rice)

Good news to all Chao Fan lovers like myself!

Chowking now has four variants of Chow Fan: Spicy, Beef, Pork and Yang Chow. I love all four, but I have to say that the Yang chow– with Chinese chorizo, shrimps, chopped vegetables and fried egg–, and the Beef Chao Fan–packed with a rich, beefy flavor, beef bits and chopped vegetables–are my faves.

Do you want even more good news? Even though there’s a rice crisis, they still managed to make it affordable. Chowking Chao Fan goodness starts at PHP 39.00.

I’ve always loved Chao Fan. It’s something that I order whenever I eat at Chowking. Already great on it’s own, I often pair it with a plate of sweet and sour pork, or a serving of either siomai or lumpia.

http://www.chowking.com/global/

The Freshest Picks At PICK Manila

Two weekends ago, I was invited to this weekend market out in Manila. I love going to the market, especially weekend markets because of the wide selection of products available. There’s cooked food, fresh meat and fish, poultry, produce, clothes, home ware, even pets on sale.

At the back of SM San Lazaro in Manila is Celadon Manila, a leisurely residential community by ALVEO Land Corp. Every Sunday for the month of September, Celadon Manila plays host to PICK Manila– the first lifestyle weekend market in city.

If you are a foodie like myself, you’ll be able to go on a food trip with the big mix of culinary delights they have to offer– form Filipino staples like embotido, relleno, aligue (crab fat)–which I had to stay away from (a bit hard, but I managed)- leche flan and other native delicacies to international fare like Japan’s sushi and Italian sodas.

They even sell organic products like organically-grown brown rice and herbs. Gourmet items, foreign and local, like honey and coffee are also sold by some stalls. Fresh fruits and baked products like breads and cakes are also available.

For the fashionistas and home make-over lovers, PICK Manila also offers a showcase of some of the most novel and exciting finds. Shoes, bags, tops and fashion jewelery for the stylish urbanite and intricate home decor made of glass, wood, and fabric inspired by different cultures for the interior-savvy. I spotted a little wooden decoupaged case and a nice big lamp, both of which were just screaming for me to take them home.

Though I wasn’t able to take home the box and lamp, I did manage to snag myself a bag of Kalinga coffee which everyone has been raving about. I also bought some fruit and baked goods.

If you’re not doing anything tomorrow, why not check out PICK Manila. Head on over to Celadon Manila and experience it yourself.

PICK Manila is open on Sundays from 7AM to 2PM.

CeladonManila is a development by ALVEO Land Corp. Please visit: www.celadonmanila.com.ph for more information.

* Promotional photographs were provided by the concessionaires through ALVEO Land Corp.

A taste of Cebuano: CNT Lechon

The second weekend of August found me, Eric and Melo in Cebu to cover the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival, as well as to be reacquainted with Cebuano favorites.

One of Cebu’s best delicacy of course, is the lechon. I don’t know what it is about Cebu’s lechon, but its Manila counterparts simply can’t measure up. The skin is really crispy and the meat is so tender and juicy.

Oh yes. I torture you with pictures of lechon.

Among the tourists, the “brand” we’re all familiar with is CnT Lechon. This is probably because there are several CNT branches scattered all over Cebu. Inside SM City Cebu, they can be found at the supermarket foodcourt. Likewise, at Ayala Center Cebu, CNT also have a stall at the mall’s foodcourt. Of course, their lechon is superb, hence the popularity of CNT among the locals and visitors alike.

We went to the CnT restaurant that’s found right across SM Cebu, along Juan Luna Extension. It’s a popular dining place during the weekend, and even though we arrived at 1pm, it was still packed with families having Sunday lunch. Ordering is done at the counter, where you tell the girl behind the counter how much lechon you want to order, and pick out any additional dishes you want to go with it, turo-turo style.

Don’t worry, this is hurting me as much as it hurts you… I want lechon, too!

Soon enough, two plates of chopped lechon is in the center of the table. We all reach for a strip of skin and our eyes collectively rolled back when we bit into it. It was crispy, like chicharon, yet tastes distinctly like lechon. A second set of eye-rolling ensues when we tasted the meat. The Cebu lechon has a distinct flavor — it’s so good there’s no need for any sauces!

Now, when are we going back to Cebu?

CNT Lechon
1377 V. Rama Avenue
Guadalupe, Cebu City
Phone: (6332) 254-4249, (6332) 254-6641

Thinking of bringing home a Taste of Cebuano (as CnT’s tagline say)? CnT have boxes for their lechon, so you can bring home the best Cebu lechon for friends and family. Just tell the staff behind the counter that you want it boxed when you order. You can even order a whole lechon from CnT, and have it sent via air cargo!

The Return Of The Amazing Aloha And Cheesy Bacon Mushroom

Two all-time Jollibee favorites are making a comeback!

I am happy to announce that Jollibee is bringing back the Amazing Aloha and Cheesy Bacon Mushroom burgers!

Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Solo- Php 82.00 / Value meal- Php 108.00

I’ve always loved the Amazing Aloha, so I was a bit dismayed when I found out that it had been removed from the menu. When I had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Arline Adeva, Joliibee PR Manager, a few weeks back, I told her how much I loved the Amazing Aloha and asked if it will ever come back as part of the menu. She told me, with a smile, “let’s just wait and see.” I’ve wondered how long I would have to.

So you can just imagine how overjoyed I was when I learned earlier this evening that they are indeed bringing them back. In my mind I was screaming “My prayers have been answered!”

Along with some friends from the press, I was lucky enough to be one of the first to sample the improved Amazing Aloha and Cheesy Bacon Mushroom burgers.

The Cheesy Bacon Mushroom is made up of soft toasted buns layered with 100% pure beef double patty, strips of bacon, mushrooms, and a slathered with a hefty serving of cream cheese.

Amazing Aloha Solo- Php 82.00 / Value meal- Php 108.00

The Amazing Aloha is unique, and like no other burger you’ll find in the Philippines. I think no other burger chain in the country has a burger like it: a burger made of 100% pure beef double patty, bacon, cheese, lettuce and a thick slice of pineapple, sandwiched by a soft toasted bun.

From being single-patty sandwiches, both burgers now boast of juicy double patties, topped with the great-tasting toppings. I just can’t get over how good they tasted!

I guess it’s true what they say– it’s definitely sweeter… the second time around.

The Amazing Aloha and Cheesy Bacon Mushroom burgers will be available in all Jollibee stores nationwide beginning August 13, 2008.

La Paz Batchoy Style Noodles @ Jollibee

As Filipinos brace themselves for the cold and wet season, count on leading fast-food chain Jollibee to offer special treats that give customers that warm taste of home. New in its top-selling soup menu is one of the Pinoy’s all time favorite soups that is guaranteed to provide comfort during these rainy months.

The new Jollibee La Paz Batchoy Style Noodle Soup is offered in Jollibee stores located in Mega Manila, South Luzon, North Luzon and some VISMIN stores beginning July 2.

Jollibee’s version of the favorite La Paz Batchoy consists of firm noodles beefed up by a flavorful meat broth and topped with the freshest vegetables, sautéed pork, a slice of egg and crunchy bits of garlic and chicharon.

Whether stranded at work, looking for that perfect rainy-day pasalubong, or catching up with friends and officemates, the new Jollibee La Paz Batchoy Soup is a surefire way to pamper the taste buds and the tummy.
Jollibee’s La Paz Batchoy Soup offer hot, home-cooked goodness at the comforting price of only P28 as a light solo meal or as a snack. If what you crave for is a Filipino meal complete with a hot and hearty bowl of sabaw, just add to your favorite Jollibee value meal for only an additional P25.

What’s more, Jollibee La Paz Batchoy may also be enjoyed right at the comfort of your own homes or offices because it is available via delivery. Just call
8-7000 to get your own bowl of La Paz Batchoy and other Jollibee treats.

Jollibee will also offer another soup variety, the Pinoy Chicken Mami in a few selected stores in VISMIN.

Guinataan Bilo-Bilo

Another popular Pinoy merienda is the Guinataang Bilo-Bilo. It is also known as “Guinataang Halo-halo” and more commonly, the simple “Guinataan”. Guinataan is anything cooked in cocunut milk. It comes from the root word gata, which is Tagalog for coconut milk.

Guinataan Bilo-Bilo

A combination of bilo-bilo(which is made from glutinous rice flour mixed with a little water to make a dough, and shaped into marble-sized balls), saba, tapioca, gabi(taro), ube(purple yam), camote (sweet potato),a little langka(jackfruit), sugar and coconut milk make up this hearty dish. Very popular especially during the rainy months,it is best eaten warm to help our body warm up during those cold, rainy afternoon.

Although it is most popular during the rainy season, guinataan is available year-round in Filipino restaurants, canteens, food courts, carinderias(small eateries) and even from hawkers on the street. Depending on where you order, a bowl would cost between Php 10 pesos to Php 50 pesos.

Minatamis na Saba

Saba is a type of banana that is actually closer to a plantain. It is usually eaten cooked, whether it is ripe or unripe. It is widely used in Filipino cuisine, as an ingredient in savory viands like the pochero and humba, sidings to arroz ala cubana, and as snacks and desserts. One example of which is Minatamis na Saba.

Iced Minatamis na Saba with Sago (Tapioca) and Evaporated Milk

What it is basically is saba cooked in sugar syrup. It is best eaten cold on its own, or with shaved ice, tapioca and evaporated milk. It is also a major ingredient in another Pinoy summer treat–the halo-halo.

Minatamis na Saba

Minatamis na Saba is available in most Filipino restaurants, canteens and eateries. These also pop up along with halo-halo stalls in neighborhoods during summer. A serving of minatamis na saba ranges from Php 10 pesos upward depending on where you are buying. This particular one from Barrio Fiesta cost us Php 110 pesos. Ofcourse, you have to consider all the other things we ate along with it. But that’s for another blog post. 😉

Dinner @ The Aristocrat Restaurant

After spending all day doing chores, my Mom, sister and myself went to the mall. We took my sister’s dress to the altering shop and afterwards we went our separate ways. My Mom and sister both went to do their thing, and I went on to do mine. I paid the bills and bought some things at the hardware section.

After we have finished doing our thing, we met up and had dinner at the Aristocrat Restaurant on the 3rd Level of The Block, SM City North Edsa. We placed our orders after browsing through the menu, running our eyes through pages of delicious pictures of their house specialties. After getting our orders, the waiter informed us that our orders will be served in 15 minutes. And true enough, 15 minutes later, our food was served.

Chicken Barbecue 186.00 pesos

The Aristocrat has been around since 1936 and is best known for its barbecue, especially its Chicken Barbecue. So that’s what I ordered. Three pieces of chicken marinated in their signature barbecue marinade,skewered and grilled, then served with Java rice, a siding of atchara (pickled papaya), and Java dipping sauce. Sarap! (Yummy!)

I love barbecue and this one I really loved! The chicken was tender and very flavorful. Dipped in the Java Sauce, it was pure gastronomic delight. The Java rice gave the perfect complimentary flavor to this grilled dish. And the sweetness and mild tartness of the atchara truly balances everything.

Chicken Barbecue 186.00 pesos

My Mom had the Boneless Chicken Barbecue, which is basically the Chicken Barbecue but sans the skewer and the bones. My sister, on the other hand, had the Pork Barbecue. Both dishes were also served with Java rice, atchara and the Java dip. We also ordered some Fried Calamari, which I wasn’t able to take a photo of. While waiting for our food to arrive, I decided to check out the Toy Kingdom nearby. By the time I got back, there were only 3 pieces left on the platter.

Pork Barbecue 151.00 pesos

The restaurant also serves dishes like pancit (stir fried noodles), kare-kare, lechon kawali, lumpia, adobo and so much more.

I was truly satisfied with my dinner at the Aristocrat. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.The service was fast and the food was good. Everything about it was perfect. What more is there to say?

The Aristocrat Restaurant
3rd Level, The Block
SM City North Edsa
North Avenue cor. EDSA, Quezon City
http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/

A Kanin Club Feast

It was getting fairly late, so after our merienda stop at the T House, we hurriedly hopped back into the bus for the drive down to Laguna, where our last food stop is.

Kanin Club was borne out of a craving — a craving for rice. Tony Cancio and his bike buddies often bike in the area and they always end up at the Cafe Breton, which he co-owns. After a long bike ride, rice was on top of the list of the things they want to eat, but the creperie wasn’t serving any. So the Kanin Club was born. Serving classic Filipino dishes (that just begs to be eaten with mounds of rice), their menu also lists 9 different kinds of rice, including plain white rice, brown rice, and a slew of fried rice variants like Tinapa Rice and Aligue Rice.

Enough talk… on to the feast!

Crispy Liempo – Php 117

The first dish to arrive at our table was this bowl of Crispy Liempo. It looked so appetizing and so tempting, and after the first bite, we were hooked! The liempo (pork belly) was thinly sliced and deep fried to crispy perfection.

Thai Green Mango Salad – Php 142

Green mango lovers will definitely love this salad. The cilantro gives a zing that compliments the sourness of the mango.

Sinigang na Tadyang ng Baka – Php 302

I love sinigang and I loved Kanin Club’s take on my favorite Filipino dish. The soup was sour enough for that distinct sinigang taste, but not too sour to turn you off. The vegestables were cooked just right, and the beef? It’s so tender it’s falling off the bone.

Loaded Fried Rice – Php 148

My favorite among the rice we were served, this fried rice was really loaded: it has Chinese sausage, crab meat, ham, green peas, bits of sauteed pork, scrambled egg and roasted garlic. It’s a meal on its own, actually.

Tinapa Rice – Php 123

I’m a fan of tinapa (smoked fish), so I really enjoyed Kanin Club’s Tinapa Rice. The bits of smoked fish transforms the regular fried rice into something extraordinary.

Aligue Rice – Php 123

The rice that Ryan was looking forward to. Cooked in crab fat, this is certainly not for the faint of heart (or those with high cholesterol).

Spicy Tahong – Php 179

I don’t eat tahong (mussels), so taking this photo was the closest I got to this dish. But from what I’ve heard and read, it was yummy.

Crispy Tenga – Php 148

Deep fried and crispy, this dish is the perfect pulutan (food you eat while drinking beer) or as a snack. Nevermind that it made with pig’s ear — it’s a must try!

Chicken Curry – Php 172

I was getting quite full at this point (we were eating the whole day, it’s hard NOT to be full!), so I gave the chicken meat a miss, but since I love curry, I tasted the sauce. It was a great curry, actually. The sauce had that rich curry taste and was perfect with the rice.

Itsi Bitsi – Php 185

We’ve been having mostly meaty (not to mention deep fried) dishes, so having a veggie dish was certainly welcomed (mainly by me). The name of the dish comes from its ingredients — It‘s sitaw, bitsuelas and sigarilyas.

Seafood Kare-Kare – Php 246

Squid, mussels and prawn replaces the traditional beef/pork and ox tripe in Kanin Club’s version of our favorite kare-kare. But it’s not the seafood that makes this dish a winner — it’s the rich peanut sauce that makes the dish so good on its own. Careful with that bagoong they serve along with it though, it’s a tad too salty.

Crispy Dinuguan – Php 216

This is exactly the kind of Filipino dish that would send foreigners running: pork intestines cooked in pork blood. It doesn’t sound appetizing, but it was a spectacular stroke of genius. It was a heady mix of oil and blood. That sounded so wrong, but it tasted oh, so right.

KC Turon ala Mode – Php 111

After fourteen dishes, all of us were full to the brim. However, Kanin Club’s famed turon was so good that most of us wasn’t able to resist eating just half of our turon. Deviating from the usual turon, the KC Turon was filled with a slice of banana, ube (purple yam jam), coconut strips and monggo beans. As the Kanin Club Menu says, it’s halo-halo on a roll.

Kanin Club is high on the list of must-try restaurants in the Philippines. Its location (Sta. Rosa and the recently opened Alabang branch) is too far for Quezon City residents, but as Anton said, it’s a good way of starting or ending your Tagaytay trip.

Kanin Club
Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Phone: (049) 544-0332
West Gate, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Phone: 771-1400
E-mail: kaninclub@gmail.com

A big thanks to Verdana Homes and to Anton for this awesome Tagaytay food tour, and to Kanin Club for the unforgettable feast.