First Bite: Fritöss

I usually grab popcorn or hotdog whenever I watch a movie. But I discovered a new alternative that could make my monthly ritual more interesting. 

Hello, Fritöss. 

This inviting quick bites place is part of the group that manages Barcino and Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen. As no stranger to the food scene, it offers mouthwatering snacks perfect for that in between meals treat.

Now in Manila: Thai Original BBQ

I am a big fan of Thai Original BBQ and I couldn’t contain my excitement when I found out that they opened a branch here in Manila. It has been over two years since I indulged in its famous chicken bbq and I’m so glad that it won’t turn into three years as I managed to convince my friends to hold our Christmas get together at the newest restaurant in Fort Strip. 

Hello, Thai Original BBQ!

It is hard to miss Thai Original BBQ as its prime corner location facing 5th Avenue and Central Square is very easy to spot. 

I was warmly greeted by its front host wearing traditional Thai outfit and ushered me inside. 

The interiors of its Manila branch is not quite the same as its Los Angeles’ restaurants as it lacked fresh orchids. I do understand though that such tabletop could cost a fortune.

I was so happy that they kept most, if not all, of the dishes offered by its US counterpart. Of course we had to go with the bestsellers Gaiyang Dinner (PHP530) and BBQ Spare Ribs Dinner (PHP580). We also ordered Fried Calamari (PHP280), Yum Pla Dook Foo (PHP380), Tom Yum Goong (PHP380) and Pad Thai (PHP380). For our drinks, we all went with Thai Milk Iced Tea (PHP140) except for M who tried Iced Coffee (PHP140).

First Bite: Dean & Deluca

I always get curious and excited every time I see a new establishment opening soon. But it took Dean & Deluca quite a while before it opened. The place had mixed reviews—some say the original Dean & Deluca is better than the local one (well, I wouldn’t know as all I could afford when I was in NYC were hotdogs and Halal food) while others can’t stop raving about its desserts. There’s only one way to find out… to visit the place and try its food myself.

Hello, Dean & Deluca!

The place was packed when we arrived. Luckily, there was an available table.

Dean & Deluca has a nice selection of dishes and we chose the ones I read were good—Trio Field Mushroom Soup (PHP280), Gratinated Baked Oysters (PHP325), BBQ Braised US Beef Short Ribs (PHP850), and Seafood Medley (PHP980).

First served was the soup and it was lovely. The texture was slightly thick and the truffle cream was divine. I loved slurping it the thinly sliced mushrooms.

Next served was the plate of gratinated baked oysters. I read really nice reviews about this dish but… it wasn’t extraordinary. The oysters were indeed fresh and there was a nice contrast between the grated cheese and the smooth oysters but that was about it. Well, if you’re a fan of oysters, you’ll most likely enjoy this dish.

Restaurant Love: St. Patrick's

My friends and I have been planning to have dinner in Kapitolyo for months after realizing that our offices are practically neighbors. But since everyone’s so busy, we just can’t find time to do it. Until one Facebook post made it possible. Then again, K suddenly had to back. But since F and I were stressed that day, we still went for it.

Hello, St. Patrick's!

St. Patrick's was rather packed when we arrived. Originally, we planned on having dinner at Red Panda but we decided to change venues due to the desire to drink. [No, we are not alcoholics. Just so we’re clear. ;)]

The menu covers simple dishes so it wasn’t that hard for us to choose which ones to order. We opted for the following: Spam Chips (PHP160), Calamari (PHP180), Taco Bites (PHP180), and Shepherd’s Pie (PHP250). I went for a glass of Margarita (PHP180) while F ordered beer.

First served was the plate of Spam chips. It was simply deep fried thinly sliced Spam and it was superb! Okay, I’m a bit biased as I love Spam!

Next served was the Calamari. It was your typical calamari with yummy garlic mayo! I enjoyed the dip so much that I ate the carrot sticks! (And I hate carrots!)

The Taco Bites were awesome! It was slightly spicy but very tolerable. I enjoyed the flavorful chili con carne and the generous dose of cheese. 

Restaurant Discovery: Kettle

I really have this thing for new restaurants. I get so excited every time I find out that a new restaurant is opening soon near my place. By near I mean Shangri-La, Megamall, Capitol Commons, and Kapitolyo. While I was trying to resist my foodie urges in the States, I was busy doing "research" on the new restaurants. One of the new places that caught my fancy was Kettle at Shangri-La's East Wing.

Hello Kettle! 

I met up with my good friend M for dinner for some intense catching up. I insisted that we have dinner there as I have to try its famous fried chicken.

Ordering was a breeze too as I know what I want. I ordered the Smoked Salmon Salad (PHP250), Buttermilk Fried Chicken (PHP519), and Calamari (PHP329). For dessert, we originally wanted to get the Checkered Cake but they ran out so we went for the Pistachio Cake instead (PHP229).

Service was pretty quick as our salad and calamari were served within 15 minutes. 

The salad was drizzled with black pepper for additional taste. The serving itself was pretty generous and I enjoyed it a lot. I would have enjoyed it more if there were more salmon though. The dill ranch dressing has that tangy taste that would make you eat more!

The calamari though seemed typical for me. It's your usual fried and breaded squid.

Restaurant Discovery: The Strip Hollywood Steakhouse

Last Friday, I filed for a half day to work on my student permit as I am now learning how to drive! Horrah! Getting a student permit was really easy and quick. I arrived around 2 p.m. and there were only a few people around. In an hour, I was done! But this is another story. For now, I want to talk about this new wing of Shangri-La mall and the steakhouse I fell in love with.

Hello, The Strip Hollywood Steakhouse!

I wasn’t really planning on visiting this steakhouse as I was targeting the ramen place beside it. However, they are closed from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to [I guess] prepare for dinner or something.  Anyway, I was really down when I saw the closed sign but smiled in an instant when the server at The Strip Hollywood Steakhouse told me that they’re open and happy to serve!

So, steakhouse it is then.

I was planning to order a big slab of steak until my mom told me that it was Friday. I don’t really practice it (and I even had tapa for breakfast!) but since my mom was hesitant, I finally gave in and decided to order The Pink Meat (PHP500) while my mom opted to order Stuffed Calamari (PHP360). Since I wanted something more, I opted to order the Goat’s Island and Berry Seas (PHP220) as dessert. We also had two glasses of their Signature Iced Tea (PHP108)

While waiting, we were given complimentary bread with butter drizzled with some herbs. My mom enjoyed it as it was crisp outside yet soft and warm inside. My mom though preferred if they served it with cheese while I was pretty content with the melted butter.

The Stinking Rose: A Garlic Restaurant

“Where will we eat?” N and I have been asking ourselves that question a lot for the past month. N’s mom, Auntie J mentioned this restaurant that serves garlic ice cream. Weird. I like it already! But we can’t seem to find time to visit the restaurant which is in Beverly Hills. Till one night when we met up with T and K.

 

Hello, The Stinking Rose!

It was pretty dark inside and it somehow reminded me of this restaurant called Gayuma ni Maria. Despite it being a “garlic restaurant”, there’s not a single foul smell.

 

Thanks to N’s reservation, we have a sure table.

 

Service was also very quick for as soon as we got settled, the server gave us some warm bread and told us to put garlic garnish on top of it. And it was so good! Bad breath galore!!!

 

We waited for T and K to arrive before we ordered dinner. But while waiting and munching on the warm bread, we decided to order Popcorn Calamari (small: $9.95, medium: $14.95, large: $19.95) and Garlic Spinach Fontina Fondue ($9.95) as appetizers.

 

The popcorn calamari is your typical calamari but what made it a bit different from the rest is its dip. I love the tanginess of the tomato dip (which is quite similar to salsa).

 

The spinach fontina fondue was served really hot! It was gooey cheesy goodness and we just can’t help but put a lot on our bread. It was quite sinful as every bite was full of oil as well. But we just can’t resist it.