Love at First Bite: Dohtonbori

Thanks to the mouthwatering photos I see here, I had a few sleepless nights and experienced intense FOMO (oh yeah! I feel like a millennial) when looloo held a rendezvoos in this popular okonomiyaki restaurant along Missouri Street. And after months of drooling and waiting and more drooling, I have finally set foot inside... DOHTONBORI!!! 

PON POKO PON NO PON!!! (Did I get it right?) 

We were asked if we would like to dine in the tatami mat area and I immediately said YES. Let's eat Japanese style! Woohoo!!!

Water was served right after we sat down. (Plus points for that as the heat was too much!)

After browsing the menu, we settled with Deluxe Okonomiyaki (PHP360), Kalbi Yakiniku (PHP280) and Grilled Salmon Chanchan (PHP380).

The kale yakiniku was served first and the server prepared it for us due to our fear that we'll mess things up if we do the grilling and flipping. In less than 10 minutes, the kalbi yakiniku was ready to be enjoyed. 

It was good. Tender beef with lovely sweet sauce. However, it was a bit on the bland side. 

The deluxe okonomiyaki and salmon chanchan were prepared next and it took longer than the yakiniku. 

Hong Kong Food Stop: Sushi One

It’s been a while since I last visited Hong Kong. I remember that I had a hard time there as I was not an adventurous foodie then. I was stuck with Yoshinoya and McDonald’s. But things change. I am now game to eat anything as long as it will most likely not make me sick and Hong Kong evolved into a foodie paradise.

R and I were not exactly famished yet when we arrived in Hong Kong but since we wanted to maximize our trip, we walked around Nathan Road (Tsim Sha Tsui) and entered small alleys near it. That was when we saw this Japanese restaurant with a sushi conveyor belt. And as a sucker for these sushi conveyor belt or sushi-go-round, we went in.

Konnichiwa, Sushi One!

I was thrilled to dine at Sushi One. And I waited for some sushi to be placed on the belt for me to take some photos and videos. Sadly, the place wasn’t packed so there were not as many sushi on the belt. (The foodie in me holding a camera cried a puddle.)

To order, we had to accomplish several checklists depending on what we fancy. We went with Seared Salmon (HK$17), Seared Fatty Salmon with Sauce (HK$19), Shrimp Tempura (HK$29), Grilled New Zealand Mussels with Mayo and Cheese (HK$36), and Dancing Spider Roll (HK$36).

First served were the two kinds of salmon sushi.

The seared salmon was your usual salmon sushi. What was notable here was the fresh salmon cut. It was the type that melts in your mouth. Delightful!

I preferred the seared salmon with sauce though as it had more flavor to it. It was slightly sweet. This was sooo good that there were fireworks in my mouth to celebrate such taste.

The shrimp tempura was nothing special but it helped fill the tummy. I would have preferred to order more salmon instead of this one though.

R loved the grilled mussels. It went really well with mayo and cheese. The mussels, just like salmon, were undeniably fresh. And for the price, it wasn’t bad at all. 

The silky smooth texture of the mussels with its faint sweet taste with the slight tanginess of the cheese and richness of the mayo was a killer combo.

Love at First Bite: Matutina’s Seafood Restaurant

R told me about this great seafood restaurant called Matutina on our way to Baguio. But since we were still full on our way (as we stopped over an icky McDonald’s) and we were too sleepy on our way home, we missed having a meal there. But a few weeks back, we stayed at a place which was near a few branches when we went to Clark for C’s big day. We didn’t exactly plan to drop by but R’s dad craved for it and so…

Hello, Matutina’s Seafood Restaurant!

It was a simple no frills seafood restaurant that has a bit of Padi’s Point minus alcohol feel to it. (Or let’s change it to Gerry’s Grill as an easier reference.)

Uncle H already ordered for us and we had Bangus na Inihaw (PHP130), Tanigue Kilawin (PHP180), and Sizzling Bangus Sisig (PHP180).

While waiting for our fish, we munched on some coconut candies wrapped like pastillas which were yummy! I failed to take photos as I was already hungry then.

For the price, the grilled milk fish was huge. It was grilled well as it was still juicy when it was served to us. I enjoyed it with soy sauce with calamansi.

Look at that belly!!!

Restaurant Love: Dolce Latte

After going crazy with the SM Home Sale, we decided to treat ourselves with a good meal. Since we were already tired and lazy to look around, I recommended Lucca. But the place was packed and we were carrying so many bags that night. Then I spotted Dolce Latte. It has been a while since I last visited the place and I never get to try its savory dishes so I figured that it’s a good place to eat.

Hello again, Dolce Latte!

After browsing the savory menu, we decided to go for Quattro Formagio, (PHP525), Grilled Salmon in lemon caper sauce (PHP585) and Philly Cheese Steak (PHP395).

We got a complimentary bowl of bread while waiting for our food. And it was pretty good! It was served warm and the hint of chocolate was delightful.

Soon, our orders arrived.

The Philly Cheese Steak was quite big and could be shared by two not-so-hungry diners. The tenderloin strips were indeed tender and the mozzarella made it even tastier. I also love the crunch of the bell pepper.

First Bite: Planet Grapes

I’m a fan of Planet of the Apes and that’s probably why I’m so curious with Planet Grapes. I find it to be such a witty name and I’m a sucker for anything witty.

Hello, Planet Grapes!

It has been months since I discovered this place but the Alabang branch was a bit too far for me so I never had a chance to visit. But food gods love me so much that Planet Grapes’ newest branch is just a few blocks away from me—Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Wine without the drama.

 

Planet Grapes somehow has a classy yet warm ambiance. The dishes too aren’t priced that steep though some dishes are slightly on the expensive side. We got the following: Kitayama Rib eye Steak (PHP1,195), Grilled Trio Prawns (PHP495) and PG Super Sisig (PHP210). For wine, we got Baby Bad Boy 2010 (PHP280 for 125 ml | PHP180 for 75 ml | PHP95 for 38 ml) and Pircas Negras Torrontes (PHP235 for 125 ml | PHP150 for 75 ml | PHP80 for 38 ml).

First served was the sisig. R and I got confused with the tomatoes as we never had sisig with tomatoes before. (I guess it is for the purpose of giving extra crunch?) Admittedly, it’s not the best sisig around but it was good. I just wish that it was crunchier.

Kapitolyo Food Stop: Tomahawk Chops & Grill

Finally stuffed and happy, the F3 moved to the next destination with our new friends, Triple Js. While still at Silantro, we decided on where we should go next and we all decided to give Tomahawk Chops & Grill a try.

Hello, Tomahawk Chops & Grill!

When we arrived, all the long tables were occupied and the available tables (which were too small for a party of six) were spread out. The server then suggested that we go to the second floor. Second floor?! We were all surprised that there is a second floor. We all had an impression that it’s a very small restaurant.

The second floor is adorable. There are giant letters that spell EAT and CHOPS. The walls are also adorned with frames.

After a short while, we decided to go for the Grilled Tomahawk Chops (PHP295) and Grilled Baby Back Ribs (PHP425). For our sides, we went with mashed potatoes and string beans. I also ordered a glass of the Premium Iced Tea (PHP60/glass).

Restaurant Favorite: Pho Hoa

I love Pho Hoa, its chicken dishes, marinated prawns, spring rolls, tenderloin beef, crepe, and their sweet vinegar dip. Now, let me share with you my love affair with this restaurant.

Vietnamese food? Why?

That was my first reaction when my mom told me to try this restaurant. I was quite iffy since I have never tried Vietnamese food… ever (before).

I then read through the menu and I was surprised that not everything sounded so foreign to me. They have grilled meat, several chicken dishes, soup, salad, and even desserts such as crepes. I remember that I was fond of chicken when I was young so I ordered Grilled Chicken with Fried Spring Rolls (which I thought was just like your ordinary lumpia). I was surprised though that they served it with vinegar… sweet vinegar. And that was the start of our wonderful love story.

Years later, I have tried several other [non-spicy] dishes and I would say that I’d still go back for more. My must-orders though are the Fried Rice Paper Roll with Pork and Vermicelli (PHP127) and the Tenderloin Beef with Rice (PHP295). And that was what my mom brought home for me for dinner one happy Tuesday night.  

Fried Spring Rolls freshly removed from the take-out container

The Fried Spring Rolls were still the crispy and scrumptious rolls I remember. You could taste the pork in every bite. It wasn’t as oily as well. It was not the type that will make your lips shine and blind people when the light hits it. Plus dipping it in the sweet vinegar brought out the savory flavors of the stuffing of the roll.

Restaurant Favorite: Tender Bob's

Whenever we’re hungry and do not have the energy to look for new places to dine, we seek sanctuary in this all-American restaurant…

It was way past lunch time when we went to Shangri-la. With grumbling tummies (and trying to catch up a 3pm show), we decided to have lunch instead at Tender Bob's.

Without even reading the first line in the menu, my sister ordered Chicken Tenders, Original Recipe (PHP220). Tired of chicken, I looked for another meal. I was not in the mood for steak or pasta so I concentrated on seafood and as a salmon lover, I ordered Grilled Salmon with Tropical Salsa (PHP395).

The chicken tenders arrived first. (My sister hated me so much that it took me 2 minutes to take photos of the dish and she was so hungry then. She wasn’t able to resist so the photo was missing two or three fries. Well, who counts it anyway?)

One thing I love about the chicken tenders/fingers of Tender Bobs is that the chicken is actually… well, tender. Unlike other restaurants, the chicken was not overly cooked to the point that the meat becomes dry. I also love the honey mustard dip (though my sister prefers to drown it in gravy).

Finally, my order arrived. S.A.L.M.O.N.

The salmon’s skin was a bit burnt but I didn’t really care since I don’t eat it anyway. The salmon was fresh and the salsa added oomph and texture to the dish. There was a bit of spice though but it was totally tolerable.

The mashed potato also helped make the dish filling. The corns on the other hand were really sweet to the point that it could serve as dessert (and I meant it in the most positive way). Overall, I loved the dish I ordered.

I will try their steak platter soon… or as soon as I get to convince a friend or two to share it with me.

Tender Bob's is located at 6F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City.