Flower Boy: Colors of Thailand in Manila

One of the stalls that opened early at The Grid is Tankchop XL which is now named as Flower Boy. Offering ginormous pork chop rice and picturesque Pad Thai, this stall experienced a lot of hiccups on its first few months of operations. Thankfully, it managed to get the groove of moving plates fast after some time. 

Hello, Flower Boy. 

Flower Boy is one of the first stalls you'll see if you circle The Grid clockwise. Located at stall #2, this kiosk specializes in Thai local fare and one of its signature dishes is its Pad Thai. 

First Bite: Muang Thai

I love Thai cuisine but it was my recent trip to Thailand that made me appreciate it in a whole new level. With its scrumptious and colorful food everywhere, I was tempted to go on a food crawl every day during my 2 week visit. Thankfully, we have a handful of reliable Thai restaurants in Manila to satisfy our Pad Thai, Tom Yum and Satay cravings. One establishment stood the test of time and has been delighting foodies for over two decades. 

Hello, Muang Thai. 

Tucked inside Teachers Village, Muang Thai has been serving scrumptious Thai dishes since 1996. Fast forward to 2018, it now has a new look but continues to offer classics that would tickle anyone's taste buds. 

First Bite: Just Thai

It's hard not to fall in love with Thai cuisine. With dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Kha Gai, Pad Krapow Moo Saap, Gaeng Keow Wan Kai and refreshing Thai Milk Tea, it is a tough battle not to like this Asian cuisine. And so, when the lovely gals of The Foodie Station invited me to savor some of Just Thai's dishes, I quickly said yes and cleared my schedule for a fanTHAIstic day. (Okay, that was a lame pun but it was really fantastic and let me tell you why.) 
 
Hello, Just Thai.

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 Visit: Merkanto Street International Street Food

Merkanto Street has been one of the most awaited stops during our Maginhawa food crawl. With J’s new found love for banh mi and R’s interest in Indian food, we had to make sure that we head here as soon as when the clock strikes 4 p.m..

Hello, Merkanto St International Street Food! (Whew, that’s a mouthful.)

The humble car wash and food park in one was empty when we got there around 4:30 p.m. and sadly, there was only one stall open at that time as most open at 5 p.m.. This made choosing easier as we’re stuck with Viet Nom, a stall that sells Vietnamese dishes. 

J went with Bahn Mi Ga (PHP165) while A got Mi Xiao Mem (PHP145) and R1 ordered Mi Xiao Toi Thit Ko Bo (PHP165). 

The Bahn Mi Ga (it was really spelled as Bahn Mi instead of Banh Mi) was sweet and had a bit of crunch thanks to the veggies. But it lacked that defining taste of banh mi that comes from a generous serving of cilantro and liver pate. The bread was wrong as well as they used a soft bun instead of a baguette. At PHP165, this was a bit steep as other banh mi places sell theirs at PHP130 and these establishments use the right bun. 

First Bite: Mango Tree

I always get so giddy whenever I see an email from Peanut. It always mean great news and by great news, I mean yummy treats! This time, the email was all about a rendezvoos in Mango Tree. We were advised to wear something a bit more formal. But given the humidity of Manila, I simply could not sport a blazer. 

Hello, Mango Tree!

It does have a fancy feel to it with its dim lighting and dark colored interiors. No wonder we were told to dress nicely. We would get so out of place if we dine here wearing shorts and flip flops. But they do not enforce any dress code so you're okay to wear whatever you want. (Actually, I have been here before for a shoot with the late OK! Magazine staff for our annual editorial shoot but we only had a few drinks then which I vaguely remembered to be strong.)

The group was already pigging out together as early as 3 p.m. in Makati for another event but we left a huge tummy space for the feast that was prepared for us. It was perfect too as I was craving for some Thai dishes. 

While waiting for the feast, I ordered Hennessy Mango Lemonade (PHP350) and it was served in less than 5 minutes. 

The taste of Hennessy was evident but it was complemented by the sweet taste of mango juice. Abe pointed though that the mango taste reminded him of canned juice. But I liked it! 

The appetizer Miang Kham (PHP380) was served next and it looked like a feast for vegetarians. True enough, this dish is loved by veggie lovers. It also means everything in one bite and I will tell you why in a bit. One order comes with dried coconuts, lemon, chili, ginger, peanuts, onions, sesame leaves and chutney sauce which is a combination of shrimp paste, ginger and palm sugar. 

The wait staff showed us how to stuff every ingredient inside the sesame leaf and I failed when I tried as I put too much in my leafy cone. Taste-wise, it was a lovely harmony of flavors. It was refreshing because of the sesame leaves (though a tad rough in terms of texture) and lemon bits. I sparingly put ginger and skipped the chili as I am not fond of spicy food. I stuffed a lot of peanuts though for added crunch. 

Tom Kha Gai (PHP480) was served next and I was worried that it'll be spicy. I was so happy that it was mild. 

First Bite: Basil

Food trips are the best. It’s the sole reason why I eat less on weekdays—to have more space for weekend feasts. When J mentioned that he’ll be visiting again, the first thing that came to my mind (or tummy) was that I have to plan a food trip. And J wanted that. So one Saturday, we explored White Plains.

Hello, Basil!

Our first stop was Basil, the first restaurant you’ll see once you turn to White Plains.

The place was quite dark and had a spa ambiance to it.

 

After a bit of thinking, we decided to go with the following dishes: Thai Money Bags (PHP325), Thai Sizzling Sisig (PHP350) and Thai Style Fried Noodles (PHP360). I also got a glass of Thai Milk Tea (which I forgot to take note of the price).

First served was my Thai Milk Tea and it was pretty good. It was more like a Thai Milk Tea Shake. It was not too sweet and it was a great way to battle the crazy summer heat. 

Next served was the Thai Money Bag.

First Bite: Wild Ginger

I feel terrible when I pay for a dish I find “meh” or worse… “blargh”. I had that sentiment last Friday when I had lunch at a ramen place in Rockwell. The broth had a very odd taste and the appetizer we ordered was too salty. It’ll take me a long while before I decide to visit that place again. The only perk I got from the lunch was when my colleague mentioned a list of restaurants I have to try. One of the restaurants she mentioned was Wild Ginger.

Hello, Wild Ginger!

I always pass by this restaurant and it never really made me curious as I only see a few people eat here. But since my colleague mentioned that this quaint restaurant serves good food, I had to give it a try.

R was indecisive that night so I ordered for the both of us: Pad Thai (PHP245), Thai Green Chicken Curry (PHP285), and Asian Tomato Soup (PHP135). I also got a glass of cold Calamansi juice (PHP75).

I was a bit iffy to order the tomato soup as it mentioned “spices from the East Indies” but I assumed that it wouldn’t be spicy. WRONG. It was so spicy that it made me cough and tear up. People who love spicy dishes would like this though.

Restaurant Discovery: Nav Modern Thai Cuisine

I used to dislike Thai food since I find it too spicy. But for some reason, for the past few months, I’ve been hooked to Thai dishes. It all started last June. I went to Silk (Eastwood), Siam (Ayala Cebu), Simply Thai (Greenbelt), and now Nav (the nearest of them all… Brgy. Kapitolyo).

Our fascination with NAV started when one of my colleagues suddenly gave us fliers of this new Thai restaurant called NAV Modern Thai Cuisine and she suggested that we dine there to hold my dear boss’ despedida. :(

The place was pretty small and parking is very limited. Perhaps only 2 to 3 cars can park (unless Uncle Moe’s and Slice n’ Dice are not stingy with their parking lots). The place can accommodate perhaps around 30 people the most. 

What I noticed was the rather cute interior. It was able to maximize the limited space by hanging some of its decorations and using some of the shelves to serve as the place to store the glasses and pitchers of water. 

We ordered a lot since we were 10 hungry publishers craving for a good lunch. Our mistake, though, was that we ordered a tad too much.

We started our meal off with the Crab Cake with sweet chili sauce (PHP230). To be honest, it was pretty ordinary deep-fried patties. I also found it a bit bland and the sauce was nothing to rave about since it tasted exactly like the bottled sweet chili sauce available in supermarkets.

The Shrimp Rolls (PHP250) was different though. It was tasty! The rolls have vermicelli noodles inside and it was a rather filling appetizer. 

Next served were Nav’s Pomelo Salad (PHP300) and Crisped Catfish Salad (PHP245). The pomelo added was fresh and the bits of chicken and nuts truly complemented the fruit. The Crisped Catfish Salad (with green mangoes) was pretty good too. It was not fishy like the other catfish salad served by other restaurants. The spice and sweetness of the salad made it one great dish.

After the two appetizers and two salads, we were starting to feel full since most dishes were good for 4-5 people (but the servers said that it was good for 2-3 only). But since we ordered it already, let the chewing continue.

The next dishes served were the Pad Thai (PHP280), Nav’s Bagoong Rice (PHP225), Crispy Tilapia (seasonal price), Green Curry (PHP240) and Penang Curry (PHP420).

The Pad Thai sure was a heavy dish to consume since it was a dish full of carbs. The noodles were well cooked and it was flavorful. The glutton in me could not stop get two servings of it. 

 The bagoong rice was your typical bagoong rice. Redundant but true. 

 The Green Curry with chicken bits and bamboo shoots was pretty good. I am not a curry person but this curry was quite good. It was a bit spicy though for me (but my colleagues did not find it spicy at all).

I didn’t bother trying the Penang Curry with beef brisket since all those who tried it said that it was so spicy. If they find the Green Curry mild and the Penang Curry spicy, then it must be really spicy.

Last dish served was the Wok Fry Tender Pork (PHP250). I wasn’t able to really taste this one as I was trying to save space for ChaTime. 

We didn’t order dessert but Nav treated us with two servings of their Pandan Crème (PHP140). It was a delightful dessert. The texture reminded me of egg pie. Actually, it tasted like egg pie only it was green.  Nonetheless, I loved it.

Nav is located at United St. Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City (Across Pioneer Center and Ace Water Spa).