First Bite: DaTang Jardin

I was planning to head to Baguio last long weekend but an invite to a restaurant opening made me skip vacation in a heartbeat. This time around, it was for a Taiwanese restaurant’s grand launch in Burgos Circle. 

Hello, DaTang Jardin.

Named after the Tang Dynasty which is also known as the Golden Age of ancient China and era of prosperity for literature and food, this new and only Chinese restaurant in Burgos Circle boasts of its extensive menu that features all eight Chinese cuisines— Shandong, Cantonese, Szechuan, Jiangsu, Hunan, Zhejiang, Fujian and Anhui. 

As a treat, its multi-awarded executive chef, William Liu, prepared DaTang Three Cup Chicken, one of the restaurant’s recommended dishes, for the guests and curious bystanders to try. 

I tried a piece and it had a slight barbecue sauce taste to it. Nothing extraordinary. 

After 10 or 15 minutes, we were asked to go inside for the actual food sampling.

I was pretty impressed with the restaurant’s interiors as it doesn’t look Chinese-y at all. The place was not as flashy or decorated as other Chinese restaurants I know. 

It also had a nice and light ambiance to it. 

First served to us were some cold appetizers—Simmered Beef Shank in Homemade Sauce (PHP350), Homemade Kimchi (PHP130), Tofu Salad (PHP130) and Tomato in Plum and Red Wine Sauce (PHP130). 

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.

Restaurant Discovery: Brown's Gourmet Chicken

Christmas season means lunch and dinner out with different groups of people. For my department’s Christmas dinner/party, we decided to try Brown’s Gourmet Chicken, a roasted chicken restaurant in Greenfield District. I saw it early December and it sure made me curious. Luckily, when I suggested that place, I got the department’s sweet yes.

Hello, Brown’s Gourmet Chicken!

The place is simply adorable. The wall décor is so warm and homey.

The second floor is equally charming. It’s also a great place for an intimate gathering for a group less than 20.

After appreciating the cute décor and kidding on stealing the wooden reindeer, we started to place our orders. I went with the 1/4 Roasted Chicken with 1 Rice and 1 Side (PHP170, but I changed my rice to eggs and leek which costs PHP45), Mushroom and Spinach Croquette (PHP120), Ginger and Basil Shake (PHP110), and Churros + Blonde Mocha (PHP120).

Service was quick as my appetizer arrived in less than 10 minutes.

The Mushroom and Spinach Croquette has a crispy batter. Unfortunately, they used too much of it that I could hardly taste the mushroom and spinach. It was an okay dish though for an appetizer.

It is also available in whole that comes with 4 side dishes and rice (PHP620)

Restaurant Love: Avi (Take 2 and 3)

I hardly visit a restaurant twice in a week but I made an exception last week.

It has been a few months ago since I last visited Avi. The place offers really good food at affordable prices yet I never see it packed with hungry foodies. I guess it is because diners have so many options in Kapitolyo. Anyway…

I had lunch at Avi two Sundays ago and I decided to go with my favorite Basil in Red (PHP165) and Lola Soledad’s Buttered Shrimp Agoile (PHP210).

While slurping my soup and munching on the nacho chips, one of the chips went straight to my throat and got jammed inside my esophagus! Yes, it may sound a bit disturbing (and Avi has nothing to do with this) but this sure reminded me to chew my food well.

The pasta was pretty good too. The noodles were al dente and the flavor was not that overwhelming. The shrimps were fresh too.

Restaurant Love; Avi

I’m so glad that some of my favorite people work near Kapitolyo. After months of planning, we finally get to have our schedules matched and agreed to have dinner at Avi.

Hello, Avi!

K was the first one to arrive as she is blessed to have 5 p.m. as her clock out.

She already ordered Clam Chowder when I arrived and I took a sip as I was famished. It was rather spicy and I was quite surprised as I never had a spicy clam chowder before.

Soon, K and I ordered our meals. K went with Papa Jack’s Crispy Chicken Adobo Overload (PHP210) while I ordered Basil in Red (PHP165) and Sous Vide Hanging Tender Steak (PHP330). I also ordered the Lover’s Limerick Cheesecake Lime (PHP150) and a glass of their House Blended Iced Tea (PHP75). We ordered Papa Rico’s Paborito Chicken Pesto (PHP210) for F. We also got the Seaside Samba Diablo Pasta (PHP300) for sharing.

The Basil in Red was a hit! I love it so much that we ordered another bowl. It had this tangy and creamy taste that would make it hard for you to stop.

Restaurant Love: The Nest

I am definitely not a South girl. I only go there to visit my aunt and occasionally visit ATC when it’s too hot in their lanai. However, I have been hearing a lot of good word about the restaurants in BF Homes and even those near my aunt’s place. Then N told me that he works for The Nest. After his sales talk, I was sold. Actually, the phrase “pesto stuffed salmon” was enough to convince me.

Two of my foodie friends and I agreed to have a mini South food trip to celebrate their birthdays. We all met at 9 a.m. along Pearl Drive in Ortigas and we were with a bunch of Korean kids who seem to be on their way to the beach. (Not our thing so we were not jealous at all.) After a quick breakfast, we were off.

After 30 minutes of driving, we made it to The Nest.

The place was practically empty with only two tables occupied. So we had all the freedom to take photos of the place. The view was spectacular!

It didn’t take us long to decide what to order. K ordered Pan Grilled Chicken and Garlic Steak (PHP380) while E went with the Salmon and Lapu-Lapu Duo (PHP670). I ordered Truffle Scented Tomato Basil Soup (PHP165) and Pesto Stuffed Salmon Steak (PHP575). I held back with the dessert as I felt shy since my two kuya/ahya/big brothers will pay for my meal. It made me wonder if I am now bound to treat them on my birth month. 

Restaurant Discovery: Black Olive Cerveceria

Funny how when you get older, birthdays seem to be less and less of a special day. But one thing I still want on my special day is a cake and a meal, may it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, outside. However, I had prior engagement with a company from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (though I have 12 noon to 2 p.m. as my lunch break). Given that I have never been to Capitol Commons, that was our first option for my birthday lunch.

Hello Black Olive Cerveceria!

The place hardly had customers when we arrived. Well, it was a Wednesday and lunch time so it was pretty much expected.

Since I was in a hurry to finish lunch, we ordered right away. What caught my eye was the Porchetta with Rosemary Roast Potato and Caponata (PHP490) while my mom went for the Grilled Italian Sausage with Roast Garlic Mashed Potato and Pepperonata (PHP390). We also ordered a bowl of Bell Pepper and Tomato Soup with Basil Pesto (PHP220) and Vanilla Pannacotta with Balsamic-marinated Strawberries (PHP220).

While waiting, we were served with a complimentary basket of bread with dip. My mom enjoyed the freshly baked bread and ended up finishing it herself.

Next served was the soup which was served on a huge bowl. It was slightly spicy and I find it rather thick as an appetizer. It was very creamy and the tomato taste was pretty strong (which I love). However, I'd rather go with a slightly lighter appetizer.

The sausage arrived next and my mom loved it as it was not overly processed so it had more texture and it was juicy too.