gifts of all shapes and sizes containing food. This last year has had a lot of hits and misses even with the overflow of new restaurants sprouting up around the country. I certainly can’t say that I am a gourmand ( I can barely spell that) but there are definitely a number of restaurants that I have r been satisfied with overall in terms of the dishes they ‘dish out’ as well as the service and prices. Yes, I know there are probably lots of places I’ve missed and there are probably better bargains, but come on, this would take too long to read, and you’d be better off going out there and finding your own gastronomical gems!
There is no particular order as to what I’ve listed here, all I can say is I still haven’t had a bad meal or a scary dining experience in any of the places I’ve listed down. There are 10 for food and 5 for dessert-some of you may not agree with my comfort food standard but I hope you can experience at least one unforgettable meal ( or dessert) among the ones below-and have one more excuse to renew that gym membership in 2008!
Top 10 food
The Tofu-Caesar Salad at Piquant restaurant in RCBC Plaza. It’s got this eggless Caesar salad dressing that makes it less heavy than other dressings plus I like the spice it contains for an extra kick.
Piquant Restaurant Podium 3 RCBC plaza Ayala Avenue Makati City
7293452
piquant.health@gmail.com
Haiku’s Spicy Tuna Sashimi-this appetizer can be a light meal for some. If you like the taste of sashimi with some zing ( I don’t want to say spicy and extra kick again) this gives a different take on just getting your usual sashimi, and the tall glass it's served in is cool.
Haiku Restaurant Greenbelt 3 2/F tel no. 757-4597
Fried Eel with black bean sauce in The Cove
You want fresh seafood while you’re in Cebu? Seems a pretty easy feat to accomplish but no one does it better than the newly opened The Cove Restaurant at the longstanding Maribago Bluewater Resort in Mactan Cebu. There are other fish-y choices at this restaurant and you can expect to taste a certain sweetness that comes from the freshness of the dish-be it steamed, grilled or fried. Eel is my favorite but the lapu-lapu is a close second.
The Cove, Maribago Bluewater Resort, Cebu
Tel. (32) 492-0100 / 232-5411
Mamou’s Duck adobo flakes with red rice and scrambled eggs.
Not sure if this is the proper name but you will find it on the menu of Mamou. It’s not the healthiest of dishes-although the red rice does help but it’s incredibly tasty. Even if this restaurant is known for its “New York” type steaks, I still order this everytime I’m there. You better call for reservations though, because it’s always packed-and with good reason.
Mamou Restaurant in Serendra Bonifacio
Tel 8563569
Steak and mushroom pie at Basilio’s. I used to enjoy the Meat Pot pies when I was still based abroad and sadly I haven’t found another place that made this until a friend invited me for lunch at newly opened Basilio’s. Even the crust that covers this stew-like meal is of perfect consistency and not too starchy, especially when you break it open and it lets the steam out. You don’t even need to eat the sidings of bread that accompany it.
Basilio’s Restaurant
Rizal Drive cor 29th St.
Forbeswood Heights
Fort Bonifacion
Tel. 856-1742 to 43
El Cirkulo’s Puntillitas. Sick of the usual calamares rings? Why not try deep fried whole baby squid that you can just pop into your mouth, like a seafood-y popcorn. Known as “chopitos” in Andalucia, Spain, these are the perfect appetizer. Providing you prefer fish over meat and they aren’t oily so one plate goes pretty fast!
El Cirkulo’s Paella Negra, yes I know, it’s getting obvious that I have a preference for seafood but trust me this paella is amazing, if you don’t mind the black teeth and gums while eating it from the squid ink. ( Go with someone who loves you unconditionally or dump him/ her to eat this by yourself).
El Cirkulo Restaurant
900 A. Arnaiz Ave
cor Paseo de Rozas Makati
Tel. 8108735
Lamb Adobo at Abe’s. This is hearty Filipino ( ok, Capampangan)food you can really dig into. It’s a sin to not have lamb adobo with rice, I can’t explain it, it’s just perfect and you can order anything (like the Gising-gising) to accompany it. This is another restaurant that gets filled up quickly so always try and make a reservation, it is certainly worth it, and bring the whole family while you’re at it. The lamb replacing pork or chicken for this traditional Filipino dish is genius. Oh and it’s national artist BenCab’s favorite.
Abe’s Restaurant, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City
Tel. 8560526
Cantinetta’s Tartufo Pasta is not for anyone on a diet. First, it’s pasta, second it’s got white sauce with truffle oil, and thirdly it’s got prosciutto ham to boot. But of, if you’re going to go down, (or rather, up weightwise) go with this. Whenever I bring someone to try this, eloquence escapes them, and all they can say is “wow” (and then they order their own serving). Selfish!
Cantinetta Restaurant
Karrivin Plaza
Pasong Tamo extension
Tel. 8929873
Delimundo Schublig sausages-these products are available at the Delimundo stall at the Saturday Market in Salcedo village. If you want to order you can call 892-9440 and look for Renie. Oh, and you should also try some of their pasta sauces for quick comfort meals at home ( like the Bolognese) Rumor has it they will officially launch their entire product line by January 2008.
Feeling full yet? There is always room for dessert. Here are my top 5.
Molten Chocolate Cake Basilio’s Restaurant -think smoky chocolate and forget about the calories! (Address and number are already mentioned before bub, don’t be lazy)
Milky Way’s Halo-Halo. Ah the classic and no one does a classic better than Milky Way which seems to have been around as long as the Milky Way up above. Go, be a kid again and try this!
Milky Way Café (right above El Cirkulo Restaurant)
Tel. 8437124
Marta’s Cakes cupcakes-a very bright, happy store which showcases the design supremacy of its proprietor, ( you can even decorate your own cupcakes and cakes) but you don’t want to work to sate your sweet tooth, then just indulge in a pound cupcake with buttercream icing.
Marta’s Cakes
Serendra, Bonifacio Global City
Tel. 9153802 or 8561791
Chocolate Lace Cookies made by Dentelle Au Chocolat Les Chocolatieres. Honestly, I can’t pronounce anything. These are extremely thin (hence the lace description) cookies that are either filled with dark, milk or white chocolate. I used to order them by the canister to take back to Manila everytime I was in Cebu. The only danger is that they are so deceptively thin that you will probably inhale a hundred of them before you stop. Call Lynn Moro at (0917) 6220427.
Mango Torte Cake (Petron gas station Arnaiz Ave cor EDSA)
-Yes I know not a very good way to end this “list” but this is a cake we have been having at almost every family occasion so I think the dessert stork just drops it off. Yum.
