Friday, October 8, 2010

Shiok

I enjoyed our dinner at Shiok in Fort Bonifacio the other day because it's alot better than Nasi Lemak in Robinson's Galleria and Orchard Road in SM Megamall. I have been frustrated with the wannabe singaporean restaurants and it makes me miss singapore even more. Shiok is a tiny restaurant in between 7eleven and BPI. Service here is slow, since there are only 3 waiters and too many diners. The people are nice and friendly but they look overworked. It's best to dine during non-peak hours.

This is what we had for dinner:

Char Kway Teow

This is not as good as the one in Nasi Lemak. It's too sticky and it needs more flavor and spices aside from egg to make it authentic.

Close up of Hainanese Chicken

Their hainanese chicken rice meal is definitely better than Nasi Lemak and Orchard Road. It's just as good as Penang Hill in Shang Mall but not as great as Stevies. The meat is very tender, moist and was cooked perfectly. The rice is average and the sambal needs to be stronger.

Nasi Lemak Meal

Fried Chicken, plain rice, fried fish, egg and peanuts with Sambal

This was heavy, though the watered down sambal was a huge disappointment. I told the waiter they should never add water to the sambal since it defines how yummy the nasi lemak will be. I'm pretty sure you predicted that I ordered additional sambal:)

Sambal Kangkong

I liked this since the kangkong was served crunchy and the dish was slightly spicy!

Our dinner cost around PHP750 inclusive of PEPSI drinks:)

I would definitely return to Shiok since it's near my house and the food is so much better than the other singaporean restaurants. The food is affordable since it's heavy and serving time takes 15 minutes more or less.

Cheers to more trips to Shiok!:)

Shiok, Fort Bonifacio

01-05 Fort Forum Bldg., Bonifacio Stop Over, 31st and 2nd St, Fort Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 466-6291

Monday, October 4, 2010

Apartment 1B

Apartment 1B is a good choice when you need a nice ambiance so you can catch up with people. Service here is average (since the place is supposed to be slightly upscale) and the food is good if you know what to order.

Macaroni and Cheese

Grilled Pork Chops

Homemade applesauce, potato corn gratin and vegetables

The pork chop was slightly overcooked since it was tough. The fat of the porkchop was slightly burnt and it was the highlight of my meal! The cheese of the potatoe corn gratin complimented it and I like the thin texture of the potatoes. The vegetables were still crunchy and had a regular pepper and salt taste.

Turkey Burger

Whole-wheat bun, freshly ground turkey breast, french fries

Baby Back Ribs

Honey Bourbon marinade, sauteed vegetables and mashed potato

Spaghetti Vongole

Manila clams, white wine, olive oil and garlic

Always a good bet!

Frozen Pie

Vanilla Ice cream, oreo crust, chocolate and caramel sauce

I love having this pie since its sweet, cold and the textures of the ingredients compliment each other.

Apartment 1B is a place conducive for bonding with friends and doing business. It's usually full during peak hours so it's best to reserve or come early. The prices range from PHP 300 to 1000 or more. It's open from 7AM to 11PM from M-W and 7-12 MN every Thursday, Friday and Sat.

Cheers!:)

Apartment 1B, One Lafayette Square

G/F Unit 1-B 132 L.P. Leviste cor. Sedeno St., Salcedo Village

Makati City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 843-4075

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Best Ilocano Food

If you ever decide to have a food trip in Ilocos, here are just "some" of the yummiest food (and very affordable too!) you can find:

1. Miki

A noodle soup with hard boiled egg. Perfect when eaten with puto and bread sticks plus loads of ilocos vinegar.

Miki Up-close:)

The noodles have an eggy taste to it but it goes perfectly if you add of spicy sukang ilocos! You can also ask for extra soup if you want;)

Bread that was rolled, dipped in bread crumbs and deep fried to crunchy heaven.

It funny how filipinos enjoy eating carbs, carbs and carbs:)

2. Dawangs Carinderia

A whole in the wall restaurant in Laoag and it is open for breakfast. Food here is cheap but really good and authentic. J's mom refuses to eat here:)

Insarabasab

What resembles thinly sliced liempo with tomatoes.

It's super good when you add spicy sukang ilocos:)

I can't remember what this is. M, J's brother ordered this one with his Insarabasab.

Pinapaitan Baka

Sampalok and Bile flavored stew of tripes and innards

I was afraid to eat this because i normally do not eat anything with bile in it. It has a strong taste but it gets better as you eat more. It would help to not think of what it's made of...that's what i did! The meat is tender and thinly sliced.

3. Good Dinakdakan

Tito B got take-out dinakdakan from this place.

Dinakdakan

Grilled pig head/ face

The meat is very tender and the sukang ilocos compliments it perfectly. It's similar to sisig, but it's not crunchy.

4. Food @ Mario's

This open air restaurant has a great ambiance and different kinds of Ilocano food that you can order. It's located near Fort Ilocandia, Laoag.

5. Ilocos Empanada

There are different places to buy this in Laoag or Batac. There are mixed reviews but for me, as long as I buy it in Ilocos, I'm good!

Rice flour with achuete, egg, monggo and vigan longganisa

This is sooooo good! Extremely crunchy and flavorful! Usually served with ketchup, though I prefer the ilocos suka. If your vegan, you can opt for the regular empanada, which doesn't have longganisa. Some places serve this with cheese inside. I guess I'll just try it next time!

Can you see how worth it this is?:)

6. Biscocho Bread

Pasuquin Bakery has been protecting its recipe ever since because so much people flock to this place for their bread. It's so tasty and soft that you can eat it alone. Or perhaps dip it in coffee and add butter:)

7. Pancit Cabagan

Pancit from Cagayan but is available in Laoag.

Round noodles, julienned cabbage and carrots, boiled quail eggs and a generous amount of lechon de carajay slices.

This pancit is very heavy but so good! I mix all the sauces together.

sauce # 1: toyo with crushed onions and chili

sauce # 2: egg drop soup

It's like gravy...haha

Sauce # 3: calamansi

8. Ilocos Bagnet

To be eaten with Sukang Iocos or LechonSauce/Mang Tomas

Ilocos Bagnet can be found everywhere, but it's cheaper if you buy it in the wet market before going home to Manila. All you have to do is deep fry it at home. Make sure you separate the fat from the meat so it's easier to cook. You can store the extra portion in the freezer and it will keep.:)

9. Ilocos Longganisa

I prefer this to the vigan longganisa since it has more garlic and the size of the longganisa is bigger:)

Ilocos is such an awesome place to eat and get fat. There's always a different place to eat in. Plus, their spicy suka pretty much goes well with EVERYTHING. I am so excited to come back to binge and spend time with J's family.

Cheers to happy days!:)

Buy1Take1 Family Size Pizza @ Pizzahut

We had pizza delivered and they told us they had a buy 1 take 1 promo. We got 2 family size pizzas and Pepsi Max for less than PHP 600.

This is what we had along with loads of hot sauce:

Supreme Pizza

This was average....:(

Bacon Cheeseburger

This was the highlight since the bacon and burger bits are so juicy:)

Cheers!:)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Dinuguan Pizza @ Saramsam Restaurant, Ilocos Norte

Saramsam is the sister restaurant of Herencia Cafe. Food here is so great! It is located in Laoag and is right beside a karaoke place, so if you easily get annoyed with people singing the wrong tunes, you may want to visit during the day rather than dinner time.

Dinuguan Pizza

This is a must!

The highlight of my food fest! I know it seems disgusting, but it’s realllly goooood! Next time I visit, I won’t eat anything else so I’ll have space for this!

Awesome!:)

Saramsam Pasta

Mangoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic and cheese. This is a best seller in Saramsam and I would have to say that I am a fan as well. If you put chili oil and bagoong balayan = PERFECT!