DAMASO: ALY's TASTE TEST Challenge of G5

DAMASO's $8 dollar/P300 pesos TASTE TEST CHALLENGE in G5
By: Aly Abaquin

Let us see if the Restaurants in G5 is ready for a fun challenge- A P300 PESOS/ $8 DOLLARS ($1:P42) DINNER DISH CHALLENGE of my kind that is.

As a foodie my mantra is GOOD FOOD! CHEAP EATS!
Here’s a TASTE TEST, so to speak…..

First Stop : Pia y Damaso

THE FEEL : If Marie Antoinette is to be exiled in our lovely tropical island- she would feel comfortable and at home in Restorante Pia y Damaso. The interior is a Colonial Contemporary Baroque with tropical flair- that’s just what I felt when I dined here.

English please…as you enter the grand enclave you would notice chandeliers, pattern of floral/rounded- swirl in the chairs and ornate seating which are prominent as decorative motifs. Baroque impulse found its way to some extent into the details of the interior and exterior such as the architecturally black and white ornate edifice welcoming you plus evoking a feel of tropical flair with the use of rattan chairs inside.

OPULENCE in a fine way. The resto is so small in size that is to difficult to navigate when you dine.

Your personal bubble is invaded when you choose to take the long comfy bench. Why may I say this- coz if you are seated in the bench you are but a few centimeters from the other tables and you can hear the gossipy matriarchs chopping away. The table is also to big inside.

Maurice Arcache I hope I got his surname right- will surely love to be in my seat. I am not eaves dropping mind you but due to the closeness -you can hear your seatmates whisper juicy gossips of the Manila’s elite society… here goes a certain ambassador was cruel to their ALIPING SAGIGILID and a high profile businessman is philandering a demented SISA. QUE HORROR!!!

And this is being mouthed by a regal bearing matriarch with coiffeur head gear and impeccably dressed with astonishingly mother of pearl matching earrings and necklace.

I told you so.... Marie Antoinette and her court will be regulars here.

Don’t fret more seating outside but wishing free Anahaw fans are to be given away for this INDIO with Maharlika lineage( yeah dream on aly) will perspire in this humid country of ours.

THE FOOD : As a INDIO of course I have only P 300 pesos to spare so pick the best dish..

Remember this is ALY’s DISH - THE TASTE TEST OF G5 RESTO CHALLENGE.

I’ve picked the Chicken Parian – the new level of culinary delight- a modern but rustic take on HAINAISE CHICKEN style a pretty simple dish that appeals to everyone. Its simple but taste great.

Pristinely white steamed chicken with sticky brown rice, Chinese sausage, chestnut, mushrooms and ham for only P275. Every bite and swallow has texture but I wish for a chunkier Chinese sausage and chestnuts for that chewy experience. And add a mango chutney perhaps for that little sting. Well that only arty bitsy me.

Elaborate background but this dish is stunningly minimalist.

THE PRICE : The menu is a little bit pricey. Shake alone go up for P200 a piece.
While the main dish is from P 275 to P500 not good to share.

THE SERVICE: Informative and helpful servers.

I vowed to come back with more money and taste their dessert: SISA’s dementia is a truffle cake with white chocolate almond pastille, dark chocolate mousse and ganache. P 160 VERY APPEALING and soon I’ll be looking for Crispin and Basilio.

OVERALL: Honestly DAMASO is worth going back for if you want to splurge and if you like your dinner spiced up with gossip that is.

Thought bubble: Imagine what power lunches had been served here… and juicy secrets mouthed in their nook and cranny... HMMMM.....deliriously intrigues… Enough said….
I need to brush up on my NOLI and EL FILI….. ADIOS…

Greenbelt 5: BRAVO FILIPINO

Greenbelt 5: BRAVO FILIPINO
By Aly Abaquin

Only in the Philippines that we have malls sprouting like mushrooms and we Filipinos have the penchant to go “malling” – please welcome Greenbelt 5.

I had the opportunity last Sunday Feb. 10, 2008 to stroll and discover thru my own version of window shopping – this newest addition to the world class mall that is Greenbelt in Ayala Makati.

Greenbelt 5 is a fusion of Philippine art, culture and fashion. It is considered the premium lifestyle center in the Philippines. It’s quite intimidating at first but once you get to feel and walk through its marbled corridors you get to feel at ease. Making you feel like a million bucks.

Be one of the rich and famous who wine and dine + shop in this prestigious mall. Living it up that is!

In fact this is the only mall that celebrates Filipino’s ingenuity and has moved to honor the movers and shakers of Philippine art, culture, fashion and music through a series of events called : BRAVO FILIPINO – the brainchild of Ayala chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

So how can a bargain eater-outer foodie –“me” be able to survive in G5.

Is there a good food find lurking behind this very glamorous, cultural and artsy mall?

Let us see if the Restaurants in G5 is ready for a fun challenge- A P300 PESOS/ $8 DOLLARS ($1:P42) DINNER DISH CHALLENGE of my kind that is.

As a foodie my mantra is GOOD FOOD! CHEAP EATS!

LET'S TASTE TEST THE RESTO of G5!

MY ILLY STORY: My love affair with Illy at M café

MY ILLY STORY: My love affair with Illy at M café
By: Aly Abaquin

My love affair with the Illy coffee brand started a year ago when I was actually waiting patiently for a business meeting in one of the best and amazing Art/Culture hip place in Makati- The M cafe which is situated right beside the Ayala Museum.

It was a late afternoon meeting wherein the sunset is about to give its rays a rest after overcastting it lights on M Cafe’s massive glass panels.

Mind you the place is not hot but comfortably cooler in Manila’s humid atmosphere.
I love the manner of how the M cafe welcome its patrons with clean modern lines that is artistically accommodating while the impeccable minimalist interiors hugs you as you enter the premises.

I feel like in MOMA in New York that unforgettable AHA factor again as
I reminisce my days in New York and enjoying the art and culture of the city that never sleeps- Cosmopolitan MANHATTAN but in humid but equally energetic Greenbelt in Ayala Makati.

I immediately ordered for espresso since I’m a little bit loopy. I need a kick of some sort to regain my energy level since I’m presenting a Marketing plan.

And being “low bat” (Filipino term for Low energy) is not a way to go.

The server after brewing the best espresso- presented to me a cup of Illy that is highly aromatic and elegantly exciting in a clear white ceramic cup. That’s not all -on its side is a CHOC- NUT. A little surprise very Filipino indeed.

The smell is enticing and while drinking my Illy coffee sip by sip - It becomes an intense experience as in many ways to partake my brown, bittersweet and sinful infatuation of the decadent espresso from the Arabica bean.-

Love at first sip I supposed.

“By the way espresso or more properly known as caffé espresso refers to the concentrated flavourful “essence” brewed from the beans.” The amount of coffee used is roughly 2/3 the amount used for a single serving of drip coffee, but with far less water.

I’m not an expert in coffee but only a passionate coffee aficionado.

And one sip I immediately transported to coffee heaven, the pleasure you get from every sip is sensationally satisfying.

ILLY -I am mesmerized with your quality and beauty, and you engage in all my senses which cultivates and inspire my creativity along with your perfect cup.

I AM TRULY IN LOVE! I told myself.... not only that I am also forever grateful for I did clench a business deal that eventful day.

My love affair with Illy -just started.....till we meet again....Ciao... ;)

MAX BRENNER : ORGASMIC CHOCOLAT

MAX BRENNER : ORGASMIC CHOCOLAT
By: Aly Abaquin

Max Brenner is “ creating a new chocolate culture” and invites you to “watch, taste and smell my love story.”

Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas will surely agree and loves to live in this sensual place of chocolate heaven which is at par with their chocolate factory .

Have you tasted the SUCKAO or the HUG MUG in Max Brenner if not your missing one great orgasmic experience.

EXAGGERATED!!! You might say. But No I’m not like Meg Ryan in the date flick movie of Harry meets Sally wherein she turns in a convincingly fake orgasmic take on harry for that great dinner date. Mind you this one for real.

“Your shitting me!!!” and “Shut up!!!” said a friend of mine until we trooped down to Max Brenner in Trinoma. But I got de-virginize last time at Max Brenner Greenbelt branch years ago so which by the way is more appealing in terms of location and ambiance, but we are saving our gas money to get that sensual, delightful, after sex feeling- so we trooped to Trinoma instead.

OKEY FOLKS !! With that Flowery anecdotes we are admittedly a chocolate addict and we are in love with chocolates & any cacao concoctions. I did spend my Play money (Harv T. Ecker : Secrets of the Millionaire Mind term) of this fabulous dessert drink for that Kodak moments in my life as a foodie.

Here’s the feeling both me and a friend got when we did have that elicit affair with the SUCKAO and the HUG MUG.

The Suckao is the elaborate Do-it yourself (DIY) espresso of chocolate drink. It is placed in an egg-shaped mug with a tea-light candle underneath along side some freshly blocks of chocolate and a small jug of milk.
Feel free to mix your own- dense, concentrated shot of rich chocolate or a more milky concoction.
“The term SUCKAO is made up of two words that describe the utensil and the unique drink it contains. Suc-to draw the dense liquid through the metal tube and Kakao the Spanish word for cacoa beans from which the rich chocolate drink is made.” Really Really Really Good. Did I mention that 3 times. ;) Yes you did…..

The Hug Mug – a light and frothy beverage, wherein the chocolat is made of 100% chocolate from cocoa beans of Venezuela in origin and is served in a specially design mug for hugging by both hands so that it creates that ultimate drinking experience of coziness, warmth and fragrance. We suggest go for the Dark chocolat rather than the Milk chocolat to get your money’s worth.
The place are painted dark brown to convey the idea that they carry chocolate but modernly MOD/hip and is accented with the local solihiya chairs to evoke some Cosmo Manila Vibe into this haven.

That’s Chocolate by the Bald Man and we are forever grateful to the two Israeli businessmen namely: Max Fichtman and Oded Brenner, who conflated their two names to be MAX BRENNER which has succeeded in establishing its love for chocolates in the city of Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and the United States.

Just recently a friend of mine texted me three weeks ago Max Brenner opened a shop in NYC -Broadway, Manhattan.

OMG that’s great !!! It’s addictive at first taste so save up for that Sex in the city Drink Thing.

RES/TOE/ RUN: RUBBER NEVER TASTED SO GOOD!

RES/TOE/ RUN: RUBBER NEVER TASTED SO GOOD!
By: Aly Abaquin

Food shoes anyone? I was walking pass by the 2nd floor of Trinoma I think?? and suddenly a foodie mind junkie in me distinctly saw a merchandizing HUPPLAAA that caught my eye-

A table set for two and shoes on the dinner table? Didn’t your MAMA told you no feet in this case shoes on the table??

Great Show stopper indeed and when I read the store’s name its RES/TOE/RUN as if restaurant….Filipino are great thinkers… It got me in 5 seconds... Kudos to their merchandiser and advertising people.

The concept is great and it puts a smile in my face - Gimmicky but good Blue Ocean Strategy.

So why not take a look inside and experience a whole new world of shoe exploration/shopping what have you….. ;)

It’s a different kind of buffet and smorgasbord of gastronomical plastic fantastic - rubber anyone. If your shoe Hungry that is! Appetizing!?! Well I thought rubber never tasted this good.

Well believe me the shoes are not boring but rather fun and colorful.

Res/Toe/Run.Let’s decipher the name :”RES represents their comfy line of casual footwear. TOE is composed of toe-flaunting sandals and flip-flops. RUN is made up of athletic and athletic-inspired footwear”.

Their items are mostly nonmainstream brands, sought after in the world market. Hence the pricetag of 2K to 5K a pair LUPETT!!! Doodads indeed if you play the Robert Kiyosaki Cash flow game you know what I’m thinking…. Not my cup of tea- in fact I’m not their target market….

So Calling all shoe-crazy/shopaholic Filipinos out there this store is for you, As for me I better stick to real food.

The Russian cookies: Delightfully awesome treats

The Russian cookies: Delightfully awesome treats
By Aly Abaquin

Last December Gina gifted every one in our office her Russian Cookies-a selection of yummy treats that is created with love and compassion.

As a foodie at heart i am honored and grateful to have recieved such a delighful awesome treat!

The sweetness in every bite is not that sugary but just the right amount of tasteful glee and melts in your mouth experience. Specially the Russian cookie- a classic snowball shape cookie dusted with powdered sugar and inside its center is a walnut surprise.

The Pistachio cookies topped with dark chocolate and chopped pistacios are good for your Tea parties or to keep in your cookie jar for that sweet cravings in the middle of the night thing.

Ms.G as we fondly calls her has been a baking genuis since 1992. And just recently decided to sell all her favorite dessert concoctions whose recipes are guarded with utmost secrecy. And by distributing this little sweet treats- she shares her love for baking.

Her newest creation is the Jan Hagel Scandinavian cinnamon-flavored cookies topped with sliced almonds. While the Linzer Cookies- an Austrian recipe with ground almonds and grated chocolate, topped with jam and chopped almonds are treasured jewels worth giving away to your loved ones.

The Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti is my favorite to dip over a Kapeng Barako with its colorful chewy red dried cranberries and crunchy green pistachios made a killer combo for that quick and easy on the go breafast.

All these goodies are packaged in pretty hand painted craft boxes, in red, gold and green motif, ready for gift-giving. Only biscotti are packaged in tins to preserved their freshness and taste.

TO ORDER CALL: 896-5707 897-1115 OR TEXT: 0917-895-2863

They only bake upon receiving your order to keep their products fresh.

For Russian and Pistachio Cookies, pls allow 2-3 days for your orders.
And for the assortment boxes and their new products (Linzer Cookies and Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti), allow 5-7 days to fulfill your order.

REST ASSURED THE WAIT IS WORTH IT. You are assured of product freshness and quality since these treats comes from her beloved home.

CRAVINGS: P1,000 pesos lunch for 3!!!

CRAVINGS: EAT ALL YOU CAN SALAD & P1,000 Lunch for 3!!!
BY ALY ABAQUIN http:alyabaquin.blogspot.com

My Family dines-out a lot and we are considered to be a bunch of picky eaters.
So choosing a restaurant is a bit difficult. It must be a nice place that is not crowded, but accessible, good ambiance and value for money should be taken into account. These are the criteria that we look for when we dine out.

We can’t help it. We love the thrill of a GOOD FIND, GREAT FOOD but CHEAP EATS!!

We love a great adventure of a lunch-out that does not strain the wallet.

And today SUNDAY Feb 3, 2008 lunch time- My mom was craving for salads- and with a budget of only P 1,000 pesos. She can proved to me that today a family of three can have a FUN DINING experience for only P 1,000 pesos.

WOW really!!! You are kidding me I told my MOM.

You heard it right folks!!! P 1,000 lunch GOOD FOR 3!!! So what are we waiting for let’s go!!!

So Mom, I and my DAD drove up to CRAVINGS in Tomas Morato branch- this is just beside the French Fries Edifice building of McDonalds’ Tomas and at the back of UCC Tomas Morato.

THE FEEL: As we enter,we are greeted with friendly smiles and hellos that are full of warmth- as if we are just visiting a relative’s house on a Sunday lunch. They have a good seating set-up -an elongated comfy seat and a large table with modern wooden chairs of some Italian designer is readily available.
The staff is very accommodating and instantly we feel at home .

Unique dining Experience: “EAT ALL YOU CAN SALAD & Soup for every main course”

THE FOOD: FREE SALAD and SOUP BUFFET for every main course- REAL VALUE FOR MONEY!!! You have a soup, salad and a main course complete continental cuisine for only P 869 pesos. Can't believe it read on...

Our main course: Seafood Brochette IS GOOD TO SHARE and Chicken Cordon Blue SINGLE SERVING.

THE SALAD BAR : Garden Salad, Penne Salad & Potato salad is readily available or you can- Make your own salad : on buffet are the garnish in full force : sweet corn kernels, sliced ham, chunky tuna, brown mushrooms, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato, chopped boiled eggs, julienned singkamas, carrots, round cucumber and gelatin.

THE DRESSINGS: Caesar salad dressing, thousand island, Asian and citrus vinaigrette.

THE BREAD: Large cut crostini and freshly baked bun breads. With butter or fruit jam.

THE SOUP: A choice of SUPA de Ajo and Cream of Corn.

With the buffet my mom whips up a casting call for her version of the Caesar Salad and then on her second take whips up her own Garden salad. Remember we only ordered two main courses. But wait with my savvy mother she amazed me of her Mini Crostini tuna sandwich concoction - all from the buffet table.

Ina Garten of the Famed Barefoot Contessa show will surely agree.

MY MOM’s CREATIVE Mini Crostini Tuna Sandwich: Buttered Crostini bread in between of Dijon mustard, lettuce, tuna chunks plus potato salad. Presto a quick and easy sandwich that goes well with her salads- no main course needed. (Note: the Crostini are larger here and can be use as a mini sandwiches.)

As for my Dad he settled for the cream of corn soup. Since dad just wants the soup and waited for his Seafood Brochette.

As for me- I’ve chosen the Penne Salad which I topped off with mushroom, tuna chunks ,drizzled with cheddar cheese and Asian dressing . SARAP!!! I want more but opted to make my own concoction of my Mini Crostini HLT not BLT mind you : Not to be out savvied I made my own version of that Crostini HLT sandwich: Ham lettuce, cheese, tomato, cucumber and thousand island sauce. Now I know where I got that foodie genes in me.

Remember it’s an eat all you can salad buffet and show them your creativity….

THE MAIN COURSE: The Chicken Cordon Bleu: Chicken breast stuffed with the finest ham, cheese and spinach -deep fried for a sealed in flavor. It’s crispy & tasty. Served with an artistically swirled mashed potato and buttered veggies of carrots and string beans on its side placed in a large platter for that perfect presentation. Yummy and artsy as well.

The Seafood Brochette- Skewered Fish fillet, squid and prawns flavored with mixed herbs and spice then grilled and served with sautéed vegetables laid on top of the rice pilaf. My dad is smiling and very much satisfied. While for my mom she’s satisfied her craving for salad and her Crostini Sandwich is filling.

THE PRICE: FOR ONLY P 869 pesos we have 3 meals…. Hurray for my MOM!!!

Here’s the math: Chicken Cordon Bleu P 375,+ Seafood Brochette P 415 + 10 % service tax+ local tax of 1.75% = P 869.( prices as of Feb 3, 2008)
Remember the main course comes with a free EAT ALL YOU CAN SALAD & SOUP. GREAT DEAL indeed.

OVERALL RATING: 5 SPOONS the highest.

ALL THE MORE REASONS TO CRAVE FOR CRAVINGS!
CRAVING’S EAT ALL YOU CAN SALAD & SOUP with every order of a main course
IS VALUE FOR MONEY. A must try.
We vowed to be regulars.Happy Eating.