Shoot First Eat Later

Afternoon Tea at Carpaccio

Since I stay so close to iSquare in Hong Kong I’ve tried most of the restaurants in the mall some more than three times. I often pass by Carpaccio but have never tried it since I had no desire to eat pasta or pizza in a country with terrific Chinese and Asian cuisine.

When I saw a deal on Groupon HK for Carpaccio’s afternoon tea for HK$99 instead of the regular HK$199 I quickly bought one coupon. I love afternoon tea and I will get to finally try the food of Carpaccio.

The only good thing about the afternoon tea was the Lavazza coffee.

My dad joined us and he had the wild mushroom soup. Instead of being blended smooth they left coarse chunks of mushroom for a uniquely textured soup. It would have been good except that it lacked salt. Lots of salt.

wild mushroom soup

The only thing good was the chocolate dipped strawberries and the mini smoked salmon sandwich. The sausage roll in puff pastry wasn’t too bad either. The rest was bad. The scones were hard and dry and you can see the small amount of jam and cream they served with it. I’m just glad that I didn’t pay for the full amount.

For HK$99 we could each have had a bowl of hot noodle soup or even a feast at Cafe de Coral.

Carpaccio
Shop 307, 3/F iSquare, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
尖沙咀彌敦道63號 iSquare 國際廣場3樓
telephone: +852 2328 5202
website

Philippine Airlines Meals Mnl-Hkg-Mnl December 2012

Here’s the meals I had on Philippine Airlines on my trip to Hong Kong last December.

For lunch to Hong Kong I chose the chicken inasal. It had a nice grilled taste and the marinade was very flavorful and permeated throughout the tender chicken. The rice was peppery.

chicken inasal

PAL uses different suppliers for their desserts on economy class and this was my first time to try the leche flan from Rebekah’s Confectioneries. The leche flan was thick, rich and creamy just the way I love it. Obviously it used all egg yolks. It had a strong toffee flavor and bits on macapuno. It was very sweet but a happy kinda sweet.

leche flan from Rebekah’s Confectioneries

I chose the pork paksiw for my dinner on the flight back to Manila.

pork paksiw

The pork was lean, tender and the sauce was sweet and tangy. Good with plain white rice.

The only problem was that the quail eggs were so sour. It seemed to have absorbed all the vinegar from the sauce of the pork.

The frosted brownie from Goldilocks looked good but trust me it wasn’t. It’s seldom that I leave a chocolate dessert on my plate. This got totally left behind.

Only one short post for today since I’m not feeling well and I’m too preoccupied playing Candy Crush Saga (on iOS and Facebook). Whatever you do DON’T start playing this or else you’ll get addicted like me and my friends. You’ll be saying ‘send me a life’ over and over again. I was able to make this post because I ran out of lives. Ha ha ha.

Deli de San Honore

My friend Debbie and her nephew Chef Jeremy have a new catering business called Deli San Honore. We ordered a Thai dinner from them for our group’s Christmas party.

I don’t think they have full catering service that supplies tables, chairs, etc since they just started but you can order food from them.

mango-catfish salad

I was surprised how good the Pad Thai was. It tasted better than the Pad Thai I’ve eaten in several restaurants.

Pad Thai

The bagoong rice was good too but I told Debbie I liked her atchi’s (Jeremy’s mom) version better which I tried many years ago.

bagoong rice

Yes, the porchetta is not Thai but it was ordered just because we wanted to try it. The skin wasn’t crispy anymore probably because the container was covered with foil. The flavors of the meat was delicious and it didn’t need any sauce anymore.

porchetta

fish in tamarind sauce

My favorite was the satay and I took home the leftovers. 😀

chicken & pork satay

satay sauce

tha-ko

I swear everything was so good it was hard to stop at one plate. Ok I confess I had a second serving of Pad Thai.

Since we all love sweets there were other desserts too. I don’t remember where this cake came from and I didn’t bother asking since it was way too sweet. In short I didn’t like it.

Always present are these suman (sweet sticky rice) that Elisa brought from her hometown of Butuan. They’re the best suman ever!! Perfect texture, rich from coconut milk and just the right amount of sweetness.

suman from Butuan

We paired the suman with fresh, sweet mangoes and had a pseudo Thai dessert.

fresh mangoes

blueberry cheesecake tarts

Gay Vasquez’ sans rival

My gorgeous friends!!!

For Christmas Debbie gave us a baked ham that Jeremy made. I put the glaze myself and baked it for a few minutes.

baked ham

I served this at our family’s New Year’s Eve party and everyone loved it. It’s not salty and very tender. I’ve been eating the leftover ham in between wheat bread with a slather of mustard.

I asked Debbie if Jeremy also makes fresh corned beef and he does! The raw slab of beef brisket in it’s curing liquid and spices arrived in a sealed plastic bag. I simply boiled the corned beef til tender which took about two hours. I also changed the water once midway so it won’t be too salty. We ate it with boiled cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

fresh corned beef

The next day I put the trimmed corned beef in between rye bread and added French mustard for a wonderful lunch.

These are just SOME of the dishes you can order from Deli San Honore:
smoked fish pasta
cold cuts (sausages/local cheese)
herb roasted chicken
baked salmon
chicken lemongrass
mix greens with raspberry vinaigrette
spaghettini with mushroom in truffle cream sauce
roasted turkey (with sausage/chestnut stuffing, sweet potato/gravy/dinner rolls)
seafood paella
mixed greens with pear vinaigrette
penne vodka with sausage
roast beef (half slab approx. 5 kilos) (with au jus/onion marmalade/mashed potato/Yorkshire pudding)
baked salmon (Dijonnaise)
baked fish in black bean ginger sauce (I’ve tried this and it’s sooooo yummy)

Call them if you want to order just a couple of dishes or a whole dinner. I highly recommend the baked ham and fresh corned beef.

Deli de San Honore c/o Jeremy
telephone: 927-8649
cellphone no.: +63939-4710429

De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop

I think I did more eating than shopping when I was in SM Megamall last December doing Christmas shopping for my godchildren. After my dessert at Akiba Cafe and successful purchase at Toy Kingdom I had lunch at my favorite Jamaican Pattie shop.

This was the first shop I’ve been to with a seating area since their branch at the old Greenbelt many years ago. I’ve been buying Jamaican beef patties since they were priced at P25 each. I usually buy them at SM Megamall supermarket or at the fast food area of Vmall.

This store even had fruit shakes and coffee.

I’ve never tried their Pattie Squares. Maybe they’ve stopped making it since it wasn’t even available.

When I go to my usual branches they only have a few varieties available. At this branch they had all the variants including the chicken patties.

They have a very good warmer since my pie was really piping hot.

They have to change their fugly and super uncomfortable seats.

I usually buy their original or beefy mushroom but I’ve recently discovered the spicy pinatubo.

beef pinatubo P45

I love how spicy the beef filling was specially when eaten with the crispy, flaky crust. There was a time I would eat one pie a day for a week. That’s how addicting the pinatubo beef pattie was. It was definitely better if I had my green tea cheesecake after the pie but at least I had the matcha trifle tea to cool down my throat from the spicy beef pattie.

De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop
Basement SM Megamall Building A
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Akiba Cafe

I like December and all the food that comes with the holidays. The only thing I dislike is shopping for my godchildren. It was easy when they were kids and any toy would make them happy. Now that some are in their pre-teens and others are teenagers I didn’t know what to get them for Christmas. I went to SM Megamall to do some shopping and after going in and out a couple of stores without any results I needed a break for lunch.

I saw Akiba from across the hall and went to check it out since it was the first time I’ve ever seen that brand.

Looking at their menu I was pleased to see they had a variety of hot and cold coffee, tea and chocolate beverages. Imagine my dilemma on what to try since I love all three drinks a lot.

Since they had this huge sign promoting their trifle tea I decided to order that to find out exactly what trifle cream was.

creamy banoffee P80

I haven’t had lunch yet but when I saw the green tea cheesecake I knew that dessert would precede lunch.

green tea cheesecake P130

I LOVE matcha thus the all green choices on the table.

green tea cheesecake & matcha trifle

I was instructed by the staff to drink my tea without stirring the cream first. Strong, milky green tea passed through thick sweetened cream straight into my mouth. I tasted similar to my favorite Gong Cha milk green tea specially the cream part. While Gong Cha used green tea leaves Akiba used matcha powder for their tea. I couldn’t resist mixing in the cream after. I felt guilty after drinking what tantamounted to a milk shake with all the cream. This trifle tea was definitely better than the other milk tea brands I’ve tried in Manila except Gong Cha which is still my favorite.

matcha trifle tea P120

Finally, a green tea cheesecake that I really, really like. Thick, creamy cheesecake just like New York cheesecake and not the light, airy Japanese cheesecake which I dislike. The matcha flavor was strong but not overpowering. It was really a match-a made in heaven. I have to go back to SM Megamall soon for another slice. Yummmmmmm!!!!!

green tea cheesecake P130

Akiba Cafe
SM Megamall 2nd floor building A Hallway
telephone: +63947-344-1025

Philippines Office:
Unit 405 The Taipan Place F. Ortigas Jr. Ave, Ortigas Business Center, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
telephone: (+632) 910-5131
website
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Lunch at Apartment 1B Rockwell

Last month I had minor eye surgery at Asian Eye Institute and it involved fasting from food and water for many, many hours. As soon as I left AEI I needed comfort that only food can provide so my mom and I went to Apartment 1B for a quick lunch since I was supposed to be at home for some rest.

This was an expensive wall of digital picture “frames”.

We had a hard time choosing what to eat since there were many things in the menu that appealed to us. My mom chose the baby back ribs which she enjoyed. The sauce wasn’t too sweet and the meat was very tender and not too fatty.

baby back ribs P630

Comfort food to me means sandwiches which I love more than rice meals, well except for paella, risotto and fried rice. I was so happy to see Reuben sandwich on the menu but I wonder why it was so expensive. It cost even more than the baby back ribs.

The staff was kind enough to substitute french fries with a salad.

Reuben sandwich P680

Reuben sandwich is made with fresh corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on my favorite rye bread. I liked that the thousand island dressing was on the side instead of in my sandwich. The amount of corned beef wasn’t that much unlike the generous slices served in sandwiches in the US. But it was enough bite and flavor for my sandwich to be a delicious and filling meal. Thanks Apartment 1B for my authentic Reuben sandwich!

Apartment 1B’s menu

Apartment 1B
Ground Level, One Rockwell East Tower
Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
telephone: (632) 869-3530
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Brownies – Ms. Polly’s & Xocolat

I knew Ms. Polly’s was famous for their chocolate cake but I didn’t know they had equally good brownies until my friend Mila sent me a box for Christmas. Thanks again for the yummy gift Mila!!!

I ate a couple of brownies and kept the rest in a zip top bag in the freezer or else I would have finished all in one sitting. The brownies were good straight from the freezer too. I liked the texture of the brownie. The top had a slight crunch and the interior was a perfect combination of cakey and fudgy.

Ms. Polly’s Cherry Brownies 12 pcs for P240

Whenever I watch movies at Promenade in Greenhills I would pass by Xocolat and walk quickly pass it so I can resist temptation since I love their hot chocolate. When I watched Skyfall I gave in to my desires and bought a peanut butter brownie.

Xocolat’s peanut butter brownie P85

From the looks of it I thought I’ve found the holy grail of brownies.

Alas, I found the brownie too fudgy and at times it tasted like undercooked brownie batter. The peanut butter flavor wasn’t as prominent as I liked either.

Ms. Polly’s Specialty Cakes and Desserts
4th Floor Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas
telephone: 703-5058
commissary’s telephone: 824-7612
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Xocolat
Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center
Ortigas Ave., Greenhills
San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
telephone: 514-3862
website
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chez karine

We actually brought our goodies from Gourmandise Patisserie and ate them at chez karine where we ordered macarons and coffee.

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I wish I bought a pack of chocolate sablé to try

I want to try the créme brûlée apple tart next!

I liked the chewy texture of their macarons. I did find it just a tad too sweet though. My favorite flavor was the earl grey which had a prominent tea flavor.

macarons P50 each

This is my friend Pat who gamely posed on Serendra’s rocking chair.

chez karine
1/F Serendra Mall
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
telephone: +6391-3232845, +632 804-1889
Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
website
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Gourmandise Patisserie

We wanted to have mango sticky rice for dessert at Mango Tree but they ran out of mangoes so we walked to nearby Serendra to buy from two of the French pastry shops that I’ve been wanting try.

First stop was Chef Sunshine Pengson’s ode to French eclairs.

The small patisserie was beautifully decorated and it felt like I was back in Paris.

They sold other cakes too and my eyes quickly latched on the the matcha & yuzu opera cake.

The hardest part was choosing the flavor for eclair, from unusual combination like raspberry dulce de leche to mont blanc and blueberry cheesecake and favorites like chocolate, coffee, salted caramel and lemon.

I immedialtely selected the chocolate covered salted caramel macaroon (macaron?).

I just loved their packaging!

We took the goodies we bought to chez karine and ate it there. The French style of éclair is not the same to the eclair I remember buying at Dulcinea which had a soft choux pastry and filled with lots of creamy custard. This eclair had a stiffer choux pastry with just enough filling. The flavor of the salted caramel was good but I realized I wasn’t a big fan of this type of éclair.

salted caramel éclair P100

The matcha flavor of the opera cake was there but not as strong as I like and I didn’t really taste the yuzu flavor. I found the cake layers a bit hard and dry. I liked the versions of Sinfully (Makati Shangri-La) and Karen’s Kitchen better.

matcha & yuzu opera P200

chocolate covered salted macaron P65

I did enjoy the chewy macaron with a thick salted caramel filling and dark chocolate coating. This I would go back for.

Gourmandise Patisserie
Ground Floor, Serendra, McKinley Parkway, 1634 Fort Bonifacio
telephone: (0917) 704 7119; 804 2568
Mondays to Fridays – 11 a.m. t0 10 p.m.
Saturdays to Sundays -11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Lunch at Mango Tree

The best times to eat out with good friends are those that are unplanned. It took only one text message a couple of hours before lunch to get the four of us together at Mango Tree in Bonifacio High Street.

It was my first time to try this Thai restaurant located at a prominent location in the corner of Bonifacio High Stree in The Fort.

I was surprised at how beautiful the restaurant’s interiors were. It felt like I was in another country. Well known couturier Cesar Gaupo was one of the designers behind the look of Mango Tree. My pictures don’t do the place justice.

It may look like a giant loofah but it was a delicious and super crispy mass of catfish meat.

Yum Pla Duk Fu (crispy catfish & mango salad) P380

Shredded green mangoes in a tangy vinaigrette was a good topping for the mild flavor of the fried catfish.

It’s hard not to order the same Thai favorites but it was also a good way to compare the quality and taste of the food with other restaurants. These shrimp cakes were fried well and generously sized.

Tod Mun Goong (shrimp cakes) P450

I’ve tried much better pomelo salad from Azuthai.

Yum Som O (pomelo salad) P380

Tom Kha Gai is my favorite Thai soup and I liked their version.

Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut soup) P380

Based on the waiter’s suggestion we ordered the steamed sea bass or Apahap. We all loved the simple sauce made with fresh garlic, chili and lime juice. The fish was perfectly cooked and very fresh.

Pla Krapong Neung Ma Now (steamed sea bass) P850

Their chicken with green curry sauce is a must order! I enjoyed the sauce so much I literally drank it with the chicken since I didn’t order rice. I gave in to temptation and got a couple of spoonfuls of rice from Elisa just to put curry sauce on it.

Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai (chicken in green curry) P450

I don’t know what these veggies are called in Filipino. Anyone know where I can buy these locally? I loved the taste of these veggies even though it was just sautéed in garlic and light soy sauce. It tasted more exotic than that.

Phad Phak Ka-Na (stir fried kale) P320

We wanted to be adventurous and order noodles that weren’t Pad Thai even though that’s my favorite. The waiter suggested the Phad See Iw Goong. It tasted so ordinary like it was seasoned with just soy sauce. When I checked the menu after eating I realized it was just that – noodles cooked in soy sauce. I’m going back to Pad Thai.

Phad See Iw Goong (noodles in soy sauce) P450

Our bill seemed expensive because we ordered so much food just for four people. I’m ashamed to say we had very little left overs. If you’re wondering what khao suey is on the bill it’s unlimited white rice. Not bad for P70.

If you have guests and you want to impress them take them to Mango Tree. Beautiful ambiance and good food.

Mango Tree’s menu

Mango Tree The Fort
7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Global City, Taguig
telephone: (02)6213233, (02)2172367, (0917)5349145

Sundays to Thursdays:
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM,
5:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Fridays to Saturdays:
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM,
5:30 PM – 1:00 AM

website
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