Food (and Beverage) that I have always liked but have Never really talked about

Just thought I'd share with you some food stuff that I have always enjoyed but really had taken for granted. Until recently, I have re-discovered and re-"enjoyed" these items that it is absolutely and unforgiveably impossible already for me to lose weight (gosh, I think I am going to lose our bet?!!).


Unagi Sushi: This is the only sushi that I like. That said, I like this because it feels like I am eating meat and not just rice rolls which to me, has no other substance whatsoever. The sweet-salty flavor, coupled with the melt in your mouth texture makes it an enjoyable experience.




Frozen Margarita: Beyond beer and hard liquor, this fancy cocktail just keeps me in the mood during night outs. Other than just bitterness, the overall cool experience (plus the fact that this one will take forever to finish), just makes it a refreshing companion while chillin' with the gang.




Pistachio Sansrival: I am a cheap thing. Bribe me with anything that is made of chewy meringue wafers and it's as if I have been hypnotized beyond my will. Sansrival has always been my favorite. While I appreciate the classic version, using pistachios will further cause my absolute abandon.




Cafe Americano: I cannot tolerate the concentrated espresso, so this for me is the best to pair with my dessert of choice at any given time. Offer me a fresh cup of Americano and you will see me giving you the sweetest smile, really.




Ice Blended Green Tea: For me, only Coffee Bean and Tea leaf makes this perfectly. I am not a fan of cold fraps and teas, but this one is an exception. Though I know that these type of preparations are loaded with calories, I have chosen to ignore how much this has. You only live once.

Discover Volare

Volare Pizza - my new favorite!

After a photo shoot in the Greenhills area, a few colleagues and I decided to check out Volare, an italian restaurant that is currently run and owned by Chef Giorgio who used to be the Chef-consultant of Amici De Don Bosco. Volare is situated in the Araneta Center and if you are like me who is from the south, this trip may pose as too far for you. I can tell you though that the trip will be worth all your effort once you discover his food.

Porcini Mushroom Risotto

I was never a fan of risotto, but after trying his porcini mushroom risotto, I am now a convert. The delicate balance of white wine and the earthiness of the mushrooms, complemented by the tanginess of the parmesan cheese makes this dish a winner. I will never look at risotto the same way again.

Seafood Pasta

The seafood pasta with clams, mussels and prawns in pomodoro sauce is beyond expectations. Using real seafood stock, the pasta is worth every peso.
Not to be missed is the rustic style, freshly-made thin crust pizza. We ordere the volare pizza with salmon, anchovies and basil. I have to tell you, I adore anchovies on pizza. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

We were all so happy with our savory dishes that we couldn't leave without trying the dessert. The tiramisu brought a wonderful finish to our meals - not too sweet, not too syrupy.

Volare's Tiramisu - perfect to cap off a meal

And with a perfect cup of Cafe Americano, what else could you ask for?

Bine-Bertdey!

Estrell's Caramel Cake

I celebrated my birthday during the last week of August. Though it fell on a weekend, I took the Friday prior to it as my celebration day with my Culinary Center team - a chance of using this day to my advantage - order food which I didn't cook and just enjoy the day amidst friends and delicious food.

Of course, the ever reliable Mrs. Manalili of Patricia's catering didn't fail me. I ordered lunch for the group - it was a busy day for all of us, simultaneous projects which cannot wait and did not allow us to go out and have lunch. The solution? Order food in! I didn't care about a theme - I just wanted to eat what I liked and craved for that day. Simple, straightforward comfort food. So I chose Shrimp Tempura, Baked Salmon, Pancit Sotanghon. She even added a bonus of Lengua Pastel and Kat of Monterey added in some pork barbecue. Surely, this was one delightful and thanksgiving feast which everyone enjoyed. Kai was also kind enough to get me Estrell's caramel cake which everyone raved about.

The celebration didn't stop there. That weekend, our family decided to stay overnight in Tagaytay. Luckily, our first day was a beautiful one, but we weren't so lucky the second day. It was drizzling and all we could do was stay indoors. On our first night though, which was another of my birthday-celebratory-meals(yup, another excuse to eat much), we chose Tootsie's which is a new restaurant in the area. The owners who's roots are from the Visayas added an Ilonggo touch to some of the dishes being served, while others have been inspired by the Spanish-influenced dishes that Chef Ed Quimson is known for.
Some of the dishes that I particularly enjoyed are the Kansi Bulalo (Beef shanks cooked in batuan-soured broth), Grilled Maliputo that is supposedly found just in Taal lake and Pancit Buko.

Kansi Bulalo - expect a huge bowl of this when you order, good enough for 5 pax

Grilled Maliputo (quite expensive, this costed us +/-Php1000)

I can't help but smile everytime I remember seeing Eric's face squirm at the idea of this dish.

Tootsie's Pancit Buko {with noodles and buko strips)

Surprisingly, we all loved it.