Namnam at Greenbelt 2 is yum yum!

Namnam Comfort Filipino Restaurant has replaced Masas which stayed for a record 10 years in Greenbelt 2, Makati City. The owners are not the same, but you gotta love it when the new place duplicates the feat, or is even better, than the old one.

This photo of Namnam’s interiors courtesy of the resto’s Facebook page.

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First of all, I think Namnam as a name is very attractive. It’s playful and reminds me of what my three-year old toddler will manage to say. Namnam which is short for malinamnam, the Filipino word for delicious :)

The menu is certainly worth taking a second look – not only because the choices are diverse, but also because they’re your everyday Filipino comfort food but given interesting, creative twists.

For instance, am not much of a beef eater but I instantly transformed to carnivore mode when I tasted Namnam’s refreshing Watermelon Sinigang (prices are 190/345/625 for S-M-L) This is sinigang as we know it but given a hint of sweetness (and hence extra tastiness) with the addition of watermelon slices. It also helped that the beef short ribs that went with the dish was oh-so-tender. A must-taste!

Sinigang at NamNam

Our host Franco happily recommended the bestselling House Crispy Sisig and I also happily complained that it was “too crunchy for comfort”. However, I soon found myself reaching for seconds and thirds of this dish which could only mean that it was good and addicting. Anyhow, go and find out for yourself ;)

Sisig at Namnam

Namnam has a couple of interesting rice dishes which reminded me of lazy days at home when you just want to mix whatever’s in the pantry and put everything in a plate. Shown from left are: the Breakfast Fried Rice which is redolent with corned beef but also has bacon & steak bits; the tinapa fried rice with red egg; and my favorite University Fried Rice which has two sunny side-up eggs on top and tapa bits blended in the very flavorful rice. Can certainly pass for a meal in itself!

Fried rice at Namnam

This food post is far from over but let me just jump prematurely to the dessert. The Gata leche Flan is the bomb! Dense and creamy with the addition of coconut milk. This is the kind of food you’d like to hold your spoon over while closing your eyes and remembering how life has been good to you. It’s definitely an “mmmm….!”

Leche flan at Nam Nam

Anyway, to continue this narration of the sinfully delicious stuff at Namnam:

Grilled Tiger Prawns topped with homemade Aligue Butter -

NamNam Greenbelt 2

Bangus Belly with Garlic Overload… who can say no? (except killjoys who dislike garlic)

NamNam

The Caramelized Patis Wings was worth licking my fingers over…

Namnam Patis wings

Street Balls of Fish, Squid, Crab & Lobster with a Trio of Sawsawan (dips) -

Namnam

Not just any lumpia, but Deep-Fried Chorizo and Kesong Puti Lumpia. I couldn’t get enough of this. I really love my spring roll, especially when it’s this good.

Namnam

Baby Squid in Olive Oil and Garlic…

Namnam

Tortang Talong with Longganisa

Namnam

Seriously, Namnam has lots of good stuff to make one belly happy. I am already wickedly plotting my return.

Namnam
G/F Greenbelt 2, Esperanza St. cor Greenbelt Drive
Ayala Center, Makati
Tel. No. 625-0515
0917-5399661

Check out

https://www.facebook.com/NamNamPH

Namnam at Greenbelt 2 is yum yum!

Namnam Comfort Filipino Restaurant has replaced Masas which stayed for a record 10 years in Greenbelt 2, Makati City. The owners are not the same, but you gotta love it when the new place duplicates the feat, or is even better, than the old one.

This photo of Namnam’s interiors courtesy of the resto’s Facebook page.

75566_559898494034045_1317284261_n

First of all, I think Namnam as a name is very attractive. It’s playful and reminds me of what my three-year old toddler will manage to say. Namnam which is short for malinamnam, the Filipino word for delicious :)

The menu is certainly worth taking a second look – not only because the choices are diverse, but also because they’re your everyday Filipino comfort food but given interesting, creative twists.

For instance, am not much of a beef eater but I instantly transformed to carnivore mode when I tasted Namnam’s refreshing Watermelon Sinigang (prices are 190/345/625 for S-M-L) This is sinigang as we know it but given a hint of sweetness (and hence extra tastiness) with the addition of watermelon slices. It also helped that the beef short ribs that went with the dish was oh-so-tender. A must-taste!

Sinigang at NamNam

Our host Franco happily recommended the bestselling House Crispy Sisig and I also happily complained that it was “too crunchy for comfort”. However, I soon found myself reaching for seconds and thirds of this dish which could only mean that it was good and addicting. Anyhow, go and find out for yourself ;)

Sisig at Namnam

Namnam has a couple of interesting rice dishes which reminded me of lazy days at home when you just want to mix whatever’s in the pantry and put everything in a plate. Shown from left are: the Breakfast Fried Rice which is redolent with corned beef but also has bacon & steak bits; the tinapa fried rice with red egg; and my favorite University Fried Rice which has two sunny side-up eggs on top and tapa bits blended in the very flavorful rice. Can certainly pass for a meal in itself!

Fried rice at Namnam

This food post is far from over but let me just jump prematurely to the dessert. The Gata leche Flan is the bomb! Dense and creamy with the addition of coconut milk. This is the kind of food you’d like to hold your spoon over while closing your eyes and remembering how life has been good to you. It’s definitely an “mmmm….!”

Leche flan at Nam Nam

Anyway, to continue this narration of the sinfully delicious stuff at Namnam:

Grilled Tiger Prawns topped with homemade Aligue Butter -

NamNam Greenbelt 2

Bangus Belly with Garlic Overload… who can say no? (except killjoys who dislike garlic)

NamNam

The Caramelized Patis Wings was worth licking my fingers over…

Namnam Patis wings

Street Balls of Fish, Squid, Crab & Lobster with a Trio of Sawsawan (dips) -

Namnam

Not just any lumpia, but Deep-Fried Chorizo and Kesong Puti Lumpia. I couldn’t get enough of this. I really love my spring roll, especially when it’s this good.

Namnam

Baby Squid in Olive Oil and Garlic…

Namnam

Tortang Talong with Longganisa

Namnam

Seriously, Namnam has lots of good stuff to make one belly happy. I am already wickedly plotting my return.

Namnam
G/F Greenbelt 2, Esperanza St. cor Greenbelt Drive
Ayala Center, Makati
Tel. No. 625-0515
0917-5399661

Check out

https://www.facebook.com/NamNamPH

Smokin’ Hot BBQ in GB3 is smokin’ hot!

Finally, The Bistro Group – which owns and operates renowned foreign franchises TGI Friday’s and Italianni’s (among others) – has a Filipino theme restaurant and it goes by the name Smokin’ Hot BBQ .

The resto is an original concept by the Bistro Group under the culinary stewardship of young executive chef Josh Boutwood (in middle of photo, walking). We were lucky enough to be one of the first to try their offerings at their maiden location in Greenbelt 3. I have to say the initial impression is very good – from the presentation or plating to the taste of the dishes, the ambiance and the price points. It is possible to dine here for as low as P200 per person.

Smokin' Hot BBQ

For first-timers, we highly recommend their barbecues since it’s the house specialty and where the name of the resto comes from. The secret? their trademark BBQ sauces which are very tasty and flavorful especially when basted into the meat. Shall I say that I can never have enough of their addicting Smokin’ Hot BBQ roasted chicken (P675 for whole, also sold in half & quarter sizes) as well as their Pork BBQ (2 pieces an order at P220).

Smokin' Hot BBQ Chicken

Pork BBQ @ Smokin' Hot BBQ

The Grilled Pig’s Ear is another must-try since it was very tender and made delicious with the house BBQ sauce again. Pig’s ear is normally chopped into pieces and turned into sisig so the grilled version was something new (and welcome!) to my palate.

Grilled Pig's Ear

Am a fish lover so I wouldn’t hesitate to order the Grilled Tuna Belly (P295) which was served with the house salad and topped with more green vegetables. It was cooked perfectly – not tough and just right to the bite.

Grilled Tuna Belly

A gourmet treat since this is something we don’t eat everyday: kuhol sa gata or ginataang kuhol: local snails simmered in coconut milk and green curry

Ginataang Kuhol @ Smokin' Hot BBQ

For health buffs, a sampling of authentic Filipino salads at the resto is a must. The green mango salad (P85) mixed with bagoong or shrimp paste, tomatoes and sliced leeks was a delight. But it was the pako salad (P135) which bowled me over since the homemade vinaigrette and native white cheese put on the top of the veggies were divine. I don’t mind being a goat in another lifetime if I could only eat greens and have these :)

ensalada

Since this was a Pinoy resto, a selection of soups couldn’t be far behind. Specifically piping-hot bulalo and tinolang manok. Both were excellent. Am glad to say Smokin’ Hot BBQ have the flavors right down pat….

Smokin' Hot BBQ - soups

Of course, you can have steamed rice with most of the dishes but the resto also offers tempting rice specials such as sisig rice, chicharon rice etc. My favorite is their Black Rice (P165) which is mixed in squid ink topping and then topped with sisig. It was utterly delicious!

black rice

For desserts, there’s the usual biko, buko pandan, pili & cashew tart, buko lychee sherbet. But it was the Turon 2.0 which stole the show and got raves from the dessert fiends that night. The turon was some delicious banana ice cream scooped in homemade caramelized cones and expertly presented in a bamboo container. Nice!

turon 2

I love this corner of the resto and the whole idea of putting the menu on the wall. Pretty straightforward. Screens are also mounted on the wall so diners can watch TV while eating.

Smokin' Hot BBQ

Location: 3rd floor of Greenbelt 3. Just look for this sign :)

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