Category: Munchin’

Watami now in the Philippines!

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Note: The first branch of this popular international Japanese casual restaurant chain is at the Mall of Asia.

Kudos to the Bistro group (TGI Friday’s, Italianni’s etc.) for bringing Watami to Manila and the Philippines. First impressions: lots of items to choose from in the menu, food is good, prices are affordable and service is quick. Ambiance is modern industrial and I love the couch seating.

Watami Philippines

I dig the fact that they have a half serving of their in-house Watami Salad at P220 which already looks like a full serving to me. This salad can be a meal in itself because it has everything. You get a healthy dose of greens, shrimps, corn, cherry tomatoes, nori, tuna-mayo dressing and what looks like roasted pork. If you want to meet your day’s vegetable quota, I highly recommend you order this when you’re at Watami :)

Watami Philippines

The Pepper Beef Rice in Stone Pot at P190 can be better if it had more flavor. Maybe they should serve sauce on the side? But if you want a really hot, freshly-prepared meal, this one is it! In fact, the beef slices were still medium raw when it was served to me and the beef cooked by itself in the stone pot. The thinly-sliced beef was really tender.

Watami Philippines

Our server recommended the bestselling beef sukiyaki but we chose instead this Korean-style Spicy Miso Hotpot at only P355 – good for two. This is also a one-dish meal with enoki mushrooms, tofu, sliced meat, greens, carrots and more. Flavor was exquisite and the soup was really good. You cook this dish right on the table, hence all the steam in the picture.

Watami Philippines

Crispy chicken wings for appetizers (and the last to be mentioned, LOL) – P195. I’d love to try other appetizers next time. The menu is extensive and the dishes all look delish! Moreover, their desserts and drinks like the flavored Yakult and milk teas look like a must-try. Watami is a great place to hang out.. no wonder the men beside us were drinking beer at one o’clock in the afternoon!

Watami Philippines

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant
2nd Level, Entertainment Hall
Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Philippines
Tel. No. 836-7141

at Va Bene Pasta Deli on a Sunday

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I have my list of restaurants to try before the end of 2012 and one of them is Va Bene Pasta Deli. Their location in Petron Gas Station EDSA beside the Dasmarinas Village Gate in Makati looks like a good place to hang out since they are beside notable bakers Cuerva Bakeshop, San Lo’s Famous and Karen’s Kitchen.Too many outstanding choices in one roof, too little time!

Va Bene it is, even though we already ate brunch in Aida’s Manokan. I wanted to see what makes the place so raved by foodies. True enough, the small place was packed and we had to wait for our turn. Upon seating, we were given a free serving of their crostini with tomato salsa. It was a signal of good things to come.

Va Bene

It was our toddler’s first time to munch on crostini (or toasted bread slices) and I made sure to record her expressions for posterity. Awww! :)

Lucy eats crostini

Pastas are the house specialty. Being full, I didn’t mean to order them anymore but too many delicious-looking plates being paraded around me made me succumb to the temptation. Upon our waiter’s recommendation, I ordered the Black Ink Tagliolini. I adored this dish since it was a seafood lover’s delight. Prawns, fish fillet and squid all frolic in the light tomato cream sauce of this black-colored pasta. After a couple of bites, I had the pasta put in in a takeout box which isn’t advisable. The dish tastes best when eaten fresh and hot.

Va Bene

Next, we shared the Strawberries A La Milena (P190). It’s an unlikely dessert described as “marinated strawberries in balsamico, black pepper & vanilla ice cream.” Balsamico and black pepper? maybe the chef is just kidding but the combination of hot, cold and creamy makes for an absolutely irresistible concoction that I won’t hesitate to have again. Strawberries are sexy and this dessert is a must-try.

Va Bene

Verdict: a really good first impression. Va Bene, we shall be back soon :)

Va Bene Pasta Deli
2nd Floor, Petron Gas Station
EDSA corner Pasay Road
Makati City (across Dusit Hotel)
Tel. No. 556-9442, 622-7373

at Va Bene Pasta Deli on a Sunday

ajay Leave a comment

I have my list of restaurants to try before the end of 2012 and one of them is Va Bene Pasta Deli. Their location in Petron Gas Station EDSA beside the Dasmarinas Village Gate in Makati looks like a good place to hang out since they are beside notable bakers Cuerva Bakeshop, San Lo’s Famous and Karen’s Kitchen.Too many outstanding choices in one roof, too little time!

Va Bene it is, even though we already ate brunch in Aida’s Manokan. I wanted to see what makes the place so raved by foodies. True enough, the small place was packed and we had to wait for our turn. Upon seating, we were given a free serving of their crostini with tomato salsa. It was a signal of good things to come.

Va Bene

It was our toddler’s first time to munch on crostini (or toasted bread slices) and I made sure to record her expressions for posterity. Awww! :)

Lucy eats crostini

Pastas are the house specialty. Being full, I didn’t mean to order them anymore but too many delicious-looking plates being paraded around me made me succumb to the temptation. Upon our waiter’s recommendation, I ordered the Black Ink Tagliolini. I adored this dish since it was a seafood lover’s delight. Prawns, fish fillet and squid all frolic in the light tomato cream sauce of this black-colored pasta. After a couple of bites, I had the pasta put in in a takeout box which isn’t advisable. The dish tastes best when eaten fresh and hot.

Va Bene

Next, we shared the Strawberries A La Milena (P190). It’s an unlikely dessert described as “marinated strawberries in balsamico, black pepper & vanilla ice cream.” Balsamico and black pepper? maybe the chef is just kidding but the combination of hot, cold and creamy makes for an absolutely irresistible concoction that I won’t hesitate to have again. Strawberries are sexy and this dessert is a must-try.

Va Bene

Verdict: a really good first impression. Va Bene, we shall be back soon :)

Va Bene Pasta Deli
2nd Floor, Petron Gas Station
EDSA corner Pasay Road
Makati City (across Dusit Hotel)
Tel. No. 556-9442, 622-7373

Fast Food Mania showing on TLC

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FAST FOOD MANIA

If you love fastfood or would simply like to know its history, tune in to TLC lifestyle channel as it presents Fast Food Mania every Thursday at 10 pm with encores every Saturday, 4pm and Sundays, 12 pm and 9pm, Philippine time.

Join pop culture guru and burger & fry aficionado John Hein (previously from the Howard Stern Show) as he decodes the world’s most popular quick fare.

Fast Food Mania also reveals behind-the-scenes stories and little known facts, including answers to trivia questions such as “Who designed the signature red and white KFC bucket?” Bet you didn’t know it was the owner of another popular fast food restaurant – Dave Thomas of Wendy’s — who once operated one of the largest KFC franchises :)

In the series, Hein will travel through beloved eateries such as Sonic, Dunkin Donuts, Dominos, Taco Bell, and the original hot dog stand by the sea, Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, NY. But it’s not just about the legendary brands. He also uncovers the up-and-coming chains making their mark, as well as hidden gems like Jet BBQ, a historic firehouse turned true drive-thru restaurant in Wichita, Kansas.

The travel-packed and finger-licking series will not only look at awesome eats but also offer up essential tips for navigating the ever-winding drive-thrus and ordering secret menu items, as well as delve into never-before-seen test kitchens of some of America’s favourite chains.

(From the official press release)

Le Petit Cheri – a touch of Paris in Alabang

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I’ve been loving Alabang lately, ever since I discovered a driving shortcut going here from BF Homes. You know why I like it? It makes me feel am “out of town” while NOT being out of town :) Alabang is far even for a Southern belle like me but I’m always happy to see lush trees, open space layouts and being in malls that aren’t filled with HORDES of people, if you know what I mean.

Lately, I’ve been fancying this sweetheart of Paris-themed resto called Le Petit Cheri in the Molito Commercial Complex. You gotta love a place when they serve two free cookies with your coffee, and an assortment of sugars – from Coco Natura to Splenda and Suchero :)

IMG_3408

Free reading nook on the second floor makes me wish for a time when I can just hang out browsing over pages of a book that catches my fancy the whole afternoon…

le petit cheri

Eiffel Tower souvenirs remind me of a place I wanna go to someday ;)

mini eiffel towers

What could be more French than macaron? Le Petit Cheri serves their signature dessert in orange with an Eiffel Tower drawing and “bonne (sic) appetit” inscribed on the plate (note: at least it’s not bon appetite, LOL). I really like the taste of this macaron which is bigger than usual and enveloped with a creamy vanilla filling, made even more luscious with nuts and fruits. The combination of crunchy and velvety textures awakens my sweet tooth and makes me realize that yes, this is what I want in a dessert.

macaroon

In this resto, I get my education in French sandwich 101. Croque Monsieur is grilled ham and cheese sandwich enclosed in creamy bechamel sauce. Put fried or poached egg on top then it becomes Croque Madame. Being the cheese lover, I really liked the Croque Monsieur that I ordered which went with some salad siding. Too bad, not too many places in town offer this. Here it is, in the middle of my eating. I could devour two of this in one seating.

Croque Monsieur

I was choosing between beef bourguignon and the coq au vin. The chicken won. Both dishes are braised in red wine. At Le Petit Cheri, they serve the dish with a siding of haricot verts (French beans), carrots and mushrooms. Food was seasoned right (and delicious). The serving was also quite generous for its price (P280). Cheap food is something you don’t really expect in a French restaurant.

coq au vin

Le Petit Cheri
Molito Lifestyle Complex
Madrigal Ave. Alabang
Mobile phone number 0917 511 0138
facebook: Le Petit Cheri