Foodie Manila

I’ve been watching a lot TV Series’ lately and most of them feature slabs of ribs all smothered in secret barbeque sauces. How could I not resist coming back to Racks? There are limited Rib places here and Racks is one of the most common. I admit, we don’t have a lot of choices and La Maison, Tony Roma’s or Racks for the quick fix for Ribs, with the latter being the longest in the Philippines. So one Sunday, I dragged Richard along to eat at the branch near our place. I haven’t been to Racks for almost 2 years. Last time was with my ex-gf and I found it quite pricey back then!

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I’ve been a huge fan of Chef Rob Goco’s creations, and Ristras was no different, ever since he opened the very first CYMA restaurant at Shangri-la Mall (in Manila. The Very VERY first one was at Boracay). Here he brings to you another masterful offering of Mexican dining cuisine of only the highest caliber ingredients. I know I’ve featured Ristras as one of the first blog entries on this blog but with food this good how can I resist not going back? Armed with better photography skills and an ever bigger appetite I went back to the newly opened branch over at the Fort near Mckinley Drive.

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I love to bake. There is just something about playing chemist that just absolutely fascinates me. One thing about baking though, is the exact measurements needed. Every single step is critical to coming out with the right product. Having grown up in Heny Sison’s kitchen I know the painstaking detail of how exact each ingredient is. This holiday season, I am definitely sure of giving out some of my yummy treats to my friends, colleagues as well as family. But nowadays, who has time to bake?

Enter The Cookie Jar.

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With the air getting noticeably cooler, and christmas carols being played constantly at the malls, Christmas has definitely arrived in the Philippines. It may be the single largest consumer driven holiday in the country. If Singapore has their GSS, and the US their Black Friday, Canada Boxing day, the Philippines has an entire season of sales. But the cost savvy consumer would be avoiding those long queues at the check out counters with over priced goods. Despite some braving the more intense places of Divisoria, Raon, 168, and other thrift shops, others like me, would rather venture into the online world for this season’s batch of giveaways.

Here’s Christmas gift idea #1: Gigi’s Custaroons and Poppers. [Check out their website here]

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I just had to write about it. This is the burger of my dreams. Its juicy and tasty and hits just the right spots as it slides down. I love the burgers at Boulevard Diner. Never heard of it? Don’t worry it just opened over at Katipunan. As with most burger joints, you get the best ones at the most oddest locations. But like devotees drawn to Mecca, we troop on over to Burger Mecca and Boulevard Diner is definitely one.

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I love me my chicken rice. No I am not an avid fan, I am one of the most hardcore fans of HCR or Hainanese Chicken Rice I know. You see, I go to Singapore and Malaysia quite often for work, and I usually stay for 5 days up to 2 weeks. During my entire stay I would usually have HCR for lunch or dinner. It never fails. Whether it be the common Hawker Center HCR thats costs 2.90 SGD or the more notable places I will definitely visit these places at least once. Wee Nam Kee is right up there with the best of them. Along with its own history and traditions, Wee Nam Kee, promises to deliver one of the best HCR’s in town. So imagine my delight that Wee Nam Kee will be arriving here in the Philippines.

And arrive it did.

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Every Filipino has his or her own preference regarding food, most especially when it comes to Filipino Food. It is a tough task to enter native cuisine restaurant business, somehow you just can’t get it right. Whether it be too salty, or too sweet, or not enough seasoning, one has the tough task of having to live up to the dishes your mom or grandmom used to prepare. Its just the way things are. Nothing can live up to your mom’s cooking. But every now and there breaks unto the scene a star and man among boys and this is Kainan Au Gusto. With its peculiarity and in your face character, you would be surprised why I would regard this as the quintessential Filipino restaurant I’ve eaten at to date. Cheap, full of flavor and character, and most of all tasty, this restaurant, to quote our most prolific mall, has got it all.

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What’s the best Italian restaurant in Manila?  Which restaurant has the best wine list? Who’s the best chef in the city?

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Well its around that time again where the air is significantly cooler, the foot traffic is a little bit more thicker, and everyone has a spring in their step. Yes it is Christmas season again. And since Christmas is just a few days away in the Palma family we have traditional food always present. For our family it is most definitely Excellente Ham, Tablea Tsokolate, Marca Pato or Marca Pina Edam Cheese, Ensaymada, and Pandesal. You will always find this spread on our long family table.

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What started out as an interesting feature on Philippine Street Food has now become a quest, a pilgrimage if you will, in featuring some of the most authentic Philippine Street Food. For this feature, Isaw and the infamous Balut are on the menu. This may not be for the faint of heart. (pun intended)

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