Excuse my inconsistencies but I'm feeling a little bit of a 2012 hangover when it comes to my blogging since I haven't written much the past year and I just wanted to make up for the guilt that I am feeling right now because 2012 has been so good to me and I'm feeling the tribute I wrote on December 31st wasn't enough, haha :p
Nah! I'm doing too much explaining again when all I really want to do is share the first of my TOP series ( a new blog episode I just made up about anything in a random top 10 list that I can think of, haha)
I am no food-critic so I will use puny, boring adjectives here but in my self-declaration of being a foodie and for my love of good food and the fine and not-so-fine dining and street food eating experiences, I am sharing with all of you my TOP FOOD DISCOVERIES OF 2012 (not in particular order of course) ..
1. MAMOU
I have a little secret to share -- on a day I was supposed to be working, while my boss is away, I went out and play! haha! (P.S. now, don't tell anyone!) .. accompanied my sister to purchase her oven somewhere in Manila then made a quick escape to Serendra where we decided, among all the wonderful choices, to have lunch in Mamou.
Often mentioned in publications, we got intrigued on what this place has to offer. The exterior was inviting in its own way, (im smirking while I say this while trying to avoid using the word "unique" because being from Baguio City, i may sound like i am overreacting because I don't get to see a lot of fancy places like Mamou, if its considered fancy at all in the real world, haha) .. but ok, unique! .. the interiors shout "check the menu, ill prove you im upscale .. um, expensive!" -- open kitchen, low back chairs, friendly staff, warm and cozy ambiance and an array of Western fusion cuisine.. its intimidating when you enter if you just traveled a 6-hour bus ride, walked around the city, rode the public transport to get around while beating the heat of the sun (which I am not used to! haha) .. otherwise, if you feel fresh and kept even if you are in your casuals, you'll get through with ease.
I had the lamb tapa. I generally like lamb even with its weird taste and Mamou's rendition was tender and tasty and it goes perfectly with the rice and tomato-pineapple salsa -- and not just because I was hungry or because the food was expensive. haha .. my sister, went for the pork and chicken roast which was also in all fairness tasty -- not mind-blowing tasty though but it was roasted and flavored to its own perfection. She's a good cook and she liked it so I guess the verdict should be positive. The drinks we had was refreshing as well, I don't exactly remember what they are, I just know we ordered some kind of slush that day.
I'm still looking forward to another trip to Mamou for my full satisfaction. I haven't had any of their desserts yet and I heard steaks were their specialty. Read some good reviews about it too but we still have to try to believe and ill let you know if we do.
All in all, for a first timer, it was a pleasant surprise and I left Mamou smiling contently so that's good enough to say it was worth the discovery.
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| LOOK @ MAMOU IN & OUT PLUS WHERE WE SAT. haha source: yahoo images |
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| what we indulged in .... |
2. THE SINGAPORE FOOD EXPERIENCE 1: HAWKERS
As you all, my 400K readers know, I spent a glorious 52 days in Singapore. While there,aside from getting intentionally lost, I went around the city wanting to enter in every intriguing, fancy and one-of-a-kind food places and if I can avoid Mcdonalds as much as possible, I would! I am greatly tempted but living on a tight budget, all I can do is sigh because its not happening, not at that time yet at least -- because if I do, my mom might just experience a severe migraine when I ask her to send me another round of pocket money and would just demand that I go home instead, pronto! haha :p
Nevertheless, that wouldn't stop the foodie in me to explore other options -- the cheaper ones that is! .. and in Singapore they call them HAWKERS. I was just as curious as an ordinary Filipino tourist until you see one hawker and the automatic response would be, "Ah .. turoturo" but since you're in the beautiful lion city, you wouldn't mind at all.
Hawkers are a delight to the senses. In a way, its soooo unique (shoot! me and the unique word again! I have to find a new adjective fast! hahaha! :p). I especially love Makansutra because the view of Marina Bay is a plus, its soooo Singapore, haha! and also the Food Republic branch in Vivo City the most. I like the colorful interiors of old doors, cages and windows and and its loaded with food choices, it makes me jump up and down like a little girl. its accesible to Sentosa station and the Boardwalk too.
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| the hawker in Everton Park where I stayed while in SG |
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| view from Makansutra. soooo Singapore |
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| love this FOOD REPUBLIC in Vivo City |
3. SINGAPORE FOOD EXPERIENCE 2: LAKSA and ROTI PRATA
In my opinion, two of of the ultimate cheap thrills in SG! So lemme warn you: Don't visit and leave Singapore without experiencing both of these local dishes! It won't cost you much too!
Let's start with Laksa ..
Im trying sooo hard to describe this in my own words, but I can't seem to find the words .. and so, I googled and asked help from Uncle Wikipedia and here's what he says, "Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture, which is a merger of Chinese and Malay elements found in Malaysia and Singapore, and Indonesia."
Okay. meaning? hahaha. let me try then .. As Uncle Wiki said, its a spicy noodle soup. and I love spicy. I'm obsessed with anything creamy and with coconut milk and walaaaaah! Laksa is both! It's worth every inch of a slurp. It's loaded with little treats of poultry and seafood that compliments the taste buds.
I enjoyed my first bowl of Laksa from Food Republic. I only tasted the real thing once and its a memory in my foodie brain bank that would stay there until I help myself to my second serving of that popular noodle soup from the Peranakan culture.
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| definitely SLURP-WORTHY! |
Now, Roti Prata. Literally meaning, "flat bread" .. Well, I'm asking help again from Uncle Wiki if you dont mind (in which case, you have no choice but to not mind, haha) ..
"Roti prata is a fried flour-based pancake that is cooked over a flat grill. It is usually served with a vegetable or meat based curry and is sold all overSingapore in food centres. Prata is also commonly cooked (upon request) with cheese, onion, banana, red bean, chocolate, mushroom or egg. It is listed at number 45 on World's 50 most delicious foods readers' poll compiled by CNN Go in 2011"
Yes, it is delicious indeed! Roll it, dip it (in curry), eat! Simple, smells unpleasant, looks uncomplicated but it is a joy in every messy bite.
It's not for all types of taste buds but go ahead and have your fill when you get the chance, it's worth spending your $1 for.
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| $1 treat! (source: wikipedia) |
Still in Singapore, I usually pass by this fast food chain and I am amused all the time for some reason I can't explain. One day, my friend Meldrid and I went looking for a place to eat after a tiring day of job-hunting so maybe, we thought, we can try it here but upon seeing that a meal costs $15, we pass. walk out and head straight to the nearest hawker. hahaha. i feel sooo poor and i pity my self! I think it was our last 2 weeks in SG and we were on a very critical stage when it comes to spending and $15 on one meal is .. a sin! hahaha. So, I left Sizzling Pepper Steak in Singapore and went back home.
Then, sometime in August 2012, my cousin and I went to Manila to process some papers. Lunch time. We were looking around for a place to eat when across the street, my eyes shine brightly upon seeing Sizzling Pepper Steak! Its here! .. but again! we didn't go there. Due to time constraints, we need something fast, 5 minutes max so we settle for the very reliable carinderia. My hopes and dreams came crashing down before my order of sisig. hahaha.
But because dreams do come true, I finally had my fill of Sizzling Pepper Steak for dinner on December 9, 2012 at Eastwood Mall. It was a steak .. steak. Something different when it comes to presentation and taste and options. I like that that they offer a variety of sauces. I like that the beef is tender and juicy and flavorful. I like that their menu offers not just options but interesting and varied options that was well thought of. It may not be the best steak in the entire universe but my senses got filled just with the way it is. It's not a disappointment at all, I'm glad I waited for the right time to savor it. Oh, the drama! haha
5. CHEF'S HOME
I live in the City of Pines so it would be just fitting to feature something here and although discoveries don't appear here in the city very often, it's always a thrill when there is one and one of them is the infamous Chef's Home.
I first discovered this early 2011 and has been on the top my Baguio favorites since. My sisters and I fondly call this "Apollo" because before they moved to its current location, it was cramped in a small space beside a "sarisari store" with a large sign of "Apollo", a local brand of noodles over it. It had no name back then. It seated only about 15 people. You would easily take it as a carinderia and maybe ignore it if you didn't know anything about it! But once you do, it's one of Baguio's finest food discoveries -- an informal authentic thai-malay restaurant. The tables are chairs are mono-blocks, no fancy table setting, the plates are plastic, not at all elegant, the price passes for an upscale dining and the location unusual but surprisingly, everything works well .. and the food? Thai haven baby -- catfish with mango salad, spicy chicken, squid in lime, tom yum soup, roti dessert .. the list goes on and it never fails to surprise and satisfy your cravings and im glad its just 20 minutes away.
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| drooooooooool :) |
6. PNKY TRAVEL CAFE
Welcome to Baguio City!
PNKY is what I consider my re-discovery because for those 2 times that I visited the place last year I came to appreciate everything about it in a whole different light. It's such a pretty cafe -- vintage feel, travel-themed, lomography filled, quaint and comfortable. I did try their pasta, some sandwiches, a little dessert and a chicken main course. The food is not over-the-top, its said to be the healthy kind -- organic, light, guilt-free .. and you may or may not fall in love at first bite but it leaves you with a strange feeling of "there should be more to that. right?". It's a really nice, homey place although I wished that they'd offer a lot more with regards to the food not just on choices rather on the taste and portions given its pricey value.
7. BAGUIO STREET FOOD
What's new? nothing really -- just like in any part of the country -- its still fishball-an and isawan and mamihan. hehe
Its just that, in 2012 I was able to enjoy a lot of street food eating again. haha. too much emotions involved made me abstain from them in 2011. hahaha. dang! that fateful year ei? hahaha.
The best tokwa in town is still in the eskinita behind Old Tiong San Magsaysay. The sauce is yummy to the bones and back. haha. I found a new barbecue-han too. The one in front of STI College, again the sauce and vinegar is a winner plus kuya is extra friendly! Amazingly, there's more to isaw and barbecue at the bbq spot behind Ina Mansion and Kisad, one has to figure that out himself especially it has been featured in one of the national newspapers.
There's not a lot to mention for this and there's nothing fancy about it too, hahaha. I'm just back to being a street food foodie and awaiting for more discoveries, that's all.
8. CHOKO'S KITCHEN
I may sound a little .. no, really biased about this entry because it is my sister's catering business, but I can't deny the fact that I AM A FAN!
This passion of my sister became full blown when she ventured into catering and baking last year. I was a witness to every cooking adventures that she had and may I say, it was to our advantage. Our simple parties and occasions and sometimes, even ordinary days have turned into eating sprees! We were the recipients of the "what's new on the menu", "let's try this dish", the taste test and the left overs -- but we really dont mind! .. and I tell you, my family especially my siblings and I (wishing my dad was here too!) wouldn't want to miss that for the world -- we start getting chaotic and then become tamed with the thought and sight of food! haha!
Certainly, with Choko's Kitchen at hand, literally in our own kitchen even -- the discovery goes on and on and on .. and who am I to complain? We are enjoying every bit of it! Nevermind that everytime she cooks, we all say "nagluto nanaman siya! tataba nanaman tayo!? sira nanaman ang diet ko" hahahaha. The hypocrites that we are when it comes to losing weight! hahahaha.
You may want to check out Choko's Kitchen's FB page .. and probably LIKE it too! and maybe avail of the services ei? hehe.
Here the link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chokos-Kitchen/400255953362609 ..(Oooooh! I may have to inform my sister about this little marketing that I just did and that I am expecting a generous bonus! hahahaha :p)
Well ..
There you go guys -- 8 FOOD DISCOVERIES OF 2012! There are more but I didn't want to bore with the usual but I'm excited to indulge on more foodie adventures is year so I can share them with you!
I enjoyed writing this blog and I hope you enjoy reading it too! :) till the next big burp!
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