Oyster Cake

This is the first time I've had Oyster Cake, and I think this will be the last of it. Or not. But this first time experience really sucked. I don't know if it should taste that way or what. At first bite, it has a little salty taste, and then few more bites digged--- Blah, it's a bit bitter, and tasted like unfresh, really stinky thing, I don't know how to explain. I don't know how *Americans can eat this dish and still be 'people that eats most number of oysters'.

Family Birthdays | Preparing Filipino Foods

It has been a custom in the Philippines to prepare dinner for the whole clan, when someone is celebrating a birthday. Relatives would be joining the celebrant in his place, other brings something, but most of the time they just bring their appetite.

If it's family members, usually you give them "take outs", so you don't have to place all the food on the table, you can serve it like these:

Then, if it is already going empty you can just refill it, to avoid having spoiled food. There are staple dishes on dinners like these; we have the Pancit Malabon (because we live in Malabon,either from Nanay's or Ida's and the other one--- Pancit Malabon Restos), and the Kakanins, like the Sapinsapin, Ube Halaya, Garbansos (it's either from Dolor's or the next kakanin store, but they are relatives so I guess the secret ingredients are just the same), the Kare-kare, Lengua Pastel, Seafood dishes like steamed Hipon (Shrimp), steamed fish, Adobong Pusit, (two were not available that night), Lumpiang Shanghai or sariwa (Lumpiang Sariwa was present; popular among the oldies) and then there is the famous fried chicken among the kids--- and kids at heart.

This is Pancit Malabon *as we all know Pancit (Hokkien term pian i sit, which means something conviniently cooked fast) dish came originally from the Chinese, but have been adopted to local cuisine, infusing available local ingredients and sealing with the local taste, having been colonially occupied several times I'm sure the Pancit Malabon, have many influences.

And then here is the Lumpiang Sariwa, or Fresh Spring Rolls, it is called fresh because it is not fried, and served fresh, it is a light dish, with mixture of fresh lettuce, ubod, chicken strips, and some crushed peanuts--- again it's originally from Chinese. The dish is popular among Southeast Asians, because of the wave of Chinese from Fujian, it is called lun pia 潤餅(run bing) in Hokkien language.

Here comes the fried chicken, *did you know that more that half of all chicken entrees ordered in restaurants are for fried chicken? And yet again, China (China, China!!!) has the biggest population (not of people, only) of chicken with 3.6 billion, but they're not the chicken capital of the world--- it's Gainesville, Georgia, where there is a law that states, that they can use fork to eat chicken (yeah, atleast it is not prohibited to eat chicken).

Shrimp, that are steamed are the best, because after, if you have leftovers like these--- you can toss them in a pan with garlic and butter, already cooked up and then you have the buttered garlic shrimp. Yummy!

Okay this is Lengua Pastel, I don't eat this, it's yuck, it's pig's tongue. SO I don't have any info about this. It looks like it's yummy but it is not, the tongue is slimmy.

This is the popular Kare-kare (pardon my picture, I forgot to take the photo before getting for my plate, but the veggies are usually overflowing, and the sauce is thick) known in English as Ox Tail Stew, it is best paired with steamed rice and Bagoong or shrimp paste. The best Kare-kare is tasty, not too sweet and not too salty, perfect blended peanut butter (the peanut butter consistency of the spread is different from that of the one mixed in Kare-kare, but the spread will do), and grounded rice, creamy. Tasty but not complete without the bagoong.

This is the product of all cuisines mixed into local masterpieces--- it's a party! All party or dinners of families here are topped with kareoke--- Happy Birthday Uncle Noel Ariel "Bebot"!

That's me, my aunt, my shobe and cousin.

Aquaknox: The Aqua Adventure

*Did you know that seafood allergy is the most common food allergy in adults and sixth most prevalent in young children? It is caused by an allergy-causing protien called tropomyosins, that can result to few reactions, but the most severe would be anaphylaxis. Of those who experience anaphylaxis, 1% may die as a result.

LOL. I am not scaring you. Just read the stats. Read it and don't be scared. It is said that the best remedy is---avoidance, but can you help it if the food are like these:

Natasha’s King Prawns with Mangoes at PhP300.00

(with organic greens, red onions, mangoes, and lemon garlic dressing)

A mini baguette, topped with shrimp. (not my order)

Hai Phong Wok Calamari (with green onions and bell pepper) at PhP190.00

"Ca Kho To" Salmon Steaks in Caramel Fish Sauce

(With green onion and coriander) at PhP380.00

Prawns in Coconut Milk at PhP390.00

(sautéed with lemongrass, broccoli, pepper, and coconut milk)

All I can say is that it's all yummy and worth the try (just bring your meds if you do want to eat those).

Read my review for the food at our unclanker's site. Thanks!

New Bomb-ay!

New Bombay's Indian ambiance completes your dining experience

New Bombay is a restaurant in Makati that serves you aunthentic Indian food, without you needing to fly to India to experience their scorchingly spicy dishes, set in a great ambiance, with Filipino hospitability.

Chicken Garlic Kebab; PhP190.00

Naan; PhP75.00

Chicken kebab, had the tender-est chicken part, maybe it's because it was baked. But from what I have read the kebabs are usually pounded, so maybe that's the reason behind the softness of the meat. It had a nice chill-y sweet flavor, that complimented the sauce I requested from the boss (visit unclank.com for the whole story). *Did you know that many have claimed to be the origin of this dish? We have Greek kebabs, Chelow for Persians and the Indian Kebab, which are few of the most popular. Other variants would be the Turkish shawarma and shish. Kebab means fried in Persia, and not grilled.

It has a very nice color in person

(pardon me for using camera phone, this was a spontaneous dine out)

The other dish, Chicken Butter Curry, had the same tender meat, but this one is a lot spicier, you have to order a lot of rice, plus that yummy Lassi, but beware it's yogurt so prepare for tissues. Lol.

Cafe Noriter

Noriter! My cousin found it, and we conquered the place.

A hidden nook in Vito Cruz, across La Salle, on top of Tapa King.

Nothing so special in there menu, your usual thing at coffee shops--- coffee, frap and the likes, oh I forgot they also have atleast two food you can munch on, okay make that 3, hmm--- the Tuna sandwich, Honeybread, and Waffles. I tried the Tuna sandwich, and then their Cafe Americana. I can't say that the tuna is good, neither bad, it's tuna, I love it no matter what, and also who can get the tuna wrong?! Hmm for their coffee, it just taste like the one from Starbucks (well I'm not really a coffe fan, so bear with me). I saw their Halo-halo bowl, it's big, and will definitely try next time.

It has free WIFI! Hello people wifi! Lol lounge all you want, the place is a total tambay place, very artsy, doodles all over the place, and if you're looking for cute Korean girls, they all stay here.

*Noriter is a Korean word for playground. Will definitely Noriter-n!

It has a Dumaguete branch. Follow link Cafe Noriter Dumaguete feature.
It has a Coffee Prince type resemblance--- Korean Series.
 
PS: Sorry for the bad lighting this was a very spontaneous event, I only have my camera phone with me. Next time we'll be back and with a better camera--- for whoring.