Budgeted Dinner Date for Valentine's (with a bit of Chinese New Year)

Well, as you all know Valentine's day is coming, so as the Chinese New Year--- eating holidays yet again. We are here in the search for the cheapest but yet romantic dinner or well lunch, if there's no other choice, to throw in the 'date'.

I have found one on my Facebook for Valentine's date:
1. Chef Robert at Banawe: Valentine's Meal Set at PhP750.00 (He had the most horrendous poster so I did my version, but you can visit his newly installed website here and view the poster)

You would all remember the Salad Rolls from the first of my many visits there. The Boneless Crispy Pata--- is a new addition to his menu, and I tell you it is good--- you would also remember that I told you, I am not a pork eater, but I ate Chef Robert's Pork Cutlet--- this time I ate (some) Boneless Crispy Pata--- it is good for your senior citizen folks. My parents' loved the pata and of course their all time favorite -- the Salad Rolls--- mom is the only who told me it is a unique dish that she would always love to have, no 'sawa' factor.

Cool at PhP750.00 for all that plus a gift for her, who would not go with this promo, but to impress her you could order some more (but I bet the girl would be a bit shy to eat heavy). So reserve now at 740 9330 or 413 0674

More of the Valentine's Dinner Date search, next time. Still looking. I have a budget constraint of PhP1500 (for two). LOL. Challenge!
I found another one, but it was last year's rate and it's a little over the budget LOL, but hey, it's a hotel:
Hyatt Hotel and Casino's Lili's Valentine's meal last year was on at PhP1,950.00 nett per person (okay not little bit). Search again.

I also found one for the Chinese New Year celebration:
1. If you're tired of eating the same dimsum you always eat (even if it's not Chinese New Year) you can always try Aquaknox Viet Kitchen, were in they serve modern Vietnamese cuisine. You would also remember my visit there during our GFAPY's Dinner in their Makati branch, where it was closed for a few for the renovation, and they're opening this coming February 3, yes Chinese New Year with Chef Danny's new dishes.

The new menu would start at PhP99.00 and now buffet lunch are served daily, you can catch what's latest for Aquaknox at their Facebook account.

Gumbo: Jambalaya!

Gumbo is just a big party atmosphere! It's all fun there, Jambalaya! Wuhoo! Whenever there's a Jambalaya order, the staff in the kitchen chorus-ly shouts JAMBALAYA! It's a taste of New Orleans' fresh seafood.

Jambalaya, a paella style rice dish, it's buy one take one with the non spicy version for PhP375.00+

Bourbon Ribs with fries and corn PhP495.00+

This would be short, the rice Jambalaya is a tasteful yet refreshing dish, basta sobrang sarap, I can't find a food adjective to explain the taste, it's spicy but everything complements, really great mix of flavor.

The Bourbon ribs' was not marinated well, but it's already flavorful. (I can't really describe it well, because I ate just the corn and fries)

I think it's the great experience, the fun atmosphere they are good at. Making the customer feel important, and happy. Looky looky.

It's my mom's birthday, she was presented by the Mardi gras girls with her birthday ice cream.

Chef Robert Twisted Banawe

Banawe, Quezon City is known for the flock of Chinese restaurants, and yet in this small place at the corner of Linaw Street, there's one man who braved to bring the whole world to his kitchen. His menu offers good choice of food coming from every direction of the map, Asian: Korean Beef Stew, Thai Green Chicken Curry; Italian:  Seafood Marina, Lasagna; American: Morning Pancakes, Beef Burgers;--- and here's Pinoy Beef Tapa with egg, Pork Tocino with egg, Daing na Bangus; and he doesn't just serve ulams, he also serves desserts. There's Coconut Mango cheese cake which I think is his signature dessert (I haven't heard of a cheese cake like this, but I wasn't able to try it because I wasn't available), and a number of really deliciously sounding ones--- High Rise Mango Banana, Devil's Fork, to name a few.

Unfortunately the space is small (only 22 pax capacity).

But cozy and clean, yep not your Chinese resto clean, this is really clean.

For starter: Calamari PhP125.00

Crispy breading, soft calamari not chewy-chewy just right

(sign of freshness and not over cooked or microwaved)

The food is always served hot, that's one important thing. First served was the appetizer Calamari and the Salad rolls in Kani and Mango.

Salad rolls in Kani and Mango PhP155.00

Crispy fresh and the aroma of the mango cubes and dressing spells perfectly summer!

The carrots and cucumber are chosen and chopped well, crispy means it's fresh. The dish is perfect for the summer, it's light, it's healthy and refreshing though it's not cold liquid--- but you get the feel.

Pork Cutlet in Mushroom Gravy PhP135.00

Speaking of hot, this is hawt! Look at that smokey, smokey dish--- this one received the most mocking from mi familia de matatakaw, because of the gravy--- they call it Jollibee, but I call it home-cook style. This is one dish that you cook at home, and it takes effort (well, if you're a lazy cook, to cook this), so if you're craving for a home-style breaded pork cutlet with mushroom gravy, just order one at Chef Robert's. Just so you know, I don't eat pork really, but this dish is definitely one to have a second, third, forth... try with my visits.

Korean Beef Stew REG PhP185.00 BIG PhP355.00

I wasn't able to taste this one, my mom ordered it. She said it wasn't quite that spicy as that of the one they have tried, but it's perfect for the Filipino taste.

Seafood Marinara Spaghetti PhP145.00

This one I definitely have to ask--- chef Robert could you plate this one again, placing the sauce on top of the cooked tahong and other seafood killed the presentation. Of course you have to show that 5 tahong on top, 3 shrimps and some little shrimps, and kani crabs, yes yes?! it's part of the wowing factor, you know. But with everything, it's just a Marinara, in spaghetti pasta--- not Linguine.

Fish Fillet (Breaded?!Cream Dory) in Hollandaise Sauce REG PhP135.00 BIG PhP260.00

This is a usual dish at home, I particularly didn't like the breading--- it's dredged in flour--- I like it breaded with Japanese bread crumbs. The Hollandaise had formed bits, not so perfect. Good thing it was cream dory--- you'll never go wrong with cream dory. Oh, one thing, I paired it with Thai Green Chicken Curry's curry, it's perfect--- that's another dish LOL--- Breaded Cream Dory in Thai Green Curry?!

Two Way Pork Steak Tagalog REG PhP185.00 BIG PhP355.00

I don't know why it was called Two Way, I guess I have to find out next time. My dad ordered this for the second time (he was the one who introduced the resto to us, it's his second time), I don't know why he loved it, I didn't get to taste it, but mom noticed that it was on clear or light soy sauce unlike that of the Pinoy style Steak Tagalog, with dark dark toyo.

Thai Green Chicken Curry REG PhP155.00 BIG PhP295.00

Creamy, rich in flavor, not too spicy it's definitely a rice partner. If you're having the REG serving make sure to have extra rice or a companion to share it with.

And for the finale, High Rise Mango Banana PhP135.00. Simple sweet.

Genius use of molo wrapper instead of puff pastry.

Chef Robert Tan with my mom at Chef Robert.

All-in the experience was great! Price are very reasonable, that I came, or we came to realize which explains the ingredients being like for crab--- instead of real meat, he used Kani, and while for the gravy he used powdered (if I am not mistaken)--- it's all homey, LOL.

*Did you know that Chef Robert is already 27 years old, LOL. He doesn't look like 20 at all. LOL.

Update:
From chef Robert:
Thank you for the Resto Review. Sorry I don't know how to comment in your blog since it's asking for a profile. Oh btw, we have a dining area in the 2nd floor and a balcony as smoking area.