| Savory (SM Rosales) | |||
By Silverjaws (silverjaws1@yahoo.com) After a disappointing experience at Reyes Barbecue, we decided to try the newly opened Savory Restaurant at SM Rosales. For those who are not familiar with it, Savory, one of the Oldies but Goodies restaurants in Manila, is known for its good-tasting fried chicken and gravy. A whole chicken goes for P300. The resto has quite a few branches in the city and this big one at the old Escolta Street downtown is the original. We tried the following:
Total Bill for the meal for two: Php. 600.00
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We have always been big fans of Japanese Food and were even ecstatic with the opening of a tiny stall of Tepan Grill at the food court of Magic Mall. So when Rai Rai Ken decided to open in CB Mall, it was just a matter of time before we dropprd by for a satisfying visit. Here a re a few pics:
Since the place is fairly new, everything is bright and shiny. Though quite small, it gives a positive Japanese ambience. Quite distnaced from your usual fastfood. You can impress a date or business associates here.
Seafood Bento - includes mussels (tahong), shrimp tempura, sashimi and mixed vegetables. No, the rice is not unlimited. You do not come here for the rice.
For those who do not know, Sashimi is thinly and skillfully sliced raw fish. The Sashimi in the picture is tuna. Sushi on the other hand is a variety of ingredients like raw fish, fried egg or even mango in rice wrapped in seaweed paper.
Tantanmen (Php. 195) - one of their best sellers. Rich, spicy and flavorful. This is why Rai Rai Ken was conceived in the first place - the Ramen. They totally live up to their claim that ramen does "warm you up in place you didn't even know were cold."
California Maki (Php. 115)- A type of sushi with mango, crab sticks and mayonaise. This time however, it was loosely packed and easily broke apart. You can do better, Rai.
Yasashi - Choco Mango (Php. 70) - Choco Panacota topped with sliced mango
Yasashi - Green Tea Creme Brulee (Php. 70)- Green Tea Creme Brulee in caramel and Japanese Noti (Seaweed paper) on top.
RAI RAI KEN is located at the ground floor of CB Mall, Nancayasan, Urdaneta City.
We had the chance to finally go and dine at Golden Treasure Tea House. We have been planning for so long but the brighter fast food lights and signages easily distracted us towards familiarity and comfort. So we went, and as soon as we walked in the door, we immediately had the feeling that we were in some mom and pop restaurant in Kowloon, Hongkong… or in Ongpin at least.
We were greeted by the owner Vicente Que, a nice middle aged man, the owner of the restaurant. To say that he was accommodating is an understatement. He gave us a tour of the restaurant, recommended a good set of food and even helped serve the soup.
Ah the soup. Talk about creativity… and originality.
The coconut soup is rich and thick concoction of real coconut water, coconut meat and a secret mix of flavorings. A wise man said that you could tell from the soup whether the rest of the meal is going to be great or be a disappointment. He was right on the money, for in Golden Treasure, after the wonderful coconut soup, the entire meal was wonderful indeed.
Dim sum Platter
Err, not a big fan of the chcken feet, but the dim sum was awesum!
Parade of yummies.
Taiwan Pechay
This is actually ChingKang sauteed in oyster sauce and sprinkled with perfectly fried garlic bits.
Beef Hao Fan
The secret sauce has seeped into every flat noodle and the meat is fried just right.
Lemon Chicken
The rich and tangy flavor of the lemon sauce blends perfectly with the breaded chicken.
Beef Broccoli
This is now my new favorite! I asked the waiter what was so special about this one since every other restaurant serves beef brocolli. I shouldn't have. The meat was so tender it literally melted in my mouth. The sauce was perfect - neither too salty nor bland. It actually had a unique sweetness to it. For tops, this is the first time I actually preferred the meat over the brocolli.
Burp! Need I say more?
We did not order dessert. We were just too full to take in any more. And the best of the night - The bill as only Php. 1200.00 for 6 grown ups.
Golden Treasure Tea House is located at the Nice Place Compound, Nanacayasan, Urdaneta City
Tel. No. (075) 696-1988 or 568-2228
| CUISINERO RESTAURANT | |||
When we heard that La Pia Taza ( the closest thing this city has had [so far] to a coffee shop) was closing, we were very disappointed. It had the makings of a really good hangout - good food, good coffee and wifi. So when we saw a glimpse of a renovation going on two months ago, we knew something special was coming. And it turned out to be special indeed. E-urdaneta.com welcomes Cuisinero Garden Restaurant The bright red signage will be hard to miss.
The random sinamay wrapped lights give the place an elegant but cozy ambience. On to the food! First we tried the Grilled Calamari Salad with Pasta. A combination of perfectly charbroiled squid complimeted by a generous serving of garlic pasta and side salad. The tangy flavor of the squid is hard to forget and the mildness of the garlic pasta makes you forget that too much carbs is not too good. The Fish Croquetas is as unique as it sounds. Flaked fish wrapped in potato batter, crusted and deep fried until golden brown, served on a bed of greens and doused with a special butter lemon sauce. Another view of the Fish Croquetas. Huge and very yummy. The day's decision to go for fish really paid off!
Our friend went for the Butterfly Tenderloin Pepper Steak - thinly sliced (hence the Butterfly term) tenderloin beef served on a sizzling plate with buttered vegetables and spinkled with potent black pepper. Oh the colors make for a feast for the eyes and starburst of flavors in the mouth.
The most expensive in the beef section of the menu - Fillet Mignon. Pure art, if you ask us. The perfect combination of a high quality cut of steak surrounded by an ensemble of angle hair pasta, bacon and grilled vegetables. The beef is an extra thick cut, from the tenderloin, that is very tasty, extremely lean but melts in your mouth especially when ordered medium rare. The bill? Only Php. 1,200.00 including soup, salad and drinks for four adults and a child. Not bad eh? We will definitely go back within the week to try their other offerings, the Fish and Chips (highly recommended by an esteemed friend) and their selection of deserts! With Cuisinero in the picture, we can truly say that fine dining has arrived in Urdaneta.
Cuisinero is owned and managed by couple Marco Polo and Cynthia Macapugay. It is located along McArthur Highway (in front of Urdaneta Villas) in Nancayasan, Urdaneta City. |
