Because Of The Cake

Listening to people talk about resto’s and cafe’s you would be asking yourself and companions when will you go there to try their best seller? 

One of the most talked-about cakes were from Contis. My friends and I paid a little visit after a long day of work.

Environment is great. Not too crowded. Not too noisy. Maybe because the location is a little bit isolated from the most visited part of Greenbelt.

Since cakes are the most talked about specialty, we decided to try different produce as well.

There is nothing special about their palabok. Red Ribbon’s is better than this. Cost-wise, expensive for a small serving. 

Spaghetti meatballs and other pastas are nothing but ordinary. 

Carbonara is creamy with additional water settled below. I think it was not drained too well.

Of course a cake to complete the meal. 

Serving time: Terrible… That means more than 30 minutes of waiting. 

But one reason to go back: The cakes!

A Light, Satisfying Indian Meal

After two hours of seminar, a newly met friend, Jenny, and I decided to take a walk while waiting for our next session. With the time available, we decided to take a snack at the nearest Indian restaurant. 

New Bombay just around the corner of HV Dela Costa in Makati was our stop. Having been exhausted, we truly enjoyed it’s ambiance thus, we took the middle dining table of the resto. Most of the time, in a place like Makati, one would enjoy less crowded place like this. I will be one of the people who enjoys a quite place to eat. 

Being my first time, and not familiar with the dishes, my friend took care of our order and we agreed ordering a a light meal for the two of us. We ordered only one dish, Chicken Masala paired with naan.

Chicken Masala, which is new to my taste is terrific. At first glance, it looks like an orange version of chicken curry. With first taste, creamy, a little bit spicy and still creamy. The topped onion leaks and cheese added flavor to the stew.

On the menu, the naan was presented with different flavors but I was the one who requested it to be plain. Naan looks a bit like the bread used by Jesus during the last supper. It may look just a plain and simple bread but this seemed to be heavier than a cup of rice. 

This combination of food makes a great pair!

Lunching Japanese: Hana Restaurant

Japanese food has been one of my addictions. Tempura, gyudon, misono, teriyaki, you name it. I was invited by a friend for lunch and we found ourselves lost in a mazeatic Little Tokyo.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Don’t judge a book by its cover. 

Inside these nearly-remnants facade are authentic look of Japanese life. From the airing television in Nihongo to menus, everything in Japanese. 

 

 

This place offers authentic Japanese setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One turn on for a restaurant is for the crew to know very well of their product. One of the servers offered and suggested the best of the house.

 

 

 

Our orders include the most-spoken specialty, the Takoyaki. Compared to the takoyaki served over the mall’s kiosk, this one is one of the best and flavorful takoyaki I ever tasted. Topped with garlic thin strips, mayonnaise and mouth-watering sauce. 

 

Don’t miss out the Bento meals. We grabbed a bento meal good for sharing.

Talk about gyudon, sashimi, tempura, karaage, and their own version of vegetable salad.

  

 

 

Along with it is a bowlette of miso soup and slices of fruits.

 

Dining experience is not enough without their kakigori (shaved ice)on a hot sunny afternoon.

 

Before we left, we were given a complimentary card for the next visit.

 

 

Hatsu Hana-Tei Chino Roces
2/F Herald Suites, Don Chino Roces Ave

San Antonio, Makati

(02) 759-6388

Lunching Japanese: Hana Restaurant

Japanese food has been one of my addictions. Tempura, gyudon, misono, teriyaki, you name it. I was invited by a friend for lunch and we found ourselves lost in a mazeatic Little Tokyo.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Don’t judge a book by its cover. 

Inside these nearly-remnants facade are authentic look of Japanese life. From the airing television in Nihongo to menus, everything in Japanese. 

 

 

This place offers authentic Japanese setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One turn on for a restaurant is for the crew to know very well of their product. One of the servers offered and suggested the best of the house.

 

 

 

Our orders include the most-spoken specialty, the Takoyaki. Compared to the takoyaki served over the mall’s kiosk, this one is one of the best and flavorful takoyaki I ever tasted. Topped with garlic thin strips, mayonnaise and mouth-watering sauce. 

 

Don’t miss out the Bento meals. We grabbed a bento meal good for sharing.

Talk about gyudon, sashimi, tempura, karaage, and their own version of vegetable salad.

  

 

 

Along with it is a bowlette of miso soup and slices of fruits.

 

Dining experience is not enough without their kakigori (shaved ice)on a hot sunny afternoon.

 

Before we left, we were given a complimentary card for the next visit.

 

 

Hatsu Hana-Tei Chino Roces
2/F Herald Suites, Don Chino Roces Ave

San Antonio, Makati

(02) 759-6388

Over-eat, Over-fed, Over-buffet, Over-cooked Eat All You Can at Tong Yang

Tong Yang is a Chinese for winter sun which marks the longest night and shortest day of the year.   

 Located at Jupiter street Makati, the restaurant is not a place you want to miss. Chinese buffet at its best. This is a place where soup and grill meet. 

 Or fry. Watchamacallit.

 

 A place where it does not need a chef to satisfy one’s craving. 

Crabs and shrimps are not available from the buffet table but you need to ask the attendant to serve you one. 

  Sushi for appetizer and several choices of shabu shabu, noodles, dips, and desserts. Most are displayed without any label. You would need to ask which is which from the attendant like I know what I am dumping inside my tummy.

 

 Lighting maybe a little bit poor and too dim for lunch and air-conditioning  needs to be a little bit colder. Seems to be stocked on a certain temperature that one still needs a fan to feel comfortable. 

 Prices may vary depending on the day and time you visit the resto.

 All in all, we’ve got a happy tummy. 

And our friend got a….

Pranzo in Spaghetti Factory

Lunch can be the most challenging part of the day especially when you are inside the mall. No available sits, long queues and messy tables left by the previous user.

 

At the old spaghetti factory, it was just the opposite.

 

Located at the second floor of the newly renovated Glorietta, this place is not that spacious but a great place to just enjoy Italian cuisine.

 

Their music won’t give you much either. But there are no long standing queues, no messy tables, and an available table is there once you enter the resto.

 

In my own opinion, this place is over staffed for the shift but still lack manpower.  It took them exactly 10 minutes to give us a glass of water while waiting.

You’ve got to ask because they won’t give you some less you ask for one.

 

 On a positive note, you’ve got to choose your pasta and the sauce to go along with it which I think is really cool. A nearly-personalized pasta dish.

A little downside though, you need to wait longer than the usual for your order to be served and that a dish is served one after the other, not at the same time.

 

 

Most visitors recommend the Red Seafood Pasta and Pesto pasta. As of this writing I haven’t had any recommendation of any Pizza yet, but maybe we can give it a try next time. 

 

You may also need a laugh.

A little disturbing sign inside the restroom is this:

 

 

Not bad though. Simply to put it, be very careful not to wet the bowl. Thank you. lolz.