Fell'in love with Italian food all over again...

Traffic. "traffic na naman sa may main road", I thought. We were on our way to Makati. Ah-pa been mentioning this certain Italian, pasta restaurant in Makati, that serves good and fresh pasta. I wasn't really interested in pasta nor Italian food. I'm not fond of Tomatoes. Authentic means sour tomato sauce.. Although "freshly made pasta" caught my attention. As we took the U-turn to a Petron Gasoline station, somehow everyone's face brightens.

You wouldn't notice agad that there's an authentic Italian restaurant inside a Petron Gasoline Station. As we enter the place, it was small siksikan restaurant... more or less 30 seater. Gladly, Achi A already made a reservation beforehand, we were seated in the corner near to the kitchen glass window.

"Va Benne Pasta Deli" (Good Pasta Delicacies). The second restaurant I've seen with bookshelves as part of the interior...Since it was holiday, the place was crowded.. the waiters were coming in-out of the dining and the kitchen staffs were busy in their own stations... and one of the kitchen staff busy with the pasta machine.

Displays were also Italian products used in cooking Pasta or Italian dishes. They were also selling their own pasta sauces in jar; Pomodoro, Mushroom and cream sauce, and ...... (forgot!! red sauce din un e..) and of course the sell fresh pasta!!

And now the FOOD!!! For our first dish... we had POLIPO salad or Polpo which means octopus. Thinly sliced braised octopus served with semi-dried tomato, olives, arugula salad and in lemon dressing. Tender octopus.... hmmmm... in sweet-sour lemon dressing.

next was the superb uber delicious PAN ROASTED FOIE GRAS (fwa-gra; fat liver of a duck) served with Portobello raviolo and onion marmalade. The delightment on our faces!!!! The sweet, savory taste of onion that compliments the mouth-melting foie gras!!!! YuuumMMmmm!!!! (haaay, heaven!!!)

..special of the week: the MUSHROOMS TRUFFLE RISOTTO WITH BEEF TARTAR AND SOFT EGG. the savory beef risotto topped with beef tartar (thinly sliced raw beef)

We also tried the POTATO GNOCCHI with pumpkin bacon sauce, prawns and served with melted mozzarella cheese. Thick soft potato dumpling-like in sweet cheezzy-pumpkin sauce!!!

The ROLLED SPINACH CANELLONI with smoked ham and light tomato cream sauce. A lasagna-like pasta with spinach and oyster mushroom in creamy tomato sauce.

And for dessert!! Hubby and I had STRAWBERRIES A LA MILENA marinated strawberries in balsamico with vanilla ice cream served in a champagne glass. Awkward at first, but the balsamic vinegar compliment the sweet-tangy strawberries plus the sweet-cold vanilla ice cream.

My point of view, this restaurant is ideal to enjoy. Meaning, you are willing to wait. The food preparation weren't easy as it looks but every dishes that came out from the kitchen was worth all the wait. We're all patiently waiting for each dishes. We're all excited for the next surprise that Chef Massimo prepared for us. Value for money? It isn't cheap neither expensive. The pricing is just for the ingredients used.

We left Va Benne Pasta Deli with smile on our faces; satisfied and delighted. Ciao!

Meet MR. KUROSAWA

Sa sobrang hilig siguro namin ni H2B sa Anime, na attrack kami sa Menu display ng Mr. Kurosawa while strolling sa Newport Mall, Resort World. Jap-Euro Fuzion Food. Got curious or rather attracted lang sa "ANIME BURGER"

Paglapit ng waitress unang tanong ni H2B, "miss, sino si Mr. Kurosawa?" smile lang si Miss.

"Japanese ba cook niyo?"

Waitress: Sir, hindi po.

"aah, yung may-ari?"

Waitress: hindi rin po. Pilipino po un may-ari."

"aaahh"... waitress, "sir, gusto niyo malaman kung sino po ang may-ari?"

"sino?"

waitress: "si Mr. Marvin Agustin po."

AAAAAHHHH...

Anyway....

The PLACE... so like the portraits sa ceiling!

The FOODS... dahil sa fusion, Japanese food with euro twist. plus un mga kakaibang name ng foods, Anime Burgers and Roboto Dogs

The new generation Sushi. California. California Maki style pero crepe un pangbalot.

Wild Mushroom Salad. I like mushroom!! I love the vinaigrette sauce. ang awkward lang may crepe sa salad with mushroom and vinaigrette sauce sa loob. Un crepe kasi hindi mabilis mapunit, hindi ko medyo like, crepe sa salad tapos we had sushi crepe na rin kasi.

the Voltes Five Burger in Angus beef. Hmmm.. I think mga 350+php 'to. Sabi ni H2B, worth it daw. hmmm.. di ko masyado na enjoy 'to, nagmamadali na kasi kami. Late na kami sa movie. medyo matagal din kasi lumabas un mga food.

Nagastos namin.... almost 1,300php para sa merienda lang. Ay, nag beer pa kasi si H2B.

Sango! Experience

After a long fight in the car... Nothing can make you de-stress but comfort foods. While most of the store in Shangri-la Mall were closing, we are looking for something to de-stress all of our problems. The Japanese burger master joint was the answer. Our favorites Japanese meal in burger or sandwich. And of course, Rice burgers!!! Rice burgers reminds me of MOS burger in Japan, my first rice burger experience.

Nothing beats the sweet taste of Japanese Yakiniku!! rice burger, or the over toppings of veggies from my Czar Hotdog sandwich. We enjoyed each bite!!

Alberto's Pizza delivery; Only in Cebu.

Something Cheap...

Something besides Chinese...

Since Pizza Hut and Greenwich couldn't deliver... we have ALBERTO's.

Alberto's Pizza is a small pizza company with a total of 13 branches here in Cebu. Luckily, one is located here at Canduman Town Center. They served pizza in 9" and 11" diameter; from simple "yummy hotdog pizza" to "meaty royale".  The price also differ from the cheese of your choice; either quickmelt or mozzarella. 

Our Favorite...

The GARDEN EXPRESS; button mushroom, pineapple tidbits, olives, fresh tomatoes, onion, red and green bell pepper. For only P135.00 in quickmelt Cheese.

We usually ordered Pepperoni or All Hungarian... But this time we want something new,

BEEF SHAWARMA. Our favorite shawarma ingredients in pizza; ground beef, cucumber, lettuce, onions and tomatoes.  Although the dressing made the pizza more soggy, the taste was okey. P149 in quickmelt cheese.

C.O.K.

Have you been to Banawe Avenue lately? Do you loved to eat? tired of Chinese food? Have you try the new Restaurant near Starbucks? 

Have you heard the name CULINARY OUT KAST?

You might want to google it and find out others experienced.

Or you might want to read this blog, for a start.

Culinary Out Kast or COK, opened June of last year, located at Banawe Ave. Quezon City (across Cambridge Preschool).  It has a cozy ambiance, for the owner wants their customers to feel "at home".  You can read books, magazines, and daily newspaper while waiting for your meal. Take note, that COK is not a fast food, or shall I say, eating is comfort. They assure you that your food is served hot and fresh from the kitchen. 

Food they served.... Personally, I loved the Sisig rolls, Fish and Chips, the Beef tapa for breakfast, the Coconut seafood pasta, Beef burger, Baked ribs and Pepperoni pizza.  They also served Steak but it is pricey compared to Everything at Steak. They used imported beef and NO tenderizer.

As Love month approaching, try the Coconut seafood pasta. The Coconut Seafood pasta is the signature dish of COK.  It was invented/created by Chef Richie and his girl friend, now fiance, when they entered a school competition and won, in their College years.  The competition's theme was (I think) celebrating Valentine's Day.  Just like love and life, it has sweetness taste with a twist of spiciness.  Thus, Coconut seafood pasta was created.  

Learn more about COK at Orange magazine TV

Affordable meals @ Nonki

Mang Inasal's unlimited rice or Sashimi at Nonki's... that was our choice when we decided to have our lunch near Mactan airport before Mom's flight to Manila.  We were not craving for anything and sooo... our feet carried us to Nonki.  

Miso Soup and Rice

One thing I like about Cebu is they know how to treat foreign guests.  So, as much as possible I always pretend that I cannot understand Visayan language.  It was frustrating sometimes when they are not being maasikaso with their kababayan.  It wasn't my first time at Nonki but first time here in Airport Road, Mactan.  Still, the ambience is welcoming and nice friendly waitresses.  My first experienced at Nonki, I spent almost 2K just for 3 person, quite expensive but the food was really good. But this time, I discovered they have lunch sets of meal.  All meal are served with miso soup and a cup of rice plus, a complimentary of one scoop of ice cream or mixed fruits. My siblings and I ordered the Pork Teppanyaki lunch set.

The Pork Teppanyaki luch set is served with miso soup, rice, (of course) the pork teppanyaki served in sizzling plate with  stir fry bean sprouts, Sashimi platter, and lastly the complimentary dessert.

Here's the happy part, you can enjoy the Pork Teppanyaki lunch set for only  290.00 php only.

My mom ordered for (something) Soba lunch set; served with miso soup, cold soba with  special soba sauce (the small cup in the middle), sweet Japanese rice (the one they used to make the sushi) topped with mixed sashimi.  My mom enjoyed her meal!! she was making her own sushi.  Enjoy this meal for 380.00 Php only!

Read my previous blog about Nonki at 

http://missvhiea.blogspot.com/2010/08/japanice-dinner-at-nonki.html

Nothing is chocolatier than MAITRE CHOCOLATIER

MAITRE CHOCOLATIER, is a new cafe in Ayala Center Cebu.  From the name itself, from interior designing to their menu.. chocolates.
They serve only chocolates.
They sell chocolates.


The food is okey... but I don't recommend this to people who has a big appetite, hehe.  After our meal, We didn't dare to order desserts...

Linguine in Pesto Sauce with Parm-Crusted Chicken with white chocolate sauce.  Thumbs-up!! I love the tender juicy chicken with white chocolate sauce!!    190php+VAT

Grilled Chicken in Chocolate Pomegranate Sauce. The dark thingy on my chicken is not sunog, chocolate yan.  For the chicken, I wasn't impress. It was dry.  When the waiter asked me how I want the doneness of my Chicken, I was shocked! sa pagkakaalam ko chicken should be cook cooked (I even told the waiter, you don't ask people if they want their chicken medium cooked). kaya siguro dry yung chicken na served nila sa akin. hehe     215php+VAT

Dark Chocolate Blended drinks.  140PHP+VAT

Mint Chocolate with liquor.  140php+VAT

They also sell chocolates and bouquet of ferrero. 48php per stem

ROMA MIA

I'm a first timer here at ROMA MIA, recommended by Shoti and Mama.  They have the good grilled pork chop, according to syoti. We were in Ayala last sunday, so why not eat there. We were gutom na gutom. It was past lunch time na nung natapos ang appointments namin. The place is ok. Since mga 2pm na nun, they have only two customers. 

For starter, we ordered calamari, unfortunately their squid got spoiled na daw. So instead, we ordered pasta.

Puttanesca. (From the word puttanata, a noun means something worthless or something easy to prepare).  I was chatting with Sir J early that morning at FB about my wedding and how I wanted him to sing on that day.. I order this pasta because of him.  When he cooked Puttanesca for the choir.  I wasn't a fan of pasta, I don't like tomatoes or too much tomatoes (made my stomach upset) but Sir J's Puttanesca is still one of the best pasta I ever tasted.  Even though I'm allergic to anchovies I had one plate of his cooking.

Recommended by shoti, Godfather Chop (grilled pork chop). its thicker than the usual porkchop we had at home yet its juicy and tender.

Tuna belly for my achi. no comments in this one. nothing special I think.

Summer Cooler.

Masuki (Ma Mon Luk) Binondo

Masuki or Ma Mon Luk (old name) was/is the best mami house in Binondo.  Even though they changed their name, the taste still the same, the old "sikat" original noodle soup. The first noodle house introduced Chinese original noodle soup, in 1930. The plain noodle soup with chicken / pork makes this mami house sikat.  

When Da picked me up at the airport the other day, it was already planned that we will have our little night snack at Masuki (931 Benavidez St., Binondo, Manila). I never had a chance to go to Chinatown because of the traffic.  I'm relieved that I can visit the town with no traffic (reminiscing my childhood).  

Original Noodle soup. Ordered one big for Da and a regular size for me.  This is served with their own asado sauce.  Only Masuki served Mami with asado sauce. Hindi nakakasawa. Our server is still the old super maasikaso manong, told Da "Elem or HS ako nandito na siya at ngaun.. magaasawa na ako dito pa rin siya" :D

My favorite siomai!! love my siomai in calamansi and asado sauce. For me, When in masuki.. siomai is a must!! :) 

Spice Fusion, BTC

Plain Roti; Favorite Starter

Went to Banilad Town Center today for mani and pedi.. While waiting my sis decided to get a haircut too at Salon de Rose.


And had our dinner at...
Spice Fusion is one of the Asian Restaurant here in Cebu that me and my siblings visit when we were craving for Asian Cuisine.  It serves all kinds of Asian cuisine, fusion.


Although, we encountered some problem in the SM branch.

Raddish Cake topped with Garlic

Claypot Lapu-Lapu

Mint Green Tea; uhh... I don't like the taste!! the strong minty flavor of the tea gave bitterness after taste.  I can't explain it in words tho.. it's like they put too much Eucalyptus..

Tandoori Persian Restaurant @ Parkmall

2nd Floor, Parkmall Branch

I'm not really into Persian food... not a fan of spicy food, though I love spices. I like curry and kebabs.

The first time I went at Parkmall, I already saw this restaurant but didn't have the courage to go in.  But I always remember that day, when a foreigner told me, "the food here is so masarap!".

Well, It's really masarap!!

Kebab platter; tuna, beef, chix.. sadly, Lambs were sold out!

Love this Paella!!!

Mango Lassi. Yummm!!  :)

Hermit the Crab, as Pet

As we strolling along the tiangge at IT Park, we met Ahya Pit and asked us if we've seen a store selling crabs. My first thought was the "crab". We looked for the store... and saw Hermit, the crab, or shall I say Crabs with colorful shells. They were selling it for 250php plus 50php for the cage. Ahya bought one in a spongebob shell. 


For further knowledge, Hermit Crab is "VERY social animals, and do well in groups. They are often found in the hundreds in the wild. You can better observe their social patterns with at least 3, although you can most certainly get more! And remember, crabs can bully smaller crabs.". http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Hermit-Crabs


I was thinking of owning one, but... will see first on how Ahya take care of his hermit crab first!! :D

Jonas Pares at Mayon Street

JONAS Pares is one my binabalik-balikan in Manila. Beef pares with fried rice lang, ok na. 
Last month, My mom and I wanted to eat there but unfortunately there was no parking space.  We ended up eating at Jolibee across the street.
I was craving for a beef pares the other day but don't have the time to visit Jonas. Luckily? (hehe) When Da and I had a little misunderstanding, he bribe me of Jonas Pares. haha!!

Tempura Grill, Trinoma

When I arrived here in Manila, I was craving for Japanese food.  Mom and I went to Trinoma to do some little shopping (ehem!).  I treat my mom to tempura grill and ordered my fave sukiyaki.  aaahh... remembering my college days, Sukiyaki don for lunch!!

I just can't forget the taste of sweetness and tender beef in this Sukiyaki.  Along with my favorite mushrooms, tofu,  white onions and carrots. PHP 285.00

I or shall I say, We never go with out some UNI Sashimi.  PHP 195.00

California Temaki.  Sawa na sa Maki kaya Temaki naman.  PHP 80.00/pc  medyo expensive para sa isang serving lang.

SAKE (Salmon) TEMAKI. I love sweet raw Salmon.

KFC's Twister California Maki

I like Jap foods so much, and to think that you can have california maki in a new style??

I wasn't interested at first, thanks to Da's convincing power (bribing me with KFC's fries)... It wasn't bad. I mean with the juicy fried chicken strip and wasabi... and ripe sweet mango.. and cucumber. It's my maki to-go!! except in was wrapped in soft tortilla. Enjoyed eating this while watching movie!! or midnight snacks with my family

I was excited to eat my California Maki twister, didn't give effort in taking this photo.

Thank you KFC!!! definitely one of your finger lickin' good.