the canDIshhh tales

In Tokyo - there are Yoshinoya stores everywhere.  There's also the competing brand, Matsuya all over too.  Every time I wanted to go in and try it, well - my Panget will discourage me.  I remember friends saying that the Yoshinoya beef bowl tastes so much better in Japan than in Manila (obviously).  But last year, I managed to buy a Yoshinoya beef bowl for take away when i saw a take away counter near the Gina subway station.  While my Panget did something, I ran to the booth and ordered.  Their service was quite fast and I was really happy about it.  I was smiling like crazy as I walked to him showing him my purchase.  He then told me to try it right there and then, I guess he was curious too!  So we ate it, standing outside the station while the kids sat on their strollers.  Hahaha! The verdict?  Well, it's a very simple, affordable dish that is filling.  It serves its purpose, it's not the best but it's good enough to s...

Having been introduced to the products of Contadina, I must say that it has made my cooking a LOT easier.  I really like how Contadina pastas are easy to make, their sauces are very good too!  I so love the flavor and aroma of the Contadina Olive Oils. So when I was invited to so a supermarket run, I didn't pass up the chance.  I am not one to plan a meal - unless, I have this bugging idea in my head for a long time.  More often than not, I just wing it.  I look at my fridge and pantry, and then think what I can do with those ingredients.  I start from there.  I don't usually follow a recipe to a T, unless it's really something I want to try for the first time.  So while on the supermarket run, I picked up the Contadina products that I thought would help me cook an easy yet very tasty dish.  As much as I wanted to research on what to prepare, I thought to myself - well, that's really not my style.  Hahahaha!! After picking up ...

Friends and food.  That's what happened two days ago when we tried Paradise Dynasty .  I was with mommy bloggers (turned real life friends) and we had such a wonderful time together eating and laughing.  It was as if we planned it as a day off (together), because that two hour break felt like it was a day off.  We laughed, ate a lot of #XiaoLongBao, tried new dishes and enjoyed one another's company. Special thanks to Marj for arranging this - I can't thank you enough because I really enjoyed the taste test with friends. Okay, so Paradise Dynasty.  I honestly knew about this restaurant when I went to Singapore early this year.  It was recommended by a friend, but we never got to try it there.  I was very happy to learn that they've opened a branch here in Manila!  Paradise Dynasty is located at the 2nd level of S Maison, the mall connected with the Conrad Hotel.  We were greeted by warm smiles and led to the main dining area - it had ...

Last year, I attempted to cook this.  You know, without looking at any recipe?  I had a feeling it was fairly easy.  I usually just wing it (yabang!).  But when I did - it was an epic fail.  Hahahaha!! After that failed attempt, I often wondered how it was made without the salted egg yolk being runny. Then I saw a video somewhere.  I realized that it failed because I used REAL Salted egg yolk and egg white - TOGETHER.  Major major fail.  You DON'T need to use real salted egg.  What you need is just the egg yolk and salt it. I tried making it the other night and it was a success. Well, sort of - I mean, my Panget said he wanted it a little more salty. Didi's Salted Egg Yolk Chicken: (I apologize but I don't have the exact measurement, as I said - I just wing it.  Hahaha!!) Chicken Thigh Fillets (cut into bite sizepieces) Rice Wine Sugar Salt Pepper 1 Egg Potato Starch (this makes the chicken more crispy when fried) ...

There's a new kid in the neighborhood of San Juan - Sultan Grill! I've been seeing this place on my IG feeds because friends have been flocking here.  Flocking because these friends are not in the same circle.  It got me curious! I received an invite to dine here with mommy friends and I didn't hesitate to say yes.  I mean food + kwentuhan galore?  That sounds like so much fun! Sultan Grill is located along Wilson Street in San Juan.  You'll need to cross P.Guevarra to reach it but just a few meters and you'll see it on your left side.  If you are coming from the other size of Wilson then you'll see it on your right size before you reach P.Guevarra. I am not so much a fan of these wall tiles when I was younger.  I always felt they looked quaint.  But I guess with age, I began to appreciate the look and the design.  Hahaha!  It does remind me so much of the Mediterranean and Persia. Here are the food that was serve...

Power Plant Mall is a place that I'm not very partial to.  I find the mall has very limited choices in shopping and places to eat.  While I have staples, my Panget always tell me to pick a new one. Yesterday, I was honestly surprised when my Panget said that he wanted to go to Power Plant.  We agreed the Friday before that we would just stay home on Sunday (Valentine's Day) because we're expecting it to be crowded everywhere.  We just needed to eat out because our helper was on day-off.  I was honestly expecting a simple lunch at QC Sports.  So his decision to go to Power Plant, well - I was caught off guard. The first thing on my mind was - *where will we have lunch?*  This is a forever question when we're at Power Plant.  As I said before the choices are limited.  When my Panget asked me where I wanted to eat - I only had one answer *Mamou* and he said yes.  I was surprised!  Well, maybe because it's Valentine's that's why he ...

Ever since I tried this sauce in Gaucho, the Argentine restaurant in Robinson's Magnolia, it left a lovely impression on my palate.  I forgot about it for a while and then was reminded of it again when I tried Senor Pollo early this year.  Whenever we had simple get togethers at home, I would drive to Senor Pollo and order extra helpings of the Chimichurri sauce.  I loved it so much that I would just eat it with rice or bread!  Hahaha.. A few months ago after binge watching Master Chef, I realized that contestants were making it left and right.  I searched the recipe on Google memorized it but never got around to making one.  But a few weeks ago, I suddenly had this urge to make one.  It was perfect because it coincided with our supermarket day. It was a success, flavor wise.  The appearance wasn't quite there, but it tasted good!  Hahaha..  This is what my first attempt looked like: It was mush.  I used my Braun Mutliquic...

I have to be honest.  This restaurant is one of those that I usually pass on.  Maybe because the company I am with are not typically ones who enjoy the Spanish cuisine that Alqueria offers.  I personally love paella, but I can't finish one whole order - well, I can but it's quite embarrassing to finish one just by myself.  Hahaha!! So when I got invited by Yen of The Tummy Traveler , I was delighted.  I said to myself - Finally! I will get the chance to try their food!  I was very excited.  So that night, I braved the traffic and I think the traffic gods were cooperative because for the first time EVER - it took only 30 minutes from my house to get to Megamall.  It was a miracle.  It must be meant to be.  I know.  I think?  Hahaha.. That same day in Megamall, was the premier of The Love Affair.  Yaya Belen and I were wondering why there were so many people waiting near the escalators - apparently, the stars would be g...

Whenever I'm asked what my favorite ensaymada is.  There is only one answer - it's Chona's Homemade Treasures Ensaimadas.   I swear, its the best that I've tried.  It has been my benchmark for all ensaymadas, I have this certain hesitation when trying ensaymadas to be honest - because I don't want to be disappointed.  I don't want to waste calories for nothing - honest!  And I feel that most ensaymadas are dry and not soft to the bite.  My standards have changed since having Chona's ensaymada. When I got home from the long weekend, I was surprised to see a box of ensaymadas from Portobello Bakery ( same owners of Cookies Unlimited ).  I need to be honest.  I was a bit hesitant.  As I said, I didn't want to be disappointed.  But then, I knew that Aubrey won't send me some if she didn't feel confident about them. The box looked so pretty.  Something that I love about Cookies Unlimited and Portobello Bakery is that the...

I will get straight to the point. This is the Carnivore Lechon from Leonardo's Lechon: Yes, those are sausages - 3 kinds to be exact, hungarian, kielbasa and chorizo then bacon, garlic potatoes and herbs. Once the manong hacked the lechon open, the aroma of the sausages, herbs and lechon filled the room.  It was glorious - glorious because I closed my eyes and let the scent fill me and my imagination.  It was wonderful.  Imagine, the aroma of sausages add to that the aroma of herbs and the garlic potatoes and mix it with the delicious scent of roasted lechon skin.   The combination was deadly. Here's another look at the lechon cross-section.   I swear to you, you will NOT look at lechon the same way again, after seeing and tasting this.  I don't think I will want to eat the normal kind of lechon or a different kind of lechon.  THIS LECHON IS IT.  I confess that I am not fond of lechon and the only thing I eat of le...