Bellini's, Cubao Expo

We had tapas and some wine at our favorite Barcino...then we decided to have pizza at Bellini's at Cubao shoe expo. It has been a long while since we've dined there...so it was nice to see nothing much has changed in the place, except for the places that surrounds Bellini's. Cubao Expo has turned into an arts-y place with several bars around.

Grissinis

We ordered a Neopolitana Pizza
It had anchovies and capers...but we didn't like so much the kind of anchovies they used...it had an off fishy ("malansa") taste...it wasn't the usual anchovies that we liked. The crust was kinda sweet and cracker like..it was ok. Perhaps we should have ordered another kind? Or maybe the pasta here is better...we don't wana give up on Bellini's =)

The Restaurant infront of Saguijo (Bread Box)

After our wine and antipasti at Galileo, we moved for our main course =) There is this quaint place infront of Saguijo (the underground-ish rock place) in Saguijo Street in Makati, which was/is called Bread Box... =)

The place is cozy and nice =)

Mr. Ariel, the owner, tells us that it is/was named breadbox because it used to sell ...well breads naturally...but when he and his wife took over the entire place, they converted it into a nice restaurant serving their much loved specialties.

The food is set up buffet style, where you can choose and order from =)


Ossobuco, Arroz ala Cubana....

sausages, longanisas..etc

..to name a few of the house specialties offered. You pick from the buffet spread and they will serve it up to your table.

Stuffed Chicken with Mangoes and Cream Sauce

Redolent of a chicken ala kiev...chicken breast rolled with cheese and bacon or was it ham =)

The chicken was tender and the entire dish was very flavorful. I love the mangoes they served on top...it cuts through the richness of the cream sauce =)

We had it served with wheat bread instead of rice

Prawn and Mushroom Stuffed Sole Fish

Another delicious and rich tasting dish!

The sole fish was tender and we love the stuffing of mushrooms and shrimps (either they were chopped up prawns or shrimps)

The cream sauce was similar to the sauce of the chicken dish sans the mango twist.

Bopis

We had this with rice...you just can't enjoy this savory-sour-spicy dish without good ol' plain rice =)

We left with very happy palates. We could tell that the owners have much passion of their food by the way they personally take care of their customers and much love given to each dish as is reflected with the deep flavors of everything we have tried.

We will definitely be back to try more of their specialties =)

Galileo Enoteca, Makati

It's my second time to visit Galileo Enoteca...but my first time at their branch in Makati...the far end of Makati where I always can't seem to find my way around! hehehe

We love wine and cheeses and antipasti! They definitely have quite a selection of wine here....

and goodies to bring home like pastas, sauces, cheese, cured meats..etc =)

galileo!

vinos

our choice..

and I got an extra glass of their Lambrusoco wine =) sweet and sparkling!

complimentary bread with pomodoro and balsamic-olive oil dip =)

yummm!

antipasti platter

parma ham, salami, gano padano, pasteurized mozarella and marinated veggies on the side

A nice way to start of the evening=)

Uncle Moe's and Jalapeno

Look at this.....what plating? Such an enticing looking gourmet dish.....can you guess where we had this?

...at UNCLE MOE'S SHAWARMA HUB! =)

hahaha...yes, yes....but it wasn't served this way. Have a look at what we go to try this evening =)

Hummus with Pita bread

We loved their hummus! Generously topped with oilive oil and a srpinkling of paprika =_

Tapenade
Delicious with pita...delicious when mixed with the Hummus =)

Moussaka

We loved this dish! So flavorful and cheesy...served piping hot too =)

Chicken Kebobs

Yumm.... =)

It was definetely a happy experince eating here. The place is very casual...like your typical neighborhood kebob place...only with better food. Prices here are very affordable and a comeback is a must!

They have a branch at the building where Barcino is, beside the Ortigas home depot...this branch is located at baranggay Capitolyo =)


We moved to Ortigas Home Depot to try Jalapeno...a mexican place that was packed the first time we attempted to eat here.

It is situated right smack in between Hermanos and Buffalo Wings and Things.

We ordered the Platter with a Soft Taco, Burrito and Nachos

All our must haves when eating Mexican....but we were disappointed with the not so authentic flavors we had on our plate =(

We thought of our favorite Mexicalli...which is by far better. Sorry Jalapeno...perhaps we were already full?? Will we give it another chance? ...Let's see =)

One hit and a miss!

Farewell Tita Cory

A mother's love will always be remembered and treasured by her children...in their hearts...in their souls...

Dear Darla....Charlie..and Nacho? ;P

With all the new pizzerias mushrooming left and right, I sometimes forget to visit the good ol' commercial brand pizza faves.

We go back to Yellow Cab to check some new (or not so new) items on their menu.

Nachos with Cheese Dip

I didn't know that they have nachos here. Is it new on the menu? Or has it been that long since I ate here =) The nachos and served in a brwon paper bag with a small cup of cheese dip. It's about Php 120 a bag if I am not mistaken. They are like Tostitos...so they pretty good ...we only wished they served the dip warm.

Charlie Chan's Pasta

I really like this asian flavored pasta. Sweet and spicy =) Something that I occasionally crave for from Yellow cab =)

And something I wanted to try since I first saw it's bill board add...The Dear Darla Pizza =0

Served with Arugula and Alfalfa sprouts...

This is the 14" sized pizza, which were cut into 4 strips

I think I made a pretty darn good roll =)

I really like this =)

light and refreshing to eat with the greens. I don't know how this pars with the other pizza rollos out there..this is the only kind I have tried so far.

Gourmet's Palate

It's so nice to find places with a good variety of simple food that are all good! Here we have, GOURMET'S PALATE =)

I think this is the first place we looked for when we got the chance to go Aguirre St. in Paranaque. There are two branches along the stretch of Aguirre, which just proves that people in this area love this place. The place is small and very casual. People can just come in shorts and flip flops to enjoy hearty meals and snacks.

Nothing really gourmet..but good ol' tacos, burritos, spag, rice toppings and char grilled burgers on the menu =)

Gyoza

Crispy gyoza ..good on it's own or as a side dish with there yummy rice toppings.

Nachos

We picked out the stuff we want on our nacho chips...sour cream, cheese, jalapeno and tomatoes

Shrimp Siomai

look at that....

real shrimps! hahaha not bad and pretty cheap too

Spaghetti! Php 47.00

We love this!!! It's redolent of the spaghetti at pancake house only waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay CHEAPER! Served with toasted garlic-buttered pan de sal! We always come back for this.

Soft Tacos

YUMMY =)


Burrito

The tortilla is very thin and loaded with cheesy rice and beef!

Mongolian Rice Bowl

This is really great! The rice is so flavorful and every bite is never boring...you get some veggie bits, chicken, beef and an egg to boot. It's a big generous bowl of rice love! hahaha



I apologize by not taking note of the exact prices of the food we have tried..but just believe me when I say everything is definitely under your budget...all are less than a hundred some less than fifty pesos!!!

The burgers here are really great too...like brothers burger..only cheaper =)

Red Kimono Buffet =)

Sometimes it's healthy to challenge the capacity of the stomach and exercise one's digestive prowess and metabolic powers!!! =D hahaha By that, I mean ocasional BUFFET trips! We were both REALLY HUNGRY and up for some Japanese! The RED KIMONO at the UP Ayala-Hub, offers ala carte buffet for Php 495 per person! Not a a deal! Rule is, we just gotta have at least one rice dish from the menu. No problemo! =D

Spicy Tuna Maki

Salmon Maki

Kani Sticks

It was like thin lumpiang shanghai.

Tofu-Spinach Terriyaki

Layers of grilled tofu and spinach with peanut and terriyaki sauce. I have had this dish before at the Red Kimono branch at the Fort...this one had a slightly sour taste---perhaps the tofu was not of good quality.


Gyoza

Chicken Terriyaki

This was good =)

Chicken Kamameshi

This was our rice dish of choice (as if all those makis don't have enough rice yet inthem ;P hahaha! ). I LOVE KAMAMESHI RICE!!!! The paella of the Japanese! We just both LOVE THE BURNT PART of the rice at the bottom---YUM!!! I miss Kamameshi...whatever happend to that resto?


Tonkatsu

Their Tonkatsu was served with a side of mashed potatoes! Yummy furai!

Ebi Tempura

Our last dish...last SAVORY DISH!!! hahaha They were cruchy and yummy!

Ah ...just when the waiters thought we were through...we had to have some dessert! There is always room for DESSERT...S!!!! =D

Chocolate-Coconut Balls

The manager told us this was one of the kid's favorite treat! I has to try naturally =) They were like Dunkin Donut munchkins...but more dense...borderline of being a truffle and a munchkin hehehe. THEY WERE YUMMY!!!

Buko Pandan

Something lighter and cool....


Green Tea Ice Cream (Big Scoop brand)

Something cooler! hahaha Ice cream is always good...and we always have more spce gor this!

I think we did pretty darn well for two people...don't you think? They have a clean plate policy..and we definitely complied!hehehe We enjoyed our ala carte buffet here more than at Zensho because the quality and quantity of the dished served are definitely bigger and better here. We also liked that service was good and fast, rendering a consistent influx of food!!! hahaha We only wished they offered more dishes with meat and seafood and perhaps some sashimis.

We were definitely satisfied and worth every penny for what they charge!!! We must come back...YOU must try =)