Posh Pen

The Pen Lobby

     As you enter The Peninsula Manila or The Pen, for short... it screams high end. Just by looking at their elegant and fantastic lobby, for sure you will feel comfortable. All the more when dining in with music playing (Check this link for a sample of their live music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3To7UOM8s0).

Caesar Salad

Spaghetti Bolognese

Club Sandwich

Eggs Benedict

(Mom chose to have breakfast at dinner.)

Their assorted cakes

Strawberry tart

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Other recommended items:

Burger

Tosilog 

Ice creams 

Shakes

Cheesecakes

Chocolates

Napoleon 

     

     I had so many great memories here. We had many bonding moments with my Lolo (grandfather) and the rest of the clan for ice cream. We had watched some Christmas shows here. This was the venue of my sister's wedding. Lastly, this was where I took my practicum. I had missed those days working in the pastry and cold kitchen. It was an honor to experience being part of the food preparation. Personally, the Pen lobby is the most beautiful lobby. It's even more beautiful during December with all the Christmas decorations. Also, during December, they have the famous Chocolate Buffet which I have yet to try. 

The Peninsula Manila

Corners of Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue

887-2888

Website: http://www.peninsula.com/Manila/en/default.aspx

The Real Pesto

     I love Pesto! We once bought ready made Pesto in the grocery and got excited to have Spaghetti Pesto for lunch that day. As I tried it... it was just blah. Not bad but it definitely lacked the Basil flavor, among others. As my lola (grandmother) would say... falsificado (false). I thought it would be better to make our own Pesto. 

You will need:

2 handfuls of fresh Basil

1 cup Olive oil

1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

1-2 tablespoon Pine nuts

2 cloves Garlic

Salt

Pepper

1/2 - 1 teaspoon Butter

Spaghetti or any pasta (cooked according to package)

*I just estimate the amount but feel free to adjust the measurements to your preference. 

Place the basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and salt in a food processor.

Chop and blend away...

until you get a paste like consistency.

Place the pesto over the cooked pasta. Garnish with butter and Parmesan cheese. 

     

    According to my mom and aunt, it's best to add the butter and parmesan cheese right before serving to avoid spoiling right away. Both give the pesto a fresher taste. You may use the pesto with chicken, fish and vegetables too. Enjoy!

Mmmmm Mamou

     A few years back, we got excited with Mamou's opening. Rumors say it's like Peter Luger of New York. As nostalgia came in, I recall the gigantic and juicy steak, salad with Blue Cheese dressing (not a fan of Blue Cheese but I loved this dressing because it tasted like Cheez Whiz), Pecan pie with whipped cream or Schlag (pronounced as shlah) as they call it where portions seemed endless. Thinking of Peter Luger days made me reminisce our vacation trips during Summer. Thank goodness we have somewhere to go to in town for great steaks and the works. 

Hearty Lentil Soup

Palm Spring Rolls

Healdsburg's Harvest

Mamou's Shroom Burger

Angus Ribeye USDA Prime Grade Steak -Single

Sidings: Mashed potatoes and garlic rice

     One guilty indulgence of my family is cooked fat with rice. I can't relate here to be honest.

Key Lime Pie with Schlagsahne

Other recommended dishes:

Beer battered fish with malt vinegar

Lorenzo's truffle cream pasta

Pecan Pie with Schlagsahne

Dark chocolate gelato

    I suggest to call for reservations and take note of the sitting schedule.  I celebrated my birthday here 2 years ago and it was one of the best birthday celebrations. We always leave here happy. This is definitely a privilege.

Mamou

Serendra:

Serendra 1

Fort Bonifacio

Taguig

856-3569

Rockwell:

Level R1

Power Plant Mall

Rockwell Center

Makati City

822-6218 / 0917-8062668

Look for MM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamouahomekitchen

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mymamou

Instant breakfast

     Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We all heard this line so many times. I tend to run out of breakfast ideas as I try to keep healthy. I wasn't referring here to the Carnation instant breakfast, the powdered drink that is mixed with milk. I thought of coming up with a fruit smoothie, a healthier  breakfast when you're on the go. Here's what you need...

1 banana

1 container plain yogurt (I used Mom's homemade yogurt but feel free to use any brand)

1 T honey

ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Blend away.

Pour in your preferred glass and enjoy!

    Other fruits may be used such as strawberries, blueberries, etc. A combination of fruits would be great too... Personally I go for strawberry banana.  The honey serves as a sweetener. Based on my research, honey has many health benefits (check this website for more details: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/health-benefits-of-honey.html).  For a sweeter preference, just add more honey by all means. This fruit smoothie is healthy and filling, great for breakfast or refreshment. 

Grilling time @ Nanbantei

     As requested by my nephew, dinner was at Nanbantei in Bonifacio High Street. Since Nanbantei first opened in Jupiter street, then Greenbelt 3, this has been one of my family's top restaurants. Nanbantei specializes in yakitori, which is grilled skewered meat. They also offer some sushi. As you enter, you will feel the enthusiasm when they greet you with a big "Irasshaimase!"

Their house sauce

Salmon sashimi

Uni sashimi

Poteto Maki: potato wrapped in bacon

(You read it right. This is not a typo.)

Tebasaki: chicken wings

Negima: chicken and leeks

Leba: chicken liver

Salmon Onigiri (rice balls)

Miso Soup

     

     Food takes around 10-15 minutes. If you love barbeque, then this is the place for you. 

Nanbantei of Tokyo

BGC:

Unit NE-UG206 Bonifacio HIgh Street Central

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

621-3224 or 25 / 0917-5971214

Greenbelt:

3/F Greenbelt 3

Ayala Center, Makati City

757-4130

Cozy shabu shabu @ Ganso Shabuway

     Because of the rainy weather, we have been in the mood for something steaming hot. We had dinner at Ganso Shabuway. Shabu shabu is Japanese hot pot where thinly sliced beef and vegetables are cooked in hot broth. Since we were 2, we ordered the Shabu shabu Set B so it would be cheaper. This set which consists of the following...

Mushroom plate

Veggie plate A

250g US Meyer natural Angus beef

2 cups rice

Traditional seaweed broth

Vegetables are cooked first.

Then the beef. For best results, cook the beef for a few seconds.

The dipping sauces: Sesame and Ponzu

The condiments:

Left -Daikon and chilli (like horseradish)

Middle -Garlic

Right -Spring onions

     If you're not sure on which one goes where, don't worry... just look at the monitor to guide you but feel free to experiment. Enjoy! 

     

Ganso Shabuway

Greenbelt 5

903-6763

Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

822-4864

Alabang Town Center

0917-8333730

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GansoShabuwayPH