Food from home: More Pavlova and pasta

     Pavlova is one of the most requested desserts in our household. I made some again... but this time, individual portions as requested by Mom. I used our sauce plate as the outline and made 6 mini ones. The size was similar to a mini cake... which is quite big, but it's all good. Here were the 2 choices...

Mango Pavlova

     This is everyone's favorite. I noticed no one looks for other fruits... just Mango. This somewhat reminds me of the Mango Cream Pie of Red Ribbon. :))

Nutella Pavlova

     This was another request by Mom. The girls in the family are Nutella lovers. :D Since the kids slept over, we thought of surprising my niece, Sofia. I saw the sparkle in her eyes when she saw the Nutella and she gladly drizzled it on her Pavlova. :))

     I was in the mood to cook after having one disastrous meal after another. I decided to cook something for lunch...

Chorizo pasta

     Just a spur of the moment, I thought of Chorizo. I wanted to include white mushrooms and parsley but we ran out of both. For added flavor, I used some white wine to enhance the flavor. It turned out great! 

Nostalgic Korea Garden Restaurant

     We were excited to have Sunday lunch @ Korea Garden... thanks to my brother, Dax who gave the brilliant suggestion. I missed it because I haven't eaten there in years (2010 was my last visit). Korea Garden is one of the "immortal" restaurants. It has been around since the 70's and also the pioneer Korean restaurant in the country. I remember having several family gatherings in my Mom's side when we were kids in the 80's (yes, that long ago). The place was packed but it's a good thing we still managed to get a table. 

Appetizers

Bibimbop

(Hot mixed rice)

Chap chae

(Transparent noodles with vegetables)

Mandu

(Dumpling)

-My sister, Nicole said this is supposed to be good luck... so there's reason to eat more. :))

Pajon

(Spring onion cake)

Ojingo bulgogi

(Squid barbeque)

So bulgogi

(Beef barbeque)

Tak kui

(Grilled spicy chicken thighs)

Fresh pineapple

-This is complimentary. Pineapples were sweet.

     I love kimchi with Pajon and rice! Korean ice creams are available too. We go there once in a blue moon and the quality hasn't changed one bit... still consistently good! Also, I was impressed with their cheerful and helpful staff. Now I know why the place is always packed. 

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Homey Cafe Mary Grace

     Cafe Mary Grace has been in our comfort food list since it opened. It's one of our dessert and coffee hangouts, but we have meals or merienda there occasionally.* Last weekend was one of those occasions. Mom, Lola and I had our action in the Serendra branch. It was a pleasant surprise to see the owner and one of my idol baker/entrepreneur, Mary Grace Dimacali there. We knew her since her bazaar days. Her nephew, Laurence Perfecto is the operations manager and also one of my high school friends.

     You will feel the positive vibes just by seeing their homey atmosphere with their cute displays and inspirational posts. 

     They're known for their cheese rolls and ensaymadas.* Their lemon orange chiffon is quite new but also yummy!

     Their cake display will definitely make your mouth water. How I wish I had a share with all of those cakes... Hihihi!

Every table is full of "fan" letters. So cute right?

Grilled kesong puti*

Dulong pate with pita bread

Mary Grace Caesar Salad

Vigan Longganisa and kesong puti*

Pasta Vongole

Chorizo and basil pizza

Mary Grace hot chocolate

-One of the best hot chocolate in town... I love the thick hot chocolate! If you're a chocoholic like me, you'll enjoy this.

Other must haves:

Cheese roll

Ensaymada with Laguna cheese 

Mary Grace Mushroom cream pasta

Smoked salmon and cream pasta

Chocolate cake 

Velvet cake

Strawberry shortcake

Brownies

     I consider it a privilege to eat there because everything is consistently good. Also, the staff are always friendly and accommodating. It's no wonder why we keep coming back.

Cafe Mary Grace
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merienda -snack
ensaymada -sweetened bread with butter and cheese
kesong puti -white cheese
Vigan longganisa -sausage from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Burger crave @ Burger Bar

     When we go to Greenbelt, we always pass by Burger Bar on our way out. After seeing it several times, it got Mom curious. We were free 1 afternoon and had merienda there.* I was happy we stayed by the couch, beside the window (I like staying by the window because I enjoy seeing everyone pass by... Hihihi!). Looking at the menu was overwhelming because of the numerous choices, the type that you'd want try everything. We chose the "you're the boss" where you create your burger.

Found these containers cute.

     

Mom chose sesame seed bun, steak cut with lettuce, tomato and yellow cheddar.

     I chose sesame seed bun, pickles, the house blend, yellow cheddar, caramelized onions.

Hand cut sweet potato fries

     I regret forgetting to include lettuce and tomato in my burger which I realized it after I saw Mom's burger and said "Darn!" Overall, we were happy with our experience. 

Burger Bar

Greenbelt 2

Makati City

*merienda -snack

Lunch @ Kaya

     After some brainstorming and a long deliberation, we agreed to have lunch with our lola at Kaya Korean Restaurant in Jupiter Street. We love Korean food because it's tasty and healthy... so it was definitely a treat! This is another place that's part of our comfort food list. 

Love their fountain! 

Their appetizers

Modeum Mandoo

(Fried and steamed mixed dumplings)

-This is similar to gyoza.*

Japche

(Sweet potato noodles with beef and vegetables)

Kalbi Jim

(Korean beef rib stew)

Dak Bulgogi

(Grilled spicy chicken fillet)

Pajeon

(Onion leek pancake with squid)

-Personally, I eat this with kimchi.*

Dolsot Bibimbap

(Rice topped with assorted vegetable in a hot stone bowl)

Kalbi Tang

(Beef rib soup)

Rice corn tea

-This tastes like cereal... Hihihi!

-I love they give complimentary pineapple!

-Sorry don't remember what this is called but I know it has cinnamon and ginger... also complimentary.

     Good news... Korean ice creams are also available (it's a must try). This is one place that's been tried and tested for years (since the 90's). Quality has been consistent, never a disappointing moment. Staff are always friendly and accommodating. As you enter, you get a big welcome as they greet "Yoboseyo". *

Kaya Korean Restaurant

62 Jupiter Street

Makati City

895-0404/899-0604

gyoza -Japanese pork dumplings

kimchi -a spicy Korean staple dish made of cabbage, garlic and pepper.

yoboseyo -hello in Korean

Merienda Cena @ Slice

     I was happy Mom, my sister, Nicole and I brought out Havi (my nephew, Nicole's son) in Slice, Bonifacio High Street. We've had a few visits here but it was always for dessert. We were looking forward to trying their food for a change. Even if it was a late merienda, we didn't mind at all.*

Brown Arroz Caldo

-I was doubtful with this at first because it's brown rice. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. It was really tasty! 

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

-Love both the sandwich and the salad! The sandwich tastes homemade... which is a good thing.

Creamy Chicken Pasta

-Again I was doubtful when I read "malunggay fettucine".* It turned out really yummy! I ended up finishing this... Hihihi!

Highly recommended desserts and pastries:

Choco Yema

Red Velvet Cake

Sugar free ice cream (I've tried the chocolate and you won't taste the difference.)

Morning Glory

     There were just so many interesting items in their menu. I wished I had more room in my stomach so that I could order more... Hihihi! I'm sure there will be a next time.

Slice

Bonifacio High Street Central

BGC, Taguig

553-7783

merienda cena -a meal close to dinner

merienda -snack

malunggay -aka moringa oleifera

Yabu (the second time)

     We ate in Yabu last month and enjoyed (please see my previous post, Tonkatsu craze @ Yabu). Good thing I was able to convince Dad to have Sunday lunch here. It was full as expected, but we still took a chance. I gave my name and asked them to text me once we're 3rd in the wait list. Thank goodness we didn't wait that long (only 20-30 minutes) to get a table. I couldn't wait to have tonkatsu again. :D

Appetizers: Hiyayakko tofu and superior potato and egg salad

-Tofu tastes light and refreshing. I love the hint of mustard in the potato and egg salad.

Scallop and black tiger prawn

Kurobuta premium set 90g

     If you see this seal, you know you're getting the real thing. We were impressed it didn't feel oily in spite of it being deep fried. We all left happy and full. I look forward to a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, nth visit and will try other items next time.

Yabu: House of Katsu
Mall of Asia
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