My New York food trip

I have always been fascinated by New York, the diversity of the people there, the number of sights you can see in a small amount of time and of course, the glimmering lights you can marvel at when the plane is approaching for landing at night. I have been there before 15 years ago, single and was toured around by a cousin. I remember being a little intimidated inside the subway then because the people inside looked so tall and huge I mean compared to us, Filipinos. It was also freezing because we came in January. I was not able to explore much that time and try some of their food like burgers or pizza due to limited time. But last May, I was given another chance again to explore the city but this time with my family and try some of their eating options particularly in the Upper West Side.

We chose to stay on this side of New York because it was near the American Museum of Natural History and one bus away from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). We also chose this medium-sized hotel, Hotel Beacon on this side of the city because it was in front of two groceries, Fairway and Citarella and their rooms had a kitchenette so we were able to cook rice Yey!

Below are some places I had good food while we stayed there:

Café Lalo

My cousin from Canada told me about it because it was featured in the movie “You’ve Got Mail” and though it was several blocks from our hotel, we made the short trek. And I’m glad we made that long walk in the cold breeze because the luscious pastries were a sight to behold. Inside the glass case was a variety of different tarts, cheesecakes and other specialty pastries. I ordered this tart with different fruits on top and I liked it. The fruits were sweet and in season and the crust was soft and flaky. It went well with my Chamomile tea. I also tried one of their Italian pastry, the cannoli which I always see in Cake Boss. It was an elongated pastry that was soft with a vanilla filling that is not so sweet. Looking back, I wish I ordered more from that glass case and could have gone back again but we had no time. Maybe next time 😊

Freddie and Peppers

We tried another pizza place before this but this one made a good impression. It was a hole in the wall restaurant with only several tables inside. I ordered the Chicken Ranch and it didn’t disappoint. The Ranch flavor was infused mildly and but still quite tasty. Unlike the other pizza place we tried, this one had more flavor and the crust was well-made. The chicken chunks on top were substantial like the size of its pizza. My husband loved the Pepperoni and also the Buffalo chicken flavor which had a little spice. If this was the standard for New York pizza then I was glad to have tried it and would want to sample it again one day.

Shake Shack

You could not go to New York without having tried this place. This place was always packed so we often go early as in we were always the first customer. We went to the Shake Shack near the American Museum of National History because it was near our hotel. We tried their Shack burger and now I know the hype was real. The patty was tender and had a nice flavor. Their hamburger bun was also soft and the oozing cheese was not overwhelming. But I liked their Shhrom burger a lot. It had a certain texture to it aside from its good flavor. All of the burgers were well-cooked and worth lining up for. Meanwhile, I also liked their crisscut fries because it was crunchy and not oily and my son loved their version of chicken nuggets too.

Citarella

This grocery had a good selection of food-to-go products and was really a godsend to us while we were staying at Hotel Beacon. I usually order the salmon, sometimes grilled and at times steamed. It was always fresh tasting and what a huge slab. They also had different types of salad and I often order their roasted vegetables which was a filling side dish. The various types of food they offer from refreshing salads to delectable dishes and pastas were incredible. It's like a healthy version of a fastfood.

Overall, my New York food experience was good. Yes, I have tried their food trucks too but I’m not keen on writing about it as one of these guys gave me re-heated, hard and oily fries which I demanded to exchange but was given only a slightly improved version of it instead. Anyway, these four places I mentioned were a stand-out for me while I was there and if I was to return again, I hope I can also try one of their Michelin starred restaurants like the ones I see in the Chef’s Table series in Netflix. That would be quite an experience I’m sure 😊

Meok-ja Golmok Korean Restaurant BF Homes Paranaque- A Korean Food Discovery

There’s this simple Korean restaurant I sometimes go to when I want a taste of authentic Korean cuisine. It is owned by a Korean lady with curly hair who often have her Korean friends over so I’d like to think it is the real deal. They don’t speak English much and can seem a little standoffish but I’m here for the food so I just don’t mind it.  Besides, the owner often says Thank you when I go out the door so that’s fine.

Anyway, the restaurant is below my son’s therapy center, Communicare in BF Homes and here my son likes their Beef Bulgogi. Me, I like their Bibimbab or what they call their bibimbap dish, a rice bowl topped with steamed vegetables and fried egg. There is nothing simple about this dish with its varied colors, textures and flavors. The vegetables are nicely cooked with steamed julienned slices that goes well with a crisp and savory egg. More than that, they also have a red sauce like catsup that you can drizzle and mix in the bowl to give it an added kick. This hint of spice is a surprising but delectable addition to this veggies and egg dish. Combined together, it becomes a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Their side dishes also contribute to this symphony of tastes and textures. A variety of petite sized  vegetables on small plates each with a distinct flavor. It is a mini buffet of side dishes that adds something extra to the meal as if the whole bowl is not a garden variety of colors and flavors already. But it is a happy addition I’d take with a smile. My husband likes these side dishes too so he was  a little sad when this restaurant's to go meals did not come with side dishes. Like me, he is also taken with their Bibimbab and looks forward to me bringing home one after therapy. Meanwhile, my son often assumes I ordered his favorite Bulgogi when we go to therapy but hey, I can’t always order out. Well, okay maybe next time.

Truly, simple food does not always mean simple flavors. Sometimes, it is the opposite. They surprise you and make you realize that flavors does not always have to be over the top to enjoy it. Sometimes, it is how ingredients are cooked and presented like this Bibimbab.

Mary Grace: More than just food

This is one of my favorite restaurants beside Conti’s. The unique décor always draws you in with its vintage lanterns on the ceiling, its hanging butterflies and doves and the blinking lights during Christmas.  The ambiance has a modern Filipino vibe to it. From the knitted coasters to the stained glass windows in some stores and handwritten letters pressed underneath their glass-topped tables, it truly gives you a unique experience.

 

 

My son loves their beef sirloin tapa and rosemary rice without eggs. He liked it so much, he licked his plate one time after eating to my horror. After I reprimanded him for it, he would just say, “De -li -cious” after eating his fill. Out of curiosity, I tried one piece and it tasted a little like barbecue not the usual tapa which can be a little salty and tough. This one had a tender flavor and texture to it that’s why he liked and probably because barbecue is one of his favorite food.

 

 

Meanwhile, my favorite in Mary Grace is their garlic longganisa with rosemary rice and sunny side up eggs. Their four pieces of longganisa are always full and satisfying and coupled with runny egg yolks on the side and a cup of orang-hued rice it’s a breakfast you want to come back to when you have a chance.

 

But aside from their breakfast fare which you can order all day, I also like their kesong puti salad with calamansi vinaigrette. It is a different take on your usual salad with thick dressing. The cubed kesong puti is fried and encrusted with bread crumbs so it is crunchy and soft at the same time. Their calamansi vinaigrette is light and not too sour and even had a hint of sweetness to it. It is a good and light dressing for your crunchy greens and grilled tomatoes.

I like dining in Mary Grace because this place has become a respite from my usual chores, my oasis from the daily grind. Its unique ambiance lets me forget the hustle and bustle outside. Going in, I am momentarily transported to a different place  brimming with nostalgia and creativity while being served good food.

 

Rose and Grace Restaurant: Some food reminders from my childhood

Sometimes those that are worthy of being written about comes in the most unassuming places. I have taken photos of restaurants I wanted to write about but they seem to get stuck on my phone and not get on pages of my blog.  It’s like a person you just like but not passionate about. He does not keep you awake at night or make you smile when you think about them. 

Anyway, after a while of not writing about food (I missed it) and fed up with business writing, I came across a restaurant that reminded me of my childhood and made me want to write again,  Rose & Grace Restaurant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. I just came from Hidden Valley Springs in Laguna (still looked good even after 20 years) and Shrine of Padre Pio that weekend and we had an early lunch there.

 

Hidden Valley Springs resort

  

Shrine of Padre Pio

 

 

And like a long lost relative, Rose & Grace beckoned me into its arms. When I saw their pork adobo with this orange sauce among the rows of viands in the counter, it reminded me of my Lola’s adobong Batangas. I can’t help but smile when I pointed it to the waitress. By the way,  Rose and Grace Restaurant is like an airconditioned canteen where you can choose from a wide food selection behind a  glass case and the server will bring your food to you.

And their adobo did not disappoint. It was identical to what I used to eat in Batangas when I went on vacation in my Lola’s house during summer. We would eat adobo on  a wooden table while sitting on wooden benches with an overhead fan rotating above. The piping hot rice that accompanied the adobo would smell of pandan leaves which until now I can’t recreate.

Rose and Grace's adobo like my Lola’s was tender and oily. Yes it was sinful. The orange, annatto oil with pork fat  was yum (okay pardon the cliché ). I felt like a kid again eating in my Lola’s kitchen.  Adobo slow cooked in soy sauce and vinegar then simmered with annatto powder or atchuete for more color and flavor was my kind of adobo.

But I did not order adobong baboy only, I also ordered their adobong pusit, also a favorite of mine. Not as strong a flavor like the adobong baboy and not as oily but just as tasty. I like adobong pusit not only because I do not know how to cook it but because as an avid rice eater it went well with rice. Crunching on those small squid tentacles may sound morbid but was a treat especially pouring that dark,  sweet and sour  liquid sauce on warm rice :)

 

I also ordered their sinaing na tambakol (yes, we ordered a lot, I got excited) also a reminder of my childhood. A far cry to the sinful adobong baboy, this one is the”healthy dish” but just as satisfying. It lends a fresh taste to the palate and went well with the other dishes. From what I know, sinaing in Batangas is a type of cooking where fish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed in a clay pot. Maybe it was marinated too because there was surprisingly good flavor on that fish.

 

Another surprise for me was the pork barbecue my son ordered. Grilled bite sized chunks of pork slathered in this rich red, tangy sauce. It didn’t look out of the ordinary but it was one of the better barbecues I had in a while. It was also tender not stiff or rubbery, just goes to show they know how to cook their barbecue well. Maybe that’s why my son wanted to hoard it all for himself.

To cap it off, we ordered their leche flan. It was ¼ of its actual size. It was also a nice reminder from childhood where there was always leche flan during fiesta. Here, their flan was bigger though not as creamy but still, a sweet way to end a good meal.

Bastille Revolutionary Bistro: Grilled Salmon on a leisurely day

 

I miss writing about food. It had been a hectic couple of months and I’m still trying to slow down and catch my breath so it was a good thing, I was able to wander in a restaurant that made me appreciate good food and write again.

 

Bastille Bistro is one of the many restaurants in Santana Grove in the Sucat area. I had dined there before with my son and tried their take on  the embutido. I remember theirs was like a fusion of cordon bleu and the usual embutido. I liked their creative spin on it but since my son was bugging me about his dinosaur cartoons that time, I was not able to take pictures and write about it.

 

So finding my way back here again  after doing some errands one mid-afternoon was nice. It was a chance to recharge without my persistent little boy and have a leisurely meal. This time I ordered their Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce.

And I was not disappointed. With its vibrant colors, the Grilled Salmon looked appetizing. It was also cooked just right and had no charred bits nor it had a fishy aftertaste. The marinade on the salmon was also mild which I like and it complemented their soft lemon butter sauce well. The roasted vegetables were also tender and lightly seasoned plus I liked their mashed potatoes. It had the right texture, not too soft or crumbly and went well with the well-cooked salmon. The slice of lemon was also a nice touch if you want a hint of acidity to your salmon while the soft roasted garlic on top added a hint of flavor and garnish to the dish.

I like salmon a lot and being a fish imported abroad, ordering it in restaurants can be a hit or miss. I don’t know why maybe it’s in the storage or in the preparation. So when I sampled Bastille’s Grilled Salmon and it was cooked right, I was glad.

Finding time for oneself in these stressful times can be quite a feat. So dining in a restaurant that offers an array of dishes like Caldereta Pie or Beef Bourguignon with soothing piped in music can be a treat.

It was a treat for me that time because they were playing Boyce Avenue while I was enjoying my Grilled Salmon.J I adore this band a lot so this made the meal quite special too. Anyway, I was glad that I had this little bit of time-out. Having a good meal in a restaurant with a cool ambiance, relaxing music and a helpful staff takes the edge off living even for a while, giving you a bit of a boost so you can go out and take on life again J
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tea and muffins in Crimson Hotel's Lobby Lounge

I discovered these luscious strawberry muffins during my me time in the Lobby Lounge of Crimson Hotel in Alabang. I had it with my green tea and it was great. I’m not a fan of pastries especially muffins but these ones I liked. It wasn’t too thick yet it had enough strawberry flavor to carry it through. I can’t believe that I would like it a lot. Not too strong a flavor and not too thick or crumbly, just the way I like it. It had the right amount of finesse in flavor and scarlet colored panache to make it one of my favorite strawberry muffins… like I had any comparison for it at all J

It was a surprising treat for me since I have been swamped lately from driving my son to his new school everyday (30 minutes to an hour depending on the traffic) on top of having no assistant/yaya these past months. Having to deal with a child’s sensory issues while driving can be a little stressful. He hates traffic (who doesn't?! ) and having someone having a meltdown on the backseat is not exactly a leisurely drive.  So having some tea on a weekend and partaking these delectable muffins was a little respite which I appreciate a lot.

So I was glad to have another chance to visit Crimson’s Lobby Lounge again but this time I also ordered a piece of blueberry muffin with of course, my favorite strawberry muffin. The blueberry also tasted good but I like the strawberry one better. It was nice to have some Me time in a nice place like this with elegant interiors and quiet ambiance, far the harried life of most Moms like me, a little escape even just for a few minutes, a little time-off to recharge one's drained batteries so one can start afresh for the coming week. Every Mom deserves that I think J

Afternoon Tea with my son in Raffles Makati

I've always wanted to try afternoon tea. I've always wondered about those scones which I've always read about, the nice tea set, the three-tiered tray of pastries, the conversations during tea time with the ladies, the whole concept of it.

One day, I finally had my chance to try it in Raffles Makati. Though, it was not with friends, I had a better companion, my son. I’m happy to note that he was able to sit still most of the time while we were having tea. At first, he was a little fidgety but when I ordered his fries and iced cream he was able to enjoy tea time with me. He even got his own cold tea.

Yes, you can ask to have your tea cold. I ordered their Harney & Sons Sweet Paris and their Fruit tea. The Sweet Paris had a black tea base while the Fruit tea was I guess fruit based? haha.. Okay, I forgot what the attendant told me :)

I loved both tea, the Sweet Paris was a gold-colored liquid that was mild and refreshing while the Fruit tea reminded me of strawberry juice which my son liked.

Then there were the petite sandwiches like the cucumber sandwiches which I only read about in books. At Raffles, there were tuna, cucumber and I think salmon sandwiches. It was cut in different shapes which was quite creative and at the same time a little filling and they all went well with the tea.

Then finally it arrived. The three-tiered tray, the queen of the show where the tiny sandwiches were just the front act and this grand mama was the star. Yey, I was finally having afternoon tea like the British :) I remember imitating their accent dismally in a restaurant once to my husband’s horror.

Anyway, the queen arrived with her assorted pastries. Of course, I tried the scones first. Scones, yes like the one I've always read about, yahoo! And the first thing I noticed was how soft it was because I always thought that it was hardened bread but this one was not.  I spread a sort of liquefied strawberry jam on it and I guess, their version of clotted cream to the soft bread and it was tasty.

There were also various sweet breads. Noteworthy was this bread they called stolen bread on the second tier which tasted a little like fruitcake, though a little milder. I also liked the chocolate-coated pastry on the top tier. It wasn't too sweet and had this mild coffee flavored taste to it. Nice touch too were the assorted chocolates with the pastries.

I’m quite glad to have tried my first afternoon tea with my son. I’m also glad it was in an elegant ambiance during the holidays with piano music playing holiday tunes in the background. It was a great way to spend the merry month of December and end the year. 

Bon Chon's Salad and Fish taco: Healthy food options from a fastfood chain

I had been watching my diet lately and I realized how hard it is to find food that wouldn't consist of too much carbs, saturated fat and sweets when you’re dining out. I know you have to take everything in moderation especially in eating and that having small portions will do but still finding delectable food that is healthy too is like finding a needle in a haystack. So it was quite a surprise then that a fastfood chain like Bon Chon has a healthy food selection apart from their chicken combo. They have two types of fresh salad actually, their Caesar salad and the one with an oriental dressing. I also love their fish taco plus their chicken bulgogi

Their salads are fresh, crunchy not wilted nor it is too little.  In fact it can be said that it is almost brimming. The Caesar salad dressing is also a little different. The smooth paste is dotted with pepper-like particles, giving it a little spice, a tad different from other Caesar salad dressing and goes well with the crunchy greens.

The salad combines lettuce, julienned carrots and cubes of tofu. And if you order with it chicken strips, it adds more heft to it. But most of all I like that their salad always comes out fresh and their sauce is on the side unlike other restaurants where it is drenched on the salad sometimes rendering it too soggy to eat. Little things but it adds value to the meal.

I like the oriental dressing of their salad too, it gives it a little tang, a contrast to the veggies but I think one should avoid putting too much or it may turn salty. However, if you like more flavor to your greens then pour away.

Meanwhile, their fish taco is one of my favorites. It is composed of this soy garlic fish fillet wrapped in a soft torilla embedded with strips of cabbage spiced with a kimchi like flavor, a combination of sweet and spicy.

I like the crunch of the cabbage strips contrasted with the smoothness of the fish fillet once its flavored outer layer is removed and the kick that comes after tasting the seemingly sweet and also spicy sauce. I like the play of flavors and texture, it was well thought of, simple yet creative, something that makes me want to order it often.

Another favorite of mine though not quite on the league of their healthy food options is the Chicken Bulgogi, strips of breaded chicken drenched in soy garlic sauce with white onions on top of a bowl of steaming rice. I like that I don't have to deal with chicken bones and can dive right into my rice with these tasty chicken strips. No fuss just straight eating, an uncomplicated process that falls into my kind of meal.

Overall, it's easy to lump Bon Chon as one of the fastfoods around but I'm glad this one's different. Of course, I also like their fried chicken but what makes me go back there is their healthy meal options like their salads and fish taco and for an uncomplicated yet tasty meal, their Chicken Bulgogi.

It's quite a find to have an alternative, healthy meal that comes in a fastfood. So thanks, Bon Chon, thanks for the salads and the fish taco, it made my quest for healthy eating a little bit easier :)