A Taste of South America in Puñta Manila

Puñta Manila serves South American food? I was instantly sold! Everything South America related, my eyes automatically light up :D 

We were the only customers when we walked in at around 5 in the afternoon. The place looks cozy and roomy with high ceilings. The couches upstairs look comfy, perfect for when you're having late night drinks with friends.

While waiting for our orders.

At first I asked for their Chinchulines and Lo Mejor, unfortunately, those were unavailable at the time. Boo.

I ended up ordering Chuletas de Puerco, which was the last thing I wanted to order, pero sige keri na. The house salsa and sauces were good, especially the chimichurri. The meal came with rice, half corn cob, and beans.

Chuletas de Puerco. pork chop + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo. (PhP385)

Culo de Pollo. chicken tail + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo (PhP165)

Everything that we ordered were surprisingly good! We especially liked their big servings. Two persons can share a meal and still be full.

Pierna de Pollo. quarter chicken leg + crema de ajo + chimichurri + salsa roja + pico de gallo (PhP330)

 Vamos a comer!

So, was it anything like the food in South America? Well, the popular anticuchos were there, so were the beans and corns, albeit smaller in size, but I can't really say. It wouldn't be fair to compare since I admit we mostly subsisted on street foods while we were there, and all those have distinct tastes. 

What I can say with the food in Ecuador and Peru is this—quite greasy despite the perpetual presence of salads on their plates (I think it's not because of the abundance of highland vegetables in the 2 countries, it's like it was only placed there to make up for the all fried food people consume everyday hahaha). Flavoured rice is not a common thing, in fact, I never liked their rice. It was so starchy. Asian rice rocks! But anyway this fusion is an interesting way to introduce Filipinos to Latin America palate. 

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The Park, Liberty Center, 312 Shaw Boulevard,
Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City
Tel No. : (02) 941 2870

Design Your Own Pizza at Project Pie

I am proud to say that after a few months of utter curiosity, I finally got to try Project Pie. I like Project Pie's tag line: everyday artisan pizza custom built by you. Just like our very own DYO (Do Your Own) line from work. Free plug yo. 

At first, I really thought that the pizza dough will be handed to me after which I will sprinkle/design it with whatever toppings my heart desires. Wrong! Actually, there's a bunch of people who will take your orders starting from pizza base, cheese and toppings.

Project Pie menu

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1) You line up here. Lucky you if there's no queue!

2) The first person you will talk to will ask what your pizza base will be. Basically, just choose between numbers 1 - 7, as listed on the menu. Then he will ask if you want to add more toppings on your base pizza. He will also get your name which will then be passed on to another person by way of yelling haha.

3) Should you choose the Build-Your-Own option, the next person in line will take your base pizza and add whatever toppings you want in it. There's so many to choose from it's a riot bordering on #firstworldproblems.

I love that they will never scrimp on your cheese!! Plus 100 points!

4) After finalising your order, you will then move on to this girl (or a guy in your case) who will hand over a paper with your name and the toppings you chose written on it. 

Then this guy will bake it for you in a really, really hot oven.

5) You pay for your order at the counter, maybe add an extra order of drinks (try their China Mist Iced Tea!). My colleagues and I all went for the BYO and paid 285 pesos each.

After a few minutes they started calling out our names one by one. Everything was done pretty fast! I think I've spent a lot more time choosing what toppings to add than the actual baking itself.

Behold my meaty Number 5 (mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola, parmesan, cracked black pepper, olive oil, garlic, fresh chopped basil)! My choice of toppings were pepperoni, ham, bacon (regular and Canadian), caramelized onion, green pepper, mushroom and get this, walnuts. Ang labo ng order ko, I know! But this one I didn't regret because when the cheese got a bit too strong for me, the walnuts were there to equalize the cheesiness. Molto bene!

Below are samples of what others ordered.

We traded some of our own pizza slices to others so there will be more variety. It was such a great idea. Here's the happy Brady bunch!

The next week, we ate at Project Pie again (please don't judge us, we were just happy and satisfied customers). This time we ordered half-half BYO pizza and Simon, our newly hired member, bought a dessert pizza for everyone.

Half and half BYO.

Strawberry Mango Nutella. PhP195.

The best thing about Project Pie, aside from the pizza, is their Clean Your Own policy. I looove this. It lessens the burden on waiter/waitress' part plus you get to practice cleaning your own mess like what we all should do even outside our own homes/offices.

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Project Pie
1555 Laurel St cor Shaw Blvd
Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

A Taste of Turkey at Bricks & Copper

In our quest for an escape from corporate woes, we found ourselves in Bricks & Copper, a hole-in-the-wall that promises an authentic experience of Turkish cuisine.

For appetizer we ordered their Babakanus with extra bread cos the bread's really good especially when warm.

I ordered the Menemen with Turkish pilav. Menemen is a traditional Turkish spicy egg omelet with chili, salt, black pepper and tomatoes.

The pilav.

Romy had the Tavuk Pilav (Chicken on Turkish Rice).

While Ten had the Adana Beef kebab on Turkish Rice. Basically, beef kebab on Turkish rice topped with special tomato sauce with vegetable sides.

In fairness, there's really a distinct taste to their tavuk and adana that I haven't had before. It's really good. Unlike my forgetable Menemen hahaha.

The Turkish chef is also there if you wish to talk or ask him more about the food. Nadyahe lang kami kasi we think he was on a break. Kawawa naman, mukhang pagod.


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Bricks and Copper Turkish Cuisine
Shaw 500 Zentrum, Shaw Blvd
Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong

Payday Lunch Series: The Cookbook Kitchen Experience

Since discovering the favourable proximity of Cookbook Kitchen from our office, it has been my office friends and I's goal to have lunch there one of these days and that day has finally arrived!

From the outside the restaurant looks like a typical house with a very appealing door... 

                                               

...and plants!

Aside from the lone guy eating in the corner table, we were the only people in the restaurant. But not for very long. A couple of customers arrived, apparently we all had the same place to eat in mind.

Le menu.

Interior wall art.

Appetizer: Garlic Shrimps. Feeling ko nauto lang kami sa pag-order nito (at nagpauto naman kami haha). But  they're okay.

Parmesan Crusted White Fish is the resident superstar of Cookbook Kitchen. You'll get why after you've had a taste of it. Absolutely divine! <3 p="p">

We also ordered another set of ulam, Arizona Ribs. Mmm, this one's a so-so. Nothing really special with it.

After all the carbo and protein that we stuffed into our mouths, it's time for the best part of any meal - the dessert! Romy, Ten and I shared over their must-have Kittin's Scarlet Cake. My verdict? More cream cheese! I think I'm better off with red velvet cupcakes (than a slice) in general :)

Here's a view of Cookbook Kitchen from the outside. I would still like to come back though and give their pastas a shot.

Cookbook Kitchen

8 Socorro Fernandez St
Bagong Silang, Mandaluyong
(02) 724-3595

Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss

I finally got to eat in Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss along with friends! This fairly new Japanese restaurant conveniently sits near our office building along Shaw Blvd. 

Here's what it looks like from the outside. It's right in front of Puregold Supermarket so you really can't miss it.

Look at their giant menu. Choose anything you like from here then pay up front at the cashier.

Here's the interior.

Sir, are you the noodle boss?

Ten ordered this potato salad for sides.

This Kaki-age soba, however, is her main.

This miso soup comes free with any bento meals.

Ten with her koshi noodles.

According to their website, Koshi is that sweet taste of tender and chewy noodle, firm but not hard with resistance to the bite. I didn't exactly get to experience this because I ordered a bento haha.

Tempura Udon for Romy. The tempura's huge ha!

Just being silly.

Here's my Shogayaki bento. It came with Japanese rice, miso soup and 4 sides that I'm not sure what the names are. The white one on the left side felt like tuna salad but I'm sure it's not tuna. I didn't ask haha. The one in the middle is sort of pickled veggies (not sure again).

Another interior shot of Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss.

My remaining food mates, Romy and Ten. We miss you Reg!