Kanin Club

It was in 2006 that I came to know about Kanin Club in its original location in Paseo de Sta Rosa in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Back then, I remembered that cyclists troop to this place. I thought it must be because of all the "kanin". 

After my first dinner though, I decided that it's not just because of all the kanin (rice). It's so much more. Can't remember anymore the number of times, we've had lunches and dinners in its Ayala Triangle Gardens branch. And believe me, the queue can be exasperating. But the food coma is totally worth it. 

Dinuguan with a twist.

And with this incredible view of an oasis in the middle of the business district, who would say no to a hearty serving of these Pinoy dishes.
 

 

 

Kanin Club
Ayala Triangle Gardens
Paseo de Roxas corners Makati Ave. and Ayala Ave.,
Makati City

Xx

Sheng

Wooden Spoon: Scrumptious Pinoy Food

Comfort food to me means Filipino food. Whenever I want to have a truly happy belly, I choose a Filipino restaurant when dining out. 

We had our sights trained on a new restaurant that opened in Rockwell's Power Plant Mall but alas, it was close last Sunday. So, we head to my palate's first love -- Pinoy Food. 

Say, hello to Wooden Spoon. 

The interior's quite literal with wooden spoons hanging on the ceiling. Okay, they were spoon chandeliers. It's homey. And gives off a good vibe. Really suitable for families dining in. Booths are roomy, too.

The menu is minimalist but packs a punch on the choices. The dishes are that good that we had to resort to the ubiquitous, "extra rice." It rarely happens even with our apparent appetite for food.

Traditionally done Dinuguan. Really, really good. (P250)

Adobo Flakes (P195)

Kare-kare (P272)

Binagoongan (P207)

Adobong Kangkong (P179)

It was such a pleasant experience that I told my friends to check it out. We will definitely go back, too!

Wooden Spoon
Concourse Level, Rockwell Power Plant Mall

Xx

Sheng

Something Old, Something New in Davao

I always feel giddy when I get the chance to be given field work assignment in Davao, for meetings and trainings.  There's always a good chance that I'll be able to say hello to my family, reconnect with some old friends and enjoy the new food haunts in the city. 

Of course, it swells the heart of a Dabawenya to see her city that's clean, smoke-free and safe. 

Motorists always leave the pedestrian lane unoccupied. Unlike in Manila.

Its streets is still relatively sparse. Just like this one in front of ADDU College campus.

 

Tree-lined Roxas Boulevard

Before Starbucks came into the consciousness of Dabawenyos, we already have our own designer brew -- the Bluegre Coffee. It specializes in durian-based brew, hot or cold.

I remember this shop having the coolest interior when it opened in 1998 in Gaisano Mall Davao. The store design interspersed coffee beans and Bluegre Jeans, shirts and other merchandise all throughout the store. It had ambient lights and the furniture and wood paneling were made of beech wood. It was the height of my barely-out-of-college social climbing--scrimping on my allowance so I can afford a cup of coffee, sit inside and people watch.

The BluGre Cafe in Matina Town Square

Today, whenever I have guests I make it a point to bring them there. The durian-based coffee concoctions are a subtle way to introduce the acquired taste of durian to a non-eater. 

On this visit, my old friend and namesake and I came here to reminisce and reconnect. We're both transplanted, I in Manila and she is living an expatriate's life in Japan. It was just rad that we were both home at the same time, staying for a few days.

The few times that I get to go home, there's always something that catches my attention. Like this cab. I learned that there's a new fleet of pastel colored taxis. There's also the blue and black fleets outfitted with GPS from an established taxi operator.

Cheeky name, eh?

While in the city, I made sure to eat at one of my fave restaurants, Tiny Kitchen. I wrote about it two years ago when it was literally a tiny kitchen. Click here to read.

My friends and I raved about its dessert and paella. Today, I discovered something new. 

Frozen mango cake. Heard the frozen chocolate cake is much, much better.

Another night, I dragged along a colleague to this fairly new restaurant in town called, The White House. This house used to take my breath away when I pass by the flyover. Back when there were fewer developments in the city, it had an unobstructed 180 degree view. I used to wonder if someone lives there. In later years, I was betting for it to be converted into a quaint B&B.

Serves Asian fusion. Has open kitchen. Nice view of the good looking chefs inside :-)

Fancy cheese cake

Fancy, fancy place.

Will come back this Christmas and sample more of its fusion cuisine. And maybe enjoy a bottle of wine.

On my last night in the city, I was tired and suffering from colds so I had the ever reliable room service of Marco Polo. 

Pork Adobo.

The Marco Polo Hotel's driveway entrance.

It was a short and sweet stay in my favorite city and a much shorter visit with the family in my hometown where I met for the first time, a new member of our family, my youngest nephew who is barely three months old. He's quiet as a mouse and smiles a lot. What a happy baby. 

Will be back soon, Davao.

XX

Sheng

Casual Dining at Stacy's

Heard about it last year. Saw some pictures. The hubby sort of raves about it. He thinks I'd like the place. We had dinner last night at Stacy's, a cute American diner. 

 

 

Adorable bike! I'd love to have one like this.

The diner greets its customers with cutesy stuff like vintage toys on shelves and aprons hung side by side framed prints. 

Pink SMEG fridge. Very, very adorable.

Cath Kidston Aprons. Two thumbs up.

 
The place is quite small. It feels like an intimate setting for casual dining. The swirls of colors makes you put on a happy face. It's a bit on the kitsch side but in a loveable kind of way. 

Once seated, your waitress will bring you a mug of freshly microwaved popcorn with colorful mallows on top. 

Your ray of sunshine. Fresh gerbera in mason jar.

The food choices are good enough. It serves all-day breakfast so expect combo-type meals.

Tyrone's dinner: Big Breakfast Bangers (P185)

Mine: One of its best-sellers - Stacy's Jones (P215)

Not bad, price- and taste-wise. Would I go back? Yup, surely.

If you're dining with kids, they can enjoy this cute little play area. 

This pretend dining area has real food for the kids. See the munchies?

Stacy's

G/F Rizal Drive, Forbeswood Heights

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

XX

Sheng

The tenderest loin is at Saboten

Lately, I have this compulsion to eat everything that's Japanese cuisine. My first love really is sashimi. Maybe it's rooted from my childhood memories of eating kinilaw (fresh tuna in vinegar and cucumber) on weekends. That was the usual fare.

And then my palate got introduced to the explosion of flavors of ramen. And the difference in provenance puts a spin to its taste. And then, Yabu came along. Suddenly, Katsu is no longer just one of the dishes in a Japanese cuisine. It has become a specialty in the Filipino palate. Of course, I went and checked it out. 

Am not a gourmand but I do know how to appreciate good food. I also do not impose my taste on others. But I get excited about sharing my fondness for certain types. When about a month ago Saboten opened, the hype and fuss that came with it are astounding. 

Uncharacteristically, it took me a while to brave the crowd. Until two Sundays ago. Tyrone and I had a long leisurely late lunch. When the belly is empty, anything is usually palatable. But I kid you not, it's not the case here. 

At four in the afternoon, you would think getting a table is easy. But no. We were wait-listed. About 20 minutes later, we were shown our table. Ah, the thrill of anticipation.
 
Once seated, the first activity to keep your hands busy is to grind the sesame seeds for the dip/sauce. 

Sesame seeds for the dip/sauce.

 

 While waiting for the main course, you can feast on a cabbage salad.

Refillable.

It is yummiest when paired with sesame dressing. Scout's honor. I didn't know cabbage can be really this good. The secret is all in the dressing.

Cabbage Salad dressings: Citrus and Sesame

Or you can munch on pickles. Refillable, too.

Now, the main course. Truth be told, we chose to order its original -- the signature menu.  The tenderloin set has 3 sizes: Small (P375), M (P395) and L (P425)

Large size.

Small size.

 Any order comes with a cup of rice (refillable) and miso soup (refillable). House Tea is also provided should you want it. You can take it hot or cold. 

I think it's wise not to order dessert or another main course if you order this set because it's really filling. The cabbage salad alone takes up a lot of belly space. But it's hard to say no to it naman kasi nga masarap. 

I must say that the pork (katsu) is the tenderest that I have ever tasted. It's love at first bite. Flavor is very subtle; it makes you want to chew leisurely to savor the taste. That good. In fact, two nights later am back with Mara who eats there on average, at least once a week.

In a few weeks of operation, it already claimed the number 1 spot in Spot.ph Top 10 Tonkatsu. So, don't just take my word for it.

If you're curious check it at the G/F Serendra Piazza, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

XX

Sheng