It doesn't look much from outside. It's a hole-in-the-wall in fact. But this banhmi outlet is as authentic as the men behind the counters.

Neither is there too many choices. I like that I only choose from 4. I chose the "traditional" -- slices of lean pork lying on freshly-baked baguettes smothered with homemade liver paté and garnished with julienned cucumbers and carrots plus my fav coriander or wansoy.

Lost? Let WAZE guide you to Mayapis Street. Cash & Carry (Makati) is just across Osmeña Highway.

Phone in your orders for Makati deliveries. Try all banhmis as well as the artichoke drink. Take out some extra freshly-baked baguettes to eat at home with butter or cream cheese.

P.S. They also sell Vietnamese rolls -- fresh or fried -- on weekends.

Bento boxes are sooo Japanese. Whenever I feel "lazy" ordering my Japanese meal, I'd find myself leafing through the menu to check out the bento boxes.

In Akira, I was so delighted with their long bento boxes. Not squarish. More rectangular. Long enough to contain all my favorites in small portions.

You want ebi tempura? Or would you stick to a fish diet and opt for gindara? Both come with tuna sashimi, miso soup, beansprout salad, a few chicken balls, watermelon slices and Japanese rice.

Or you may want to order a shrimp teppanyaki meal instead. Comes with soup and beansprouts and just as yum!

We tried the Akira branch in Alphaland behind The Columns at the corner of Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue.

Whenever I crave for Indian food, Kashmir Restaurant along Pasay Road comes top of mind. Think curry. Think samosas. Think dahl. 😁

Samosas make for good appetizers but they can easily fill you up as well. You can go vegetarian or go have the yummy beef samosas. Be sure to ask for the spinach dip, and chutney.

For curry, you may choose lamb or shrimp or better still, have both. Tell the staff how spicy you want them. Order a siding of raita, just in case, to "neutralize" the spicy dishes.

And please.... don't forget my favorite lentil dish. Dahl is best in Kashmir. Can't have it more authentic. And forget your diet. You may have your Naan but rice is best with these Indian dishes.

So there. Hop on your car and drive down EDSA and turn towards Pasay Road. Just after passing New World Rennaissance Hotel but before reaching Amorsolo Street and Don Bosco Church, you'd find Kashmir on your left.

It was almost closing time when we got here in BGC's Cinema to have our pasta fix at Va Bene on the 3rd floor. One look at my teenage grandnephew and the staff knew he'd likely devour his late dinner in 15 minutes flat.

I ordered mushroom soup for the 2 of us. Good to tide us over while waiting for our pasta dinner. It was good! Even apo could smell and taste the truffle oil in the soup.

The spinach canneloni didn't disappoint. Cheesy. Very cheesy. And my Pasta Arrabiata had just enough spice to complete a good dinner.

Didn't finish the Pasta Arrabiata --- the generous helping was good for 2. And the staff were only too happy to pack the rest for me. Fifteen minutes! That's it. Cravings satisfied.

I had a lunch date with a teenager. Nothing heavy, just a light lunch for her before her college interview. I chose Epicurious as I thought the novelty of dining in this "mercato-like" resto would appeal to her.

Just as I expected, my 17 y.o. teen loved the vibe here. We surveyed the deli and soup counters before deciding on lunch. It was tempting to skip the light lunch and indulge. 😁

We chose our soup -- clam chowder -- and our caprese plus a pasta dish. Light? Hmmm, by our standards YES!

Not sure if this place ever gets crowded but at the time we went, we shared the entire space with a couple more groups. We liked what we ate, but won't swoon over them.

We do like the place and the vibe. If you're into deli like jamon y quezos and raring to share vino with friends, this is a good place. Start with soup, then order your wine and deli. If hungry, choose a steak, salmon or those sausages and have them cook it for you.

Btw, I ordered a flat white just before leaving. The verdict? Better than coffee in those pretentious coffee shops sprouting all over the city!

Who doesn't know Atching Lillian, the grand dame of Pampanga? Kapampangan Cuisine WITHOUT the modern twist. Oh yes, keep it traditional. Keep it in its "old" good form.

We came for lunch but some of the breakfast "leftovers" were still included in the spread. Longganiza, tocino, bringhe (sticky rice a la arroz valenciana), even the tidtad (dinuguan) were obviously "mainstays" on the table.

Atching Lillian was around and she led me to the freshly-cooked, still steaming gabi soup. I thought it must taste like sinigang but it wasn't. Went well with the okoy as starters.

When I saw there was sisig, I took a soup bowl and filled it with the sinful kapampangan dish. Between that and the tidtad, I was in deep trouble. The adobong puti, morcon and another dish that looked like callos took the backseat.

I must confess that I left no room for dessert. There was maja blanca but we chose to instead buy those San Nicolas cookies to take home. I'm good for the next 4-5 hours!

Atching Lillian Lising-Borromeo's place is in Mexico, Pampanga but do take the San Fernando Exit along NLEX. As soon as you pass SM and Robinson's, watch out for the ptt gas station on your left. Just nearly behind it is an unmarked green gate, open to receive diners.