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Sentro 1771 : Sakto!

3/12/2013

Sinigang Na Corned Beef. Yeah, I bet that's top of your mind. You may call it fusion, but it's NOT. It's still traditional Filipino food in my book, but with a modern presentation.

Like I would always crave for my kangkong fix. For some reason, this dish always tastes better eaten outside of home ��. So with the galunggong! These reinvented classics almost look classy served here in Sentro 1771.

I love the play of garlic and of course the food titles and descriptions. Rated GG simply does it best. Reminds us that a kitchen genius can really work that magic on otherwise dull dishes.

Lastly, anything with kesong puti is a winner in my book. Call it our local caprese if you like. Kesong puti instead of mozzarella. Anytime!
Location: Level 2, Greenbelt 3. Makati.

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XO 46: What took you so long, Señorita?

3/10/2013

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Along Valero Street in Salcedo Village is this heritage bistro called XO46. Don't ask me why it's called that. Nor why and how they describe itself as a heritage bistro.

The 2012-2013 Best New Restaurant Awards entice and impress all who happen to pass through the entrance to claim their seats inside. Yes, we waited for someone to come forward to sit us but we soon learned no one's coming.

Once seated, we browsed through the menu and by the time we were ready, no one seemed ready to take our order. Oh, the wait staff were all shuffling around but no one ever looked in our direction. And it wasn't a busy night, trust me.

We shared a clay pot of Pancit Molo soup and a plate of Vigan Empanadas. Each dish laid on our table with "Here's your order of blah blah, Señorita....", "Anything else, Señorita?" And more conversations immersed in excessive courtesy and fake familiarity.

If only they were served "en pronto". Took 40 minutes to be served these 2 utterly simple meals. The clay pot is pretentious. The soup wasn't as hot as it should be. And the empanadas are blah.

It's a puzzle in my mind how this bistro landed this Best Filipino restaurant award. They have a fancy menu, I concede, but it ends there. ��

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Memories of My Best Rabo de Toro Dinner

3/2/2013

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I wouldn't have found this place if not for foodie friends Guido and Joy. We hardly found time to meet in Manila but as luck would have it, we were in Madrid at the same time!

Anthony Bourdain raved about his best Rabo de Toro dinner here. And there's no reason to doubt it. But I'm not confident giving you directions on how to get here. My advice? Hail a cab!

It doesn't look much from the outside. Nearly non-descript. But there's the family's 6th (or was it 8th?) generation Chef Pepe and his team of old waiters. Old charm, along with framed photos screaming bullfighting history.

No wonder Ernest Hemingway spent many drinking and dining times with his matador buddies here. And how about that story of Ava Gardner and her matador boyfriend? Enough stories to compose a telenovela.

As for moì, I just want my oxtail stew. Rabo de Toro or Rabo Estofado --- makes my day!

(From Prado Museum, it's a 5 euro taxi ride. More details here)

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Sentro 1771 : Sakto!

XO 46: What took you so long, Señorita?

Memories of My Best Rabo de Toro Dinner

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