chinese restaurant | beyond toxicity

Posts Tagged ‘chinese restaurant

Nov

DINING CHINESE

Greetings from Shanghai, China!

Did those Chinese silk lanterns, crimson red velvet lounge seats and chairs and gorgeous porcelain fool you? The greetings’ too ambitious, I know. But who knows? Day will come that I’ll get to bring my feet and my family to China too. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I’m sharing here my honest review of my Chinese lunch at Chynna restaurant in Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur. I hope they won’t ban me from dining there again after this post! *cue prayers here* This post isn’t a rant but a constructive criticism and a challenge to improve.

How to get there? I took a cab from Bukit Bintang to KL Sentral where Hilton Hotel is located. When I was already inside the taxi driven by a friendly Malaysian-lady-driver who thankfully, used her taxi meter on our route (fyi, it’s unspoken rule in Kuala Lumpur that taking taxi cabs isn’t always metered by those opportunitistic divers), it popped in my mind that I could have taken the monorail from Bukit Bintang directly to KL Sentral which costs much cheaper of course (around 2 ringgit only instead of the metered taxi ride of RM15). It was useless to entertain regret so I took the monorail for my return to Bukit Bintang after my lunch; however it’s a-15-minute-walk from KL Sentral to the monorail station, nonetheless worth it.

What did I sample? I’m a dim sum monster so it got to be dim sum of course!!!

Because I was attending an exclusive food tasting tour at Feast Village, Starhill Gallery at 3PM that day, I chose to eat light. And that’s how I defined a light meal *snickers* ~Four Season Platter, Siew Mai (or for us Filipinos, siomai!) and the biggest Chicken pao I’ve eaten! I could have ordered hot tea but I was disappointed after I learned that Chynna’s Tea Master was on his day off. If you’ve noticed my photo of their dim sum open kitchen above, the tea pot with a long nose is eye-catching, isn’t it? Since their Tea Master’s out that day, I missed out his Kung Fu moves when serving hot Chinese tea. Thus, I washed everything down with chilled fresh Orange juice (not in photo).

AMBIANCE vs SUBSTANCE

Did Chynna impress me? As I wanted to indulge something extraordinary other than the usual fastfood and hawker meals, I opted to try this Chinese restaurant initially to experience its beautiful ambiance. I was immediately drawn onto its interiors the very moment I saw it on Hilton’s website. And true enough, it’s more pleasing to the eyes up close! The mood inside Chynna restaurant exudes extreme elegance. The cost of the food on the menu’s another affordable luxury; highly competitive with the common restaurants outside hotels. The staff’s friendly, quick and efficient.

Everything’s at its finest even the food presentation but not its taste.

Disappointed without witnessing the Kung Fu moves of their Tea Master, I felt the same too when Chynna’s dim sums tasted stuffed with extenders! I may be wrong and Chynna may deny it but what I ordered tasted all bland! Sure, they provided two sauces to go with them but a delicious dim sum is delicious sans anything. I know my palate so well. I know how authentic dim sum tastes like. As mentioned in my previous posts, despite I’ve never been to China yet, I think eating dim sums from hawker food stalls and five-star-hotel restaurants in all our trips to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand (we even had dim sum buffet in Bangkok recently) and even in Manila Chinatown and in Penang and in Kuala Lumpur itself makes me no-authority but at least my gustatory sense has been familiar with quality dim sums. Admittedly, I only sampled a few dim sum from Chynna in Hilton-KL however, it really didn’t hit the mark! Perhaps, noodles, soups and fish, chicken and meat dishes from their menu are all wonderful but remain to be tasted. That’s a good reason to try Chynna again next time.

Although it means nothing to me because I’m a non-smoker, you might be interested that Chynna has private dining rooms where smoking is permitted.

CHYNNA | 5th Level Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur | www.hilton.com

*This is not a sponsored post.

*This Luxurious Kuala Lumpur Blog Series includes :

*GOOD NEWS : To those who read & follow my blog, I’ll appreciate if you could drop a line or two about my blogging via ths link :http://www.expatsblog.com/blogs/1157/beyond-toxicity; this is in line with the BEST EXPAT BLOG AWARDS run by ExpatsBlog.com. Maraming salamat po!

Jun

KING CHEF : FEAST FOR A KING

By docgelo 25 Comments

It felt like Chinese New Year in June when my 5-year-old son, Gabby and I attended the festive grand launch of KING CHEF yesterday, June 29, 2010 at 3PM.

Dragon and lion dances, firecrackers and Chinese cultural dancers welcomed the opening of this newest Chinese restaurant in Banawe Street, Quezon City.

Dimsums were served during the cocktail reception prior to the official opening of the event. If you must know, my son fondly calls chicken feet as ‘chicken run’ as he’s always reminded of the cartoon movie with the same title every time he sees that Chinese dish. Admittedly, King Chef’s version is tasteful, but it’s not really my favorite steamed dish.

The brief downpour wasn’t a bother for the occasion and in fact was considered as a wonderful blessing. The ceremonial cutting of ribbon was led by the owners, Mr. Michael Chan-Ang and Mrs. Marites Apiado-Ang (couple in blue & red at the far left).

King Chef beams with elegant yet non-intimidating interiors with comfy seats fit not only for royalty but more so for friends and families.

The spacious facade and the beautiful interiors add up to the entire dining experience at King Chef.

A special buffet spread was served along with traditional Chinese dances for the invited guests.

Shameless display of my gluttonous plate which I shared with my foodie son, Gabby…

Now if that wasn’t enough for you to crave for King Chef’s authentic Chinese dishes, I suggest you try it yourself whenever possible and let me know of what you think of their reasonably priced delicious foods on their menu.

A venue for celebration and success, King Chef has exclusive function rooms and also accepts reservations for business meetings, corporate functions, wedding banquets, parties, and anniversaries. Also featured is the Tea Room where special private and exclusive celebrations can be held.

A daily Hong Kong style Dimsum Promo is also available 2 times daily from 2:30PM to 5:00PM and 9:00PM to 12MN. King Chef also caters and is getting known for their Dimsum Bar.

King Chef is located at 989 Banawe Street, Quezon City (in front of Manresa Retreat House; just beside Starbucks in Banawe Street towards Del Monte Street, QC) with contact number (63-2) 410-4919 and (63-2) 216-0136.

*My special thanks to Ms. Abigail Ang Delos-Santos for the invite to cover this event.

Updates: King Chef’s menu (prices subject to change without prior notice)

*click 2x to enlarge!

May

KING BEE AND THINGS LESS PRICEY

By docgelo 44 Comments

In this day and age, observance of frugality and prudence is absolutely important or at least for our family. Stretching our domestic budget has always been an effort between my wife and I; we cut on other expenses but we don’t compromise food. We always prioritize Gabby’s fortified powdered milk, his chocolate drink, multivitamins, sometimes his favorite cereals too. We don’t dine out as frequent as before and if we do, we choose affordable and family-friendly food places. We always try to seek value-for-money.

There were 2 new things we experienced last Sunday. First was attending mass at 6 in the evening; we always hear mid-morning masses except last week. Both Tina and I had to do household chores in the morning and stuffs she had to finish for work, so we opted to skip our routine and decided to go to Christ the King Church in E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City at dusk. Then after the Mass, it was also our first time to eat at KING BEE Chinese Food.

We’ve been seeing its newly opened branch right across that church for some time now but haven’t tried it until last Sunday. I’ve already heard raves about King Bee from my dad who already tried their Antipolo Branch with my aunts and uncles early this year. Tina and I thought it was like another Chinese fast food but we only knew that it is not when we’re already inside ordering our dinner.

When the waiter handed us the menu, we found out that prices are within reached; and because entrees come in sizes- S, M, & L, it’s even more reasonable than other long-established Chinese restaurants that we frequent. Plus it’s nice that they still offer Opening Promo of 20% off on all of their dimsums at 8 in the evening. We came almost an hour before 8 but the staff told us that we can already avail of the discount.

Look at how we maximized our PhP 547 (net, inclusive of tax) with dimsums, seafood fried noodle dish and a glass of sago and black gulaman.

In a glimpse : DIMSUMS that we savored

In toto :

SEA KING ROLL…

I’m lost for words to express how delightful this dimsum is!

PORK SIOMAI…tasteful!

HAKAO…it’s a must whenever we dine Chinese!

Gabby liked the shrimp dumpling or hakao. He just loved forking those plump and juicy shrimps! Delicious! Certainly, a personal favorite!

ASADO SIOPAO…

The buns are the softest! Its filling has unique taste compared to usual Asado siopao. Yummy!

What’s dimsum and dumplings without chili + soy + calamansi ?

Usual Chinese resto freebie : house tea…aids in digestion, of course and saves you on ordering beverages

SEASONAL SEAFOOD FRIED NOODLES…

We only had the small order (you can opt for medium or large) but surprisingly came with generous ingredients!

mix it up, and voila!

Gabby enjoyed a glass of SAGO & BLACK GULAMAN…

Can you blame me if I fell in love and will forever love these killer smiles? Love ko ‘to :

Thank you Lord for all the blessings–big and small!

Tina and I agreed that King Bee Chinese Food is authentic in taste; affordable in price; quick and polite in service with casual ambiance. It’s like eating in Manila Chinatown without the hassles of traffic! We’ll definitely try their other dishes on our future visits.

For menu, price, branches and other details of King Bee, click –> THIS.

Feb

PRELUDE TO CHINESE NEW YEAR

By docgelo 28 Comments

After an afternoon at the zoo, my wife suggested for us to have an early dinner in a restaurant an eatery in Ongpin last weekend; I was too weak to resist!

We went first to Sta Cruz Church, said our prayers and crossed the street. It’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of Carriedo fountain (note to self : keep on dreaming for Europe). However, just like Manila Zoo, I heard it’s also wailing for some maintenance and preservation.

Then we strolled from Sta Cruz Church to Manila Chinatown and finally reached a hole-in-the-wall-Chinese fastfood. Thank Heavens, we immediately spotted an empty table; an unusual sight at this very busy eatery.

Since our heartbeats increased after walking, first thing we ordered was something to chill us down. This fastfood’s version of Hong Kong Iced Tea is a champion! It has finely shaved ice with thin slices of lemons that made it tasteful. At PhP 50, it’s so refreshingly good and affordable too that I almost ordered another glass. Tina reminded me that we’re observing utmost prudence on the budget, so I settled with the hot tea on the house; I smiled and did not complain.

We saw chinky-eyed customers flocking in non stop; a strong indication that this food place really serves best-tasting Chinese treats. We didn’t waste time and told the wait staff our orders… And voila, less than 10 minutes, they arrived on our tables…

SIOMAI . One of the best, if not the best-tasting siomai I’ve tasted!. It’s gloriously delicious.

Amen!

BOLA-BOLA SIOPAO is one of our common favorites. Tina’s biased with Kowloon’s; I can’t blame her. But even Gabby liked the soft white bun of this fastfood’s siopao! The filling is its edge in contrast to other versions. It has salted egg, strips of mushrooms, and a giant meat ball that’s so flavorful.

While we’re happy to try those 2 dimsums at its finest tastes, the next dishes suffered comparison from our favorite Chinese food places.

SHRIMP CHEONG CHONG FAN. Tina and I had our initial taste bud’s exposure to this shrimp rice rolls 5 years ago in NZ. Since then, it became our favorite. We usually order it whenever we eat Chinese. We love the version from LE CHING’S TEA HOUSE in Greenhills Shopesville and TirNoma and Shrimp Cheong fan from EMERALD GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT in Roxas Blvd. And because we’re used to generous servings of plump shrimps and its thick rice rolls from Le Ching, we’re a bit disappointed with this fastfood’s Cheong Chong fan.

We barely tasted the shrimps because they were too small for bites; the rice rolls were too limp and thin, like the fountain and the zoo begging for improvement. The saving glory was its sweet and salty soy sauce.

We also ordered rice toppings…

STEAMED CHICKEN MUSHROOM RICE (left) and SPARERIBS RICE TOPPINGS (right)

“Lasang Tinola” , my wife commented. Tina, Gabby and I love Chicken Mushroom Rice, but again, our reference was that of Le Ching’s so we find it quite different; gingery to be exact. But I must state that their chicken serving is more generous.

I had the Spareribs Rice Toppings; ’twas fine. I was satisfied. I may order it again next time we visit…

It would be unfair if we won’t visit WAI YING again in Binondo to try their other yummies. I know a few more dine-in here would lead to its inclusion to the list of our favorites.

Have you tried Wai Ying ? What’s your favorite from their menu?

Do you have plans already to celebrate this year’s CHINESE NEW YEAR VALENTINE’S ?

Last year, we had a blast; view HERE! and HERE (you want to click it, don’t you? LOL)

For this year, I already have something in mind but we’ll keep it cheap simple; we’re CELEBRATING LOVE everyday anyway!

——————————————————

WAI YING,927 Benavidez Street, Binondo Manila (From Sta Cruz’ Church go straight to Ongpin then turn right to Salazar Street (where President’s Tea House is located, then right again to Benavidez St).

Jan

ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE YEAR (PART 1)

By docgelo 24 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and TRAVEL
Tags: binondo, binondo manila, buddha, buddha statues, chestnuts, chinatown, chinese, chinese charms, chinese restaurant, doc gelo, docgelo, dong bei, family, family and living, family fun, family life, gold, jewelries, kuchay dumplings, lakwatsa, manila, manila chinatown, ongpin, ongpin manila, oriental

with less traffic and while everyone was still enjoying the holiday spirit, we went here….

Tina, Gabby and I with my in-laws — docBibs (my wife’s sister) and Daddy Larry (who’s on vacation here from San Leandro, Ca) roamed almost the entire Chinatown in search for good food and best buys. You might be thinking that my family was in the spending mode and I’ve already disregarded my annual wish to save, save and save (so help me, God!) as early as the second day of twenty ten but we just accompanied my dad-in-law to buy himself Chinese medicine for arthritis that he heard (not from me, definitely) from his friends who have been using such. He also had a taste of what Manila has been since he left it decades ago.

We got the snake-bone-in-capsules (read : I am not yet prescribing and am not aware of effects) in this drugstore across DONG BEI (where the freshest kuchay dumplings are and I am so recommending!) in Yuchengco Street, at the back of Binondo Church..

A walk through Binondo and Ongpin Streets in Manila is always amusing…

For a healthy start, here’s a cart full of veggies found usually in sidewalks…Cauliflower sells for PhP 40 per kilo, sarap sa chopsuey!

or fibrous and vitamin-rich, fresh fruits; they’re very round too! perfect to attract prosperity for New Year!

Are you fascinated with chestnuts roasting on an open fire ?

Tina and I asked the manong about cooking kastanyas. The small and black pebbles which are warmed in oil prevent the chestnuts to stick together during roasting and sugar is added to make everything sweeter. Entire roasting lasts for about half an hour before they sell it for PhP 120/kg. We bought 2 kilos.

This altar of a cross with Chinese incense sticks and sampaguita leis with red ribbons (not the bakeshop but for good luck!) never fails to draw attention veneration. Imagine Catholicism and a bit Chinese beliefs unite to strengthen a community!

Gabby wasn’t complaining of our walk from Binondo all the way to Ongpin. He even managed to grin when my generous balikbayang-biyanan bought 2 boxes of tikoy or glutinous rice from a stall vendor who also sells dried seafoods. See those huge packs of hibe (dried shrimps)? It made me crave for ginisang monggo.

Among those Oriental charms and ornaments we saw in Ongpin…

I fell in love with this…

It’s a smiling-fiberglass-Buddha in jade color that stands more than 2 feet. I like it’s almost perfectly round stout belly that believed to bring best luck when rubbed. It’s affordable at PhP 4,800. And if only we have extra budget for unnecessary things, we’ve brought it home in a blink.

Our Daddy Larry didn’t buy a Buddha statue but two cats and a tiger (2010 is a Tiger year). He also didn’t forget to buy my lovely mom-in-law who was left with their kids in Ca, a little surprise pasalubong…

Gold loop earrings as big as a peso coin that weigh almost 3 grams; I’m sure my mom-in-law will be delighted.

Now, what’s this blog a trip to Binondo and Ongpin without eating Chinese ?

–that will be on my next post!

What do you like best in Ongpin and Binondo?

Is there anything you hate about Manila Chinatown?

Dec

HALF-BLOOD CHINESE (PART 2)

By docgelo 29 Comments

We love Chinese foods.

It would probably require me or my wife, Tina (or worse, wait for our son, Gabby who’s only in Kindergarten) to enroll in culinary school (which we love to do in the near future) or to have several attempts at home-cooking before we can come up from scratch, a perfectly prepared and steamed dimsum!

We value money.

How do you stretch your budget nowadays on food without compromising your own cravings? Your thoughts may be relative with mine –either you cook at home, or eat out at those food places where figures on the menu won’t injure the pockets.

We love value-for-money Chinese foods!

We’re just glad that we have finally tried EMERALD GARDEN right across US Embassy and beside Bayview Park Hotel in Roxas Blvd., Manila. Yes, you read it right; it was only yesterday that we’ve experienced what we’ve been missing! We’ve proven truth to a few posts about how this restaurant offers affordability coupled with great tasting dishes!

This Chinese restaurant is unique on its own. When we entered Emerald Garden, we were politely greeted by the wait staff who immediately led us to our table. Gabby liked its spacious dining area that’s far from being intimidating. Emerald Garden, in fact has a homey-casual ambiance without pretentious decors whatsoever. We also noticed that all servers, neatly clad in office attire-looking uniforms, were generally geriatric ’matured’ compared to other restaurants’. We took that as a plus points on them for being focused and attentive, most of all friendly to their clients.

On our table :

FRIED CRAB STICKS, PhP 140 + and HAKAO, PhP 75+

One of Gabby’s favorite finger foods (at least for him) is kani tempura in Japanese or fried crabsticks for Chinese; so automatically, in the absence of pizza that he also likes, this should be ordered. Emerald’s version is simple, logically priced and more importantly, it satisfied gabby’s picky appetite.

I love almost anything with shrimps, so Hakao is also a must for us when dining Chinese. Tina and I shared similar views on Emerald’s Shrimp dumplings : they were only 3 compared to other restos that serve 4 per order; their Hakao’s wrappers were a bit dry but at least they came with those plump shrimps!

It was only 2005 during our 7-week-vacation in Auckland, New Zealand when Tina and I first tasted steamed dumplings called Cheong fan after we enjoyed a lunch treat by one of my cousin’s relatives. After the first bite, it has always been one of those Oriental dishes we look in a menu. But sadly, not all Chinese restaurants here offer Shrimp Rice Rolls a.k.a Shrimp Cheong fan. We haven’t explored the rest of the Metro’s food places yet but I only know of Le Ching’s Tea House and Gloria Maris that serve these shrimp goodies until we truly fell in love with Emerald Garden’s.

SHRIMP RICE ROLLS, (I forgot it’s exact price but probably more or less PhP 75+ too). Believe me, they actually taste greater than how they look in my photos. The wrappers were not-too-thin-neither-too-thick; they’re almost perfect in consistency. Its sauce isn’t too salty nor too sweet.

Despite our instant infatuation for Emerald Garden’s Shrimp Rice Rolls, most of its loyal patrons would never let a dining experience pass without having SIOPAO!

BOLA-BOLA SIOPAO, small PhP 30; large PhP 85. We were still lucky to order even the small ones at nearly 2 in the afternoon for we heard they easily ran out of these great steamed yummies especially the large siopaos as early as few minutes after 7AM (Emerald Garden opens at 7AM; closes at 2PM and reopens for dinner at 6PM onwards).

I cannot blame them. These Bola-Bola Siopao are really delicious! The buns were the softest like that of Kowloon’s. The filling has those chives but surprisingly not overpowering and just flavorful! We would not mind having these for breakfast!

After stating my 2-cents worth about some yummies from Emerald Garden, our votes also go to this noodle dish that sky-rocketted our palates to other planets, LOL

EMERALD FRIED NOODLES, small PhP 140 (also available in medium & large orders). Look at those fuchsia colored quailed eggs that are far from being usually orange! Aren’t they enticingly different? This Fried Noodle dish has generous volume of veggies and very tender breaded meat, all cut into strings and mixed with its tasteful thick sauce! The noodle itself was so good sans other ingredients making this as one of the best I’ve tasted! …Excuse me, I’m salivating as I post this.

In one phrase, it was absolutely, heaven on a plate!

How many restaurants can serve all these or at least similar dishes for less than PhP 700 all in ?

Before me paying the bill, my wife with her sweet smile asked me if there’s Emerald Garden branch near our place in Quezon City; an evidence that this resto won even Tina’s discriminating taste

We’re going back, definitely!

Have you tried dining at Emerald Garden? What dishes do you like best?

Where do you go on your usual Chinese food craving?

————————————

EMERALD GARDEN, 1140 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila.

PS : Why do you think Tina, Gabby and I had to be in Manila on a Tuesday afternoon ? Abangan!

May

THERE’S MORE TO HOT NOODLES!

By docgelo 3 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: affordable restaurants, braised noodles, cheap chinese food, chinese restaurant, congee, dimsum, docgelo, dumplings, food, foodie, luk yuen, megamall, mrs. lavendula, restaurants, siopao, spring rolls

As I’ve tasted stated on my previous posts, we had too much of food tripping last week when we went to a mall. Tina was encouraged to try for the first time an established Chinese restaurant that offers good tasting dishes that are easy on the budget.

This post was also inspired by one of my virtual-blogger friends, mrs. lavendula whose blog entry reminded me that it has been a while since I last munched at this foodplace where reasonably priced and delicious gastronomic yummies can be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea.

HALO-HALO CONGEE, PhP 130.

Tina had this congee. I like this too. It’s always soothing to hungry stomachs! It’s served hot, with eggs, organ meats, and pieces of thin crackers. With this alone, one can be easily satiated.

BRAISED SEAFOOD NOODLES, PhP 185.

The mushroom, the braised noodles on special oil and seasoning, the seafoods yield delicious oriental dish!

We had these favorites as our hearty dinner last week which were all served fast by efficient and friendly staff of Luk Yuen, MegaMall. Their other branch that I’ve tried was at Greenhills, between Unimart and Virra Mall near the Holy Family Chapel. And their service and food were consistent. No wonder Luk Yuen has a following among foodies and families.

SPRING ROLLS, PhP 90.

Fresh veggies wrapped and fried to crispiest.

STEAMED SHRIMP DUMPLINGS, PhP 100.

Steamed shrimp dumplings or Hakao is always a winner. Luk Yuen’s version has a soft moist wrapper and generous serving of shrimps. I just love anything with shrimp!

JUMBO HONG KONG SIOPAO, PhP 75.

I am biased with bola-bola siopao than asado only because it has red salted egg. Luk Yuen’s HK style jumbo siopao reminds me of Hen Lin’s and Le Ching’s. We enjoyed this as well but considering the siopao bread, Kowloon’s always wins my vote!

RIPE MANGO SHAKE, PhP 65, ICED TEA PhP 42. Look how my wife and son enjoyed Luk Yuen…

LUK YUEN. Bldg B MegaMall EDSA Mandaluyong City.

May

MANILA EXPLORED PART 3

By docgelo 5 Comments

Categories: FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: binondo, chinese cuisine, chinese food, chinese restaurant, docgelo, estero, estero eatery, estero ongpin, Filipino, food, foodie, manila, ongpin, pinas, Pinoy

A visit to Ongpin Street isn’t complete without tasting authentic Chinese cuisine.

NIDO SOUP, anyone? It was a bit sad when the waitress told me that it won’t be served with boiled quail eggs because they’re unavailable last Sunday afternoon when I ordered. Nevertheless, I wasn’t disappointed; the soup was thick and delish! Affordable too, at PhP 80.

I LOVE SEAFOODS! I can eat this everyday, LOL.

SHRIMP with MUSHROOM… served with thick buttery soy sauce. PhP 90.

SCALLOPS with BROCCOLI… thick buttery soy sauce plus a dose of calcium-rich broccoli, so yummy! also cheap at PhP 110.

I’ve tried Dong Bei kuchay dumplings (view former blog post), enjoyed and regarded it as one of the best steamed dumplings but my my palate is craving for more oriental yummies. I’ve eaten in Hap Chan, MXT and the President’s tea house before but never tried the chinese food fastfood or carinderia in the ESTERO until yesterday, Sunday.

Opo… Ongpin Street a.k.a Manila Chinatown Estero or canal! Eateries literally located beside that canal offers sumptuous but affordable and authentic Chinese cuisine. Would you dare yourself to eat on those food stalls with red painted walls literally located beside an estero?

To be honest, I expected worse: to eat a la carte dishes while being disgusted with unpleasant estero aroma, LOL. however my expectations were not met but was truly delighted with the experience.

This is a marker on the ONGPIN NORTH BRIDGE shown above which is few steps from the ESTERO FASTOOD.

The yummy food above were prepared, cooked and served here : ESTERO FASTFOOD, and real fast! They also have menu, mind you…

Inspite of its location beside an estero, the small eateries there were packed with hungry stomachs, Pinoys and foreigners too, who all craved for great food at cheap prices. Hey, if Chef Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations show got a taste of Ongpin food few months ago, I think it’s a must-try for all Pinoys to visit Manila Chinatown too. I did’t get any gastrointestinal symptoms afterwards anyway. LOL.

Apr

MANN HANN

By docgelo 8 Comments

Categories: FAMILY : LOVE KO 'TO and FOOD & MORE FOOD!
Tags: affordable eat, chinese food, chinese restaurant, doc gelo, docgelo, food, foodie, manila, mann hann, Pinoy food, quezon city, trinoma

You know that a restaurant serves yummiest and reasonably priced foods when diners need to queue and wait for a table during lunch and dinner. Luckily for the three of us (my wife Tina, son Gabby & I), even if we arrived at exactly 12 noon today, we didn’t have to wait that long as we revisited Mann Hann in TriNoma mall, Quezon City.

Among the many chinese restaurants in the Metro, Mann Hann is one of our favorites. We already had lunches and dinners with our families and friends at their branches in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and ofcourse, TriNoma. Ambiance in all of its branches, is plain and simple, unpretentious, very unlikely other oriental restos. The entrees in Mann Hann’s menu have distinct taste served within few minutes after you made the order, by courteous and efficient staff.

And these are among our favorites :

LECHON MACAU, PhP 205. Crisp, deep fried pork belly.

SPICY SQUID, PhP 215. Not-so-spicy, tender slices of fried squid with bagoong & calamansi dip.

YANG CHOW FRIED RICE, PhP 195.

LECHE FLAN, PhP 50. for Gabby. We also had WONTON SOUP, PhP 125
and a liter of HONEY LEMON ICED TEA, PhP 100.

BURP!

————————————–
MANN HANN
Unit 1007 Level M1 TriNoma
North Ave., cor EDSA, PAGASA,
Quezon City
Tel/fax : (63-2) 901 3133

Feb

ONE PROUD DADDY

By docgelo 6 Comments

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God is really BEST! We were only praying this morning for Gabby not to forget his lines as he go up on stage to deliver his 2-stanza-poem entitled, “For My Country” but He made it possible for my son to win 3rd place out of 51 Nursery students, of two sections, mostly 3 1/2 to 4 years of age, in 2009 Twinkle Toes Academy’s Declamation contest held at the auditorium of Stella Maris College, Quezon City.

Not that the venue was far from our place, in fact it’s only 5-minute-drive, perhaps we were only excited for Gabby’s first scholastic/extra-curricular activity so we woke up at four in the morning to prepare for the 7:30AM call time as stated in the school’s memo to parents, that Twinkle Toes Academy teachers intended to promptly start the contest at eight. True enough we were the earliest birds at the venue, we got there an hour before their call time; at least we never rushed for we’re not late and got ample time to smile for the cam…

Gabby & my lovely wife, Tina…

Gabby looked even more contest-ready when he wore his Barong complete with buri hat and met his classmates who were also geared up for the competition. I was telling my parents who sat with us at the auditorium that I don’t remember having such activity as early as preschool. Kids now really take one-step ahead in all aspects compared to our generation who were mostly brought up timid & shy, unaware of public speaking & who mostly lacked self confidence during those wonder years…

That’s MY BOY!!!

GABBY with his classmates/co-contestants…

the new cast of Going bulilit, err Sesame Street…Batibot???!!! we wish!

BACKTRACK last December, just before they had their Holiday break, teachers distributed randomly, the different poems to each kids for them to memorize. That’s when Gabby started reciting his piece even during showers.

“FOR MY COUNTRY“
I surely love my country,
the land in which I live.
And to my own dear homeland,
my trust & faith, I give.

But just to love my country
is not all that I should do.
I must be strong & noble,
courteous, brave & true.
Being a Filipino,
that’s all I should do.

Here’s the video of his award-winning piece, “FOR MY COUNTRY”…

After the 51 nursery pupils declamed with some went up the stage with not only costumes but backdrops & props, there was a 20-minute break before the program host gave the floor to the 71 preparatory kids’ declamation contest. And about an hour before noon time, we just found ourselves walking Gabby to the stage to accept his 2-feet trophy. It was really an amazing experience. Imagine, an achiever at an early age. We can’t help but be proud of him. He’s the champion for us.

This one’s for the books, err blog!!!

And Gabby’s equally proud Lola & Lolo (my parents!)…

Then my parents gave their apo a VICTORIOUS lunch treat at Super Bowl of China in Gateway Mall…

We munched on DIMSUM PLATTER…

BEEF with BROCOLLI, YANG CHOW FRIED RICE…

CRISPY LEMON CHICKEN…

and a bucket of TAHO for Gabby…

YOUR MOM & I ARE REALLY PROUD OF YOU, SON!

Feb

TASTING the WORLD @ CIRCLES!

By docgelo 12 Comments

My wife, Tina prefers dining somewhere rather than receiving flowers or anything mushy from her ex-boyfriend, ehem, that’s me, her husband for five years now We don’t usually go out on a date during Valentine’s ever since, not only because she dislikes the part, but I, too don’t give in to cupid’s requests for it’s just too traffic everywhere when it’s hearts’ day.

But this year, we decided to celebrate it a couple of days earlier; not with flowers, neither a movie-date but with most interesting thing that we do as a couple, and that is enjoying good food and savoring best dining experience. It need not to be expensive, but for the ocassion, I went out my way to plan ahead for the budget was quite steep compared to our usual eat-outs.

We went to CIRCLES EVENTS CAFE in Makati Shangri-la with our four-year-old son, Gabby. I must say, I surrendered to the fact that CIRCLES offers one of the best, if not the BEST open-kitchen-hotel-buffets here in Manila. It’s comparable to buffets in hotels abroad. I remember the buffets in hotels in Vegas that I had with my family several years back. Circles buffet is similar to those, or perhaps even better. One can truly TASTE THE WORLD at CIRCLES for its varied international cuisines. There were Asian- Chinese, Japanese, Filipino stretch, there’s also Mediterranean food section, American and ofcourse the sweetest section is left for the gustatory cravings.

The price of PhP 1,639.40 net per pax is a bit expensive, but it’s reasonable in Circles! I’m not a culinary or a food expert, but I did appreciate how a dish in every stations at Circles buffet had been prepared with so much effort to stimulate not only the palate but the eyes as well.

I ran out of superlatives to describe how delicious the buffet in Circles is. It’s simply superb! Highly recommended! I’m just so glad that Tina & Gabby liked it too.

Here are the photos of our gluttonous romantic early valentine’s date that we enjoyed to the fullest and we can’t resist but to plan for our next visit…c”,)

The lobby of Makati Shangri-la Hotel…

My son Gabby, who at the age of four, dreams of becoming a chef, as he sometimes watches Iron Chef on cable, now begins his exposure to the art of cooking and sublime dining…

The signage of SINFULLY CIRCLES bakeshop & patisserie at the entrance of CIRCLE EVENT CAFE…

Now, the food stations. Beginning with CHINESE CUISINE… dimsum, dumplings steamed or fried, cooked to perfection! Simply divine…

JAPANESE section offers freshly prepared seafoods – from steamed lobster & tiger prawns, seasoned huge mussels, oysters to maki, sushi, sashimi and other jap rolls…appetizingly delicious!

the MEDITERRANEAN food section…

Care for some CHICKEN SHAWARMA? Freshly made by the Persian chef as you make your request…

A portion of CIRCLES EVENT CAFE’s CARVING STATION…tender every bite…

The most attractive section of the buffet… Make sure there’s still a gastric room for most of these treats…SWEETEST TO NONE!

Don’t they look heavenly? CAKES were refilled swiftly by efficient and friendly staff…

CHOCOLATE FONDUE…

Now, these were our plates…

Tomato soup : creamy!

My first plate : fresh cold salad, bread and butter…

My chinese-asian platter : steamed sea bass, fried chicken dumpling, vegetable/kuchay dumpling, ebi tempura, pork siomai …

Tina’s Asian plate : tiger prawns and lobster, dumplings and Japanese rolls…

my seafood and jap preference… i so like the plate! The mussels are to die-for! I just can’t explain its herb-seasoned taste, simply superb!

my attempt to try Mediterranean dishes : chicken shawarma, mutter paneer, naan, roti chanai, and there was also chicken kadai… spicy curries galore!

while Tina opted to mix Persian shawarma and American beef steak and veggies…

Now, let me show you the best part of our dinner : DESSERTS!

This was my first platter of sweetest things from Circles.
Makes me salivate and gives me reason to forget hassles,worries,whathaveyou…sigh ^_^

Tina’s desserts…

We tried to be subtle for the camera first, resisting the immediate sweet temptations for few seconds…

Can’t get enough of those sweets…

while Gabby was content with those sweet treats…

Before asking for the bill, we requested a waiter to take a shot for us…

We didn’t get to taste pizza, pasta, and other dishes for we were full already. It will give us reason to go back and experience again the joy of dining at Circles Event Cafe…
It was one of those few shared moments when eating was never a necessity but a pleasure!

What made our Valentine’s this year extra-special was the fact that we are complete and happy.

I SO LOVE YOU ITY & GABBY !!!

Jan

CHASING THE DRAGON : ONGPIN EXPERIENCE

By docgelo 8 Comments

Categories: EVENTS, FOOD & MORE FOOD!, TRAVEL and whatever
Tags: binondo, binondo church, binondo restaurant, chinatown, chinese new year, chinese restaurant, dimsum, dimsum & dumplings, dong bei, dragon dance, dumplings, eng bee tin, hakao, hap chan, hopia, lion dance, manila, manila chinatown, mung beans cake, ongpin, ongpin street, sharks' fin, tea house, tikoy, tsinoy, year of the ox

It was one sunny afternoon when we hit Manila. And it’s the first day of the year of the Earth Ox according to the chinese calendar. I and my wife Tina decided to go to the Chinese New Year celebration in Manila Chinatown : Binondo & Ongpin Streets. I blogged it before and I’ll state it again that we’re not chinese and there’s nothing in our bloodstream that speaks mandarin or cantonese but our brains & stomachs crave for something chinese! That strong urge gives us the reason to enjoy anything chinese even how they celebrate festivities just as much as the next chinese guy.

And so from Quezon City, we dropped off to Plaza Lawton in Manila where the Main Post Office is located. It is, in my opinion, our closest version of Lincoln Memorial in Washington. It’s historic & iconic, still functional amidst the age of email & SMS & City of Manila isn’t complete without it. It is where I began shooting photos intended for this blog.

Traffic was real heavy that we agreed to walk from Plaza Lawton to Binondo, crossing the bridge at Escolta and seeing exerted efforts in keeping the Pasig River garbage-free. Small steps lead us to the facade of Chinatown. It was overwhelming to hear that inspite of the humid weather & chaos in traffic, Tina still managed to say that walking in those streets and being excited to eat authentic chinese goodies bring back memories of our trip to Hong Kong a couple of years ago to celebrate the (non-chinese) New Year then.

Before enjoying anything, Tina & I went to Binondo Church, a.k.a. Basilica Minor del San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. It was where the first Filipino saint spent his years as a sacristan and a server of God till his last breath. I remember my mom used to bring me with my dad & my 3 brothers to these 30 (read : THIRTY, representing 30 silver of Judas) churches every Holy Week, including this one, for her/our Visita Iglesia. That is why I became so familiar with most streets of Metro Manila even at a young age.

The Binondo church’s interiors hasn’t lost its grace and charm attracting not only Pinoys but the Filipino-Chinese-Catholic community as well bringing them closer to the Lord.

Few minutes of giving thanks to the Lord and we’re off to streets again. We forgot to bring ear plugs for fireworks and drum rolls signal the lion & dragon dances that halted the traffic and put everyone in the festive mood.

This is one of the reasons why people troop to Binondo & Ongpin during Chinese New Year. Aren’t those lions an eye-candy?

Even a group of nuns let their veil down and posed with those colorful lions for a souvenir shot. I found this so cool that made me take pictures of them too.

So I didn’t hesitate to have photo-ops too… hey, it doesn’t happen daily in Chinatown!

Thanks to my wife Tina who took my photos. We just felt our ”trip” was incomplete for not wearing RED that day, for good luck, as most people there that day wore crimson, scarlet, and other shades of red…

ENTER THE DRAGON that hopefully will bring us luck. Isn’t it lovely? Dragon is usually chasing what, a candy ball ? =)

That street in Binondo was once called CALLE SACRISTIA but renamed in 1915 to Ongpin Street. The monument of Don Roman Ongpin stands proud beside the Binondo Church that leads everyone to the street named in his honor. Chinatown, here we come!

And as expected, it was all properly draped for the occasion and decorated with red lanterns all over.

Few steps after the other and one cannot miss those purple signs of Eng Bee Tin stores that sell the most delicious chinese deli : hopia & tikoy, our favorites! Hopia is Mung beans cake while tikoy is a made of glutinous rice flour that is usually fried with beaten eggs. Those Eng Bee Tin stores can be seen in almost every streets of Manila Chinatown. They even had a purple lion on display for tourists (like us) for free photo-ops! Wish there were also hopia & tikoy give-away, hehehe !!! LOL !

Enjoying everything that meets our eyes, from many lion & dragon dances that paraded on most streets to red balloons being sold and charms & crystals on the sidewalks, to gold jewelry stores, we began looking for a chinese resto to satisfy our gastronomic craving for dimsum & dumplings…

We found our consolation to ease our fatigue of walking at HAP CHAN tea house. It was good that we entered the reastaurant with more seats still available because after we ordered food, people watching the festivities also came in pack to eat.

It was not our first time to munch there but actually have tried Hap Chan’s other branches at West Avenue in Quezon City & Market Market in Taguig…

Tina and I decided to eat merienda as if there’s no tomorrow – We ordered Hakao (shrimp dumplings), sharks’ fin dumplings, wanton noodle soup, seafood canton noodles and 2 glasses of Hong Kong lemon iced tea with free glasses of hot house tea. Sounds yummy ? Look and see what we enjoyed in our little afternoon chinese feast…

Some like it HOT : See how hot it was served!!! made me grin for more!

And our Chinese New Year experience in Binondo & Ongpin would not be complete without going to queue for whatelse but those Eng Bee Tin Mung Beans Cake or HOPIA and that deli made of sugar, starch & glutinous rice flour called TIKOY..

A second shot at our basket before hitting the cashier counter…

Our next Binondo / Ongpin date will include a visit at a small restaurant called DONG BEI that, according to other blogs, serves the best dumplings in Manila Chinatown and perhaps try eating at the ESTERO ( or eateries beside the creek ) Damn, we missed that ! Anyway, there’s always a second time (and a third, and a fourth, and so on… =)

Jan

UNLEASH the CHINESE in ME…

By docgelo 5 Comments

Categories: Attitude, FOOD & MORE FOOD!, HEADLINES, whatever and WISH LIST
Tags: chinese astrology, chinese food, chinese new year, chinese restaurant, dimsum, dumplings, hong kong, horoscope

Kung hei fat choi! It’s Chinese New Year again!

I’m a 100% Pinoy but sometimes I do wish to be born as a Tsinoy (Filipino-chinese).

215173148_b694dd3cfb1

I’m always fascinated with anything chinese; from oriental crafts to architecture, to culture and yes, chinese FOOD! I always tell my wife that I can probably live & thrive in Hong Kong and other parts of China because of my “chinese inclinations”.

2142460281_87ddae835d3 I & my wife simply love eating chinese (besides italian & some jap) -from those steamed or fried dimsum & dumplings, noodles, szechuan and lemon chicken, sweet and sour whatever, thick richly flavored soups, to hopia and tikoy, black chinese jellies and other gustatory chinese cravings. hmmm, makes me want to rush to a nearest favorite chinese resto… My list of favorite local chinese eateries includes Mann Hann, Superbowl of China / Big Buddha, Flavors of China, Le Ching (in Greenhills & Trinoma; love their shrimp cheon fan that is to-die-for, LOL!). I’ve also blogged before the cheapest chinese buffet in Tramway Garden Buffet located at Timog Ave, Q.C. ( I & my wife’s next target is to taste the chinese delights from one of the cuisines offered in the buffet of Sprial in Sofitel Philippine Plaza which I heard is one of the best in the buffet around the metro).

I also like Chinese Astrology but did not become that religious fanatic of what the stars say about a day or the year ahead. I remember growing up with my mom who used to scan her daily horoscope from the broadsheets and learning from her that being born on the year of the dragon and under the sign of virgo explains the reason why I’m a bit perfectionist at most things. Like my mom, I do not allow horoscope or anything from chinese astrology run my life nor depend on them solely. It’s only as interesting as chinese cuisine.

My interest in anything chinese was noticeable during our wedding. I’m not that superstitious but I knew then that choosing an 8th day as our wedding day won’t hurt for in fact chinese belief says that the number 8 means INFINITY. So we selected the 1st month of the year and it’s 8th day 5 years ago as our anniversary date. My wife & I had something oriental on the menu at the reception and had changed into chinese shirt & cheongsam before our 1st dance as an official couple.

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longevity, wealth, love & happines

Tina & I also wish to build our dream house hopefully in the near future in contemporary oriental / asian theme with those chinese lanterns all over and chopsticks and nice sets of porcelain in the cupboards. sigh (*o*)

Sep

CHEAPEST CHINESE BUFFET

By docgelo 1 Comment

Categories: FOOD & MORE FOOD! and whatever
Tags: buffet, chinese, chinese cuisine, chinese food, chinese restaurant, Eat all you can, Eat all you want, eating, food, foodie, manila, manila restaurant, Pinoy, restaurant, timog, tramway, tramway garden buffet

Two days ago, my mom suggested over the phone that Tina and I should try eating at Tramway Garden Buffet in Timog Avenue, Quezon City. Inspite of the fact that we’re on a tight budget these days, we still love to eat good food, and we live quite near the place so I decided to bring my family there.

Tramway Garden Buffet serves chinese food, around 14 of them I guess, includes dimsum, dumplings, fried chicken, some chinese-cooked veggies, sweet and sour pork, chinese-cooked fish, and others with two types of soups and a salad bar with fresh fruits and guinatan. They mixed Chinese with Filipino dishes even Japanese for they also serve California Maki beside their butchi.

Advantage over other buffets : CHEAPEST at P199/pax inclusive of VAT and no service charge. Sunday buffets are at a higher price of P300 plus for it includes Peking Duck, Roasted pork, shrimps & other seafoods.

Disadvantages compared to other buffets : Since the buffet price is so cheap, the place is chaotic at dinner (they also serve lunch). Smiles and courtesy of the staff are not as cheap as the buffet price. I’m not sure if they’re so stressed out that night when we ate dinner but there should be no excuses for courtesy if one works in a restaurant or any other people-businesses where smiles to customers are mandatory.

Taste review : I haven’t heard of any buffet cheaper than P199 but when it comes to taste, I must admit my gastronomic craving was satisfied. Taste of the entire buffet is good enough for its price, but it should be improved to be at par with the others.

Tramway Garden Buffet is at #65 Timog Ave, Quezon City near the old Ozone Disco.

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