Friuli Trattoria

Again, I experience the blessing of food and friendship at the Fruili Trattoria, through the generosity of KB (happy birthday!). After a visit to the bookstore of Claret in Quezon City (where we got books for as low as P10), we had a lovely early dinner at this little Italian place behind the school.

The mozzarella sticks (P140) were generous in size and filled with cheesy goodness. It came with a not-too-spicy salsa that was okay but the tomato ketchup combination was even better.

I've come to prefer veggie pizzas to the meat-loaded ones... the thickness of this Margherita pizza (P190) is just right--not too thick--and loaded with tomatoes, cheese, and other spices. The flavor is subtle and light, but the pizza itself is very filling. I enjoyed this dish the most. 

The tuna and mushroom spaghetti (P120) was the spiciest dish we tried that day. So if you like a little kick in your pasta, you might want to try this. 

The best part of the meal was the conversation. Thanks, KB, for sharing and listening. May God bless us both in our faith journey. May he bless you on your special day and grant you the desires of your heart. 

Feeling Italianni's

Thanks to my housemate, Doc S, we had a lovely salad for Valentine's Day. Fresh lettuce, ripe mangoes, and corn coupled with a mayo-peanut dressing on the side and tuna. Super yummy! Felt like I was at Italianni's... =)

Momo Cafe

Thanks to generous Le Chink, got a taste of food from Momo Cafe at Ayala Triangle.

     The MoMo! Gourmet salad (P295) has roasted garlic shitake mushrooms, candied walnuts, grapes, white cheese, raspberry-balsamic vinaigrette, mixed greens, sliced oranges and hard boiled egg. I prefer regular walnuts to candied--it was a little too sweet for the salad especially since the vinaigrette was also on the sweet side. Otherwise, I enjoyed everything on the plate, especially the two types of cheese. If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 5, I would give this salad a 3.5.

     My favorite part of the meal, however, was the soup. We ordered two kinds: I had the herb pumpkin cream & bacon bits soup (P150) while Le Chink had the wild truffle mushroom "cappuccino" (P175). The pumpkin soup was on the sweet and creamy side while the mushroom soup was on the salty side. Both were good but I appreciated each soup better since I could take a bit of the mushroom soup when I found the sweetness of the pumpkin becoming too much.

     As a main course, we had slow roasted herb beef fingers (P495). I enjoyed all the side dishes: the roasted sweet corn, the mashed potatoes and the veggies. The beef was tender and melted in the mouth. 

     Though dessert was offered, I could not eat another bite. Thank you, Le Chink, for another taste of the good life! 

Herb Republic

Le Chink treated us out to a nice lunch in Los Banos, Laguna--definitely not student fare--at the Herb Republic. 

What I liked best was the stir fried spinach (P185). 

The tarragon iced tea was refreshing (P69). We also had a pot of the hot tea version (P65) which is better for sharing and stretching your budget. The basil pesto pasta (P190) was quite yummy.

The mushroom tempura (P175) was a bit bland but you do have the dipping sauce. However, we preferred the sauce on the spinach dish. Nice texture though.

  

Finally, the medium garlic basil chicken (P234)... yummy, tender and juicy. 

Dessert in the form of a cheesecake had been calling but there was no space or time left as the King of the Privateers was going to get married and we planned to witness the grand occasion.  

High End, Low End

Le Chink treated me to some yummy ramen at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen in the new wing of Shangrila Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. High end noodles do cost a pretty penny at around P330 per bowl. We split it, though I ate more of it. Thanks, Le Chink! 

When you go to dine there, the server will ask whether you want your ramen hard, soft or medium. Le Chink ordered hard (while I quietly kept my trepidation to myself... surprisingly, I liked it. My guess is they're easier to handle with chopsticks).

I believe we ordered the tonkatsu. Its flavor had a certain oriental sweetness that I enjoyed, especially in the marinated eggs. We also had some spring rolls which had a tangy flavor... sort of like lemongrass and vinaigrette, which contrasted well with the ramen.

But when you're on a budget and generous friends are away... then eat at 30/40/50 Rice & Noodle House. This is a newly opened little store across Amira's (which is on the corner of SVD Road, Tagaytay). A noodle dish here costs P30! 

Since I was hungry, I ordered the tapsilog instead. P49 only. They offer free bulalo soup. The iced tea tasted a little too artificial to me but the place is nice (red tables, black stools, red throw pillows on brown varnished benches), the prices are affordable, and the food is okay (the rice was a little dry but I liked the tapa). Overall, good value for your money. Plus, the staff are attentive. At the end of the meal, I was offered free mint/menthol candy too! May God bless their entrepreneurial venture.  

Rogate Cafe

The Rogate Cafe is a religious store and coffee shop in one. While waiting for your order, you can look over the items for sale--inspirational mugs and shirts, priestly vestments, liturgical items and cute statues of saints are on display.

Coffee is around P130. 

I ordered the salmon turnover which cost P76. The crust was a little too toasted for my taste but the filling was quite nice.

You can choose between dining inside where it's cooler due to the air-conditioning or hanging out in the lovely garden. 

You can find Rogate Cafe on the right side of Aguinaldo Highway enroute to Tagaytay. 

Turon

A Chinese twist on turon at Oriang--won ton wrapper instead of lumpia... yummy! Try it at Market! Market!

I don't have a picture but another turon dish I really like is at Tootsie's. If you're up in Tagaytay, try this tasty treat with ube and langka.