Pink Panda: A Zesty New Menu

Pink Panda has always been one of my favourite restaurants, being one of the few that offer a cool mix of different interesting South East Asian cuisines. Invited over to try out the new menu, we were looking forward to trying out what I was expecting to be new, delicious, innovative dishes.

If I judged this book by its cover, I'd say this menu exudes the fun, quirky personality of Pink Panda. Short and sweet, it offers an appropriate number of dishes. Not too many to get your head spinning, though numerous enough to be exciting.

Gising Gising Gyoza, P240.00

coconut stewed pork, winged bean, garlic aligue sauce
We started this fine lunch with a Bicol-Japan hybrid! Beneath the crunchy exterior is a splendid mix of veggies which tasted a lot like laing, complete with the strong coconut milk flavor. Doused in the spicy aligue sauce, it made for a fine, zesty experience.

Asian Peri Chicken Thighs, P380.00

banana heart and black vinegar vermicelli toss, harissa sauce
Speaking of which, this chicken is the king of zesty! The finely prepared chicken thighs burst with tangy flavor with every bite. Easily the most flavorful Peri style chicken I've ever tried! This made a nice contrast against the vermicelli noodles, which had a much more delicate taste.

Mixed Seafood Sambal, P550.00

curried tomato and chickpea, fried prawn toasties
The rich curry-ish sauce was really good, and the added chickpeas provided a bit of a hummus-like quality to the dish. It went quite well with the prawn infused toasted bread, seafood and cherry tomatoes within. There was a lot of it, more than enough for two to share. For added spice, you can infuse your bites with the chili sauce on the side.

Sisig Siopao, P250.00

crispy pork mask, egg, caramelized soy onions, atchuete aioli
Ain't this a sight? I think I've seen sisig siopao somewhere before, perhaps 7-11, but it never looked as enticing as this, egg and all. For what it's worth, the sisig inside was actually good and legit, and paired nicely with the bun. The caramelized onions made for a nice palate cleanser, tasting slightly like candied yams, but what really improved this dish, was the aioli, giving a mayonnaisse-ish charm that also usually goes great with your standard sisig.

Chai Iced Tea, P100.00
Kopi Panda, P110.00

These were our drinks for the meal. The chai iced tea was very tasty, sweet with a strong citrusy sour taste. The kopi panda is just like the usual Malaysian coffee, with a thick layer of condensed milk, to be mixed together for a deliciously bittersweet cool drink.

A fine meal! We look forward to coming back for more Pink Panda meals, or even trying out their sister restaurants, Hawk, Baits, Sprout and Sabao!

Menu:
Noodles & Broth, Sides, Mains
Small Bites, Rolls/Wraps/Bao & Pao, Salads, Dimsum & Dumplings
Dessert, Drinks, Alcoholic Drinks

Love Pink Panda? Hate it? Let me know by commenting below, or just tweet me!



Previous Panda visits:
Pink Panda South East Asian Diner
Pink Panda: Rendang, that's good!

Hatch 22 (sister restaurant) visits:
Hatch 22: Birth of a New Cafe
Hearty New Dishes at the Hatch 22
Hatch 22: No Ordinary Benedicts


PINK PANDA SOUTHEAST ASIAN DINER
G/F Y2 Residence Hotel,
4687 Santiago St. corner B. Valdez & Singian Sts., Makati City
(0906) 205-3898 / (02) 224-3000 loc. 3057
Operating Hours: 11:00 am - 12:00 mn
Facebook: Pink Panda Southeast Asian Diner
Twitter: @PinkPandaManila


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El Pollo Loco: Childhood Chicken

I'm back from my writing hiatus! I think. Things have gotten hella busy in my life with work, exercise, catching up on my PS4, watching movies and the infinite number of TV series I am catching up on, reading comics, reading books, singing with my new band STAREtheSUNSET, and after writing a few articles I wrote for Breakfast Mag, I felt I needed to step back for a while. While I'm still as busy doing both the important and the unimportant, I'll try to get some writing in every now and then. I am hopeful that I can somewhat keep Savvy about Nothing, which just recently hit 2 years (last 18th, as Timehop reminded me), ALIVE!

Starting off slow, this is one of my pending posts from the past. I don't even remember when Alvie and I ate here, but we did because this place is a childhood favorite of mine! Now, I think MOA has the only remaining branch, but the branch my family frequented the most long ago was the one in Megamall. Does that place still exist??

Pollo Lovers Meal, P510.00

4 pc. Chicken
2 Large Sidedish (Spanish Beans and Spanish Rice)
4 Tortillas
2 Salsas (hot/mild)
2 Desserts (Ube Halaya and Leche Flan)
2 Regular Drinks

One very strong aspect of the Pollo Loco experience is the aroma of the place. As soon as I stepped in, I recognised that same ol' scent that kept us coming back in the past. Being that this is kind of a fast food place, it was a bit more expensive than I expected, but it was worth the trip down memory lane.

Good, good. The food was good as I remember. Is it just the nostalgia though, or is it genuinely something I'll enjoy eating for the first time at this age? I guess I'll never know. Alvie didn't like it much, but I refuse to believe that the food here is bad. Haha. I enjoy eating the chicken and rice on the tortilla with salsa on it. Delicious.

Dessert wasn't that impressive, but it was worth eating, at least.

Menu:
Pollo Lovers Meal
Main Menu

Did you love El Pollo Loco? Why not go and see if it's as good as remember, before it inevitably vanishes from our lives entirely?

Crisp on 28th: A Slab of Bacon and More

I enjoy dining in Erwan Heussaff's restaurants, distant as some of them may be from my work and residence. I was very happy to hear of Crisp on the 28th which is now conveniently located in the Fort.

Courtyard Salad, P280.00
add 150g grilled hanger steak, P275.00

Mixed salad greens / cucumber / French beans / walnuts / broccoli / roasted beets / quail egg / herbed croutons / country dressing
Upon hearing the word Crisp, I actually thought this place's specialty would be pork-themed deep-fried food. I could not have been more wrong. I should have known it would be much better than that, considering the people behind this place. Crisp here refers more to the crispness of their food, speaking to how healthy and fresh their offerings are. Case in point, this salad was the first thing we were given.
I can't say I'm much of a salad-lover (apart from health reasons), but I can totally enjoy any salad that is decorated with walnuts and broccoli, not to mention, steak!!! This beauty of a dish is a pleasure both to your taste and your body.

Cucumber, Apple & Mint Cold Pressed Juice, P155.00
Orange & Carrot Cold Pressed Juice, P155.00

They also serve cold pressed juices among other drinks. I much preferred the Cucumber, Apple & Mint one only because it tasted much more interesting.

MMMBOP, P390.00

sliced pork / carrots / spinach / mushroom / kimchi brown rice / bean sprouts
Not prepared by the Hanson trio, but more of a reference to the Korean bibimbap. I can't say I'm too familiar with this dish in general, but I really enjoyed it. Keeping with the healthy theme, the rice was brown and the veggie-laced ensemble was quite delicious.

Bacon and Eggs, P290.00

(will take 15 mins to make)
Sunny side souffle / slab of smoke bacon / onion and potato hash / mixed salad greens / grilled honey lemon dressing
We can't always be healthy now can we? How about cheating with just one piece of bacon? An extremely large one! It tastes as good as it looks, with a bit of a ham quality to it. The souffled eggs were a treat to eat as well with their interesting texture.

Crisp Cake, P160.00

Our signature cake: Calamansi Cake
perfect combination of tart and sweetness. Layers of Calamansi Sponge Cake, Calamansi Curd and Almond Meringue
A cake which carries the name of the restaurant is surely good, right? In this case, it was. The calamansi cake reminded me of those famous calamansi cupcakes from Boracay. It ain't too sweet and tastes just right.

Tres Leches Rum Cake, P150.00

Sponge cake with a small dose of rum, soaked in a 3-milk sauce overnight. Tres Leches is served warm with a hot shot of chocolate milk.
I'm usually a fan of Tres Leches (at home, mostly) so I wanted to give this version a shot. The rumcakeyness was much more prominent, with the tres leches aspect of it being more evident in the texture and the milk sauce. Not bad at all!

Cafe Latte, P110.00

This is a fine place to grab coffee as well. Their latte was good, and fairly priced.

Sight. Smell. Taste. These all come together quite nicely in the experience of Crisp. It's not just good food. It's refreshing to take in the art that tastefully clothes the place. The wall murals are partly done by Solenn Heussaff too.

Slightly hidden to the side is this neat al fresco section where you can enjoy the BGC breeze.

Menu:
Early Start, Open Toast
Salads, Sandwiches, Entrees
Specials
Beverages
Dessert

Glad to have an addition to the already large number of good dining and hangout options around the Fort. Check 'em out!

Love Crisp on 28th? Hate it? Let me know by commenting below, or just tweet me!






CRISP ON 28TH
G/F, Alveo Corporate Center, 28th Street Near 9th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
(0917) 584 6883
Operating Hours: 8:00 am - 12:00 mn
Facebook: Crisp on 28th

Victoria's Gourmet: Garlic Tinapa

Alvie's mom has been cooking something up in the past year which just happens to be the perfect little quick Christmas treat.

Victoria's Gourmet's creation is good ol' garlic tinapa, infused with chili peppers, oil, select spices, and of course, lots and lots of garlic! My favourite part of the bottle is actually the garlic and tinapa bits that settle on the bottom. On a cup of rice, it provides all the blasts of flavor you will need. You can have it on your panini or turn it into a nice plate of tinapa pasta.

Another convenient benefit we've come across for this product is that it is portable enough to carry with you to distant places and overseas. It will surely be appreciated by loved ones longing for a taste of home.

As it is the season of giving, there are also packaging options in case you would like to have a nice little gift for your family and friends. They accept orders in advance so that you can avoid getting caught up in the Christmas rush.

For inquiries and orders, you may reach Victoria's Gourmet at +63917-5253088.

Facebook: Victoria's Gourmet

McDonald's: New 2014 Coke Glasses

McDonald's sent a cool gift over to my house. Leaving Diablo III (seen in background) to see what package awaited me.

The huge heavy box yielded a nice new collection of the nice McDonald's Coke glasses we have come to enjoy over the years. The six glasses, all in grey, have the patterns diamond, linear, mosaic, pixel, ripple, and steel. Funny, that the set is actually six glasses and I was given five. Awesome headstart to completing the collection! Maybe a secret compartment will open when I insert the sixth glass... containing a huge jar of hot fudge? Wishful thinking.

I will still complete the collection though! I'll probably try out their new Bacon Cheeseburger while I'm at it. It does sound good! Thanks, McDonald's!

Niner Ichi Nana: The Craft Series

Niner Ichi Nana (right next to the Hungry Hound) is one of the coolest hangouts in the Fort, and with the Craft Series, it just got cooler. Every Thursday, they offer a special menu of themed drinks and food, and we were invited to enjoy the Pulutan-themed night with drinks prepared by Chef Mikko Reyes and Erwan Heussaff.

The interior is dim and cozy, just like I like it (however this is the reason for the grainy pics. Our phone cameras just couldn't keep up haha).

Tokwa't Baboy, P198.00

pig's ears + tofu croquette + soy vinegar foam
Talk about pulutan! The tender pork didn't actually feel like pig's ears, just delicious juicy pork. The tofu croquettes were so good. They reminded me of Saisaki's agedashi tofu, crispy on the outside with a soft center.

Pom Before Prom, P330.00

Bombay Sapphire, Pomelo Shrub, Elderflower, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup
I'm no cocktail expert, so please bear with my descriptions. Haha. From an cocktail novice though, I enjoyed this drink. It was a smooth drink with a hint of pomelo and mint and I particularly enjoyed the fragrant dried orange slice.

Three In One, P390.00

Hennessy VS, Cold Press coffee, Condensed Milk, Mole Bitters, Vanilla Tincture, Egg White
Only when I saw the drink did I get it. 3-in-1 coffee! Haha. I usually prefer the creamy drinks so this was my first choice. Not bad at all and the taste was definitely much deeper than any sort of coffee mix. Perfect for the sweet tooths.

Traitor Tetra, P350.00

Bourbon, Jerry Thomas Bitters, Mango Puree, Orange Juice, Orgust, Lime Juice
Another cool drink name. Tetra! Innovative idea for a fun drink that makes me feel like a high-schooler sneaking alcohol into class. Quite a potent drink, this one, but it was still fun to imbibe with all its fruity flavors.

Legit Sisig, P349.00

face + liver + brain + onion + chili + calamansi
I think it is fair to say that classy places don't usually get sisig right, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that their sisig is goood. Legit indeed. This dish has some serious street cred. We couldn't stop snacking on it in between sips.

Sizzling Foie and Shrooms, P386.00

a la pobre gravy + pickles + pan de sal croutons
I have never heard of sizzling foie gras before, and it's not nearly as famous as it should be. It was decadently rich and flavorful. I savored every tiny bite (I was rationing it) and the sauce-drenched pan de sal croutons were very good too.

Happy Horse, P310.00

Bacardi, House Pineapple Lemon Soda, Cointreau, Paulaner
My surprising star of the night was this infectiously happy horse. The decapitated beer bottle lost its head but became something much better! The ingredients sounded simple enough but the cocktails sweet alcohol-spiked lemon soda had such a beautiful aftertaste that I just had to sip again the moment it left my mouth. On and on, until the drink was gone. I highly recommend going for this!

We thanked Erwan for the event and the invite. It was a thrilling night for the senses and the sweet alcohol-induced magic. Haha. Catch the Craft series nights and you'll be in for an awesome time.

Menu:
Pulutan



NINER ICHI NANA
G/F, Globe Telecom Tower,
32nd Street Corner 7th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
(0917) 876 9999 / (02) 7974064
Operating Hours:
Mon - Thu: 5:00 pm - 1:30 am
Fri - Sat: 5:00 pm - 2:30 am
Facebook: Niner Ichi Nana


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Mrs. M: ¡Viva La Fiesta!

GUEST POST:

I was on the lookout for a lunch buffet promo online for my husband's (Mr. Savvy's dad) birthday when I chanced upon La Fiesta Largest Filipino Buffet. I googled it and I was intrigued by seeing sushi, pasta and other non-Filipino dishes being offered.

Off we went to the venue along MOA to celebrate! Unknown to us, they also had that 'Celebrate your birthday for 7 days' promo. It's already looking pretty good. I like the ambiance and the neat, spacious environment. They just opened June of this year so I hope they keep up the maintenance of the place.

There was a band playing good OPM music but our kids wisely chose a table not too near the live music. That way our conversation will not get drowned. To add to the Filipino feel, there was a Mamang Sorbetero going around pushing the 'dirty' ice cream cart. You can call him anytime to serve you a scoop or two in a cone.

I toured the whole buffet spread from appetizers to dessert before I made my choice.  This is the way to go to avoid regrets (hehe).

They had a lot to offer: streetfood like fishballs, kikiam, isaw, betamax with different sauces and dips, pizza and pasta, sushi and very limited sashimi, Filipino classics, Chinese dimsum and some dishes, shawarma station, barbecued meats, rolled lechon and other meats, seafood station including Paella Marinara, juices and shakes station, desserts local and international, coffee and tea.

It is not humanly possible to sample all of them but I did try my best.

First I saw were sad one-day old chicks and I ask, "Why???" It was together with the sisigs.

I started off with Ceasar Salad, California Temaki and thin crust pizza. I was not too impressed but the pizza was quite good. I would have had more pizza but that would mean the end of my buffet adventure.

The Dinuguan was a standout for me. It was really dark, a bit oily and meaty just the way my hubby Ricky and I like it.

The Kare-Kare, a childhood favorite of mine, was not well-represented. It was too pale and the flavor was more starchy than peanuty.

The spicy shrimps were well seasoned and spicy. They were fresh as the shell peeled off easily.

I got one of those halved mangoes on a stick in a jar of water and I spread some pale-looking bagoong alamang on it. I had to instinctively close my eyes as I savored every morsel of the bagoong. It was the best I ever tasted. It is not salty as one would expect but more of the shrimp flavor and well sauteed too.

The durian ice cream was, literally, the bomb. The smell was strong to those nearest me and they inched away from me a bit. Haha. It tasted so good and creamy though like the real fruit which I have learned to like, thanks to my Zamboanguena friends.

Over-all, it was a very pleasant experience. It felt good to be a Filipino with our diverse heritage and culture being showcased in La Fiesta.

One thing I know, it won't be my last time there. I might have to heed the call of their savory Dinuguan in the very near future.

- Ellie

LA FIESTA LARGEST FILIPINO BUFFET
Mall of Asia Complex (MOA)
One Esplanade, Jose Diokno Boulevard,
San Miguel By the Bay, Pasay City
(02) 556-1111, (02) 556-1222, (02) 556-1333
Operating Hours:
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Facebook: La Fiesta Largest Filipino Buffet


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