Bistro Better

Truth be told, whenever I am up for a food trip in Makati area, which is not that often due to its proximity to where I work and live, I always make it a point to have a budget a little higher than the usual. That is of no big deal to me considering most of the time, Makati Restaurants I have tried are all good, I always get my money’s worth.

A friend who happens to love food as much as I do would sometimes complain that whenever we are together, there’s this urge for her to drag me home and eat home cooked meal instead. Such suggestion is enticing enough if we are not living at the other side of the hemisphere opposite each other. She happens to be from the south, while yours truly is from San Juan.

That is why I am quite excited to share to her and to you my readers as well the recent discovery that my other foodie friend Glenn and I found right smack in the busy streets of Makati. Tucked along Chino Roces Avenue Extension (Pasong Tamo Extension), Bistro Better is a quaint foodie place that serves home-style cooked comfort food amidst the busy city proliferated by commercialized and high end restaurants.

This homey restaurant offers meals at a very reasonable price. We were told that the menu consist of the owner’s personal favorite from household meals while growing up, therefore one can expect delicious dishes in which recipes were handed down from generations ago.

Roast Pork

Thin slices of slow-cooked pork covered with mushroom sauce, served with fried rice and buttered vegetable on the side. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive the first time I saw what Glenn has ordered. I am a hardcore carnivore and seeing slices of pork as thin as that, I feel like walking out. However, when Glenn handed me a piece to taste, the savory flavor erupted inside my mouth I was suddenly transported to my grandmother's kitchen waiting my servings of her comforting pork asado. It was magical.

Beef Morcon

I was planning to order for their Chicken Alexandra, but we were told that since it was past lunchtime, they ran out of it. No big deal because I was also eyeing the Beef Morcon on the menu. When it graced our table, I knew right then that it was a good choice. The sweet onion sauce on top which looked like shrimp paste for me raised this simple dish up a notch. I love onions, and I must say that I can have this sauce alone as a viand (lame me, I know). The morcon was very savory and juicy, however I would like to have it with a plain rice though because with the its stuffings, the sweet onions, and the fried rice, it feels as if there's a lot of flavors and textures going on. All in all it was a good dish.

Pesto Chicken

I was already full but we both agreed to try their pasta. It was good, nothing extra ordinary like the one I had at Hyphys, but Glenn who is a pesto lover seem to like it a lot. I was already feasting on my dessert while he was still savoring the pasta.

Honey Crunch Homey Cake

We were told that they offer different desserts from time to time depending on the availability. At that time, we were lucky that they serve delicious cakes baked by their newly hired baker, according to them. Their Honey Crunch Homey Cake was so good we were able to finished it in a snap. I hope that they still offer this dessert when I visit again.

Chocolate Comfort Cake

Now, this simple looking cake can be deceiving it can be pass for the usual chocolate cake, but believe me when I say that it was so good, it can almost make my friend cry. Literally. well, okay, figuratively. Chocolate cake is his ultimate comfort food and I was quite impressed that this piece from Bistro Better was able to make his heart skip a beat.

Clearly the food was good, we were full and delighted, especially with their desserts. As with the ambiance, although it is not that spacious, there's still a comfort feel to it, I guess it has something to do with the friendly food servers as well.



The air conditioning works well, especially during the time we dined there because it was pretty humid outside. No smoking area, but you can always step out if you feel the need to puff. And one of the best thing about Bistro Better is that they have Free Wifi.



If you want a break from the usual restaurant shindig ambiance, Bistro Better is one of the place you might want to consider paying a visit. It is downright simple without all the fuzz, and it offers good food with reasonable price.




Bistro Better
GF-2 GEE Bldg. 2301 Pasong Tamo Ext. Makati City
(between the Chrysler and Chevrolet showrooms)
10am-8pm Mon-Fri / 10am -2pm Sat / Closed on Sun & Holidays
(632)886-7870 or (63) 917 6124858
www.bistrobetter.com/

Of New Beginnings, Healings, and Sweet Endings at Banapple ~ Part Two of Two

“Do you think we will have our own happy endings?” asked my friend in between wiping the chocolate syrup on her plate with a forkful of Chocolate Chip Walnut Pie and biting into it with pleasure. It was one of those cold and windy days when there was plenty of time to kill having dessert at Banapple Northeast Square in Greenhills.

“Of course, we will.” I answered briefly after the warm mush of pie coated my tongue with its soft texture interrupted with bits and pieces of walnuts. The taste of melted chocolate chips highlights the playful event inside my mouth.

Chocolate Chips Walnut Pie

“But we are not princesses.” She replied coyly, as her fork gently cut into the dense texture of Snicker Fudge Cheesecake, it’s her time to feast on my plate. It was more of a reminder than a statement. A metaphorical point from someone who has deep affinity with fairy tales.

“Yes, we’re not. We are warriors.” I smiled while the luxurious taste of cheese and chocolate regaled my palate. The delicate taste of Snicker Fudge Cheesecake is royalty in itself.

Snicker Fudge Cheesecake

“Warriors, I like that. Warriors with happy endings.” She said as the food attendant gently placed another plate on our table. The smell of apple hinting with cinnamon and caramel wafted slowly enticing our nasal faculties. We both stared the Apple Caramel Crumble Pie, and then my friend looked at me.

“We are warriors who will fight for our own sweet happy endings.” I said as I let my friend slowly and with consuming passion, savored the warm apple pie, an epiphany for sweet ending.

Apple Caramel Crumble Pie

I would like to believe that in a parallel universe more magical than ours; life can be sum up in a full course meal. In between the servings of different dishes, the adventure is there. Alluring ones appetite in a successive play of push and pull of varieties of flavors. And after the palatable showcase of savory tastes, one will yearn for something sweet, regardless of its simplicity or grandeur; you just have to have it.

One thing about Banapple that endears me the most is the way they serve good desserts at a very reasonable price. Delicious dessert need not be expensive. The sight of different variants of delectable cheesecakes and sweet pies is arresting. A comforting assurance that the time you set foot into their store, you’ll have a decent meal and the luxury of having a sweet ending.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, these are some of my favorites.

Strawberry Amaretto Cheesecake

Strawberry cheesecake slathered with strawberry chunks and jam on top, made special with slivered almonds on top and a subtle taste of amaretto.

Dark Chocolate Tiramisu Cheesecake

Tiramisu meets cheesecake with the use of dark chocolate. Pure heaven. Pure bliss.

Myster-Reese's Wicked Pie

Chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of layers of icing, peanut butter cream, and chocolate crust. Wicked, it is, indeed.

Gobblin' Goblin's Pie

This cute monster looking pie consist of layers of chocolate crust, cheesecake, mousse, with combination of chocolate malteasers and snickers bars embedded on it for a good measure.

Blueberry Cheesecake

The classic blueberry cheesecake, only better because it is from Banapple.

White Chocolate Truffle Berry Cheesecake
 

Layers of graham crust, cheesecake with truffle berry, strawberry cream, topped with chunks of cookie crumbles and white chocolate shavings.

These are just some of the cheesecakes and sweet pies from Banapple because there are plenty to choose from. Much like in real life. We create our own happy endings. Not everyone was born with a silver spoon, but with courage and conviction, you might end up having not just a spoon, but a silver platter. We live and fight life through. At the end, it is us who will decide if the glass is half empty or half full.

As for me, yes, I am not a princess, but I know in my heart, even warriors deserve happy endings.



Banapple Branches:

225 & 206 Katipunan Ave,
Blue Ridge, Quezon City

Northeast Square
47 Connecticut St
Northeast Greenhills,
San Juan City

Ayala Triangle Gardens
Ayala Ave, Ayala Triangle
Makati City

2/L Il Terrazzo
35 Tomas Morato
Quezon City

Banapple is open everyday
7:30AM to 11:30PM

You can contact them at

(02) 439-2675 [Katipunan 1]
(02) 413-2675 [Tomas Morato]
(02) 438-2675 [Katipunan Too]
(02) 756-2675 [Ayala Triangle]

Max's Restaurant Chicken All-You-Can Is Back!

I need to interrupt my two-part post about my foodie love affair with Banapple because I am excited to share with you some good news from our friends at Max’s Restaurant.

Couple of days ago, when I posted a photo shout out at YedyLicious Facebook Page that Max’s Restaurant is cooking something exciting for their valuable customers, likes and comments, and even text messages came flooding in. I couldn’t answer their queries regarding Max’s upcoming promo at that time because I, myself were not yet informed. Although I already have a hint as to what was coming, I could only make a wild guess with joyful anticipation.

Last night, during the promo launch at Max’s Restaurant in Greenbelt 1, I, along with fellow bloggers celebrated the night away equipped with good news that was finally out in the open.

Max’s Restaurant Chicken All-You-Can? Yes! It's Back!

Yes foodies, you need to work that appetite out and come the tenth of this month, head on to the nearest Max’s Restaurant because for only 199php, you can feast on all you can consume Max’s Sarap-To-The-Bone Fried Chicken!



The success of their previous Chicken-All-You-Can Promo and public’s yearning for a repeat inspired our friends at Max’s Restaurant to yet again satisfy our tummy but this time, with a much better deal.

Our friends at Max's Restaurant

We can all enjoy 199php Chicken-All-You-Can Promo starting on June 10 to July 10, 2011 from 6pm to 10pm, daily at any Max’s Restaurant Nationwide. The deal is inclusive of 1 glass of soft drink or iced tea, and if you want to upgrade your drink to refillable, you just have to add an additional 28php. For every P200 purchase during the promo period, diners will receive one 20php money coupon which can be used starting July 11, 2011. A maximum of 3 coupons per transaction can be used to purchase any Max's product within a year of issuance.

"Chicken refill, sir/ma'am?"

The last time I had Max’s Chicken-All-You-Can I was able to consume 4 big pieces as compare to the 3 pieces I had at Max’s Forbes Town branch opening. Last night, I was able to down 3 big pieces, and on June 10, I promised that there isn’t a snowball chance in the desert that I won’t be beating my previous record.


A record to easy to beat, eh? Message us, my foodie friend Glenn and I are always up for chicken eating challenge :) Perhaps Max’s Gift Certificate if you beat us? ;) So I guess I’ll be seeing you guys at Max’s Restaurant soon!



Max's Restaurant

Max's Restaurant Marketing
Makati, Philippines, 1231
Phone:
dial 7-9000 for Max's Delivery (Metro Manila Philippines only)

Be part of the Max's Online community by reaching them through the following:

Order & Pay Online
www.maxschicken.com

Email
customercare@maxschicken.com.ph

http://twitter.com/maxsrestaurant
http://www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant

Of New Beginnings, Healings, and Sweet Endings at Banapple ~ Part One of Two

It was a great beginning disguised as a heartbreaking ending. I knew it right there and then, after hearing sobs and ill bouts of bitter laughter, upon sinking my teeth to the al dente lasagna pasta smothered with tomato meat sauce on top, while a creamy herbed cheese silently nestled in between. It was an epiphany. One among many.

Exactly how many great meals have I consumed on my frequent visits to Banapple’s different branches? I am not quite sure. What I am sure of is that great meals from them never fail to make me feel good, especially when life plays a little tough. This time though, it was a dear friend who was given a tough blow to deal with. So, to the nearest Banapple we went.

Lasagna Roll Ups

He was slicing the parmesan encrusted chicken fillet in all its tenderness and glory while recaping the event that transpired the night before. It was in all honesty heart breaking but I remained calm. Silently, I watched and listened as I cradled forkful of lasagna rolled up’s occasional trip to my mouth. I was waiting for him to take that first proverbial bite because I know that after that, he will lighten up. I was right.

My friend at that time was in an emotional turmoil, but the rich stewed tomato meat sauce and the melted mozzarella cubes romancing the chunks of the fillet was so gorgeous it washes heavy loads away. I saw his face lit up. The same familiar face I am so used to whenever there’s a joyful anticipation of good things yet to come. I gave my two cents regarding his situation as we shared a couple of bites of our respective meals. Every bite was an absolution. A freedom from heartaches, away from the things that one should let go.

Chicken Breast Parmigiano

It amazes me how a good meal can bring you back into wholeness on so many different levels. Lost opportunities, relationship that didn’t work out, sad goodbyes, are just few of a thousand and one reasons for ones heart to break. I have my own fair share of those heart aches, but as always, I got a million and one ways to mend. A good meal at Banapple is definitely one of them.

Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs

Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs and Herbed Chicken Rolls with Basil Cream Sauce are some of my ultimate comfort food. The Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs’ succulent meat that literally falls off the bones screams flavor in every shred of it. While the Chicken Rolls that delicately caressed by the basil sauce gives it a subtle spunk which is remarkably delicious.

Herbed Chicken Rolls with Basil Cream Sauce

The tender cubes of rib-eye steak and sliced mushrooms of their Salpicao Rafael was a declaration that the elegance of simplicity can be made special a notch higher if it was prepared with love. I’ve had one too many Beef Salpicao before but Banapple’s remains as my favorite. I heard that it was named after the owner’s son, Rafael. How’s that for love?

Salpicao Rafael

Their Baked Fish Gratinee with Scalloped Potatoes was the first dish I remember eating at Banapple and it definitely served as a representation that everything on their menu is worth giving a try. The baked white fish in cream was very succulent while the scalloped potato only made it more gratifying to the tummy. The mozzarella-crumb that crowns the fish is yet another element that makes this dish lingers to your memory days after having it.

Baked Fish Gratinee with Scalloped Potatoes

Breaded Fillet of Cream Dory with Honey Thyme Mustard Sauce is another must try dish if you are not big on meat. The crunchiness on the outside does not discount the fact that the dory is still juicy inside giving you an assurance of freshness. The honey thyme mustard sauce gives it a kick of taste to behold.

Breaded Fillet of Cream Dory with Honey Thyme Mustard Sauce

Banapple’s Crisp Pork Scallopini with Sour Cream Barbecue Sauce is yet another revelation. Golden fried pork cutlets are already good in itself, but smothered with savory sour cream and barbecue sauce? It definitely is a match made to last forever. I love the way the flavor of the sauce blends in as you bite into the crispy cutlets of savory pork. One spoonful after another remains a wonderful treat, a meal you will always long for.

Crisp Pork Scallopini with Sour Cream Barbecue Sauce

Aside from Lasagna Roll Ups, I am crazy about their Baked Creamy Cheese Penne. I love the interplay between the white cheese sauce and the meaty tomato sauce as it gives a push and pull of flavor in the penne pasta. The sautéed Hungarian sausage may not be visible but the flavor is there, giving you a hint that the minced meat scattered playfully on the sauce plays a role after all.

Baked Creamy Cheese Penne

These are just some of the hot meals of Banapple that etched a mark in my heart. Comfort food, at its finest, yes. But personally, it is so much deeper than that. For me, every meal represents a delightful beginning to something great to look forward to. A palatable journey both in gastronomical way and in reality.

In every good beginning I always believe that there will always be a happy ending. Yes, this is a two-part blog post. Banapple does not only offer delectable meals, because maybe, they also believe in sweet endings. Join me on my next post as I give you my list of my favorite cheesecakes and pies from Banapple, and some stories about happy endings.

As with my friend, he is on his way to recovery, celebrating new beginning instead of grieving for a sad ending.


Banapple Branches:

225 & 206 Katipunan Ave,
Blue Ridge, Quezon City

Northeast Square
47 Connecticut St
Northeast Greenhills,
San Juan City
Ayala Triangle Gardens
Ayala Ave, Ayala Triangle
Makati City

2/L Il Terrazzo
35 Tomas Morato
Quezon City

Banapple is open everyday
7:30AM to 11:30PM

You can contact them at

(02) 439-2675 [Katipunan 1]
(02) 413-2675 [Tomas Morato]
(02) 438-2675 [Katipunan Too]
(02) 756-2675 [Ayala Triangle]

My Elba Kitchen Pasta Cookbook Launching

If there’s a dish I could whip up in no time, it would be a pasta dish. I am claiming no expertise but empty plates, second helpings, and a satisfied smile have always been my badge of honor. However, I always believe that one should not settle for mediocrity. I’ve always wanted to master cooking up variety of pasta dishes. Good thing Elba, world renowned kitchen appliances provider from Italy has recently launched their My Elba Kitchen Pasta Cookbook. 

A collection of 60 exciting and easy to follow pasta recipes developed by the Center for Culinary Arts Manila, this cook book is a must have for every household. During the launch at The Grove Rockwell, which I attended last May 26, 2011, Elba showcased their products such as stoves and gas ranges which was used during the cooking demo. Maxim Cookworks were also used alongside ingredients from Nestle, Del Monte, Ideal Gourmet Pasta, Magnolia, and McCormick.

Brian Hontiveros, Chef Sau Del Rosario, Chef Darin Epp, and Samantha Hontiveros

Hosted by PJ Lanot, the event was packed full of tips and ideas on how to prepare some of the dishes included in the cookbook. Chef Darin Epp, official chef of Maxim Cookworks, demonstrated how to cook Sardine Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes and Salmon with Rosemary and Cream Sauce.

Salmon with Rosemary and Cream Sauce

Sardine Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes

After two delightful pasta dishes, Chef Richie Custodio of the Center for Culinary Arts in Manila took the center stage to demonstrate how to cook Cannelloni Chili Verde with Carbonara Sauce, Aglio Olio Scampi, Eggs Benedict Pasta, and Herbed Chicken Spaghetti. It’s not as if we weren’t astounded yet by the delectable dishes presented right before our very eyes, we were also amazed at how Chef Richie prepared pasta as a dessert, and they call it Fruit Sparkle Lasagna.

Cannelloni Chili Verde with Carbonara Sauce

Eggs Benedict Pasta

Aglio Olio Scampi

Herb Chicken Spaghetti

Fruit Sparkle Lasagna

After being presented with such wonderful variety of pasta dishes, which are all indeed easy to prepare, I became all the more interested in cooking pasta. Available in all leading bookstores nationwide for 399php, this cookbook will now be my companion in our kitchen. 

Elba Showrooms are located at:

MC Home Depot Ortigas

Ortigas Cor. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

Tel 683-0101 (Look for Jonathan or Angel)

Alabang Home Depot, Westgate

Alabang Zapote Road,Alabang, Muntinlupa,

Tel 771-1619 (Look for Leo or Angel)