Froodie: The Cool and Casual Foodie: Filipino

Showing posts with label Filipino. Show all posts

I've always loved Trellis. That's why when they came out with a 50% off promo through a group buying site, I immediately bought a voucher.

We arrived a little before lunch and were able to pick a quiet spot near the back, behind the pond-like area.

Perhaps we chose the bestsellers or maybe their meals are really good, but all the dishes we ordered were delicious and blog-worthy.

Their Pakbet (P160) was a little sweet, tasty and topped with sinful chicharon crumbs. The vegetables were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I'm not a vegetable person but this dish I could live with and eat regularly.

The Sinigang na Baboy (P240) had that "tamang asim" factor, especially since it's made from fresh tamarind. The meat was tender.

Surprisingly, the first one to go was their Pancit Canton (P265). I can't blame my family, it just tasted real good. The different flavors contrasted and at the same time complemented each other.

Then there's the Fried Chicken (half serving for P255) which looked quite dry but the meat was actually quite tasty, also the chicken skin.

Finally, there's the famous Sisig (P160). If you're going to eat at Trellis for the first time, make sure you order this one. It's not like my favorite crispy sisig variant but it's definitely delicious and flavorful. It would is also perfect for pulutan (especially since Trellis is more popular as a watering hole at night).

Two thumbs up for Trellis.

Location: 40 Matalino St cor Kalayaan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City
(02) 924-1056
* It's just at the corner of Kalayaan Avenue and along the famous Matalino St. so it's very accessible. The sign, however, is pretty subtle but it's at the corner so you can't go wrong. Try to get there early since there are only a few parking spaces and they get easily filled up.
Saw this article the other day. What can you say about this?

Dubai landlords turning down Pinoys over 'smelly food?'
January 19, 2012 6:00pm

Some Filipinos in Dubai are claiming that certain real estate agents there are refusing to rent out apartments to them, partly because of the odor of a Filipino dried fish delicacy.
According to a report of Gulf News on Thursday, watchmen in two buildings informed a Filipino couple— Rey and Cynthia Alfonso — about an unwritten "no-leasing-to-Filipinos" rule by landlords.
The couple also said landlords are not happy with the Filipinos' tendency to overcrowd rental units.
However, the couple said "it's a false generalization. In reality, no one wants to live in an overcrowded place."
Gulf News said unrelated people may share a flat. However, the Dubai Municipality strictly enforces the one-family-one-villa rule. Violators can be fined Dh1,000 to Dh50,000, it said.

Foul-smelling food
Gulf News quoted Indian real estate agent Kumar as saying, "There's this one particular dried fish Filipino delicacy. I cannot blame them if they cook it and it's one of their favorite dishes. Even we Indians have some food that other people can't bear. But my landlord says this is one reason why Filipinos are not welcome in his building."
Kumar said "tuyo" (dried fish) fouls up rooms in centrally-cooled buildings.

Indian watchman Bagharam said a two-bedroom unit in their building is usualy rented out for Dh60,000 but is offered at Dh80,000 for Filipinos and Arabs.

Gulf News also quoted property agent Saeed as saying the building owner gave him specific orders not to take Filipinos, Chinese and Vietnamese as tenants. - VVP, GMA News
CNN Go came up with a nice article enumerating the "50 foods that define the Philippines."

Never forget puto and other kakanin

Here's a run-down of the list:
1. Adobo (read about the real history of adobo)
2. Lechon
3. Sisig (find out where you can find yummy crispy sisig)
4. Crispy Pata
5. Chicken Inasal
6. Taba ng talangka
7. Pancit Palabok (we actually had 5 diff. kinds of pancit at this party)
8. Bulalo (you have to taste this - the best bulalo steak)
9. Arroz Caldo (arroz caldo in the US)
10. Fish Tinola
11. Kare-kare
12. Kamaro
13. Ilocos Empanada
14. Sinigang
15. Tapa
16. Dinuguan at Puto (among our must-have fiesta food)

Lumpiang shanghai is not really from the Philippines
(probably why it didn't make the list) but it's a party staple

17. Betute
18. Laing
19. Pinakbet
20. Sinugno
21. Bagnet (bagnet from Vigan!)
22. Pancit Habhab
23. Pork Barbecue (among our must-have fiesta food)
24. Longaniza
25. Lumpiang Ubod
26. Bicol Express
27. Relyenong Alimango
28. Balut
29. Inihaw na panga ng tuna
30. Fish kinilaw
31. Kuhol sa gata
32. Sinanglay
33. Inihaw na liempo
34. Empanada de kaliskis
35. Tinolang tugac
36. Camaron rebosado
37. Bibingka
38. Suman at manga

Yummy bulalo steak!

39. Champorado
40. Halo-halo
41. Buko pie (among our must-have fiesta food)
42. Ensaymada at tsokolate
43. Pastillas de leche
44. Puto bumbong
45. Turon
46. Pan de sal
47. Taho
48. Tablea tsokolate
49. Halayang ube
50. Leche flan

Actually, some commented (in the CNN article) that their favorite Filipino food was not included. How about you? What is your favorite Filipino food?
I've been out for a while (a really long while) since I decided to choose freedom and family time over blog hits. Anyway, I couldn't help but share this interesting bit of news. Apparently, Filipino food continues to be a success in the US, reinventing and evolving with the other international cuisines and eventually broadening its fan base.

Sisig nachos from Senor Sisig
Location: Timog Ave., Quezon City

I know, it's a seafood place but I tasted their sizzling bulalo steak (P255) and it was superbly delicious. The taste was just right, creamy, really really tasty, with the meat tender - and most probably fresh. The last time I tasted beef like that was at Tagaytay's Mahogany Market.
Location: Megatent, Ortigas

We traveled all the way to Ortigas to finally check out Banchetto and watch the launch of the wish lanterns in celebration of the date 11-11-11 (Nov. 11, 2011) last week.

I was already in a "slightly" bad mood when we got to the place because of the long walk (motorists were equally pissed off because of the traffic). Nevertheless, I tried to cheer myself up with all the food. It was hard to feel cheery though since dozens of people are jostling you at all sides. It was worse than Divisoria during holiday season.
Location: House of Representatives

I don't think I have ever been a part of a surprise party so it was fun when Team Teddy (which I am a part of) decided to organize one for who else but Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño who turned 43 yesterday.

We wanted it simple and affordable but also interesting so we decided to go with a Pinoy Fiesta theme, in line with Rep. Casiño's "Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy" advocacy. Trivia: Rep. Teddy is also the chair of the Congressional Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development (SBED).
Location: Vigan

My brother was nice enough to buy a couple of orders of bagnet while on a field trip in Vigan (I know, 3-day high school field trip in Vigan! Envy.). Bagnet is said to be the Ilocano version of lechon kawali (crispy pork belly). It is basically like lechon kawali but it's extra crispy, almost like chicharon (pork rind).

It's a little hard to bite into but the meat/fat is very tender and flavorful. I heard the bagnet is fried longer (1-hour at low fire) and is even deep-fried for a second time. What my mom did is to just chop it all up (they come in big slabs of pork!) and mix it with tofu in seasoned soy sauce. Yummy. I'm not a fan of pork but I like bagnet.
Location: Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa

Giligan's is one of my favorite hangouts because the place is part restaurant and part bar. You get good (relatively affordable) food and entertainment. It's casual and laid back, a little noisy when the band plays but still not that loud.

Last Saturday, my friend celebrated her birthday at Giligan's. We bought her a chocolate mousse cake from Red Ribbon (we were ecstatic to learn that that was her favorite) and ordered the following:
Location: Legarda St.

Para naman maiba, naisip kong mag-feature ng totoong carinderia (hindi iyong Carinderia Sefali). Noong Biyernes, sumama ako sa Lakbayan ng mga magsasaka patungong Mendiola. Kaysa naman kumain sa walang kamatayan na fast food, tinahak namin ang Legarda para maghanap ng makakainan. Dahil gutom (hindi naman masyadong pagod dahil mula Morayta lang naman ang martsa), pumasok na kami sa unang karinderyang makita namin.
Location: 116 Timog Ave., Quezon City

What better way to spend the rainy night than eating? We went here last week (just had time to upload the pics today). Thank you to Amy and Mike for the dinner. Lol. :)

We ordered a Forest Platter (P625; chicken, liempo, squid and the ubiquitous manggang hilaw). We loved their chicken. So tender and tasty. :)