REVIEW: Capricciosa's

Lunch hour usually finds Jonas and myself adventuring through Makati for good food.

I've always been a sucker for yummy fare and having like-minded friends around makes hunting for interesting new flavors quite an experience. Greenbelt hosts a variety of restaurants and we were in the mood for something warm, heavy and Italian.

So, with that in mind, we hauled our collective asses to Capriccioca's.

Jonas ordered a Rosemary Chicken, one of the resto's best healthy bets. My order, however, turned out to be more interesting.

Behold! Rice Croquettes Ala Capricciosa!

This innocent ball of rice must not deceive you.

Although it looks weird enough to jump from its pool of steaming tomato and some unidentified chopped...something (but nonetheless yummy) sauce, it's actually quite delectable and filling.

With a name like Rice Croquettes I thought I was going to get a dainty little side dish. A crumbly little something to sprinkle over the as yet untried Capricciosa soup.

Instead I got this monstrosity.

Dainty, it ain't!

You could imagine our surprise as this was served.

Whatever we were talking about was abruptly forgotten as we gaped in shock and awe.

Recovering more quickly than I could ever hope to, Jonas grabbed a nearby steak knife and drove it right into what we thought was straight out of a Killer Tomato movie.

It never moved or chewed up knife and hand, thank God!

It did let out a bit of steam and blubbered creamy mozzarella cheese!

Drawn and quartered, it's a rice ball lightly fried with a LOT of yummy cheese inside.

What I usually do is ladle some of the soup over the rice crocquette. Eventually, the thick, creamy soup would mix with the tomato sauce and cheese from the rice for a really filling combo. Don't forget to enjoy the warm, toasty buttered bread with the soup either! I don't exactly know what vegetables are in the soup but, whatever they are, I'm sure to order this again.

You would think the serving's just right for a light lunch but, combined with the soup, it's a really heavy filling meal. So much so that I had to have the stuff i couldn't finish wrapped to take home.

It's perfect for hearty long lunches with friends on cold rainy days though.

Bon apetit!

Strawberries?

I encountered these...berries, for lack of a better word for them, during one of our monthly Komikero Meetings over at San Pablo, Laguna.

It was being sold by a guy in a bicycle with a sidecar converted to a sort of sari-sari store on wheels!

They actually look like very strawberries only much, much smaller. They're being sold per glass-full and eaten with some salt. Fellow Komikero, Johnny Danganan told me what they're called but, for the life of me, can't remember the name now.

They actually taste a bit sour which is jarring since one expects them to be sweet since they look so much like strawberries.

Once you get over your initial surprise however, they are quite a tasty treat.

FOOD TRIP: Davao

Davao is the largest city in Mindanao in the Philippines and is touted as it's "most beautiful and live-able city".

I for one can certainly vouch for the scenery.

I took a much needed vacation in Davao late last year and I must say that I had quite a wonderful time. The place was peppered with eat-all-you-can buffets which delighted me no end because I love sea foods (which Davao has plenty of...and FRESH to boot!).

Best of all, all these culinary delights was inexpensive going at a mere Php 100.00 on average (which is approximately US$ 2.50).

I'm planning to go back one of these days just to experience the whole thing again.

REVIEW: Bread Talks

Bread Talks, quite frankly, was a disappointment.

Whenever I pass by any of their many establishments scattered in the metro, the sweet aroma of freshly baked confections always greet my nose. So, I was actually quite excited starting the Blogger Food Tour with Bread Talks with visions of delicious bread about to be sampled by my eager palette dancing in my head.

My hopes were dashed with what they offered us however: bread…with cheese.

That’s the best you can come up with!?

“What do you call this?” I inquired.

“Earthquake Toast, sir” the lady serving us the stuff replied.

I’m sure the establishment has tastier offerings but I can’t, for the life of me, understand why they didn’t come up with something more brilliant than bread with cheese. You’d think they’d exert more effort to put their best foot forward.

Based on the Earthquake Toast we were served, Bread Talks didn’t exactly rock my world, I’m sorry to say.

REVIEW: Mann Hann

One of the food establishments we encountered during the Blogger Food Tour at Trinoma was Mann Hann owned by the Chua Family and this restaurant was one of the reasons I hated the 5-10 minute window we were alloted to sample what each resto had to offer.

What I immediately noticed was that the place had a nice ambiance (relaxing and laid back...perfect for a Sunday afternoon food binge with the family) and the food was presented very well.

But the proof of the pie is in the eating, as they say...and eat we did (and HOW!).

I only got to sample the Crispy Pata and the Spare Ribs but man were they good. The Crispy Pata was crispy without being too oily and the Spare Ribs was most excellent.

All I can say is that you guys have got to try it.