Sushi with a twist at "Ta Ke Ho Me Sushi Stand"

Creating a different take on sushi/ Japanese rolls is this small glass shop in SM North Edsa called Ta Ke Ho Me Sushi Stand (tah-keh-ho-meh) or TakeHome Sushi (as I call it).

They have quite and interesting selection of rolls and rice balls that make you think "Oh, I didn't think this combination was possible". And along with your interesting mix of rolls that cater to the Filipino palette, they also offer some canned Asahi.

The jewel of their menu, in my opinion, is the Bacon Bomb. A fusion of Japanese and Western decadence as you get a rice ball of spicy salmon, with shreds of nori, wrapped in juicy bacon, and smothered in Japanese Kewpie mayo. A selection that rightfully explodes in your mouth. this alone makes me want to come back for more. This concoction is best enjoyed directly after it has been handed to you. I wouldn't recommend this as a take home since the nori would end up moist after being mixed with cooked rice, and the bacon would loose its crisp. 

Recipe: Spicy Pork Special

Its been a loong time, but its hard to come up with stuff if you don't have a kitchen.

Setting up a table outdoors, I am reminded of my sister's spicy gambas with bamboo shoots (If I remember correctly). So inspired with that thought, I gave it a go.

The ingredients are:

- 20 oz. of water (approx)
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper
- 4 large Green Chilis
- 4 medium sized Red Chilis
- 400 grams of ground pork
- 3 bulbs of Red Onion
- 'Patis'
- Knorr 'Magic Sarap'
- 3 large Potatoes (as a replacement for the bamboo shoots)


Put all the water in the frying pan. Slice the peppers, removing the seeds, except for the red chili. After putting the potatoes in a water bath, peel them and cut to strips.

When the water in the pan is boiling, add the ground pork. Wait for the foam of impurities to rise and remove them. And then add the potatoes. As the pork and potatoes cook, add the 'patis' in the pan. As half the water is gone, start adding the veggies and spices.

Taste the broth occasionally. Add more 'patis' and/or Knorr 'Magic Sarap' as needed. Do not wait for all the water to disappear...by then the potatoes would have been overcooked.

Garnish with some more red and green chilis for texture.

Serve with a pitcher-full of iced water. Get ready for some fireworks in the mouth...enjooooy.

"Seared Ahi Tuna" at Outback Steakhouse

I was able to try some "Seared Ahi Tuna" at Outback, Makati last night, and wow,... it packs a full smoky pepper flavor, rich in spices...but doesn't over power the lightly seared Tuna meat that dreamily melts in your mouth, just like one of those choice cut raw Tuna meat in Japanese sushi's.

The sharp tang that goes along it comes from the 2 select choices of dips, the lemony, sour yelloe vinaigrette, and the salsa type one.

It might come a bit expensive for my usual fare (Php200++ per half order) for an appetizer, but is sure is something that could make you comeback to this place establishment for.

Eat all you can for P150 at Chef d' Angelo

Going home one day from work, haven't eaten anything since that morning, I was to meet my family at Glorietta 5 in Makati City.

There I was led to an eat-all-you-can buffet at Chef d' Angelo for only P150. Its a combined buffet of pasta (2 types of pasta with your choice of cream or tomato sauce), Pizza (love the 2-cheese pizza), salad (oh my, all that lettuce, cucumber and olives) and soup (didn't go for it...its because of some trauma...don't ask..). Its a perfect end to a long day at work.

It has a limited time slot, though. There's the 11am-2pm schedule and a 5pm to 8pm slot. Good thing we got there, just barely.

All you have to do is get to the counter, pay your P150, they will then give you the 'Eat All You Can' wrist band (very fashionably and trendy...just not my type :-)), your plate then you can ;et the eating begin.

Piece of advice though, eat slowly, and you will enjoy the meal better. And there's a reason why a separate 'platito' is provided for the pizza; mixing it with the other stuff will just leave you with a soggy pizza, with the lettuce juice and pasta sauce and all.

Peanut Kisses straight from Bohol

Peanut Kisses...

I heard about this a long time ago, and my friend recommended that I find it when I go to Bohol.

This local delicacy is made of egg whites and crushed peanuts, and let me tell you, its the shiznizzle. Its sweet, crunchy and nutty, all for a very good price. I also love the way its packaged, proudly stamped by the agencies that help develop and boost the appeal of this crunchy treat.

I got my peanut kisses from this 24-hour souvenir shop a few minutes from the airport. "Angel-whatsis-something". I can't remember the name of the store clearly.

Hummus and Gyros

Walking around with my wife at Robinson's Pioneer last Saturday, we came across the soft opening of this place called Chili Willy's which serve Mediterrenean cusine. Aside from the dimly lit ambient dining hall and bar inside, there is a take out counter outside which serves the exterior dining area. We just came by to sample the Shawarma they had on the menu, but as I read the menu further, I saw a familiar food I was afraid to try...Hummus...

I always heard this stereotype that if you eat Hummus, it will clean you system right off like a large White Castle burger and Taco Bell combo would. As my wife begged to try it, I bought an order and took it home for good measure. At least I would be safe if any intestinal accident should occur.

As I took a bite of the pita bread dipped in Hummus, I was surprised on how creamy the garbanzo puree was, and the tangy taste provided by the olive oil and lemon. I never felt such a delightful combination since that time I ate spicy spagetti with oilve oil blanched garlic. Having finished the pita bread, I also dipped the shawarma in the hummus. Still not satisfied, I dipped my cousin's left over meatloaf in it. Damn, it still tastes good.

I started to remember scenes from Adam Sandler's "Zohan", where they dip almost everything in hummus.

Now I'm not sure if there is a variety of hummus out there. I asked if the service crew if hummus was a Jewish food, like if it is indigenous to the areas around and within Israel. They replied that it is a Turkish delicacy, which made me more confused.

Well, doesn't matter. Next time I walk by that same area again, I'll be in line to get me some hummus.