Archive for May 2016

We millennials keep on finding places to stage our abilities. To whatever platform, we exercise our creative freedom. That is why it is very amusing that many establishments nowadays are becoming more and more versatile to our generation. Down south, I discovered a new haven. They call it the Buku Buku Kafe.

The Buku Buku Kafe, is a concept restaurant located on the ground floor of The District mall in daang hari Imus Cavite. Buku-Buku is a Bahasa term for many,many books. According to the creative owners, the concept was inspired by their travels across Asia, Europe, and America.

I like how the place can be very interactive. They have a reading corner for bookworms and a spot where you can play board games. Yey! I am looking forward to the Sungka bench and hopefully a tournament. Haha! The whole place is very appealing to the eye and not intimidating. It felt like I was a child again. I want to jump from corner to corner of that place to explore. They have collector item komiks that are not pretty usual to mainstream bookstores.

It's pretty much an experimental box for people who wants to move things and set up for their arts. It's a nice place for a band performance, film screening, poetry reading, or even if you're just shooting a creative Instagram photo. The restaurant also comes with a bar and an outdoor space for performances or works that cannot be accommodated indoors. Yes! A bar, meaning they serve alcoholic drinks. Congrats!

The food is another thing for this concept restaurant. They serve fresh, killer salad that everyone must try. I love how they combined green mango with basil and raisins with basil, or I guess I just love everything they serve with basil. Lol!

Kidding aside, another favorite that you should try when you pay a visit is their Beef Brisket Tapa. It is so soft and juicy, sweet and can be spicy and the aroma... oooh how do I describe something that is beyond words? I have these thoughts that inside their kitchen is a big hidden herbal garden where they pick the herbs, wash it with divine water and put on our meal. That's how crunchy fresh their herbs are.

Buku Buku Kafe is a sure haven for ingenious brains from the south. Anyone can be inspired and get creative with this kind of place. The owners are very open and supportive to artistic ideas so there's no way you can't find your thing on board. Here's a piece of advice, stop reading this post, get creative, and be there! You're welcome!

www.facebook.com/bukubukukafe

In my search for something different, I bumped into this restaurant in Ayala Triangle named Simplé lang. It is a kind of restaurant that offers common and simplified or should I say twisted Filipino recipes that are not only good for the pocket but also for your tummy.

The interior looks like a small Filipino canteen with writings on the walls that you can never fail to notice. They have catchy and humorous phrases all around even on their menu, which makes an entertaining experience.

For all the food we have during that day, there's only one that I really can't get over with. It's the Crispy Palabok topped with shrimp, bagnet, tinapa, salted egg and whatever heavenly things they put there. It's so delicious I am dying for more. Lol! Kidding aside, crispy palabok is something new to me. I am used to the common palabok noodles so basically, the crunchy noodles texture is something that automatically wins my heart. Plus, the battling taste of sweet and salty inside my mouth made me say, "this is the something different I am looking for". It is definitely, 100% must try and you should never miss this if ever you visit Ayala triangle in Makati.

While writing this, I suddenly remember the taste of Palabok I used to buy when I was a child. But the cook is already dead and his family failed to continue his genius Palabok recipe. Hindi kaya malayong kamag-anak ni Chef yun? Char lang. Moving on...

Aside from Crispy Palabok, Simplé lang offers a variety of dishes that surprisingly customizable to your preferred taste. Our friend tried mixing his crispy palabok and lumpiang sariwa with chili sauce and made something savory for spicy food fanatics.

Wanna know more about this meal? You may visit their facebook fan page here:

https://www.facebook.com/raintreesimplelang

#JOTG

Mother's day is just around the corner and there's no other way to celebrate genuine love than a genuine treat.

A few weeks back I've tried Saboten Philippines Mothers Day Offering, Oyster Set for two and just had my cravings fully satisfied. Add with their mouth melting Parfaits and Macha Ice Cream, I was in heaven for like an hour or two.

Saboten is a Japanese restaurant located in Glorietta 4. I believe they also have it in Serendra BGC but I haven't been there yet. The ambiance is perfect for people who wants to chill and enjoy their meal. It's so Japanese that even the staff bow down and greets you in Japs which, this will sound funny, makes me feel like a king. Bwahaha! I really love how gentle they serve everything for you. It will make you further appreciate the interiors and of course, the food.

The Oyster set for two is a good choice for those who loves tonkatsu meals. It's deep fried, not greasy and the inside was crafted to perfection. The oyster is must mention for this treat. It's so fresh you can taste the flavor of the ocean with every bite. Its juiciness is overwhelming and is excellent for the Gakkeikan Sake - Japs wine. I love how they served and cut the cabbage and the miso soup is addictive. I haven't got the name of the chef but he/she must be highly commended for our meal.

The chocolate Parfait is to die for this summer. It has this almost gooey texture that I love with most desserts. Their Macha ice cream is perfect for all macha lovers. Its creaminess is something that will make you hold on to until it melts.

My over-all dining experience with Saboten is something that I look forward in the future. It will surely make everyone experience genuine food and service - the kind that every mother deserve this coming May 8.