Uncle Cheffy: Go roll that panizza!

For some reason when I think about family, I almost immediately associate it with Uncle Cheffy. Probably because their serving is huge and ideal to enjoy with the family. So last Father's Day (ahem, yes late post) we decided to go there and celebrate with my mom (who is also my dad) and grandma. I was really glad they accepted my invitation to treat them for lunch.

[caption id="attachment_826" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Mum and mama :)[/caption]

Going there during lunch time and on Sundays, AND on Father's Day means falling in line and counting the passers by outside. The place was packed! After several minutes we finally got a seat. This was probably the only time I didn't quite appreciate Uncle Cheffy because of the seat they gave us. I noticed that the exact spot of our table was uncomfortable. We were in the aisle and in the first table you'll see in front of you as you walk in the main entrance. Waiters with huge plates and trays passed by us and I was a bit scared because of the busy-ness there, that it would accidentally fall on me. (You see, I don't know why I'm attractive to those kinds of mishaps). The aisle was narrow and it was easy to trip or lose your footing.

But anyway I tried not to let that get to me. Cheers to Pineapple shakes that eased some anxiety. :)

[caption id="attachment_820" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Pineapple shake[/caption]

Maybe because it was Father's Day that it took an unusually long time for them to serve the food. I remembered it was close to 30 minutes when they served us our orders.

[caption id="attachment_824" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Memphis Barbeque U.S. Beef Rib Finger (Php595.00)[/caption]

I know I should be grateful but I was quite disappointed with this one.  It was served with salad and marble potatoes and aside from that it was also served cold. I presume they forgot to serve our order right after it was cooked and left it in the kitchen. Though the meat was tender, it could be better appreciated if this was served fresh and hot. It was also very soggy, maybe because the meat soaked it up while waiting for it to be served to us. =/ It wasn't appetizing.. =( I didn't want to return it - we were beyond famished the time it arrived. It was good enough for me.

[caption id="attachment_825" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Asian Fried Rice (Junior: Php110.00)[/caption]

Asian Fried Rice was okay. It had tomatoes, eggs and java sauce. It was plenty for a Junior sized order good for 2-3 persons. :)

[caption id="attachment_827" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Spatchcocked Chicken (Php295.00)[/caption]

This one was a bestseller among us 3. It had walnut-dilli pesto and potato salad. We attacked this chicken like anything else and left only its thin bones to dry. It wasn't too salty and the potatoes were a good combination for this.

Of course we didn't pass up the chance to order what they're known for - PANIZZA.

[caption id="attachment_828" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Uncle Cheffy Favorites (Php395.00)[/caption]

We had the Uncle Cheffy Favorites - with oven dried tomatoes, mushroom garlic, anchovy, chili flakes, basil and 3 cheese. There was a way to eat the Panizza. First was to get a slice of panizza then put onions, alfalfa and the greens. Roll it and start munching. There was no other way to enjoy it but to keep on rolling. Good thing there was panizza to cover up all the boo-boo's. I still enjoy this "ritual" before having my panizza because it seems more satisfying that way. I mean the anticipation of waiting until you finish the "ceremonies" just to have that bite. If it was worth the waiting and all that rolling - I'll be coming back to try out their other flavors :)

I still remember the dishes and the experience like it was yesterday. But getting to bond with my family beats the quite unfortunate experience that day. :)

[caption id="attachment_829" align="aligncenter" width="225"] mum and i :)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_830" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It's not seasonal, it's year round - to pay tribute to all the single Moms who trusted in God to sustain and who stayed strong all throughout :)[/caption]

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You might ask what's the secret to enjoying food? Regardless of what it is.

I'm suddenly reminded of this whenever I eat and find that it didn't quite meet an expectation.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these

pleasures are from the hand of God, for without him who can eat and find enjoyment?

Enjoyment in anything is from God, whether it be food or drink or work. Everything may be routinary - eating, drinking, working. But these routinary things become more pleasurable with God, the provider - the giver of life. Without God indeed, who can find enjoyment in anything? :)

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Uncle Cheffy

2/F Eastwood Mall, Veranda, Eastwood AveBagumbayan, Quezon City

(02) 383-7215

Cooking with the Athlete Chef: A Delicious & One-of-a-kind Reunion Night

Cooking - it's one of my frustrations. So I was more than happy to volunteer myself to cook with one of my favorite chefs, Anje in one of our hopefully quarterly reunions. Yes I insisted and begged to help her cook coming in an hour earlier than expected. And Yes it was because I couldn't forget the creamy tuna pasta she made years and years ago and wanted to learn how it was made. It was one of the best.

Thankfully she obliged to my request and soon enough I found myself in her favorite (I presume) spot in her home - the kitchen. There she gave me the task to butter the bread and toast it. So ok that was my participation. Thank you.

[caption id="attachment_744" align="aligncenter" width="510"] See the bread I buttered and toasted? :)[/caption]

Everything happened so fast! Anje was already frying the beef patty while I was only given the time to sneak in some bites of the cajun fries.

[caption id="attachment_745" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Home of the Good Burgers[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_748" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Melted cheddar cheese on our burgers. *smacks lips*[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_746" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Cajun Fries - who could resist this?[/caption]

Next on her to do list was to prepare the salad. One thing I learned was to use your hands in tearing the lettuce apart. Because if you use knives the leafy greens would turn bitter. Grateful for this little reminder for my future use.

[caption id="attachment_747" align="aligncenter" width="250"] Freshly grated cheese on our salad. deelish :D[/caption]

The table was set and then we were done. It was time to taste test this dinner masterpiece and oh yes, my buttered bread too.

[caption id="attachment_749" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Table set for four - missing Karla bru[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_750" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Greek Salad with Yogurt Balsamic[/caption]

First treat to my tastebuds was Anje's Greek Salad with Yogurt Balsamic Dressing. Her inspiration for this was Cyma's salad. I'm not sure if I have tried it but for me this was the benchmark already.

[caption id="attachment_751" align="aligncenter" width="510"] My first round[/caption]

It had grilled chicken paprika and sweetened pecans and it was topped with freshly grated cheese. By the taste of it, it seemed like much time had been devoted to it. I love nuts in my salad so the sweetened pecans pretty much did the trick. It tasted indulgent but it was actually pretty light to the tummy.  I had another more portion of this before I went on to the next part of the meal.

[caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Cheddar Burgers in Whole Wheat Bread[/caption]

Next treat was my buttered bread.  Cheddar Burgers in whole wheat bread with caramelized onions. On the side we had Cajun Oven Fries with BBQ Chicken Liver Bits. Just the name of this meal is making my stomach growl at the moment.  The burger might I say was absolutely delicious. The onions didn't leave the "oh I had a burger today"  breath and the butter on the bread (ahem!) contributed to the flavors of the burger patty and the onions. I'm craving for one more of this please!

[caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="510"] This is the real yum burger[/caption]

The Cajun Fries was really interesting. Who would have known that adding liver bits to it would make it more than just your regular fries. Plus the Roasted Garlic and Parmigiano Regiano Dip on it made it truly lip smacking and one-of-a-kind. Not like any that you would order in a fast food or a diner. My love for fries just got deeper.

This special dinner was also just in time set for Ria's 25th birthday. We had cakes, coffee and French pressed coffee after.

[caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Happy Birthday Ria :)[/caption]

And what better way to end the night with loads of catching up and a toast to almost 12 years of friendship with Ria's Camembert Red Wine and Mangga wine (which she discovered needed ice to be able to bring out its easy and real flavor)

[caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="245"] Nuts and Wine[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="235"] Mangga Wine[/caption]

It was really nice to see you girls, looking forward to our next catch up afternoon/night :)

With all the cheese I've eaten that night, I guess it would just be right to say that these girls have been my 12 year friends and even friends for life. <3

Pipino: Indulging in a guilt-free (and a major withdrawal) green lunch

Go green. go organic. go vegan.

Okay so maybe I was too engrossed with the go green campaign I've been working on for 2 weeks now and it's been haunting me everywhere!

And the culmination of those 2 weeks was... Pipino! (it couldn't get any greener than this)

Last Saturday we found ourselves in a cozy vegetarian restaurant in Malinap Street, Teachers Village. It housed 2 restaurants where Pino served "normal food" and Pipino, well for the health enthusiasts. A few minutes after I took this photo, people piled in and minutes after Pipino was packed!

With the place filled up, I was excited to see if Pipino was really as promising as it looked. I wondered how they would create their dishes and if it could measure up to Greens which was the first vegan restaurant I've tried.

[caption id="attachment_685" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino"][/caption]

Good thing we just ordered one Pipino special iced tea. At only Php35, their serving was huge and their blend was refreshing too. Its mix reminded me of carrots.

[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Pipino Iced Tea (Php35)"][/caption]

Then we had the Fresh Vegetable Lumpia which tasted normal too. I've had better though but by far this was the best part of my Pipino dining experience next to their iced tea.

[caption id="attachment_689" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Fresh Vegetable Lumpia (Php120)"][/caption]

They used an egg-less crepe which had quite an interesting texture to it and it was a bit chewy too. Topped with peanut sauce, toasted seaweed and fresh garlic. It was also served with crispy rice noodles that I enjoyed nibbling on. (There was not a pinch of saltiness in it, mind you)

My choice of greens was Pipino's Garden Burger. The "pattie" was Carrot Bacon in Chili-Garlic Sauce on Whole Wheat Bun, served with Kamote (Sweet Potato) Fries.

[caption id="attachment_691" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Garden Burger (Php155)"][/caption]

Did I enjoy it? I wanted to run to the nearest Mcdonalds. I hate to admit it but I'm a fastfood / junkfood junkie. The moment I had a bite of the pattie, I wanted to run into the arms (if it had any) of a quarter pounder or a double cheeseburger.

[caption id="attachment_692" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="The carrot-bacon pattie"][/caption]

Don't get me wrong, it might have worked for those on a Vegan diet. It was guilt-free alright but I was suffering from major withdrawal after.

Jason's choice was Squash Risotto. It had Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Vegan Sausage, Cashew Cheese Nugget and it was peppered with Fresh Ginger.

[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Squash Risotto (Php220)"][/caption]

It looked pretty appetizing. But as Jason had a spoonful of it, I couldn't paint the expression on his face. When I had a bite of it, well... it wasn't so cruel. You really have to get used to the taste. At first it was a bit difficult to swallow. The rice was sticky and soggy, (thanks to the ginger, I could imagine myself having Hainanese Chicken with it) and it was really hard to appreciate. The Vegan Sausage was  okay though and the Cashew Cheese Nugget. But if you eat them together with the rice, the latter's taste would overwhelm the former.

It also had an aftertaste of garlic sauce so I pretty much imagined myself chowing down on shawarma / kebab.

At that point I was thinking of children being forced to eat their greens where mom would say "Mmmmmm...." to stimulate the poor kid's appetite after feeding the kid a spoonful of ampalaya.

I'm not cut out for this diet really. I could only fool myself into a green and healthy lifestyle for an hour or two. But on the other hand, I lasted a week living only on broccoli and cauliflower.

I hope though their quite normal counterpart (Pino) is a lot better than this. After that guilt-free lunch, I'm sorry but I had to rush to the nearest Dairy Queen (in Katipunan) to reward my major craving. I had their Oreo Cheesecake, as Oreo is their featured flavor of the month and dare I say, it was the highlight of my green day. :)

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Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino

 2F 39 Malinap Street, Teachers Village

Quezon City, Philippines

Dairy Queen

Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

Philippines

Cibo: Perfection of al dente pasta and pizza deliziosa!

You'll never go wrong with Cibo and on their 15th year this August, I can't wait what they'll come up with!

You see my favorite cuisine is really Italian (next to Filipino of course) and Cibo has satisfied my taste for the deliziosa!

It was our first time to supposedly attend the Sunday service in CCF Eastwood, but we weren't aware of the time THEN, so we missed it. =( We just decided to have lunch instead. In the new Eastwood mall, it was a no-brainer to pick Cibo.

Spaghettini Alla Romana (P225)

 To get our fix of al dente pasta, we tried the Spaghettini Alla Romana. It was sardines, extra-virgin olive oil, fennel, chili peppers and red pesto. Absolutely delicious!

I read an article in PhilStar that years back, clients of Cibo chef and owner, Gaita Fores would complain that the sauce of the pasta was too little. She would often reply that the Italians equally celebrate the flavor of the pasta itself and its sauce. And true to what she said, the pasta in itself was already a delight and the flavor of the sauce was rich in taste complimenting it very well.

[caption id="attachment_573" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Prosciutto Di Parma (P358)"][/caption]

 This was their bestseller I suppose as it's the lone pizza that occupied 1/4 page of the menu, YOU WOULDN'T MISS IT. If you can't say it nor spell it (I had to double check their menu twice to make sure I spelled it right), you're sure to find it anyway. Prosciutto Di Parma had a generous amount of tomatoes, Parma ham, aromatic arugula best mixed with slices of mozzarella cheese.

 For some reason, even if I chomped down the whole thing I don't feel the least bit of guilt. It probably had to do with the arugula greens on it. And besides, cheese is healthy right? It gives us calcium.... for strong bones. :) Ok I'm justifying so I could eat the whole piece. And yes my appetite is that huge.

Cibo  definitely did satisfy my Italian cuisine craving. So if you're up for some Italian lovin', and there isn't a warm-blooded, all Italian male hungry for and generous on amore around. Think Cibo. Hunger no more, Italian lovin' is right at your door! :)

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Cibo

2nd Flr. New Eastwood Mall

Libis, Quezon City

470-2426