Yummy Date Night

Date 91: Old Oven Art Café

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       Although it’s against my policy to give conclusions about a certain restaurant or café at the beginning of an entry, I’ll tell you this early that Old Oven Art Café was one of the best places that Douglas and I have been to lately. It offers a wide array of comfort food and drinks in a relaxing and unique setting.

The café is decorated with artworks from local artists, which are all available for purchase. The cafe careful not to look too kitschy, but one can tell from the first glance that this place is has its own distinctive and memorable personality.

The place can only seat about twenty persons comfortably, so try to reserve beforehand if you wish to dine here.

First to arrive on our table were the Spicy Wings (P180). The chicken skin was perfectly crunchy, while the meat was tender and moist. The real surprise, though, was the sauce. Each wing was coated with a slightly sweet, savory and spicy mix that reminded me of the sauce from Bon Chon Chicken, though exponentially better and more flavorful. Hands down my new favorite chicken wing.

Douglas decided to order this Cheese Steak Sandwich (P150) because we were told that it was their bestseller. The beef they used for this sandwich had the texture and appearance of pulled beef, which wasn’t exactly what we’d expected. Good thing it was complemented nicely by the oozing cheese sauce. In the end, though, we felt that the sandwich was just okay.

We find it amusing that they use jars for their drinks instead of glasses.

         The real winner was the US Angus Rib Eye Steak Plate (P550).  I think Old Oven has found the exact middle ground for steak—not too pricey, not too cheap. It’s not as mouthwateringly tender as the ones you could find at top class steakhouses, but definitely not sub par. The thickness is just right, allowing the prominent beefy flavor to shine through. I only wish the server had asked me how I wanted my steak to be cooked, because I think I would have preferred it done medium rare instead of medium well.

 (The grill marks on the sides of the steak made it seem like a sexy hunk rife with battle scars.)

Meanwhile, the acidity of the red wine reduction sauce contrasted beautifully with the richness of the mushroom risotto. The rice of the risotto should have been more al dente, though,but it’s difficult to complain since the flavors were spot on.

Overall Verdict: The first thing that came to my mind when I left Old Oven was that, “why am I visiting this place only now?” Now, I’m asking you, why haven’t you gone to this place yet?

OLD OVEN GOURMET CHEESESTEAK SANDWICHES

136 Katipunan Rd. 

Brgy. St. Ignatius

Quezon City

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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Date 88 & 89: Army Navy and Sandwicheese

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      I think cheese steak sandwiches are my new favorite thing. Remember when I used to have an obsession with xiao long bao, and then later, buffalo wings? I think my cheese steak obsession is already near that level. Near, but not quite.

      In a cheese steak sandwich, I look for perfect balance. The meat should be the star, of course, but the other ingredients should also complement the meat well. If there are caramelized onions, they should provide much needed sweetness and variety in texture, while the cheese should provide silkiness and elevate the flavor. The bun should be able to hold everything in place, and should make all the flavors come together. And most importantly, the meat should be tender, perfectly seasoned, and should have a distinguishable beefy flavor.

       For now, our favorite place to get our cheese steak sandwich fix is Elbert’s Cheesesteak Sandwiches. Elbert’s is located all the way in Makati, though, so we’re trying to look for alternatives nearby.

       Recently, we tried Army Navy and Sandwicheese. They are located across each other in Katipunan Ext. Here’s how the two go toe-to-toe:

1. Ambiance

      The ambiance in Army Navy is like an army barracks.

      But I think I prefer the cozy and feminine ambiance in Sandwicheese.

2. Menu

       Both menus have burgers and sandwiches on them, although Army Navy wins on this aspect because they also offer plenty of side dishes like fries.

3. Pricing

       Both restaurants have reasonably-priced dishes, but I think the food in Sandwicheese is a bit more worth the price, with most items on the P120-P170 price range.

4. Packaging

     I don’t normally include this as a criterion, but I think it was really a mistake for Sandwicheese to wrap their sandwiches in paper. Why?

     Because of this. I think they should implement a different system for people who plan to dine in.

5. Cheese Sandwich

      Here is where the battle really begins. Let’s start with the cheese steak from Army Navy, the Starving Sailor Sandwich (P225)

     The Starving Sailor Sandwich was jam packed with meat, but Douglas and I didn’t feel that the meat had a prominent beefy flavor. The meat to bread ratio was also highly uneven. It did have good cheese, though.

      Douglas and I preferred Sandwicheese’s Drippin Roast Beef (P160) sandwich. The beef was a little bit under seasoned at first, but it was nothing a few shakes of salt and pepper couldn’t fix. The cornbread that they used for this sandwich was flavorful and delicious, but I think it was too soft to hold  the whole thing together. Overall, though, it was a great sandwich.

5.2 Other offerings

      We also got a Steak Burrito (P190) from Army Navy. I didn’t like it at all. The lettuce made it feel like a salad wrap rather than a burrito. The meat also left much to be desired.

      Meanwhile, this Hickory Shredded Pork (P160) sandwich was a delight to eat.  The sauce was a little overpowering, though, but overall it was great.

Overall Verdict: We didn’t get to try a lot of things from either restaurants, but for now Douglas and I prefer eating at Sandwicheese. Of course, we still haven’t found a substitute for our favorite sandwich from Elbert’s, but I think Sandwicheese is good enough to answer our cravings.

Sandwicheese

and 

Army Navy

Katipunan Ext. 

Quezon City

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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88 Nomama Artisanal Ramen

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    There are truly some days when you want something good and something new, but you don’t want to travel too far to get your fix. You don’t want the hassle of going to a different city because you’re stressed, tired and you’re just looking for a place to unwind. But you don’t want a boring place; you want a place that’s fresh, new and exciting.

     Enter Nomama Artisanal Ramen. It was the most logical choice for Douglas and I to go here because it’s near, convenient, and yet it’s somewhere we’ve never been to. Even the concept for Nomama spells its freshness: its name is a play on the peg, “Not your mama’s ramen.” In Nomama, you can’t simply expect dishes that we’ve all seen or heard of somewhere before, because it dares to do more. (But be prepared to pay more, too. :p)

     The interiors are clean and simple. Just solid black and white colors over unfinished concrete as well as wooden furniture.

      For starters, we got this serving of Beef Curry Rib Gyoza (P170). The concept itself seemed promising, but the thing that arrived on our table was a bit underwhelming. I think the chef could have done more, presentation-wise. You can probably agree, based on the picture.

I found the amount of meat inside each gyoza lacking, and the sauce a tad bitter. To give this dish some merit though, for some odd reason, Douglas said he enjoyed it.

     But thankfully this serving of Fresh Tuna Spring Rolls (P290) landed on our table at the same time that the gyoza did. Fresh, sushi-grade tuna and alfalfa sprouts wrapped in translucent wrapper, surrounded by dollops of chili ponzu dressing, with some bits of arugula and pureed avocado… this dish is everything that an appetizer should be: light, delicious, and makes one eager for what is to come.

      For my ramen dish, I got this bowl of Ox Tongue and Chili Tofu (P290) ramen. I particularly liked the broth: it was rich and perfectly spiced. The slices of ox tongue were a delight to eat. The noodles, however, were too soft and lacked character altogether.

      As for Douglas, he got this bowl of Nomama Ramen (P290), which, I assume, is Nomama’s take on a classic Japanese ramen. The flavors of the broth are decidedly more accessible, with its miso-sesame flair. However, the noodles, yet again, fail to impress. The chashu on the side is tender and delicious, but still pales in comparison to the chashu from Ramen Bar.

       Most people enjoy this ramen for the egg. I won’t go through the trouble of describing it, for I fear my words will just ruin the experience. Just try it for yourself.

Overall Verdict: Go to Nomama for out-of-the-box dishes that still cater to the not-so-adventurous (like me). With classic flavors presented in original styles, you’re sure to find something to love. We’ll be back to try their rice meals and other offerings.

Nomama by Chef Him Uy de Baron
G/F FSS Bldg 2, Scout Tuason cor Scout Castor St., 
Quezon City, Philippines
Email: nomama.ramen@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 917 522-8272/ 
Phone: +632 5422558
Facebook: Nomama

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

Visit: Yummy Date Night on Facebook!  

Date 87: Moshi Moshi

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      Moshi Moshi is a new Japanese restaurant located in Regis Center, the newest building in Katipunan Avenue. Despite the restaurant’s close proximity to my university, however, I wasn’t really that excited to try Moshi Moshi because I thought the concept wasn’t all that exciting: they serve mostly Japanese rice bowls in student-friendly prices. Douglas and I eventually gave it a try one day, though, and here’s how it went.

     We liked the ambiance in Moshi Moshi. It was relaxing and spacious.

      Douglas got himself a bowl of Chicken Teriyaki Don (P135). He was pleased with the juicy and crispy texture of the chicken and the rich, sweet sauce.  He was also glad that Moshi Moshi uses Japanese rice for their rice bowls.

       Meanwhile, I got a bowl of Katsu Currydon (P165). The curry was overflowing with carrot chunks and potato chunks, but the pork cutlet itself was a bit thin and lacked impact altogether. I was definitely pleased with the deep, spicy and sweet flavor of the Japanese curry though, enough to make me want to return to this place again.

       We had a plate of Gyoza (P65/95 for 3/5pcs.) on the side. It was just okay.

        Of course, we couldn’t leave the place without ordering a plate of my favorite Japanese street food, Takoyaki (P40/55/90 for 4/6/10pcs). The takoyaki was a bit softer than what I’d prefer, and the sauce was a little bit sweeter than what it should be, but it was generally good enough for its price. I wish the octopus slices in each piece of takoyaki were bigger though, so that they would really make an impact in terms of taste and texture. But I’m glad they didn’t stuff it with shredded cabbage. I hate cabbage.

      Overall Verdict: Moshi Moshi is a good place for people who are hankering for Japanese food but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. I would go back here if I’m craving for reasonably-priced rice bowls, but I wouldn’t go here if I were looking for something that would blow my mind.

Moshi Moshi

2nd Flr. Regis Center

Katipunan Avenue

Loyola Heights, QC

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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     Last Monday, Douglas and I tried out Mango Tree Bistro, a popular restaurant located in Trinoma Mall. They serve authentic Thai dishes in a contemporary and inviting setting.

      The first thing you’ll notice about Mango Tree Bistro is the sleek and modern interiors. The black and violet motif makes this place look hip and inviting, although it might push away people who prefer dining in a well-lit environment.

    One of the best things about Mango Tree Bistro is the service. The servers are well-trained and they have a very good knowledge of the menu. That’s important in a restaurant where the food is not that familiar. I honestly felt illiterate while scanning the menu, but thankfully the servers were there to help me.

     The first thing that arrived on our table was a plate of Thod Mun Goong (P300). Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, I understand why these shrimp cakes are a crowd favorite. Personally, though, I don’t think I’d order it again. I didn’t really find anything that special and unique with the dish.

      Then came our bowl of Gaeng Ped Nua (P380). This beef curry dish was one of our favorites of the day. The chef had mixed in coconut milk with the curry so it had a light and creamy flavor. The spiciness was just right: it felt a little prickly to the tongue at first, but later you’ll get used to the light kick. It’s a bit sweet and tangy, and overall a great dish that could please any palate. It’s perfect with a bowl of plain jasmine rice.

       Mango Tree Bistro’s Thai Iced Tea (P80) was like milk tea with crushed ice. It’s great with spicy dishes because it can cool your taste buds easily though it might not be that effective in cleansing your palate.

      I came here wanting to try the Gai Satay (P250). These grilled chicken skewers came with peanut sauce and vinegar although I recommend just dipping each skewer in the peanut sauce since the vinegar doesn’t really help that much in terms of flavor. The meat was juicy and delectable, and it truly absorbed the flavor from the marinade. I think you’ll find the serving size a bit bitin, though, since they only served a few small skewers.

        Douglas insisted that we order Pad Thai Goong (P350), one of the most iconic dishes in Thai cuisine. With fried rice noodles, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and juicy shrimps… how can you go wrong? One of the things I like about this Pad Thai is that it had a good balance of sweet, sour and salty profiles. The intensity of the flavors is not that strong, though, so I recommend you cleanse your palate first before trying out this dish.

Overall Verdict: We thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Mango Tree Bistro and we’ll definitely come back to try it again. Although Thai cuisine isn’t really something that’s familiar to all of us, I’m sure that the servers will help you find what you’re hankering for on the menu.  The prices are a bit steep, but it’s just what you’d expect from a mall restaurant. Highly recommended.

Mango Tree Bistro

3rd Lvl. Trinoma Mall

Edsa Cor. North Ave.

Quezon City

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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