Yummy Date Night

Date # 67: Gayuma ni Maria

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            It was mostly our curiosity that led our feet to Gayuma ni Maria. This popular restaurant near the Ateneo/UP area banners a strange, but familiar theme: love and magic. With that said, the place is characteristically flirty, kitschy and chic, with heart-shaped designs stamped on its interiors, and with a warm and cozy ambiance that’s just right for a romantic but casual date place.

            Before we got our orders, we walked around Gayuma ni Maria to check out some of their “interesting stuff”. In this area, you can write your wishes on ribbons and tie them to a “wishing tree”. It’s sort of like a wishing well, only cuter. I got lazy to write my wishes down, though. The place also sells all sorts of aphrodisiacs, in case you’re interested.

            After checking out every nook and cranny of the spacious two-storey restaurant, we got to our table to eat. First to arrive was the Lumpiang Barako (P115). This reminded me of Firestarters in Wicked Kitchen, only that Gayuma’s Lumpiang Barako is exponentially better. Each piece of whole green chili was generously stuffed with oozing cheese and then rolled in lumpia wrapper before it was deep fried to crispy goodness. It was one of the best things we’ve ever eaten, to date. The chili packs the right amount of heat, and its flavor complemented the cheese well.

            Next was our Vanquished (P115). This was also one of our surprises for the day. We didn’t expect to find such a nicely made onion soup in a place like this, given that it’s not a French restaurant. The soup had the perfect amount of sweetness from the caramelized onions, and had a nice, playful texture from the chewy and stringy mozzarella cheese. This is perfect for cuddling during rainy days.

            For my main dish, I got I’m Wild for You (P185). I know it’s unlike me to order pasta in creamy white sauce, but I was really craving for it that day. Thankfully, this did not disappoint. We were surprised how hefty the servings were, given that the prices are on just on the average side. I liked how the pasta was cooked, and the sauce was indeed scrumptious, but I found the wild mushrooms a bit sour and weird for my taste.

            As for Douglas, he got Once You Go Black, You Never Go Back (P225), which in simple terms is a cocoa-crusted cream dory in chocolate sauce. He said that the fish had been overcooked, judging from its dry and flaky texture. The flavor of chocolate was present, although the saltiness of the fish kept him from enjoying this dish. The fries served on the side also needed improvement.

            We also got Rock Me Baby (P195) to share. The dish is basically a slab of hickory barbecue ribs, served with corn kernels and a mound of mashed potatoes. The ribs were fork tender, although I found that the marinade was a bit too salty that it overpowered the ribs’ hickory sauce. The mashed potato also needed more seasoning.

            Gayuma is famous for their desserts, and I’m glad that we tried them out. I got a slice of Twisted Pavlova (P95), which was a soft, foamy, fluffy meringue drowned in custard sauce. I liked the contrast between the sweetness of the foam and the acidity of the fruits on top. I wish the cake had been lighter, though, so that it melts in your mouth. I was also looking for the crispy crust that’s common in pavlova, but it wasn’t there, sadly.

            Meanwhile, Douglas got Beats Sex Any Day (P75). It’s essentially a chocolate cake topped with light butterscotch cream and then sprinkled with chocolate bits. We totally fell for this because it was rich, moist, and it just sent jolts of pleasure with every bite. Every mouthful was a decadent trip to chocolate orgasm.

Overall Verdict: Gayuma ni Maria has a loyal following, and it’s not difficult to understand why. However, if the food quality continues to be hit-and-miss, we don’t know if we should whole-heartedly recommend this place. It’s great for college people who are looking for a nice and interesting place to bring a date, though.

 Gayuma ni Maria

123 V. Luna Extension (Maginhawa st.) Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Phone: +639216818989
Email: gayuma.gourmet@gmail.com
Facebook Page: Gayuma ni Maria 
Operating Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

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With and For Love,

Rina Caparras and Douglas Chong

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