Craving for gyros?

Gyro or gyros is a sandwich made of lamb, beef or chicken, onions, tomatoes, garlic-yogurt sauce (tzatziki), dill pickles and even french fries, wrapped or rolled in pita bread, also known locally as shawarma.  Gyro is a Greek dish of meat roasted on a vertical pit.  

A little kwento...  Working and living in the Middle East was a "culture shock" . I only have two pleasant memories of the Kingdom in the middle of the desert. The first is the magnificent gold souq and the other is this mouthwatering flavorful sandwich, the gyro. I was pregnant then and craved for this sandwich everyday but it wasn't available in the university cafeteria, so I  settled for a warm buttery croissant instead. My first trimester was difficult, and I didn't finish my two year contract at the university. After ten and a half months. I bought a one-way ticket back to Manila. During that time,there were no shawarma stands, food stalls or  kiosks  at the malls. My craving or paglilihi for gyros couldn't be satisfied. Good thing, my roommate/classmate came home for the holidays and  brought  about five or was it ten gyros as pasalubong. Thankeeeeeee :) 

I've been wanting to go to this Mediterranean restaurant in Greenhills, but the heat and the traffic prevented me from going any farther than Eastwood or the UP Town Center. For Son's birthday,  I decided to try this Mediterranean restaurant at the UP Town Center. 

This is where we went.  Pardon my ignorance, but I don't know

how to read the Greek alphabet, more so these Greek words. 

I asked the waiter for help but he was probably busy and 

hurriedly called out the name of the restaurant, without even stopping

at our table....  as if there were a lot of people in the restaurant. 

There was just one lady at the table near us. The group of six had finished 

their meals and were about to leave. It was 5 o'clock, not a busy hour. 

***

The hummus and the couscous salad, 

Php 155 & Php 160 respectively.

We've had better hummus and couscous salad at

the other Mediterranean restaurant in Eastwood, 

or even at the shawarma place at City Golf.

The menu says Freshly Baked Breads Everyday Eat All You Can.

But NEVER did the waiter ask us for a refill of these

not so freshly baked breads. 

Kroketes Patatas Php 175

These fried potato balls were okay but that dip

lacked taste. It was so bland, I wanted to ask for salt,

pepper and garlic.  I was looking for the hot sauce or the

 yogurt-garlic sauce in plastic dispensers, like the ones

found on tables of hole- in- the-wall shawarma stalls.

It would have made a huge difference in altering the 

taste of these bland dips.

Greek Fish Stew / Php 230

This is the Hubby's plate.  I wondered what those green

leaves were. They were spinach! Would have been

better if they used fresh basil instead.

Pork Souvlaki / Php 350

The Son's plate.  He finished it. He is a hungry carnivore.

But the sauce is the same bland sauce.

My Chicken Gyro / Php 190

This is how it looks like inside.  It had a generous amount

 of 'herbed' chicken pieces. I just don't know what herb 

was used.  It didn't taste like the gyros that I always eat

or have been accustomed to.  It lacked the dill pickles, onions

and garlic-yogurt sauce.  It lacked the "kick", the 'umphf".

Everything in this restaurant was bland.

They should at least put some salt and pepper on their tables.

***

I was going to refrain from writing bad reviews in my blog, 

since I am not a chef, or a food/nutrition graduate, or a food writer

 but, I just couldn't let this pass. There was this blogger who wrote 

really nasty comments about this restaurant and it was not 

a pleasant read. 

***

I had the hummus, cousous salad and half of my gyro wrapped.

Would have given them to our doggies but they might die.

They only eat dog food. 

***

I didn't bother to try their Baklava and other desserts.

I wanted to get out of that place ASAP.

***

That's the Son smiling or was he grinning, 

with the Hubby at the back.

Sabi nga, better luck next time!

Stick to the tried and tested restaurants.

***

Happy birthday Son

Fun birthday week for Son & his cousins in Bohol.

***

"The business of life is the acquisition of memories.

In the end, that is all there is."  

Quoted from Mr. Carson, Downton Abbey

***

Happy birthday Son! May we create more 

fun and loving memories.

Love you lots!!!

Mochi Halo-halo

Mochi Halo-halo from Karate Kid

***

California Maki 8 pcs / Php 85

Spam Onigiri / Php59

Beef Gyudon with Miso Soup, Iced Tea & Unlimited Rice

Php 149

Pepsi Max / Php49

Iced Tea comes with the Set Meal

Chicken Katsudon / Php 99

Mochi Halo-halo / Php 55

***

We are always on a look-out for budget friendly, clean, no fuss, no muss, Japanese restaurants. While walking around Robinson's Metro East, after I redeemed some gift certificates from their Customer Service, I chanced upon this place Karate Kid.  I don't remember seeing this restaurant in the other malls. What caught my fancy was the Mochi Halo-halo.  How can anyone not like that combination?  Halo-halo, which Filipinos love to eat to beat the heat and Mochi, those soft  glutinous Japanese sweet treats, also called galapong or bilo-bilo locally. / Our total bill was Php 506.oo  for everything we ate at Karate Kid. Now, that's really value for money. Shall we go back?  You really had to ask? We will... next time I redeem more gift certificates.

To each his own ... egg foo young

To each his own.

We have the right to make our own choices.

We have special preferences.

Ika nga ... kanya kanyang trip lang yan

***

Egg Fooyung / Egg Foo Young / Egg Fu Yung

... which literally means "lotus egg".

E may itlog ba naman yung lotus?

According to Wikipedia,  This dish is prepared by beating eggs and adding sliced ham, mushrooms, cabbage, bean sprouts, spring onions, water chestnuts, pork, shrimp, beef, even lobster.  But my personal preference would be crab meat, leeks, bean sprouts, celery and eggs.  

***

Shrimp Egg Fu Yung from King Bee

...  looks more like a shrimp omelet, right?

Oyster Cake from King Bee

...  looks like the shrimp fooyung above, right?

***

Crab Foo Young  from Comida China.

Now this one looks more like the egg  foo young that

I remember and like so much, with that thick rich brown sauce,

hopefully with bean sprouts.  I just wish they would serve this 

in a bowl instead of this flat oval stainless plate.

I only took a small bite and had this wrapped to take home.

It's still in the refrigerator.  I hope to eat it for breakfast soon.

***

Filipino buffet lunch & Meet Up with "old" friends

Who doesn't like chandeliers and vintage houses?

As one enters the restaurant, you are greeted by this magnificent chandelier.

  This antique house has been transformed into a charming and traditional

Filipiniana full service buffet.  

***

I was to have lunch with some "old" friends from college.

Two of them will be coming from SMX, where the yearly dental

 convention is being held.  One came from Shaw Blvd, another from Makati, 

the other from Quezon City and I'm from Marikina. 

 I'd say Greenhills / San Juan area would 

then be a  good choice to meet up.

I prefer going to a buffet, because it spares me the 

task of ordering for everybody..They get to choose

from almost 20 Filipino dishes or even more and get to

 eat all they want, for a very reasonable price of Php 399.

***

Will only be posting food photos that are different,

or distinctly unique instead of all the 30 or more 

photos I took. Will also be showing photos of the 

guests, the people at the event, the girls, the classmates.

***

Halo halo on ice-cold frozen shot glasses.

I like this way better than making my own halo halo.

I never ever  get the correct proportions. Always trial & error.

...  and 'error' most of the time!

I either put too much sugar, too few pearls,  jello ,

beans or bananas. Or I even forget to put the cream or the honey.

So I end up eating a bland tasteless halo halo.

***

That's champorado in a small cup,'pre'-prepared by the
chef. There is also puto,, leche flan and brown sugar suman.
I enjoyed the desserts soooo much!
***
So why are there only pictures of desserts?  I am more excited to
post photos of the desserts than the main courses.
The main entrees were served in round chafing dishes, the lids of which
were shut / closed.  It would be cumbersome to open each one
of the chafing dishes and take photos of each and every dish.
There were about twenty or more Filipino dishes.
They even had lechonito, kare kare, kaldereta,  chicken pastel
and a lot more yummy Filipino dishes.

If we were to get together for a second time,
I would still choose this restaurant.
Reasonably priced, clean, and more value for
your hard earned money.
***
Smile everyone!!!

First three photos from Dr Ned's camera. Thanks :)

***

Si Monica, Adrian at Nicole ... hahaha

Si Adrian at si Monica? o si Nicole ba yan?
Manood gabi gabi kung kanino mapupunta si Adrian.
***

***

Ay... nagulat yata ako.  That's how I look when trying to make

sure I don't close my eyes during a photo opportunity. 

***
After 'pigging-out' at Guevara's, we proceeded to Fairview
to visit another classmate.  The last time I saw Dr. Fe was in December 2012.
I didn't know she had another brain surgery last Christmas.
So glad that she is now able to sit, walk around and even respond
to our jokes.  Last time I visited her with Dr. Alan,
 she was in bed,  very weak and had difficulty sitting.
...
Dr. Anna said to elongate our necks during picture taking,
to look a little thinner.  Hay naku... effective ba?
Pwede .....

That's Dr. Fe,  smiling. Hope to visit you again soon!
God is good to you Dr. Fe.
***

Just my thoughts for today...

I enjoy reading blogs about food.  I actually follow a lot of local food bloggers and make sure I visit their blogs at least twice a week. It really  irks me when I read them write about a particular restaurant that I've recently dined at and describe it as great, fantastic, fabulous, even excellent. When it’s undoubtedly, and a matter of fact, the worst restaurant 'chever' because of their minuscule serving portions,  horrible plating and exorbitant prices.  I got more irritated when I read about that same restaurant while en route to Seoul. It was featured in the carrier's in flight magazine. 

I really can't blame the bloggers nor the writers of the magazine. The chefs or probably the restaurateurs / restaurant owners might have 'connections', or they sponsor meals, and pay for exposure.  

E sino ba naman ako para magcomplain. Nakakafrustrate lang talaga when I believe every "word" written in their blogs.  I tried reading other bloggers, those who do not have ads in their sites, but then again, they, too, most often, never say anything negative, to probably attract advertisers to their sites.  So, nasaan o sino ba ang mga nagsasabi ng tunay na 'reviews'?  Ewan.

***

I tried to make my blog private and invited friends to become followers.  Some of them did, but others declined.  As if naman I wouldn't know that they have been constantly reading and following my site.  How do I know?  Simple... I have caught him actually using my exact words in his FB status, not once, but twice.  He even used to share my entire blog post or even steal / borrow my photos without permission.  Even if I put watermark on my photos, he would just crop the photo and post it as his own.

Oh well... that's a blogger's life.  I have actually deleted one entire blog and kept it very private.  If only blogger can give me the option of choosing to share posts with just friends, or customize the audience of the blogs, like how FB lets you choose your audience and privacy settings.  Oh dear... 

***

I wanted to delete this food blog. I have opened another site at wordpress. But my blogs are just too personal and very precious.  It's about me, myself and I.  A personal account of my life that I wish to share with friends and family, or with the www. I just wish these two ex-friends would stop stalking me. Btw, there will be some slight changes in my food posts and life events starting now.  But who cares right? hahaha 

Baboooooooooooo

Our no frills, no fuss, 'default' dining restaurant

Your guess is right! The mall is 3 minutes away from where 

we live and this restaurant is where we go before or after

watching a movie.  

Beef Bowl, Tofu & Yasai Itame ...

... our staple dishes.

Salmon Sashimi ... OH-EM-GEE!!!

The pieces are smaller than the wasabi.

***

Was it two Fridays ago or Labor Day when we watched

Spiderman?  I don't remember.

What I remember is we had dinner at this same 

place after the movie.  Son and I agreed / vowed

not to get the salmon sashimi ever again!

Kani Salad & their complimentary house tea

Beef Ramen

The Beef Bowl, again!

Philly Cheese Rolls...  ??? I forgot what this is called.

There are bits of beef inside those rolls which are 

dipped in that bowl of cheese sauce. This got my 

palate and brain a bit confused.  It was alright.  

It was quite cheap and can be ignored. 

... and that's my plate of kani salad,  a plate of 

Yasai Itame and Agedashi Tofu.  

... my staple dishes.

***

We would still go to our no frills, no fuss,

'default' dining restaurant but I just wish they wouldn't 

serve sashimi for Lilliputians.  

Sigh ..........Wow, grabe na to!

Vikings, SM Marikina / May 2014

Mothers' Day Lunch was at Vikings

in SM Marikina

***

I will post a few photos taken today May 2014, followed by

 photos taken last year May 2013.  Just to compare.

Halohalo Station, May 2014

Chocolate Fountains, May 2013

***

Salads on blocks, May 2014

Salads on ice, May 2013

***

May 2014

May 2013

***

The following are photos taken today.

***

Sushi & Salmon Sashimi, May 2014

Salmon & Tuna Sashimi, May 2013

Notice the size of the salmon sashimi?

***

Bread, Butter, Quick Melt Cheese Cubes, 

Spicy Cream Cheese and Egg Salad 

Fried Rice, Steamed Suahe, Quail Egg Siomai, Soy Chicken

and  Roast Beef 

I specifically requested for a well-done steak but the thin piece

of roast beef was still bleeding on my plate. 

Buti na lang Son likes his steak rare or medium well.

Tempura was dry and not crunchy.  It probably has been

sitting on the buffet for about thirty minutes.

Ingredients for the hotpot

 The hotpot took about 20 minutes to boil.

The broth had no taste.  I should have just 

brought the Son to Tong Yang or Sambo. OMG...

What? no clams or octopus for the Son?

***

You can't go wrong with sweets, or can you?

How I wish they wouldn't cut the cakes.  These mini 

'cut' cakes become dry when left in the cake ref.

Masarap pa naman yung red velvet.

The blueberry cheesecake didn't taste like a cheesecake.

It's like they forgot to put some sugar. Tasted like cheese.

I wanted to get biscuits or crackers to pair it with the "cheese".

You can never go wrong with ice cream, or can you?

***