Bangkok Cheap

The Catfish Salad at Soms Noodle House

My friend Cheri raved and raved and raved about Soms sometime early this year that I decided to test it myself a week after her heavy advertising. I was happy to know, from her reviews, that the old Daddy Nicks was in good hands, because the old beer and sisig place kind of became an after office hangout for me and some officemates.

Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed in what I tasted. It was quite a hit and miss menu. And a year later, the verdict remains the same. You have to know what to order or you will forever wonder what all the rave was about. But if you do know what to get, you'll probably end up like Cheri and go on and on about it to your friends.

The Tom Yam Soup, very yum. Hits the bulls eye on hot and sour. A perfect starter for a hungry samaritan. On the appetizer menu, though, the Spring Rolls, very ordinary. It reminded me of Chow King's fried lumpia actually. And I wondered why the waiter recommended it. The Pad Thai, another let down. Ordinary shmordinary. And they use cheap oil too. The Bagoong Fried Rice, winner. If you have just this and the catfish salad, pictured above, you have yourself a good deal.

The Bagoong Fried Rice I absolutely loved because, aside from it's el cheapo price (P98), the taste is exotic. It has that hint of tempered saltiness mixed into the rice, which you mix in your mouth with the not-quite-ripe mango on the side, which offers a lovely balance of sour. You could eat the rice alone, but they throw in a couple of slices of meat too. So you have a full meal deal there as it is.

The other sour favorite of mine is the Catfish Salad. This is the plate that saved Soms for me on my first visit, where everything I tried was bleh except for the catfish. Now don't be naive and expect catfish as in hito with the soft meat and many many tiny bones on your plate. Here it's deep fried catfish that you get. Ground. It's not ulam. The fish occupies half the plate then the other half is for the collage of sour: mango, onions, maybe a dollop of vinegar. It's a perfect starter, really. It kind of teases your tongue for what's next on the menu. Warning, though. If you've had the catfish salad at People's Palace, don't expect the size to be the same. I mean, compare the price and know you're getting your money's worth; Soms' salad is only a third the price (and size) at People's.

If you follow your catfish salad with any of the curries, that seals the deal. I don't know what my friends round the table tried but I went for green. (There's red, yellow and green curry on the menu. I am assuming the other foodies here tried the other colors.) I know it may have been sissy of me, not going for red hot, but hey, my tongue was still sour fresh so I decided to go for mild. Cut me some slacks. At least with the mild version, sky's the langit kasi mas konti ang init. Anyway, it was goooood so have that.

In between meals, to give your tongue a rest, take a sip of their Thai Tea. Now I know why these bangkokers put milk in their tea. It's to help soothen the tongue from all that partying going on with their hot and sour ingredients!

All in all, for the prices they offer, Soms is a cheap eats winner. It's a place where I'd bring the boys and know that they'd love it. As long as I do the ordering...

Soms Noodle House
766 N. Garcia Street (formerly Reposo)
Barangay Valenzuela
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 729-7489

5921 Alger Street
Barangay Poblacion
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 757- 8079
Cell phone: (0917) 992-7648

The Travelling Table: Boracay Eats

from top left, clockwise:
Insalata Mediterrano con Gorgonzola from Aria, Napoli Pizza from Aria,
Passion Fruit Mojito from Sands Restaurant, Interiors of Aria

A and I have not been to Boracay for a few years now, almost five years to be exact. It's not that we didn't like the place. But over time (and advancing age), we were getting tired of the party scene and high prices that Boracay was slowly becoming infamous for. But since our friend, M. would be in Boracay around the same time and the prices would be relatively lower (given the off-season), we decided to take a break from city and visit one of most beautiful beaches in the world once again. But this time, it would be a Boracay trip with a difference--less about partying and more about spa treatments and good eats.

Over the past few years, Boracay scene has changed. Some say for the better. Some for the worse. But one thing is undeniable. The options of what you can eat on this little island has never been so diverse. From turo-turo (cafeteria style) restaurant at D' Talipapa to chi-chi fusion dining at a hotel restaurant, food lovers have it great along these powdery white shores.

My list below was not about discovering new places but visiting the tried and true. Given our limited time, we wanted to visit restaurants and cafes that have established themselves as places one should not miss on a trip to Boracay. After talking to a couple of fellow bloggers, I packed my bags, pulled out my flip flops and shorts and prepared myself for a culinary journey.

Aria As soon as we arrived, we made our way to D'Mall, to eat at a small Italian restaurant called Aria. A bit of Boracay landmark, Aria is famous of its salads, pasta and pizza dishes. Not to mention, it's the perfect place to take in the beach scene and people watch. We wanted to try the famous watermelon and arugula salad, but because of the strange weather lately, arugula had been in short supply. So instead we started with the Insalata Mediterrano con Gorgonzola: sliced tomatoes topped with anchovies, olives, basil and Gorgonzola. Next, we tried the Napoli Pizza. A pretty basic pizza topped with Mozzarella cheese, garlic, tomatoes and anchovies. Overall, the food (along with a couple of cold beers) was simply excellent.

True Food Five years back, A and I stumbled on this Indian restaurant. We loved it. So when dinner with M. rolled around, the choice of restaurant of the evening was a no-brainer. With its low dining tables, large yellow and fuschia throw pillows and Bollywood techno background music, this place has a strong Indian/Bohemian vibe. No experimentation here, we order dishes we knew and loved. We ordered bowls of Moong Dal and Palak Paneer, which we scooped up with our orders of Chapati Bread. A lovely starter. But the winners of this meal, were the Chicken Tandoori and Aloo Palak served with a steaming and fragrant bowl of rice.

from top left, clockwise:
Panna Cotta Heaven from Sands Restaurant, Eggs Florentine from Prana,
Banana-Mango Milkshake from Jonah's, Huevos Rancheros from Prana

Prana On this trip we were billeted at the Mandala Spa and Villas. Thus, it was only natural that we would have several meals at their restaurant, Prana. A word of warning. The food served at Prana doesn't contain meat, of any kind. Not vegan in the strictest sense, this restaurant still serves dishes with eggs, milk and milk by-products. Breakfast was combination of a buffet of fruit, cereals and breads and choice of dishes from their breakfast menu. We enjoyed their Huevos Rancheros and the Egg Whites Omelette with basil, feta cheese and tomatoes. But I had mixed feelings about their take on French Toast and Eggs Florentine sans the smoked salmon. Dinner was another matter completely. It was not because the dinner menu was tasteless. In fact, we both enjoyed Prana's Broccoli Soup. But being the devout meat eaters, I believe we suffered from a case of red meat withdrawal when they served the main course (curried rice surrounded by sauteed vegetables). I think I will be holding off on going vegan for a while.

Jonah's Here is a simple equation. A golden sunset + a beautiful, powder white, sandy beach + a cold Jonah's Banana-Mango Milkshake = Nirvana. This milkshake is that fantastic. That's why no matter what you do in Boracay, you must pass by this Boracay institution and get one of these heavenly milkshakes.

from top left, clockwise:
Spicy Tuna Makimono from Sands Restaurant, Interiors of Sands Restaurant,
Boracay Quesadilla from Sands Restaurant, Egg Whites Omelette from Prana

Sands Restaurant The Discovery Shores is the latest ultra-hip property of the Discovery Group in Boracay. Their restaurant, the Sands, is modern, minimal and makes you feel like you are in Miami's South Beach instead of the shores of Boracay. I'm not particularly fond of hotel restaurants. But because my last experience at a Discovery restaurant was suprisingly excellent, why resist the chance to sample what Chef David and his team have created? On our intial visit, we decide to have some pre-dinner cocktails. We order the Passion Fruit Mojitos. Good but not as refreshing as we expected it to be. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to try the Sands version of a Restaurant Verbena classic, the Panna Cotta Heaven. Compared to the Tagaytay version (which was nothing short of heaven), this Boracay attempt was quite disappointing. We decide to visit again the next day, this time for lunch. Their Boracay Quesadillas filled with mozzarella cheese and diced longganisa was served with a tomato salsa. This localized version of a Tex-Mex standard was fantastic. Next, we tried their take on Japanese favorite, a Spicy Tuna Makimono. It was simply the best dish of our Sands experience.

Cyma Before its successful arrival in Manila, Cyma was small Greek eatery in Boracay. Tucked away in a corner of the D' Mall, this restaurant was not only resoundingly popular in Boracay but eventually in Manila as well. I love Cyma so visiting the original branch for me was a must. Ordering the Htipiti, a dip of feta and cream cheeses, spicy roasted peppers and EVOO with side of pita bread, got us started. Immediately after, we were served a Steaming Bowl of Mussels which A. almost devoured single-handedly. As for me, my Cyma dreams revolve around their Lamb Gyros. Even now, just thinking about makes my mouth water. Hands down, our lunch at Cyma was our best meal on the island.

Real Coffee With a couple of hours left in a Boracay vacation, it begins to rain. Escaping the sudden downpour, A. and I find refuge in a small, rustic shack called Real Coffee. Located behind Hawaiian Barbecue at Station One, we decide to warm up with cups of Real Coffee and an delicious discovery, the Calamansi Cake. Dense, moist and with a distinct sweet-tart calamansi flavor, this little cupcake was so good that we were considering staying longer or at the very least, packing a dozen for the long trip home.

Many thanks to ChichaJo and Wysgal for the restaurant suggestions. To A. for putting up for me being a food paparazzi while on vacation and a much-delayed thank you to M, the queen of the blurb for giving this blog its tagline.

Table Conversation: Cooking Mama

I have been accused of taking food too seriously. Writing my impressions of restaurants. Reading cookbooks like literature and cooking food like my life depended on it. I will admit that sometimes my interest in food is almost a borderline obsession.

But even I know when to dial it down a notch, to just enjoy and have fun.

Just for the record, I usually don't play video games anymore. I admit I have put in my time, killing zombies, aliens and many gun-totting baddies. But a while back, I decided to focus on real life and deal with my stress in more productive ways (standing on my head, cooking way too much food and running like a madman). Leave it to the quirky minds at Nintendo to come up with a game i couldn't resist. The game is called Cooking Mama: Cook off.

Cooking Mama is a series of minigames that simulate the steps needed to create dishes at home. As you wildly move the Wii controller, you peel, mash, slice, chop and stir your way through multiple ingredients as you cook more than 300 recipes from 10 different nations. What we find really cool is that Cooking Mama offers a two-player kitchen contest to determine who can cook the best meal the fastest. It's like having your own Iron Chef competition in your living room.

Over time, I can see that Cooking Mama: Cook Off can become somewhat repetitive and monotonous. But for the moment, this game is a boat load of family fun. I must say admit though, it is a truly humbling experience having your virtual ass kicked by an eight year old who has never cooked in her (short) life.

Thank you to K, S, P and C for letting their Tito kick them off the Wii and allowing him to play.

Soms Comprehension Needed

Soms Noodle House has gained quite a following, at least among the people I know. That was enough to spur my curiosity about it even before we decided to feature it on the blog. Of course, the issue of actually finding the place proved to be trickier than I thought, particularly since I never did find the Rockwell branch and I kind of blundered into their Reposo restaurant. I was, however, impressed with my first trip and decided to do a second, proper, one, with my faithful wife and son in tow.

Still nearly blundering past the place, since for some reason the street sign seemed to deflect rather than attract attention, we returned. And my hopes for the looks of the place actually improving went out the painted windows.

The place is very... orange. It's like opening the door and walking into a bowl of very well colored kare kare. With little brown faux bricks on the walls. That said, I found the tables of the place to be quite charming, with their tiles and floral whatever-you-call-them on it. So, one comes here for the food. Screw the ambience. Unless, of course, swimming in kare kare is your thing.

Aren't the tables charming? Someone, please agree.

One thing interesting, though, is the menu. It's cryptic. Kind of like a codebook for those who are really hungry. How else can you explain a typical entry like: Garlic Pepper (B,P,C,S) -P102.00. P102.00 for Garlic Pepper BPCS? Whattheheck? Of course, it took me a little while to realize that, with a lot of the menu items, you can choose the meat that will go into it. Ah. Now that's interesting.

So, B is for Beef, P is for Pork, C is for Chicken, and S is for...Snake? Snail? Sago? Oh, shrimp. Oh yah. Ok. Moving on. (Actual thoughts going through my head when I first read it)

The ordinary sounding Fried Rice (Pork), P 150.00
The most expensive item we ordered, and it nearly ate us.

We finally figured out the menu and ordered several dishes, beginning with the rather boringly named Fried Rice (P), P 150.00. The dish was a revelation. It was very close to a similarly ubiquitously named dish my wife and I had in the Erawan Tea Room in Bangkok a few months ago. Also called fried rice, it had a nearly overwhelming amount of ingredients, including tomatoes, fried eggs, pork, and onions. This one came close, with the main difference being the eggs were scrambled here instead of fried sunny side up, as was the case in Bangkok. But it was very good, overall. Not oily and not too salty. And the tomatoes were actually a very nice touch. And, lest I forget to mention, it was a huge dish.

Red Curry (Beef), P 102.00
Very good, not masaman, but good

We also ordered the Red Curry (B), P 102.00. Again, it was impressive. The curry was rich and flavorful, with the sweetness of the coconut milk clearly presenting itself in every part of the dish. The beef was a tad tough, but given the price, it was well worth the extra jaw work. The serving looked small, until I dug in. The flavor of the curry was so rich that a little would go a very, very long way. I was a little disappointed to find out it wasn't masaman curry, which has tamarinds in the curry mix, but it was more a quibble on my part. It was also a tad spicy, fair warning for those who aren't into hot stuff. As for me, it was excellent.

Next on the ordered dishes was the oddly named Garlic Pepper (C), P 102.00. We had no expectations since we had no idea what the dish would be. It turned out to be something like an adobo, or a braise, but in a sweet/salty/garlicky sauce that my wife fell in love with.There wasn't much of a pepper hit, though, not that it mattered. The dish went very well with the rice and the chicken was nice and tender. It was good enough for my wife not to realize that it was chicken breasts, which she normally hates. The dish was very Thai in flavor in that it was sweet and salty. I also detected the use of fish sauce in the sauce, which added to its Thai-ness (if that's even a word). Again, the dish was very impressive.

Garlic Pepper Chicken, P 102.00
Another Pleasant Surprise

I was becoming very forgiving of the odd menu and the orange walls.

Spring Rolls, P 92.00
Finally something familiar.

Lastly, we ordered the Spring Rolls (no letter this time), P 92.00. This was also well done, and was greatly appreciated by my son, who loves anything crunchy. The rolls were cooked with vermicelli inside and was very tasty. The traditional chilli sauce was as expected. So, while this wasn't a shocker, it was very well executed. The rolls went well with our rice and we all enjoyed the fact that we actually were able to order something that appeared as we expected it to.

All in all, I completely forgot the orange walls and forgettable surroundings as I dug deeper inro the dishes. It isn't a place where you'd go if you wanted a swanky, hip place to eat. As Thai places go, that would be People's Palace in Greenbelt 3. But this place should do better since, for one thing, it's cheaper than People's Palace, and for another, you can come in dressed like you just came out of bed with a mother of a hangover, and no one would blink. So you can spend a whole lot less, looking rattier, and still enjoy some really good Thai food.

I also realized that Soms was the kind of place where you can gather your buddies for a good meal and make as much noise as you liked. Which was exactly what my wife and I were planning to do when we stepped out. Soms Noodle House is, from its exterior, to its menu, to its surprisingly good food, proof that looks aren't everything.

Oh, a final tip: look for those odd, indecipherable ones on the menu. Maybe you'll find something as surprisingly good as what we found, or if not, at least you can say you can read the menu.

Soms Noodle House
766 N. Garcia Street (formerly Reposo)
Barangay Valenzuela
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 729-7489

5921 Alger Street
Barangay Poblacion
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 757- 8079
Cell phone: (0917) 992-7648

Table Suggestions: Sebastian's Ice Cream Studio

Ice cream fanatics (myself included) rejoice!

Sebastian's Ice Cream Studio has opened a scooping station at The Podium, Ortigas Center. After being an exclusive treat for those who are willing and able to trek all the way to the Alabang Town Center, Ian Carandang and his partners have finally set up shop for those of us who live a little further up north.

To celebrate the opening of their brand new branch, Sebastian's Ice Cream Studio have a raffle. The grand prize? A year's supply of Sebastian's Ice Cream.

I don't know about you, but we're on our way there as soon as possible, maybe even sooner.

Sebastian's Ice Cream Studio
4th Floor, The Podium
Ortigas Center
Pasig City

Cinema Level
Alabang Town Center

San Antonio Building
1595 Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
Telphone: (2) 413-8359, (2) 924-0815
Email: sebastians.icecream@gmail.com

Thanks to Myles Jamito for the photo

Table Suggestions: Dessert Couture

From August 25 to 26, 2007, Diamond Hotel and The Rockwell Club will be hosting an event called Dessert Couture.

Before you dismiss this as another frou frou fashionista party, read on...

Indulge in Diamond Hotel's new line of desserts designed by the celebrated pastry chef, Mr. Pang Kok Keong of Singapore, who was crowned Cacao Barry Pastry Chef of the Year 2007 at the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore.

Enjoy overflowing champagne while relaxing to live entertainment. Witness The Loft at Manansala transform into Paris, New York and Tokyo!

Also, get an exclusive preview of Diamond Hotel's upcoming dessert delivery and catering service. Exciting giveaways also await lucky gourmands!

This two day, dessert banquet will put you back by Php1000. If you are lucky enough to be a Rockwell Club member (or know someone who is), you can avail of a 20% discount on the ticket price. You can get your tickets at the Diamond Hotel or The Rockwell Club.

Event proceeds will go to Pathways for Higher Education. Admittedly, I'm not much of a dessert person but even I'm having a hard time passing on this.

For more details and inquiries:
call: 897-8310 local 7403
visit: www.therockwellclub.com

Many thanks to Irma for sharing the information.

On the Table: Mary Grace Dimacali of Mary Grace Cafe

From a business operating out of her own kitchen to her line of signature cafes, Mary Grace Dimacali is the epitome of a food enterpeanuer. In 1994, she started selling her now famous ensaymadas and cheese rolls at Chiristmas bazzars. As the Mary Grace brand grew in popularity, she began to open several kiosks in high end shopping malls. In 2006, Mary Grace opened her first cafe at the Piazza Serendra with much success and will be opening two more branches within this year.





Who in your life has influenced your cooking/baking the most?

I have to say that it is my husband Hector Dimacali who influences my baking and cooking in the sense that he is a quality man who puts high standards for me to attain for all my products.

Which book has had the biggest impact?

There is no one book, there are a collection of books that are my teachers. When I trouble shoot or develop a recipe I go to all of these books.

What was your first job in the food business?

I didn't work for any food establishment. I was my own boss.

When did you decide you wanted to open Mary Grace Cafe?

There has always been requests for my customers for me to open a cafe where they can sit down to eat my ensaymadas and cheese rolls with a cup of coffee or tsokolate. This and an opportunity for a little cafe in Serendra lay the grounds for my first cafe. The management of Serendra liked my concept and gave me a break.

What is your favorite item on the your menu?

My food are all my favorites but top of mind is a tomato and herb pasta, a mango and papaya salad with prawns, a cup of rich and velvety Mary Grace chocolate, with a Mary Grace grilled ensaymada of course!

Which restaurant meal (foreign or local) do you remember the most?

This is a hard question as I can remembering enjoying a lot of good meals -- Indian, Japanese and Italian.

Besides your own place, what's your favorite restaurant in Manila?

Again a hard question. I have a lot so rather than risk offending other restaurant owners who have turned out to be my good friends, may I just keep you guesing?

What junk food do you love?

A lot! My Sans Rival, ice cream, french fries, chocolates . . .

Is there a food you just can't seem to enjoy?

Let's see... I will never really like eating celery stalks no matter how good the dip is.

Just between us, what are your future plans?

A third branch after Serendra and Trinoma. Expanding my menu to include soup and a few entrees.

Mary Grace Cafe
Piazza Serendra
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Telephone: (02) 856-0858
Email: marygracefoods@yahoo.com.ph

Thank you to Gabby Dimacali for making this post possible.

Soms Like It Hot

From top left clockwise: 1. Beef Red Curry 2. Pak Boong with Shrimp
3. Bagoong Fried Rice 4. Catfish Salad

There was period of time earlier this year that A. and I attempted to go to Soms Noodle House's Alger branch.

Many, many times. Sadly, without any success.

Since there are so few tables at their 'al fresco' branch, you either had to come alone, eat at the oddest hours or buy take-out and eat in your car. None of these options we found particularly appealing. Eventually, we would give up trying and settled on eating at North Park instead (no offense to North Park lovers. I love North Park but that's another post).

Until one day, our dear friend, The Goddess or T., for short, shares a little secret. Soms has a second branch. It has a roof and more importantly, it has air conditioning. We were so there that afternoon.

Don't expect much from the looks of the place. The exterior of Soms is practically forgetable. As for the interiors? I have a theory that this hole-in-the-wall that is now Soms Noodle House did not start out as such. The orange-mustard walls with faux exposed bricks, oversized speakers and centrally located bar make the place feel more like a low-end karaoke joint than a Thai restaurant (People's Palace it's not). As we enter the restaurant, it is almost full. A good sign. But it becomes quite obvious no one's here for the romantic ambiance. Customers' voices echo off the walls and Eat Bulaga blares from the television near the bar. With little chance of a decent conversation, at least I learned that Tito Sotto is back in showbiz (at least, he has a fallback).

First at the table, the Yum Pla Dook Foo(P150) or Catfish Salad. Shredded catfish is fried, mixed with a green mango salad and served with a lime-chili dressing. This salad was good but not exceptional. Sadly, for the price paid, the saucer-sized portion served was less than satisfying.

Twenty minutes later, our food finally came in quick succession. Another commonly ordered dish the Khao Khluk Kapi(P95), also known as Bagoong Fried Rice, is served with scrambled eggs and chunks of stewed pork. The server will tell you that a single potion is only good for one but in our opinion, one order is more than satisfying for two. Just get more if you want more. This side dish was well done and so filling that we could have eaten it by itself. Obviously, we didn't.

I love Water Spinach, more commonly known as Kangkong. That's why ordering the Pak Boong with Shrimp (P110) was a no-brainer. This stir-fried dish of water spinach, garlic, ginger, chilis, oyster sauce and of course, shrimps is a quick and tasty way to fulfil your veggie needs. Praise the cooking gods that the kitchen did not overcook the spinach or drown it in oyster sauce. The dish may be simple but if not done properly, it can so easily go wrong. This one was just right. "I could eat just this," A. said, gobbling up her Pak Boong and Bagoong Rice. If you have concerns with crustaceans, they do serve Pak Boong without the shrimp.

In my opinion, the star of the meal was the Thai Red Beef Curry(P102). Soms provides a choice of curries, differing in colour (red, green or yellow) and meat (beef, pork, chicken or shrimp). Selecting a red curry was a bit departure for A. and me. We tend to go for the green or even yellow Thai curries, using chicken as our meat of choice. But because everything else we ordered was pretty much standard fare, we decided to try something new. The choice was far from disappointing. From the very moment it hit the table, the air around us was filled with curry goodness. My mouth literally watered from its fragrant scent. This curried stew of thinly sliced beef, eggplant, tomatoes and red peppers can be described in one word : sumptuous. My only complaint, we were left wanting more beef.

Thai Iced Tea

I would like to make special mention of Soms' Thai Ice Tea (P30). It's a simple concoction of water, black tea, condensed milk, sugar and some other unidentified spices. Their tea was surprisingly excellent. I don't know if it was the heat of the room or the spice of the food but this tea was so sublime that we had far more glasses of milk tea than we should. This must- order drink literally saved me from passing out in a pool of sweat. (The airconditioner T. mentioned seemed to be just for display purposes).

The look of Soms Noodle House along N. Garcia are a step up from their Alger branch but not a much higher step. But as is the case in places like this, people come for the food and the food does not leave you wanting. Thai food is always about creating a balance of taste. The salty with the spicy. The sour with the sweet. Achieving this distinctive juggling act of flavors is the mark a truly excellent Thai cooking. Yes, there are fancier Thai restaurants in Manila and some are actually quite good. But because of the very reasonable prices and flavorful food, I am willing to take the heat (and the faux exposed bricks) at Soms. Just in case, make sure to keep the ice teas coming.

Soms Noodle House
766 N. Garcia Street (formerly Reposo)
Barangay Valenzuela
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 729-7489

5921 Alger Street
Barangay Poblacion
Makati City
Telephone: (02) 757- 8079
Cell phone: (0917) 992-7648

Table Suggestions: Open Source Food

I admit it. I am a food geek.

I'm the kind of person who reads cookbooks like how other people read fiction. I love scanning from page to page, taking it all in. As I look at pictures and read through recipes, I imagine the amazing menus I can create for the next family dinner. It's sort a running joke that if my wife loses me in the mall, she can find me in one of two places: the produce section of the supermarket or cookery section of a bookstore. I consider Iron Chef, Top Chef and Hell's Kitchen the height of television entertainment.

From cooking to eating it. From taking photos of it to reading about it. From talking about it to watching food shows. Yes, I am obsessed with food in all its dimensions.

Needless to say, my love of all things culinary has even found its way to what I surf for on the web. Besides the myriad of food blogs and websites i visit on regular basis, I also enjoy just riding the wave of links and recommended sites, just to see where they'll take me. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find food gems along the way. One of my favorites at the moment, is a site called Open Source Food.

And who better to tell you want Open Source Food or OSF is than its creator, Jon Anthony Yongfook Cockle.

"Open Source Food is a place to show off, a place to learn and a place to get motivated about food and cooking. It is a platform for sharing recipes, improving upon them, and looking at lots and lots of sexy food pics (and sexy pics of the people who cooked the food…).

On OSF you can upload recipes with pics, rate other people’s recipes according to originality, presentation and overall yumminess, use drag & drop to create original menus from any combination of recipes on OSF, get a blog widget for your blog that shows your last 10 recipes in a beautiful slideshow, and other tantalising features. It’s a social celebration of food for the new web."

Personally, I'm really not into social networking sites like Friendster or MySpace but this food-based community site speaks to my inner foodie. It's like Flickr with recipes.

For all the denizens of the Web 2.0 out there, this is truly our communal cookbook.

On the Table: Chefs Sunshine Puey and Robert Pengson

Chefs Sunshine Puey and Robert Pengson have been the talk of the blogsphere lately, creating one-of-a-kind degustation menus for a very discerning clientele. Besides teaching culinary arts part time, these young, up-and-coming chefs run their own catering company called Gourmandise. Their monthly dinner club features meals of 13 to 15 courses and are held in their partner culinary schools. Needless to say, reservations are a must.

Who in your life has influenced your cooking the most?

Chef Rob says:

Although I’ve never eaten their food, I find that Thomas Keller and Ferran Adria are the two chefs that influenced my food. On one hand, Thomas Keller, a master of the classic French technique, produces food that even chefs are in awe of. On the other, Ferran Adria, pushes gastronomical boundaries on “what the future of dining is”.

Chef Sunshine says:

Culinary-wise, my mom has influenced me the most. She’s an excellent cook so we grew up with great food in our house. She has supported me completely with my chosen path and helps me a lot with menus, set-ups and coming up with new dishes. We also both love to eat and so are constantly trying out new places and are lucky enough to have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world.

Which book has had the biggest impact?

Chef Rob says:

French Laundry and El Bulli…but when I was starting, I would have to say that my most valuable book was The Joy of Cooking.

What was your first job in the food business?

Chef Rob says:
Silks at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco.

Chef Sunshine says:
Selling cookies to friends in school which later evolved into cakes and pastries.

Where does your inspiration for your degustation menus come from?

Chef Rob says:

I draw inspiration from the belief that to be 101% engrossed in one’s passion can bring spiritual fulfillment even for just a moment.

Chef Sunshine says:

For me, it comes from everywhere, books I read, other dishes I’ve tried but mostly from my travels abroad. Our monthly degustation is really the place where we can play around and have fun with our flavor combinations and presentations. We like to think outside the box and push the envelope a little instead of the traditional preparations...or using classic dishes and presenting them in a new way. We’ve also been known to inject a little bit of whimsy into our dishes, which I think attracts the child in all of us. This ranges from using cotton candy and lollipops to a sort of “interactive” experience where the guests need to squirt something out of a tube or can watch us from the open kitchen.

From your recent menus, what was your favorite item?

Chef Rob says:
21st Century Eggs Benedict.

Chef Sunshine says:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and the Foie Gras on Ice Cream Cone.

Which restaurant meal (foreign or local) do you remember the most?

Chef Rob says:
Buon Giorno because of the company I had when I dined there.

Chef Sunshine says:
Guy Savoy in Paris. A degustation dinner with my mom that had about 36 dishes total.

What's your favorite restaurant in Manila?

Chef Rob says:
Sugi.

Chef Sunshine says:
Lolo Dads

What junk food do you love?

Chef Rob says:
Ice Cream with Oreos.

Chef Sunshine says:
Anything chocolate

Is there a food you just can't seem to enjoy?

Chef Sunshine says:
Innards except for foie. I would never eat intestines, lungs or balls.

Chef Rob says:
I agree with the love of my life plus sweetbreads.

Just between us, what are your future plans?

Chef Sunshine says:
I would love to travel and study more abroad with Rob.

Chef Rob says:
To have the best restaurant in the country…after the kids grow up.

Gourmandise Catering
Email: gourmandisefood@gmail.com

Thank you to Chef Sunshine for the photograph

My Most Memorable Meals Ever by our Table Guest, Anton

This was a tough but fun post that I'm glad Franco convinced me to write. I always love to eat and look for unique experiences even before I started blogging. So my wife and I had to brainstorm on the top 10 Most Memorable Meals ever in our life. In some cases, I have to dig up old photos just to share with you the experience. The list below is in no particular order because each one is unique and memorable in itself. The common denominator between all of them is that they are enjoyed with love ones or friends that you care about enjoying sumptuous meals that you will never forget. Enjoy this list:

1. Tagaytay Picnic Grove Valentine's Escape

I'm glad that I was able to get a picture of this Tagaytay Picnic way back in 2001. Rache was still in denial at this time and she gave me the precious "yes" a few months after. This was Valentine's Day. I was still courting Rache and she agreed to have lunch with me on Valentine's Day. Little did she know that my plan was to drive her all the way to Tagaytay and be back by 2 p.m. in the office. I asked my friend Grace to help me buy the picnic basket, the picnic cloth and how to setup the entire lunch. I bought three roses, our favorite Italianni's Chicken Parmigiana and a surprise cellphone gift (hehe). This was so memorable and I will never forget this "kilig" moment.

2. Kubli Springs Dinner in the Middle of Nowhere

I have been to Kubli springs three times already and I can't stop raving about the experience. Imagine eating in a spring in the middle of nowhere (literally) with great gourmet food cooked before your very eyes. You drink the cold water from the springs and if you are adventurous you get to take a bath in pure mineral water. You spend the entire night singing with an acoustic guitar over the Best Lambanog that I have ever tasted or Cafe Barako brewed uniquely by Jay.

3. Isla Naburot Iloilo's Filipino Food at its Best

Isla Naburot in Guimaras serves the best Filipino Food I ever tasted in my entire life! Fresh seafood grilled to perfection, amidst fresh sea air, with sinamak vinegar as a bonus... All the meals served in Isla Naburot are how Filipino food should be cooked and served. Unfortunately, you have to fly all the way to Iloilo and take a boat to Guimaras to experience this. The experience was so memorable that I don't know where to start blogging about our Isla Naburot experience...

4. Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung

Ever since I started blogging, Claude Tayag's Bale Dutung meal was on top of my list. Also, I've always wanted to go on a food trip with fellow foodie bloggers Nena, Wysgal, Joey and our friend, Spanky. Our Claude Tayag lunch was perfect -- cold towels sprinkled with baby cologne, Pampanga's comfort food served in Claude Tayag's artistic style, a foodie EB like no other! We wasted the four-hour lunch taking pictures of Bale Dutung and listening to stories by Claude.

5. El Nido Island Getaway

If you have never been to El Nido and arrange for a breakfast, lunch or dinner exclusively on one of the islands, then you are missing on one of the awesome experiences -- only in the Philippines! It feels for a moment that you own the island and you can do what ever you want -- swim, eat with your hands, lie on the sand, or just simply waste the time away. The best part is everything is setup by El Nido resort and you don't have to worry about cleaning up after.

6. Vieux Chalet Gourmet

I can't stop raving about Vieux Chalet because in its 20+ years of existence, it was able to manage to serve the best gourmet dishes with a romantic view of Manila. The pastas, bread, and milk are home made by the owner. Everything is freshly cooked with fresh ingredients for a memorable gourmet meal. Surprisingly, still not a lot of people have been to this place and continues to be Antipolo's secret hideaway literally a house-on-a-hill.

7. Ugu Bigyan's Kulawu

After discovering Ugu Bigyan in Quezon, it was been my quest to find the best restaurants in the Philippines. I firmly believe that Philippines has the best restaurants out there -- perfect ambiance, awesome food, and excellent service. Until now, I never ran out of restaurants to explore. If you haven't been to Ugu, you should try Ugu's kulawu and lato salad. We love Ugu Bigyan!

8. La Cocina de Tita Moning

We never forget La Cocina de Tita Moning not only because of her Bread Pudding and the Paella, but also because of the entire Old Mansion House dining experience. I missed this moment when Brobo (older brother, Lorenz) was still based in the Philippines and we would eat together as a family. This Malacanang Mansion serves one of the best Spanish food in the Philippines.

9. Antonio's Tagaytay

Ever since we discovered Antonio's before we got married last Jan 2003, Antonio's remains to be the no. 1 restaurant in the Philippines. I can still remember the first time we tasted Antonio's salad with creme brulee, simple, tasty gourmet meals and the desserts with our wedding entourage, we were all raving about it. We also are proud of our pre-nuptial shots in Antonio's.

10. Lolo Dads Grill

How I wish I took a shot of our first ever Lolo Dads' experience. Funny thing is we thought Lolo Dads was a grill place so I was so proud to treat Rache for a date. After entering, we found out that it was a fine dining place, and we ended up paying P1,000+/head. We've been laughing about this experience ever since.

Changes

The only constant in life is change.

First, let me thank Sharkey and Senor Macho for helping build this blog in its first months of existence. I couldn't have started this little project without the both of you. Many, many thanks. Good fortune to all your endeavours, food related or otherwise.

Moving on, please help me welcome Stich and Salamia who will be joining me at the Table. Thanks for coming on board.

Better late than never. Table for Three, Please was mentioned in the weekly article of Margaux Salcedo (better known in cyberspace as margauxlicious) in the Sunday Inquirer Magazine last July 15, 2007. Thank you, Margaux and thank you to Christine of Rambling of a Gypsy Soul for inspiring the article.