TIKIM: HAP CHAN (PEDRO GIL, MANILA)

You wouldn't miss it. It's just right across the street from Robinson's Place Ermita. We've been visiting this place for so many years now since our night-out nights (huh ?!) during Malate's hey days. These days, when late-night hunger pangs call for something quick and nifty and you've just finished a long movie at the mall, the place to be is Hap Chan along Pedro Gil. According to their website, hap means "to put together or bundle in one group." Chan is Chinese for “place”. Hap Chan has come to be “the right place” for gathering the family, the clan.

What's a dimsum place without the usual complimentary hot tea?

TIKIM: KITCHEN

I have been eating in this restaurant, owned by the Ocampos, ever since it opened in Greenbelt 1 in the early 2000's (or is it late 1990's? Geez. My memory fails me). I have always enjoyed the playfulness of the food - from the names down to the presentation, you really know that some thought really went into the whole affair. In fact, KITCHEN has been around long enough that it has become a destination for comfort food (the sister resto, EBUN, is the same but that's for another post). The waiters have been there forever (in the Greenbelt branch - is this the only one left? - I recall with great clarity that some of the waiters have been there forever or some actually were from the now-closed Megamall branch). If this is a sign of good business (employee retention), I don't know what else is. The menu had a major change some few years back. Well, not quite drastic, but they did add another section which features rice meals served on white plates twice larger than the normal human face (which can be quite an embarrassment). My favorite rice meal has always been the Korean beef, but one or two of their salads are really good and so are some selections of sandwiches (served on wooden chopping boards) and pasta. In fact, I have been eating here often enough to order items from memory.

Interiors. I love the fabric-covered lamps and the huge brick wall at the far back. This can be closed by a high curtain to make it private and intimate. The tables are all covered by aluminum sheets. Very clean and functional. The seats are also benches which can be shared with other diners. The idea is a communal enjoyment of all things true, good, and beautiful.

Best seller. Refillable pandan iced tea (Php 40).

Appetizing indeed. Begin your meal with Wrapped and Ready (Php 140) which is really just spring roll served in fried cone-shaped wrappers and comes with a vinegar dip.

Soup. I am a huge fan of pumpkin soup, but I wasn't impressed with this Seafood Pumpkin Soup (Php 100). First, I hated the presentation. It came in a huge low bowl with the cream doing a silly circular pattern on it like we did with champorado when we were kids. You can opt to skip this one.

Appetizer Part Deux. This is mozarella sticks with salsa on the side. Again, I hate the presentation with the mayonnaise thing (do they have a kid running around the kitchen?). This is hardly my idea of "playful." A little respect for the food, please, if not for the diners. It is, however, very mild and actually pleasant. I'd order this again, if ever.

Breaking our comfort zones. For this visit, we deviated from the usual rice meal we order and decided to try the other pasta choices we have ignored for so long. This is the Under the Sun (Php 220) seafood pasta with chili cream sauce. Pretty generous and filling.

This is the Crowned King (Php 225) which is fettuccini with maya maya (a sort of white fish with really soft meat) in Florentine sauce. The waiter says it the best seller for the pasta selection and I can see why. Filipinos have a love affair with white sauce (most of us really don't agree much with sour tomato sauce) and this one definitely would be a winner for white-sauce lovers. The butter content is enough to make one keel over, but it's pretty much acceptable and recommended for first-time, non-adventurous diners. And oh, the fish seemed like it came straight from the freezer and dumped into hot oil because it has retained some water in it. Or maybe that was just my imagination. Am I such a finicky diner? Tsk, tsk.

Condiments, cutlery and salt are already on the table within easy reach. Placemats are made of recycled brown paper and cold water is served in former Tanduay bottles with mint leaves inside (see first photo).

I am a stickler for clean toilets and KITCHEN is definitely a winner in this department. Although it's rather cramped in here, one can forgive them because of the nice chandelier and the prints in mirror frames adorning the walls. Way before, there used to be a long mirror here so in the men's loo, diners can ogle themselves while taking a pee but all that is obviously history now (sorry, pervs!). Anyway, this is actually a shared toilet with the restaurant next door, EBUN, which we shall visit next time.

Attention to detail is a gift and the people who conceptualized KITCHEN actually had some winning details we really appreciate. First, the bill is served to you rolled in a shot glass. Next, the change and receipt are served in this paper pocket stamped with the resto's logo (the inverted K) with the words "thank you." Awwww.

KITCHEN

Greenbelt 3

1st level, Ayala Center

Makati City

Tel. Nos. 757-4565 to 66 or 893-5804

TIKIM: MANILA'S OLDEST RESTAURANTS

PINAKA: OLDIES BUT GOODIES NA TSIBUGAN (Oldest Restos in Manila)

1) Tie: AMBOS MUNDOS / TOHO FOOD CENTER aka TOHO ANTIGUA (since 1888)
2) NEW SAN JACINTO FOOD CENTER CORP. aka PANCITERIA SAN JACINTO (since 1894)
3) MA MON LUK (since 1920)
4) RAMON LEE FRIED CHICKEN (since 1929)
5) ARISTOCRAT (since 1936)
6) ONGPIN MANOSA (since 1940)
7) Tie: RODIC'S & LITTLE QUIAPO (since 1949)
8) SAVORY (since 1950)
9) WAH SUN (since 1955)

Source: Frugalchowhound Yahoo Group

TIKIM: A THAI NIGHT AT SOMS

Finally had the chance to visit this place which my friends have been raving about. SOMS Noodle House is all about Thai food - delicious, fresh, and just like in many places in the kingdom, eaten on the street. The owners have been renting this series of apartments on Alger St. in Makati City and have made the street right in front of it - the sidewalk to be exact - the restaurant. How this was made possible by the city government is beyond me, but that's not what we are here for now, are we?

SOMS' kitchen is a one apartment affair and it looked really crampy and magulo (see photo below), but it seems to work for them. It's a family affair with Ilonggo women acting as manager and servers. SOMS also used to have a branch on N. Garcia, but this has been closed already. They are due to open a new branch somewhere in Katipunan, hopefully a full-service resto already. SOMS is owned by Parinya Pauamadiolok. former chef of Sukothai. His parents used to serve the Royal Family.

Al fresco dining is the order of the day. Some tables have umbrellas and lighted by bulbs like that above. Some are on the street itself.

Thai milk tea. So far so good. They come in these refillable plastic water bottles.

Pad thai! But I think I will just eat this once a year. Too heavy on the tummy but a meal in itself. Anyhow, I really don't know anymore what is a good pad thai. I have tasted many versions already. Sorry, but I have no good photos of the soup, Tom Yam Goong.

I loved this salad. It has huge shrimps in crunchy greens with a delightfully light lemon sauce.

And finally, the traditional Thai dessert: mango and sticky rice. The tartness of the mango (yep, it isn't sweet) goes very well with the sweet sauce of the sticky rice.

HOT TIP: SOMS does not accept reservation so you have to come early, usually before the usual meal times of 12NN or 7PM so you do not have to wait for a seat. Anyway, if you need to wait to be seated, order ahead. Be firm with the server girls. They are too busy to even notice you, but good things come to those who wait. See you there!

SOMS
5921 A. Alger Street
Poblacion, Makati City

TIKIM: DONG BEI (BINONDO)

Got to get a taste of the famous Dong Bei dumplings when I joined Ivan Mandy's WOK Tour. This was done during my officemate Joyce's birthday middle of this year. Ivan says the owner is B.S. ("bagong salta" = just recently moved to the Philippines from mainland China).

Detail. Poster says "Dumpling Handiwork" to emphasize that their dumplings are all made by hand (how else?). Anyway, it also implies that everything is new and fresh every day.

Detail. Menu poster. Good luck in the translation! He he!

The afternoon sun bathes the fresh dumplings which are ready for steaming.

The staff work on the dumplings in the dining area so you can actually watch them. It's like an interactive museum of sorts.

Sarap! Hope to visit again soon!

TIKIM: ALAN'S GRILL, CUBAO

We ended our Cubao sojourn with a visit to Cubao's newest food landmark - Alan's Grill - here at the Cubao Expo, formerly Marikina Shoe Expo. The renaming of MAREX bodes well for the shops here because the word "Marikina" can be misleading. Anyway, if you happen to get lost in this area and find yourself in Cubao Expo, you may want to rest your tired feet here at Alan's Grill. For those in the know, it is right across Bellini's, formely the only reason to go to MAREX aside from the art shops which are mostly open by appointment only. Alan's Grill is akin to homecooked Pinoy fare - very generous and very good. The prices are very affordable, too. Nothing beats having a great meal surrounded by art (which are for sale) and good company.

The owner, Alan Flores, chats with Jeanette.

A repainted antique bike catches my attention. Behind it is a Japanese pinball machine. The stairs lead to the 2/F which seats 50 pax. It can be rented out for private parties.

Are egg trays becoming the norm in avant garde design?

Rice to the occassion! We finished two bandehados of this!

Beef shank to the rescue. Very tender! Your spoon can cut through it without effort.

One for the books. At only Php 380, a group can already splurge on this one and not have the strength to stand up after! There's a quarter chickn, liempo, several pieces of shrimp and shells, grilled eggplants and mango-tomato salad, and squid!

Alan's friend left him a cache of old books, mostly medical ones which now line the alcove.

Art is what you're having for dinner!

Surprises at every corner.

Nice touch, 'di ba?

Wicker chairs add comfort to the warm surroundings. I love the wooden floors. The legs of the tables are actually balustrades taken from old houses.

The bar. The grill is outside the restaurant so the smell won't cling to your clothes.

Heck, even the lavatory sink! Someone had the temerity to draw a face over the artwork.

The lavatory door handle. Again, sadly, it is unisex.

More artworks inside. These are already owned by Alan.

A really good one by Deng Bitancol (c. 1996). Fridays are the best time to visit as it is Oysters Night. For now, the promotional price is just Php 100/head. A band will also be performing.

We look well-fed! Photo taken by Alan himself. Kakahiya naman po!

Alan's Grill

Cubao Expo

Cubao, Quezon City

Tel. No. 913.2231 for reservations