Street-Smart Korean - Jang Ga Nae

We were really hungry when we arrived at this nondescript commercial building along Escriva Drive in Pasig.  This was for a late lunch, and were looking forward to a cheap but filling meal at Jang Ga Nae, a Korean restaurant, recently discovered by the husband who was, on this occasion, ecstatic to share the experience with our daughter and me.

Upon entering the sliding doors, we passed by rows and rows of tables already filled by diners with an overhanging telephone-style ventilators to address the smoke from the table top grill for barbecue.  While the place does smell of meat and fish grilling, it wasn't that overpowering.  Jang Ga Nae specializes in Korean-style barbecue, but we were there for comfort food.

Once seated, we were served with their house iced tea, which truly refreshed our palates and prepared us for the series of side dishes called banchan that are traditional accompaniments to any Korean meal experience.  While it is expected that you eat these banchan with your main dishes, we can't help but dig our chopsticks in and treat them as appetizers.  There was kimchi, poached cold bean sprouts, pickled radish and tofu in red bean paste, 

fresh green salad with sesame-soy dressing (my instant favorite),

and kimchi pancakes. 

Remember, if you want more servings of any of the side dishes, you can ask for it at no extra charge.  For me, I asked for another big bowl of salad greens :-).

The Kalbi Jim (Korean Beef Stew) is a homey brew of chunky beef ribs with a thick broth.  An order of one is good to feed 2-3 people.

And we can't really do without being Japanesey by ordering Ebi Tempura too.  Their tempura sauce though, has a hint more of sweetness than what you get in a Japanese restaurant.  

We felt pleasantly full after finishing everything, and the slices of sweet, ripe pineapples capped the lunch well.  For the two dishes with short-grain steamed rice and soda, and unlimited servings of banchan, the Php800 (around USD18) bill is still good value for your money.

Jang Ga Nae

Ground Floor 8137 Plaza

Escriva Drive, Brgy. San Antonio,

Ortigas, Pasig

Landline:  +63 2 633-6960 

Traditional Cantonese - Comida China de Manila

There may be a lot of Chinese restaurants to choose from in Metro Manila itself, but my list of establishments to go for is quite short.  One of them would be Comida China de Manila found along E. Rodriguez Avenue that connects to C-5.  Not very easy to miss - it has the Mom & Tina Bakery Cafe as close neighbor, and you are first greeted by ample parking space as you cruise along the highway.

Before it was called by its present name, it used to be known as Panciteria de San Jacinto, and even before that, the place where the restaurant now stands used to be a bowling alley.  Thus, the floors leading toward the back are all made of polished wood panels.

Despite the change of name, and more inviting interiors, the service is more friendly and efficient than ever, and they still serve the same delicious Cantonese fare they always have.  There are three things we go for here - the Bird's Nest Soup, the Camaron con Jamon, and the Salted Fish Fried Rice. 

We also like their Pork and Shrimp Siomai presented the old way - large pieces that wont even fit your mouth.  This is cheap eats too as you dine in warmly lit, homey interiors.  For everything that we ordered plus a dish of beef and onions and pata tim, all in poquito sizes (also comes in small, medium or large servings depending on your crowd), with drinks, this feast only cost us Php1,373 (around USD32).  

But you'll have to forgive me for my inadequate photos here.  By the time I realized that I should take shots, we were halfway through everything!

Comida China de Manila
Grd. Floor FRDC Building
106 Eulogio Rodriguez Avenue, Jr. Brgy. Ugong, Pasig
Landline:  (02) 671-5941 to 42
Open 11am-10pm

Dinner Dates - Casa Marcos & Guevarra's

It was just one of those weeks when it seemed all of your waking hours were on nothing but work so that an invitation (or two in fact) from the significant other to just forgo a home-cooked meal and do a bit of stretching (of the vehicle mileage), that I picked up my bag and went off for something of a breather from the hot stove and fingers nicked several times by a newly-purchased Japanese steel cook's knife (we're still getting to know each other).

Casa Marcos
Unit 20a/20b Ortigas Home Depot
J. Vargas Street, Pasig City
+63 2 4703637

This is an old standby, and has resurrected for several years now from their original place in Gilmore Avenue.  It used to be that Casa Marcos was where movie deals get made, what with the LVN Pictures (or was it Sampaguita?) compound just a few meters away, and then later on, with "Mother Lily" of Regal Films until she had her own McDonalds franchise, so that of course, the venue of wheeling and dealing had to be settled at a less (ahem) classy spot.

But while Casa Marcos' interiors have a renewed vigor, the menu remained thankfully the same.  They bake their own mini pan de sal then and now, and in addition, serve regular-sized ones filled with chicken, corned beef or sardines. 

My husband and I still enjoyed the same Gambas for appetizer, a shared Caesar Salad to make room for their specialties which are the creamy and delicate Lengua Sevillana and the silky Callos ala Madrilena. Request that your bread basket be refilled to truly enjoy the flavors.

Like its branch in the Fort Global City, the one in Ortigas makes you enjoy the old standards in an intimate but neighborly setting.

Guevarra's
387 P. Guevara St.
San Juan, Metro Manila
+63 2 7051811

Much has been talked about this newest restaurant of famed Chef Rolando Laudico and his wife Chef Jackie, and the fact that my husband noticed that the place is always full every night he goes home from work got both of us curious.

On the weekend we decided to try it out, we were waitlisted but we braved it through the downpour thinking that there might still be a chance to get a table.  Guevarra's is a converted 1940s or '50s house located in a still decidedly residential part of San Juan.  As we turned into its open gate and driveway up to the house, there was an appreciable oohs and aahs among us.  The restaurant maintained the general integrity of the structure and was really handsome and inviting with all the lights glowing a mellow yellow within and without.  There was ample parking space, and had just been filled up a few seconds after we arrived.

The wait was 30 minutes before we could get a table, and this was only out of luck since a group cancelled their reservation.  

What Guevarra's is, is a casual venue that offers lunch and dinner buffet (Php599 for adults and Php499 for children plus VAT) featuring various Filipino flavors and regional cuisines, with a few international dishes like the US Roast Beef Belly that shared equal billing with other roasts like lechon manok and lechon baboy,  and Fish Fillet with mango chutney, a decidedly Indian dish.

 

 

The highlights of the spread were the Fresh Ubod Lumpia (young coconut spring rolls), the Party Pasta which is essentially Spaghetti with Aligue (or Crabfat) sauce, the Chicken Pastel and the Paella Negra.  The dessert buffet had various rice cakes, chocolate fondue, chocolate mousse and soft-serve ice cream.

 

It was a good place to bring family and friends, and apparently quite attractive enough to hold birthday and other celebrations there.  At the time we were dining, there were two different birthday celebrations going on.

 

 

The food was really good, what one would expect from Chef Lau, made more appetizing brought about by the charming ambiance of the house, and the courteous, but not intrusive, attention of the waitstaff.  But do reserve your table a week ahead to avoid the hassle of waiting.