Busy Street

I took this picture more than 5 years ago (February 14 to be exact) while hanging out with my high school barkada. A glimpse of the busy street of Barangka back then, which did not actually change even today.

Foodgasm episode 14: Chef Arch’s Lime 88

Aaaah. Finally got the chance to post my first entry this 2013. This one is an overdue post since I went to this hole-in-the-wall resto last December 21, 2012. I always see this place packed with people especially during the night. My mom and I actually wondered if it was the usual inuman place. The chance to see what’s in Chef Arch’s Lime 88 came when my mom was too lazy to cook dinner and she didn’t want to eat fast food stuff. We (mama, tatay, and I) ordered three dishes and I was able to make my mom buy me a cocktail. This was the first time she bought me an alcoholic drink. Yay! 😉

Lychee Martini (PhP75)

Creamy Garlic Tuyo Pasta (PhP175)

While waiting for this dish, we thought it was good for sharing. But since I was soooo hungry that night, I actually thought to myself I could finish this dish on my own. Haha! Good thing we still had two other dishes to share so I was fine with sharing the pasta with my mom. This dish was really delicious although I would have preferred the tuyo to be himay already. Tuyo flakes might also work for this dish.

Osso Busco Kare Kare (PhP230)

OH. MY. GOSH. BEST KARE-KARE I’VE TASTED! The meat was perfectly cooked. I also love how the bagoong (aka shrimp paste) was done. It tastes the same as what my uncle cooks, which I consider as the best bagoong. If you’re a first timer at Lime 88, you should order this one. If I’m not mistaken, this dish is one of their bestsellers.

Silken Tokwa and Crispy Tenga with Sinamak Soy Dressing (PhP190)

I was hesitant to eat the crispy tenga because it’s ear. Duh. I don’t know which animal owns that ear but my tatay insisted it was delicious. I had a bite and all of my doubts on this dish disappeared. The tokwa (or tofu) and tenga matched with the dressing which is actually just soy sauce and vinegar. Cholesterooooool. </3

The claim to fame of this place is “street food with a twist.” Indeed, pinasosyal nila yung street food — from plating to the name of the dish and even to how Chef Arch placed his own twist to the different dishes. It’s quite pricey though. Still, the food was worth every cent we spent. I highly recommend this place to everyone, especially to those living in Mandaluyong. 😉

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Chef Arch’s Lime 88: 160 San Rafael St., Mandaluyong, Philippines

The first two weeks of my November 2012 + Foodgasm episode 11: Yabu: House of Katsu

A lot of things happened since I last updated my blog but let’s just talk about the highlights of those weeks. The first week of November was enrollment in my university… my last enrollment actually since I’ll be graduating on March 2013 (hopefully!).

My last registration form as an undergraduate student

Since I only have two remaining subjects for my last semester, I had a lot of free time for rakets. I assisted in four projects in the company I’m working for (part-time though). I really enjoy doing market research. I feel like I belong in this field rather than in media. I’m still a bit undecided what companies I’ll be applying into after graduating.

Trying to sneak a picture during my break from work 🙂

The second week of November 2012 meant that our batch would be having our grad pics. Yay! I really had a hard time thinking about my creative shot. My initial peg was to have a vintage atmosphere… then it hit me! Imitate an icon from the vintage times. :>

Guess who… 🙂

I had spare money to spend on whatever I want so I bought a few things recently. Since my university ‘required’ walking from one class to another (which is usually from one building to another), a lot of my shoes got worn out and so I let them rest in peace na. I bought two pairs of shoes this week — one from Forever 21 and one from Tutum Shop, a proudly Pinoy shoe brand. 😉

Lessie shoes (blue) from Tutum Shop

The other pair of shoes I bought is part of the Hello Kitty collection of Forever 21. I rushed to the Megamall branch when I found out that they already released the collection. Basta Hello Kitty (at magandang product), bibilhin ko agad! I think that I will never be too old for Hello Kitty. *sigh*

Sweater, leggings, and pair of shoes from Forever 21 x Hello Kitty collection

I also went with a close friend of mine and her boyfriend to the National Bookstore Warehouse Sale. We went there on the second day and a lot of good books were already bought. 😦 The only book I was able to buy for myself was one about photography. Originally, it was for 1,000+ pesos but I got it for 200 pesos na lang. 😀

Books I bought for my cousin and little niece :>

I treated my parents to dinner at Yabu: House of Katsu (Megamall branch). It was our first time there and I’ve really been curious how their food tasted like ever since people started ranting about how really good their katsu is. I ordered the Rosu Tonkatsu Set which was around PhP400 for the biggest katsu. Gluttony at its best. Besides the katsu, Yabu offers unlimited cabbage and unlimited rice. Quite sayang for me since I don’t eat too much rice. I loooove their cabbages though since these are thinly sliced then you either drizzle or soak them with the Sesame Dressing or the Yabu Special Dressing. My meal also came with a bowl of miso soup, japanese pickles (which I didn’t like), and fruits for dessert.

[L-R] — (above): Miso soup, Rosu Katsudon; (below): Sesame seeds and katsu sauce, salad dressing, fruits and pickles

I think that what makes Yabu unique among the restos I’ve tried, which offer katsu, is their “interactive” activity of doing your own katsu sauce — grinding the sesame seeds then pouring the katsu sauce over it then mixing it. My parents and I had fun doing this grind-pour-mix thing. I would definitely come back to this place anytime, especially if my tummy craves for katsu. 😀

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Yabu: House of Katsu: 2/F Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City