Last year I cleared my bookmarks and stopped actively seeking out new restaurants and cafes. It’s like a switch flipped in my brain one day (as it often does) and suddenly it wasn’t a priority anymore.
Lately when I’ve tried something new, it’s usually because I’ve made plans with somebody, and we decided on a place to go. This means I have to do a bit of searching to find the perfect spot instead of having a list ready, but this way it’s more purposeful and it doesn’t feel like just another thing to check off before the next. (It’s also great for spending less without necessarily depriving myself.)
All this said, I do love when I’m excited about a place and it ends up being a unique experience and a meal worth writing about. And when I wish I could’ve brought my parents, that means I’m willing to become a regular.
lazy suzy
We wanted to grab dinner on Sunday, so I checked the local food Instagram accounts I know for options. But I found Podium’s Lazy Suzy on a listicle — long live publishing — of new restaurants in Manila. It fit my criteria well: interesting menu, not likely to be crowded on a weekend evening (so much harder to find than you’d think), cool interiors optional, but definitely a plus.
It’s one of those hip restaurants with pleasant pops of deep moss green, like Cache and Carlo’s, which is starting to become a good sign to me.
For starters we got floss dumplings with this perfect tangy rich plum aioli, and my dream of biting into a hot, crispy, juicy prawn toast was realized. It was fresh off the deep fryer, and the crunch was unreal.
The truffle chow mein was good and even better the next day when I microwaved the leftovers and they got a little more chewy. We also got fried rice with beef bulgogi and gochujang. Everything we ordered was under P400, except the noodles, and I really didn’t expect to be blown away like that. I can’t wait to come back.
narra bistro
I’ve only been here twice, but I can easily call it one of my favorite restaurants ever. Narra Bistro is a mid-century modern home in Banawe turned into a quaint little joint with an affordable fusion comfort food menu.
Next time I dine here I want to try al fresco when it’s getting late.
Look at the rounded exterior and those windows. The sleek chairs! And of course the moss green again.
They serve their drinks in fun shaped glasses that are also very thin and light, and it makes me think of Deep South Glass from Sweet Home Alabama.
The first time I ordered a soy cream pasta that tastes exactly like The Fat Seed’s, just with bay scallops. It’s one of my favorite pasta dishes in general, so I loved finding it on another menu.
They introduced an alfredo with salmon a little later, and it’s also very good.
I celebrated my birthday there the last time I went and since it was Halloween, I ordered a mocha with ghostly shapes created using cream along the cup walls.
the underbelly
I met up with Steph, Audrie, and Cheska in Karrivin and we decided on The Underbelly for lunch without really planning on it. The food was so filling and delicious, plated with care and a feast for the eyes alone, the kind that makes you go: I needed this. I felt sated and warm right after. I ordered the AburaCadabra — thick wheat noodles with a savory and slightly sweet sauce, yuzu, and braised pork. (But apparently it, along with the rice dishes we had, is now off the menu, and I’m kind of torn up about it.)
At least they still have the karaage with yuzu aioli, which I also liked.
50/50
50/50 gets its name from its fun gimmick of slicing hamburg steaks in half, serving them in diagonally sectioned sizzling plates, and letting you choose two sauces. It’s one of those places where their specialty is their only menu item, but you have the options of choosing between chicken or beef and pork and adding an egg or ebi furai.
I chose demiglace and garlic Hokkaido cream, and the order came with corn soup. I want to try the pesto cream, tobiko cream, and cheese sauce when I come back. I also like that it’s in Opus Mall, because it’s never crowded.
inari sukiyaki
I love how low-key this place is inside. It was a little confusing at first since they have you order at the entrance before being seated, which gives off the impression that it’s a full house and you’d have to wait. Still, I’m so glad we gave it a chance. My main was the crispy chicken teriyaki, which was so flavorful and had an enjoyable play on textures with how saucy and crunchy it was, but the sizzling salmon and king prawn aburi rolls with this creamy cheese sauce totally stole my heart.
literally just a stream-of-consciousness rundown of great meals i listed in my notes app (i swear i’ll never forsake this blog again)
