Gayuma ni Maria

I had a girl-bonding afternoon with a very lovely friend last Saturday. We gave our nails their much needed pampering. I chose to paint my toe nails with this soft shade of purple

Bonbon, from Orly.

This is fast becoming a favorite. It’s so purrrty and compliments my asian skin tone (read: kayumanggi).  The type of sweet shade that doesn’t come out tacky. Daphne loves it, too. * Fan girl mode *

Then we headed to the fabled Gayuma (ni Maria) restaurant in Maginhawa, UP Village. When I was in college, Gayuma was already a famous restaurant. It is famous for its quirky menu and their “Better than Sex” dessert. I never had the chance to try it.

Gayuma, according to Filipino folklore, are love potions or spells that are used to attract a mate.  I think it is a wise choice for a restaurant name. It conveys a message that their secret ingredients will keep you coming back for more.

The Place

The restaurant is a neighborhood place. It is tucked in a residential subdivision, with the patio and living room of the house converted into a dining area. Stepping into the restaurant feels like going inside a fortune-teller’s lair. 

The drapings are not that great, too colorful for my taste.

This is the inside of the resturant

And this is the Japanese room upstairs. I think this is perfect for huge groups.

The walls are adorned with potion concoctions.

Let’s head straight on to the food. They have a quirky, “sex-fueled” menu, I kinda think it’s creative.

No Boyfriend Since Birth (PhP 215)

The dish’s tagline is “with the perfect blend of pesto and cheese who needs boys?”

Hmmm… I think I do. Je t'aime mon boyfriend! Yihee, cheesy!

This is good pasta. The noodle is al dente, the sauce has a just-right tang of basil and the walnuts add a surprising texture to the whole thing.

Once You Go Black, You Never Go Back (PhP 225)

Cocoa-crusted cream dory with chocolate sauce – served with rice.

Sweet-salty, crunchy outer crust with soft fillet inside. Yum! Anna and I loved it!

We weren’t able to consume our order so I had it wrapped for take-out. Unfortunately, the staff gave the order to another group. So… they offered me a fresh order of another best seller for take out… for free! 

Yay!

I Love You, Cross My Heart (PhP 215)

Fried chicken breast with cheese, shiitake mushroom and asparagus.

I say this is glorified fried chicken, the crust and add-ons are divine while the meat itself is juicy.

In one corner of the restaurant, this wall post is painted.

It made me giddy to try their city-wide famous dessert.

Beats Sex Any Day (PhP 75)

Rich chocolate cake, mercilessly topped with butterscotch, cream and chocolate bits. 

For its price, I think this is a good deal. I am not  big on the texture of the cake but I like how it tastes and the topping makes this dessert unique. I say, worth the try.

In Summary:

1. You go to Gayuma ni Maria for the food. All the dish we tried were superb. I was amazed and I will make this one of my go-to restaurants in QC. The serving size is just right for its price.

2. It is best to enjoy the place with friends and family, if they’re not the conservative type who gets offended with the sexually-suggestive dishes. If you opt to bring a date, maybe someone you’re really comfortable with. I just find this too aggressive for a first date, unless you’re both liberal or your date is a foodie.

3. The ambiance is okay but the materials used (drapings, table cloths) and the walls can all be improved. 

Gayuma Ni Maria

123 Maginhawa St., Sikatuna Village

Quezon City

63.2.441.4872

Casa Roces

Chic, colonial, interior, great Spanish-Filipino food at a price way less than a fine dining restaurant are words I have to sum up my Casa Roces experience. It’s not hard to imagine that this converted ancestral home in San Miguel, Manila must be the go-to-place of ambassadors and the old rich since Malacanang sits right its front yard.

The Place           

If you go through the garden entrance, you will be greeted by this intricately designed blue door.

To its left is the garden, with the steel lawn chairs laid on wooden planks. Doesn’t this remind you of the lawn sets in old provincial homes? This is what childhood memories are made of.

Going back to the blue door, I was so amused by it that I showed my child-like, toothy grin. The little girl is 25, by the way. Person A is not being punished (think “face the wall”), he’s having some geeky conversation with the door.

I find the interior very lovely and chic, just my kind of thing. The ground floor palette is gray with sprays of yellow in very soft hues.

There are old, wooden chairs

Nooks with knick-knacks

And wild orchids serve as floral centerpieces.

Even inside the comfort room

The glass, sliding doors open up to the garden outside. The interior is so beautiful that if I am to decorate my (future) home, this place will definitely have a page on my inspiration book.

 This is the view from the foyer.

This is my second visit to the place, and this time around, Person A and I invited two more friends. We can happily report that we enjoyed the place (and food) immensely.

Warm-breaded goat cheese salad (PhP 195)

Pan-fried goat cheese with rocket and salad mesclun

Based on its name, this is arugula with assorted young leaves salad mix and balsamic vinegar-based dressing. The breaded goat cheese is matchbox-sized. It is okay but Person A and I like the sweetened balsamic vinegar dressing.

Crispy Lengua Ceasar Salad (PhP 145)

I don’t normally order salads with cream-based dressing. Think calories.  We tried this caesar salad because of the crunchy lengua that doubles as a crouton replacement.

This is a really a good one. The dressing is light and doesn’t drench the greens. Plus the lengua tastes divine, renders the salty taste. Must try.

Sopa Molo Castilliana (PhP 145)

Garlic soup with pork dumplings, poached egg and noodles. The garlic compliments the pork taste and is a good meal starter. The bowl is enough for four people. It would be nice to enjoy this when it is still warm.

Fettucine with Bleu Cheese and Roasted Mushroom (PhP 185)

Cream sauce and mushroom always mix well and this is no exception. The sauce is very creamy, there is a generous serving of mushroom that gives the dish its taste but I did not taste the blue cheese at all. My friends said they do.

Bouillabaisse de la Casa Roces (PhP 210)

Squid, mussels, and other seafood stew in tomato broth. The sour tomato taste dampens the salty flavor of the seafood mix. It’s so good, a must try. This comes with bread but I prefer it with rice.  This is good for 2 people, by the way.

Callos Ala Abolita (PhP 260)

Soft tripe stew with chorizo and chickpeas. This one is my favorite as well. The fat (my friends say it’s not fat) is well cut, very soft while the flavors in the stew make you forget how greasy the dish is. This is served with rice and can serve 2-3 people.

Kape Chino Desserts

The restaurant has an in-house coffeeshop which serves coffee and cake. It is named after Don Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) – his family owns the house.

White Chocolate Sansrival (PhP 135)

The meringue base with the white chocolate, buttery frosting is not too sweet and has a good texture to it.

Laguna Cheesecake (PhP 150)

This is one of the better cheesecakes in town. It’s very cheesy (I think it is made from local cheese, it has that taste to it), creamy and again the texture, it has a subtle gelatinous feel to it.

Malacanang Souffle (PhP ~300)

This a dessert soufflé, the “lift” part is very light but has a strong citrusy taste to it. The base part is soft. This is a citrus-flavored dessert and is a good palate cleanser or should be eaten last.  I like the two cakes better. I like to end my meal with a sweet taste in my mouth.

We also had coffee, this is my cappuccino (PhP 130) 

And this is Kat’s Bailey’s coffee (PhP 125). Good coffee, worth the order to compliment the cakes.

This is Person A’s Frosted Mocha (PhP 130), the blend has a strong coffee and the whip cream is divine as well. This pairs well with the main dishes that we had.

In Summary:

1. With its architecture, very chic interior and great food, Casa Roces is a value-for-money restaurant. Bottomline, I think dining in this place is a steal.

2. The food is good, most dishes can be shared by 2 persons and is priced around ~PhP200.

3. You can have just anything here: lovely brunch with friends, dinner with the special someone and celebration with the family. They have function rooms in the second floor that can seat from around 10 to 40 people. Perfect for those intimate gatherings.

Casa Roces

1153 JP Laurel

San Miguel, Manila

63.2.735.5896

Alexandre: The French Bakery and Bistro

Last Sunday, I had brunch with friends in this lovely French restaurant at the corner of 31^st and 1^st streets in Bonifacio Global City.

I am a fan of Café Breton and given that French cuisine always has this light feel and taste to it, you can rarely go wrong with any dish that you order. My first encounter with Alexandre is their bread display both at Rustan’s Makati and Power Plant. According to its website, it is a bakery, bistro and a lounge so one can deduce that it caters to the young and not so young crowd.

The subdued black and white interior of the shop with its warm lighting gives it a cozy, inviting feel. You can also opt to dine al fresco, but given the summer heat, it is much wiser to enjoy the food inside.

Breakfast Bonjour (PhP 250)

Alexandre is a bread place. If you choose to order this make sure you share it with at least 2 people because it is 2 baskets full of bread.

Assorted fancy breads and petit croissants: Butter chocolate and almond, accompanied by Honey, Strawberry and Mango Marmalade.

Generally, the bread is one of the better ones. It’s plain and has minimal flavor but the texture of the bread got to be the reason for you to order it. I can imagine pairing it with my cappuccino or even brewed coffee. 

Kahit instant nga.

If I get to choose one, it has to be the almond croissant. The texture plus the flavor makes it unique and wanting you to come back for more.

The order comes with a hot beverage.

I like the marking on the mug.

Le Cirque (PhP 170)

For this sandwich, you can choose your bread among Rye, walnut, walnut and raisin, Ciabatta traditional baguette or whole wheat baguette with chicken.

The presentation is nice and the taste is decent. It’s not unique to the point that you’ll be coming back for it.

Pizza Quatre Formages (PhP 399)

Classic four cheese pizza with thin crust. I like the fact that it’s served on a wood base, the serving size is good for 4 people and the cheeses taste fresh.

I say, “Yum!”

Spinach Ricotta Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce (PhP 310)

This is an Italian-French dish. Italian because of the “re-cooked” cheese (that’s how ricotta is made, just in case you’re interested). French, pertaining to the Bechamel sauce which is made from milk and is a staple in French cuisine.

Given the dish’s origin, I expected it to be light. And light it is so I can barely taste the flavor. I would’ve wanted this to be on the saltier side. Le best friend (not Person A) agrees with me too.

Person A’s Order (which I forgot to take down hence I don’t know how much, too)

Essentially tastes like menudo but made with chicken.

The good thing is it is made with tomato sauce so you can enjoy the tomato goodness. The rice is herbed, I believe.

Iced Latte (PhP 100)

Latte is good. Real Coffee.

Blended Mocha (PhP 125)

This is also good. Though, the blended choice does not pair well with my lasagna. Too flavorful. I would’ve been fine with an iced one.

Apart from these, they have a wide selection of pastries, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches, lasagnas, pizzas, coffee, wines and beers.

It has a pretty website too. So chic in black and white. 

So French.

In Summary:

1. I am going back to Alexandre primarily for its ambiance. I can say it is pretty and I can imagine having brunch with friends or having a night cap with a date. The food is decent but still can improve a lot.

2. Breads and croissants are definitely one of the better ones. That is if you don’t mind paying a little bit more. Price point slides to the more expensive side though it doesn’t scrimp on the serving size.

Alexandre

The Grand Hamptons Tower 2

31^st cor 1^st Sts.

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

63.2.403.2907

Mona Lisa Ristorante

Undoubtedly, Mona Lisa  (La Gioconda) is considered the most famous painting in the world.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

If you name your restaurant after the Mona Lisa, then it must possess the novelty of da Vinci’s painting. I first heard about this restaurant from Heart-2-Heart and was convinced that the place is worth trying. While I had no idea where I can find it in Alabang, I accidentally arrived at its doorstep while enjoying my Frutti Froyo. They’re located in the same building along Commerce Avenue. I call it the "Army Navy" building because it's the most prominent establishment in the block.

The Place

The place has a fine dining ambiance. It’s spacious and exudes warmth. I don’t remember the yellow table cloth, but it doesn’t look tacky as it appears in the picture. We reserved the table by the window which has a good view of Commerce Ave.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

The place is packed on a Thursday night! That’s a good sign.

Photo: Heart-2-Heart

Waiters/waitresses are impeccably dressed, of course with the Mona Lisa tie.

Bread in a basket is served with pesto, butter and tomato while they wait for your order. 

The bread tastes freshly-baked and pillow soft.

Pappardelle Porcini e Tartufo (PhP 400)

Don’t worry, that sounded Greek to me, too. I just want to order pasta in truffle oil, hence the choice.

Olive oil, garlic and funghi porcini mushroom sauce, with truffle oil.

This dish does tastes like truffle oil and worth going back for. Pappardelle (large, broad, fettucine) is al dente and the sauce is heavenly. The portion is quite small though to be shared by 2 persons.

Risotto Alla Pescatore (PhP 480)

Arborio rice, sautéed and simmered in white wine, tomato sauce and cream with a medley of seafood.

What sets this apart from the risottos in most Italian restaurants in Manila is the use of Arborio rice. It is short-grain rice grown in Arborio, Italy mainly used for risotto. It is cooked just right and has a starchy taste. The wine and cream tempers the sour taste of tomato. It’s also one of the best risottos I’ve tasted.

Apart from pastas and risottos, Mona Lisa also serves insalatas (salads), zuppa (soup), panizze (thin pizza that can be rolled with alfalfa), pizza, calzone, meat dishes, fresh pastas (!), and paninis.

It has something for everyone.

Tiramisu (~PhP 200)

If you haven’t noticed yet, Person A and I are tiramisu lovers. If there’s tiramisu in the menu, more often than not, we order it.

Mona Lisa offers two varieties: classic and strawberry tiramisu. This is the strawberry tiramisu, the best seller according to the waiter. I don’t like the taste of strawberry with my tiramisu. Hence, I would most likely opt for the classic one. It is worth noting though that the biscuit, cake, coffee and mascarpone taste good.

In Summary

1. Mona Lisa is one of the finer Italian restaurants. The place has a warm, inviting ambiance and ample seating space. Great for dates, night with friends and family gatherings.

2. The pasta with truffle oil and risotto tastes great. I personally think that the place lives up to the “Mona Lisa” name.

3. Price point slides to the more expensive price range and for the taste of its dishes, I say not bad at all.

Mona Lisa Ristorante

2^nd Floor, The Commerce Center

Filinvest, Alabang

556.0708