How can anyone say Facebook is better than Tumblr? Tumblr is designed for lazy people.
First we have:
And now we have:
(Source: thishappensallthetime, via nochocolatecandy)
Late but nonetheless appreciated, I took this last month during a curiously expensive gastronomy attack at Sofitel Manila.These were on the dessert counter and in taking this photo, my carefully selected, gargantuan lobster slid off my plate. Sacrifices have to be made, unfortunately.
Gummy worms are my absolute favorite comfort food—there’s something about their firm but chewy texture that somehow stops me from festering. It’s a little known fact that a very dear friend gives me a surprise pack of these wormy delights every time he learns I’m in a foul disposition. One bite, and it’s a broad smile for me.
It’s a guilty pleasure and childhood treat all in one, no wonder it has such a wide appeal. (Except of course for those who have tragically lost their natural teeth.)
I eat them by segments (as should anyone!) and I chomp on then until the sorry moment that my teeth begin to hurt (oh physical limitations!).
-Sasha
P.S. Worms over bears (or any other variant); transparent over (sugary) opaque. I’m choosy that way. Very very particular with my worm.
You’re walking down the narrow roads of Senado Square on your way to the old Jesuit ruins of St. Andrew’s Church. The mood of the courtyard surrounds you; the beautiful blue, yellow and orange that reflects off the facades of the buildings influences by the orient and the occident, styles which you can only find in regions that have been touched by both worlds. As you shuffle along the throngs of people, a sweet and delicate scent whiffs by. You turn to your sides looking for the source, and you see it in almost every store —- egg tarts! This favorite Macau delicacy traces its origins to a similar Portugese pastry the pastel de nata. The crunchy pastry contrasts perfectly with the sweet custard core that nestles within. You take a bite and realize ahhhh… I better not finish the whole box before I can do a review on it! -Riza
@Senado Square, Macau
If you’re watching your weight or just want to feel less guilty about eating a burger, try these mini teppanyaki burgers from Cafe Too. They’re delightfully cute and grilled to perfection—- moist and with just the right amount of crunch from the grill. The teppanyaki sauce adds the right amount of kick and spice to make your tongue do the tango. Before you know it, you’re done with your third and lining up at the grill for more.
@Cafe Too, Island Shangri-La, HongKong
Part 2 of my gastronomically unhealthy lechon feast—Lighthouse Cebu’s Suckling Pig.
It’s borderline child abuse to see a tiny piglet completely roasted, butterflied then served on a wooden plate for everyone to devour. But it’s brutally inhuman to chop this sad dish with—wait for it—A PLATE! Yes, it’s a spectacle, the waiter takes out a small plate and cuts through the flesh and skin lengthwise then proceeds to do the same motion until the entire body is severed and ready to eat.
This is the second time I’ve had this suckling pig and the pity in me hasn’t wavered. However, a whiff of that roasted, salty, flavorful platter is enough to send me apologizing to the pork gods not just for eating this baby but for actually enjoying it. Hey, I can’t help it; it’s softer, crispier, lighter and it has less calories too for the annoying calorie-counting crowd! You can’t beat that!
-Sasha
Cebu is synonymous with lechon. And to most people, that lechon is synonymous to CNT. As testament to this brand’s utter yumminess, it usually runs out of stock early in the afternoon (sometimes even before lunch). Wake up early, fall in line and place your order if you want a bite. -Sasha
*The first of a string of lechon-related entries.
Chinese Food Syndrome
Contrary to popular belief, chinese food need not be filled with MSG leading to headaches, chest pain, flushing and other complications related to increase intake of glutamate. *Wait, this isn’t my biochemistry paper.*
One of my family’s favorite haunts here in Binondo is Ying Ying Teahouse located between Yuchenco and Dasmariñas. Over the years, I’ve brought several people mostly those unfamiliar to real Chinese food here and none ever left disappointed in the food or the price. So when my Dad out of boredom asked where we’d want to eat, we all yelled Yingying!
If the buildings look a tad old, its because this area is near Escolta formerly a business district before World War II. After eating, take a walk around (if you can!) and immerse yourself in the past glorious history of the area.
The restaurant itself has a bit of a history. Rumor has it that the owner is the sibling of WaiYing’s proprietor and the child of President’s Tea House. Also the chef of President’s switched to YingYing which is why the food tastes so similar.
As in any Chinese restaurant, start with soup/dimsum. I prefer hakaw myself. You’d know its a genuine chinese restaurants if you see loads of these bamboo steamers:
In some cases, they’d even have a cart where you can pick out the dimsum that you’d want.
Next up would be the Pineapple fried rice, cooked inside the pineapple itself. See, it looks super Hawaiian and tastes really good too!
This is my favorite dish of all, Taro Puff. It’s deep fried mashed taro with a meat filling. It’s ridiculously good and addictive. Top if off with the hoisin sauce to add a bit of sweetness to the dish.
Of course, no trip to Yingying would be complete without some sizzling oysters. Imagine your sisig only instead of sisig you’d use oysters.
Drop by Yingying if you’re in Chinatown and take a bite of what authentic Chinese food tastes like. -Riza
Photo credits: Daddy, Achi and Shoti c/o Ren’s camera
With the heat of the tropics here and my seemingly neverending exams, one of the few joys that medschool hasn’t taken away from me is Simple Line’s Iced Black Milk Tea. Simple Line, formerly Simple Life, is a hole-in-the-wall milk tea store that can compete with the best of them *ehem Serenitea and Bubbletea*. I prefer this no frills drink which is as authentic as you can get to tea while others swear by the Caramel Tapioca Milk Tea also featured here. Just watch the Auntie pour hot steaming tea into a glass, add milk and ice, your choice of tapioca, coffee jelly, herbal jelly and you’re good to go! Drink it on the spot or if you’re like me, hoard it in your freezer until you need it for tonight’s study session. Simple Line has around 3 branches all in the Manila area (2 in UST, 1 in DLSU). So, drop by and get your summer fix. -Riza
@Concepcion St., Sampaloc Manila near Dapitan side of UST
