It’s been a week and then some since I had my first taste of Yabu. Yabu is a local katsu restaurant. I’m not really a fan of katsu—at least, the ones I’ve previously had. But, I had been meaning to try it out, just to see what the fuss was all about. I finally went with Sarie (read her review) on November 26, thanks to an invitation from Mike.

I’ve already gone back once (with my family in tow), and writing this review is actually making my mouth water at the thought of all the good food I ate. I tried to sample everything I could possibly on those two trips. They asked me and Sarie to move to a bigger table, because of our enormous spread. I’d have to say that nothing disappointed.

Sarie and I each got the Kurobuta US Premium Pork Set (Php 515) because it’s Yabu’s specialty. The meat, which apparently is like the pork version of kobe beef, was absolutely tender and the batter wasn’t slathered on but was thin and crispy. I think that this is what really sets Yabu apart from the kind of katsu that I’m used to. It was just really delicious.

Most of Yabu’s menu consisted of meal sets, which come with rice, unlimited cabbage (salad), miso soup, pickled vegetables and fresh fruits. A great deal if you are starved, not so if you don’t have such a big appetite. The servings were hefty, but it didn’t feel like you were stuffing yourself with just batter and oil.

The ala carte menu had offerings of hire, chicken, and potato croquettes, among other things, but we had our eyes on the seafood! We both got a piece of Black Tiger Prawns (Php 125), Oysters (Php 100) and Scallops (Php 100) each. The price may be a little bit daunting, but the pieces (especially the oysters and the scallops) were quite large and so very tasty.

I personally didn’t care much for the prawns, but I think that might have had to do with me being so full by the time I ate this. The ala carte selections are served with some Japanese mayo-based concoction, which I tried and actually liked. (I vehemently dislike any sort of mayonnaise.) It’s not that the prawns weren’t good, it’s just that if I was to get only one type of seafood, I would go with either the oysters or the scallops, no question.

Scallops. I must say, I have never met scallops this huge before. It is an introduction I very much enjoyed.

Half a scallop! Sarie had to take a photo of mine because she inhaled hers right away. You know, because of deliciousness.

Oysters! These were dee-vine—lightly breaded and bursting with flavor. On my inevitable next trip, I think I will get the oyster meal, which comes with four oysters. Yum!

Now, on to the sauce: I don’t think this is a secret ingredient, but it absolutely helped! You’re supposed to mix the katsu sauce with ground up sesame seeds. Feel free to ask for more of these, since you will no doubt finish at least two bowls of katsu sauce for the duration of your meal. At least, I did on both occasions.

And then, I’m posting this photo just because it’s cute.

Other things I’ve tried: Chicken Katsu, which I enjoyed more, only because I’m not such a pork person, and Chicken Curry, which was pretty good but I have a new love affair with katsu sauce.

I’d also like to commend the staff. They are helpful, attentive, and also they laughed at our jokes, which is something that I always enjoy.

I cannot wait for my next trip.

Yabu: House of Katsu is located at 2/F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall. Store hours are Mon-Sun: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

NOTE: The meal prices on the menu are not inclusive of 12% VAT and 5% Service Charge so it’d be safe to mentally add 17% when picking an order, just to make sure you’re budgeting right.

So much has happened these past few days. I put up my own show, which was both gratifying and encouraging. I’ve been turning down heavy design jobs to consciously concentrate on making art. I still say yes to small projects, though as I’ve been running out of time but also having the time of my life. At least, in that aspect. Thank you to everyone who’s been supportive and, well, nice about my work. Warms the heart, it really does.

Lately, the difficulties of happily living a life in the way that I would like to have presented themselves to me, and in moments of blind panic, I just really shut down. It’s always dumb and irresponsible, but I am a wallower, so I wallow. I don’t want to be anymore, though. I used to think that there were situations that I absolutely couldn’t rise above and so, despite claiming to be a never give-upper, I have thrown the towel in countless times and pitied myself and I reveled in my sadness and lameness. I felt sorry for myself, and looking back, I honestly feel ashamed that I indulged in caring too much. I feel ashamed that I decided to not do anything about any of these things and just gave in to my melodramatic, despairing heart.

A lot of other things have happened, too.

My mom’s brother, Tito Dennis, passed away last Sunday. It wasn’t sudden, because the condition of his health wasn’t really a secret. But, Tara Maclay, in “The Body,” said of her mother’s death, “It’s always sudden.” It’s always going to be too soon.

More than mourning for his passing, I am sorry that I never made it a point to get to know him. We went to a couple of memorial services and it was so moving to hear how much of a great teacher, friend and colleague he was (he’s the Director of Computer Science and IT in Asia Pacific College). People loved him there. He was, in their words, a visionary.

It felt really sad to me that I couldn’t say anything much more than “he was always so nice to me” or “his smile always lit up the room” or “he loved his cars so much.” I’ll always be sorry that I never really got to know that side of him that people got to cherish. I don’t have a strong, particular memory with my uncle, and this makes me so sad.

I also feel ashamed that I have invested in people that shouldn’t really matter, but never got to know those who do. I have so many cousins and I never really got to know them as anything more than that. We don’t graduate from small talk, and this new, strange part of me really wants to be there for my family.

In any case, I’m glad that there are so many people who loved him while he was still here. I just hope he knew, in whatever little way I could express, that I loved him, too.

I went to the Ayala Museum for an exhibit by Ang INK (celebrating their 20th year!) last November 21 so I could meet up with Zeus Bascon, who’s a part of INK. He’s an artist and I’m a fan of his work with collages. I also went there because my friend, Franny, is also a part of it.

There were so many people.

By Pepper Roxas, someone who I’ve always associated with INK.

By Bru Sim. Took this partly because I felt like my sister would love it. :)

Here is Fran! And my fat face!

This is what she made. It’s kind of hard to photograph, because it’s glass on both sides, but I can assure you that it’s very, very lovely.

A close-up of a paper boat!

The Fran abides.

You can view 20 Taon at Ayala Museum’s Ground Floor Gallery until January 15, 2012. Follow the link for museum details.