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.

I don’t like making plans on days near my birthday.

Aside from being crippling-ly anti-social and misanthropic, I have realized that my birthday occurs around typhoon seasons. Generally, my birthday comes bearing gifts of Hours Of No Electricity. I’ve learned not to expect much from my birthdays, but I think this last one was pretty good. :)

Sarie took me out to lunch at a great place in Salcedo Village called RELISH at Ponte. It’s a lovely little place, tucked in a corner spot of a pretty nondescript building.

We started off with Gourmet Tomato Pesto Cheese Spread (Php 195) which has quite frankly turned into one of my favorite things to stuff in my mouth. It consists of a slightly sweet cheese spread, a tomato concoction, slathered with pesto on top. It comes with toast! You spread it on top, and it looks like this:

We also had the Amazing Artichoke Dip with Tostitos (Php 325) which was pretty good. The flavor is lighter than the pesto appetizer. I preferred the pesto appetizer, which was richer and more flavorful. Because I am a glutton.

We shared an order of Chorizo Pasta (Php 345), which Sarie had been raving about forever. It was good; just how I liked my pasta—sauce bursting with flavor and non-mushy noodles. I tend to stick to non-cream sauces, but this one was just right. Relish didn’t skimp on the filling sauce, either. There was a lot of chorizo left after we’d finished off the noodles.

For our main course (… LOL), we each had an order of the Chimichuri Chicken Kebabs (Php 375), and ugh, my mouth is watering at the thought of it. This was just a really good dish and was a joy to eat. You know how you there are dishes you have to eat every once in a while, even traveling to far-off cities (i.e. Makati), just because it’s that good? I just put this on that list. You can select a side dish: side salad, herb mushroom rice, or roasted garlic mashed potatoes. I went with the rice, and my mouth has been thanking me ever since.

We had the Relish Lemonade with Mint (Php 90/110) to drink. It was cool and refreshing, and it came in a tall glass, which I love for no discernible reason other than it excites me.

And then I got Nespresso (!) and were given free butter rum cake because it was my birthday.

Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM– 10:00 PM
Saturday : 11:00AM – 3:00PM / 6:00PM – 10:00PM

Relish at Ponte
G/F Ponte Salcedo Bldg
120 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati
Tel. No. 519-3543 / 0999-7938888

Aside from a great lunch from one of my favorite people, I had a Juno rewatch, which I still loved, thank you very much. I also got and X-Acto knife (because I lost mine, cry), and a Maped knife, which is compatible with X-Acto blades. :)

My lovely, lovely best friend also wrote me this lovely, lovely letter, which I think you should all read because she makes me appear way better than I am. HEH.

All in all, I think a pretty good birthday! Undergoing some minor problems, though, so I’d appreciate it if you’d all spare a good thought or a prayer for me.

Here comes October, and the rest of my life, I guess! I can’t wait. :)

I get so excited and I’ve got nothing to regret
It sure beats sitting, I know I’m stuck inside watching television
Cold coffee and stale cigarettes

— “Another Sunny Afternoon” by Nickel Eye

I like laid-back days. The last time I saw Sarie, we were scrambling all over the place, from her mom’s Sinangag place (for a tasting!) to the Book Fair. I like calm, quiet drives and afternoons. After lunch today, we talked about Plans For The Future (AKA our respective portfolio plans), and then we dropped by Christina Quisumbing Ramilo’s exhibit, Book of Days, at Blanc Peninsula.

It was my first time at Blanc, and I quite loved the space and the huge windows. Late afternoon probably wasn’t the best time to go there to photograph the pieces, but I still loved all of them. I’m a huge fan of Ling Quisumbing and it was just such a joy to see her take apart and build on the idea and the structure of sandpaper and books.

I loved these pieces, where she took deconstructed sandpaper and layered them on top of each other, sewing them together to look like books propped open. Her works are just so rich in texture and perspective. Accompanying these pieces are sculptures, as well as a panel painted to look like used sandpaper.

Then we played with shadows.

Steaky Camouflage! I love this shirt thing from Bleach Catastrophe. It makes me feel like I’m wearing a cape. Not advisable when wearing a backpack, though. On my way out of an MRT station, I pulled my Baggu backpack on, and my shirt flew up and exposed Steaky, for all to see. It took me a while to pull it down, too, on account of the fact that I’m really clumsy.

This is the only pair of jeans I’ve been wearing for the past year. I inherited them from my brother who gave them to me because he thought they made him look like a Jonas brother. Then, these are the size 6 ½ Keds that I insisted on buying, and are currently one of my favorite pairs of shoes. They still fit me well (I’m a size 7 ½-8), thank goodness. They’re Navy eyelet with brass grommets and rope laces. I mean, c’mon! How can you say ‘no’ to that?

Are these really rubber trees? So pretty.

We were supposed to go to SOM’s, but we found that the Ayala Triangle Gardens was right across. Sarie was craving for chicken rice, so we opted for Wee Nam Kee, which was alright by me!

Probably should have gotten the steamed version, but I’m a sucker for roast chicken skin. Anyway, sweet soy + ginger + chicken rice = me, in food heaven. I was also thinking of getting the cereal prawns, but I remembered that I was on some kind of diet, so I restrained myself. It was still quite good, though.

We drove to Burgos Circle to get some Bar Dolci for me, after dinner, as I feel kind of incomplete without dessert. Then the quiet afternoon turned into a quiet night, as we turned phrases and asked questions and learned about the world. I like knowing that there are people in this world that I can talk to about anything. It makes me feel like a million dollars.

Book of Days is up in Blanc Peninsula until October 1, 2011. Here’s a map:

This is Steaky, as dubbed by Therese after I failed to conceal Steaky after a particularly filling dinner of… well, steak. Steaky is the culmination of several months of gorging myself on amazing food. In the last few months, I have discovered my inner, hidden love for food. I used to just eat enough to quiet my belly rumbles, or eat a snack to satisfy a craving. That’s not the case anymore.

Some food highlights from the past few weeks:

There was Isa‘s birthday treat for me and Barby at Angel’s Kitchen, where I met this little number:

Lamb curry with apple chutney! We also had two more dishes, a salad, and two different desserts. I’ll leave those to your imagination.

Then there was the week I went to Ganso-Shabuway with Sarie (who wrote about it in detail over here). Twice. In one week. Honestly, I’m a peanut sauce person. So, I blame it on that. And the wonderful beef. But mostly, I need that peanut sauce. In my mouth. Now.

(The peanut sauce is way better when mixed with the raw garlic paste thing and the chili oil.)

Did I mention the unlimited rice and strictly no-sharing rule at this establishment? I highly recommend this place, though. I would get a regular order of angus meat, with spicy broth, and the regular vegetable set, with an order of plain rice. Or, you could bypass the rice but then I might consider you a tiny bit crazy.

And who could forget that eight-”course” meal (for two!) with Sarie at Nomama Artisanal Ramen, a new Japanese place up in the Scout area (the corner of Scout Castor and Scout Tuazon)? Right after an early lunch at Ganso-Shabuway, we split eight dishes between us for early dinner at around 3pm, and I have a total of zero regrets. This is a photo of the house ramen. Aside from a super broth, that egg is just an amazing explosion of flavor.

Soft-shell crab salad, and beef tataki with sweet potato chips in the background.

My favorite! Curry short ribs with roasted kobacha (Japanese pumpkin). The curry is homemade and the meat is tender and falls right off the bone. Ugh. I need to have this again at some point in my life, honestly.

I’ve discovered my love for food, and I’ve also found that I cannot seem to unlove it. And that eating actually comes with extra poundage. I’ll be upfront with you: I gained about 10 lbs. after I threw all caution to the wind and ignored the ominous extra stretch and tightness around the waistband of my jeans.

As much as I like (pretending to enjoy) having Steaky around, I feel like it’s time to say goodbye. Seriously, I need to cut back on the munching. I’ve actually taken to tracking my calories using an iPhone app—but of course—called My Fitness Pal! And it’s working out pretty well. That photo of Steaky you are seeing is actually a pretty deflated state. Can you just imagine how huge it used to be five or so days ago?

I’ve stopped eating rice, and I started drinking more water. I tried to cut down on the cream and sugar I put in my coffee, but it just doesn’t taste right. However, I’ve said “no” to the occasional Starbucks trip, so I’m happy about that. I also have been keeping track of my snacking. Which is to say, I don’t do that so much anymore.

I’m all for loving yourself, and having a healthy self-image. But when I start being uncomfortable in my own skin—and gaining 10 lbs. just because of eating too much—then I know something’s up. Who knows? I might even try a little bit of exercising, too. Maybe.

All I know is that this introduction to Steaky is also the beginning of a series of goodbyes, although hopefully not one that would take very long. Ideally, I would love for this string of goodbyes to end at about the first week of October, but maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part.

We attempted to do make crossword puzzles on my arm. Obviously, this did not work out very well.

And then we spelled people’s names on the actual people, in case anyone forgets.

This is the Lamb Burger. Which no one ever told me about, prior to this day. Which makes me question the friendships I have formed. But it’s OK, I forgive you. We both got this, and I love it so much. Who knew that this—lamb, pesto, feta cheese—would make for a fantastic burger? Actually, I would have thought that, had someone told me about this, but anyway.

It’s pretty price-y compared to the other items on the menu (a little more than Php 300 if I’m not mistaken), but it’s so frakking good. Also, it is huge, so you can probably split it with someone else if you have a Tiny Food Capacity. I would eat this alone (and skip the fries, etc), though. I wouldn’t feel like I was missing out or whatever. Hello, lamb, pesto, and feta cheese! I think that spells out “winner” in most parts of the world.

It was raining so hard in the area. We had to walk back to the NBC Tent to get her car, but we kept on having to talk detours because the crosswalks were flooded.

We made it out okay, though. In case you were wondering.

A friend of mine told me that he liked it best when I blogged about my day. I used to lug my (dad’s) Nikon D70 around school and would systematically pick out the day’s highlights, resize each photo and upload all 50+ of the selecteds on Photobucket, to be uncovered by the clicking of a cleverly-worded LJ-cut.

It’s safe to assume that I don’t really do that now. I actually have way too many photos that I don’t really know what to do with. I suppose I’m just saying that I sort of miss doing that, and I sort of miss updating for no reason. Having an open space like this kind of makes me want to look for something profound or intelligent or beautiful to say, and I grow silent when I don’t have any of those things to share.

But sometimes, I forget that I have also learned how to tell stories using photographs that could very well mean nothing at all. In any case, a few photographs of the continuation of this day. I spent the night at an exhibit in Pablo Gallery with my brother.

Then we went to Mercato Centrale to meet up with Sarie and Therese. After a failed attempt at getting to taste the infamous beef belly (with steak rice!) from Rodrigo’s, I was finally able to that night. I loved it a lot. Everyone ended up getting it.

… except for Sarie, who got “cheese steak.” (IDK, that’s all she told me that it was.)

I don’t have photos but the ice cream from Merry Moo (get it?) was frakking awesome. I’ve tried Honeycomb (it had actual honeycomb bits!), Strawberry Basil, Sea Salt Caramel, and Candied Bacon (which is less tasty than it sounds), but the best flavor was Earl Gray.

Sometimes I wish I could breed bees.

After the shoot last Friday, Sarie took me to one of her favorite places to eat, Sandaya. It’s a Yakiniku place, where people are served raw meat to cook on a grill built into the table. I have been a big fan of this method of dining ever since my first experience with Benihana as a kid, but I don’t go on these food runs all that often.

I don’t quite remember exactly what we ordered, except for the Kobe beef, but these entire spread is comprised of four orders of meat.

This one that Sarie is cooking is my favorite. We had two orders of this. I forget what it is, but it’s really good. (Boy, am I helpful, huh?) I honestly just could not stop eating it.

EDIT: Two orders of CAB Angus Beef Boneless Short Rib (Php 350 per order)

This is pretty good, too. I couldn’t figure out how to cook it with the leeks, though, which I very much wanted to do. I tried to… but was obviously unsuccessful.

EDIT: This is an order of the US Hanging Tender (Php 300)

Kobe beef! So fatty, but so good. This melts in your mouth. It was Sarie’s first time to eat this in Sandaya, and she wasn’t disappointed. Neither was I.

EDIT: This is an order of Kobe beef short ribs (Php 450)

Cooking our meat on the grill! The best part about Sandaya is that you don’t smell like food after eating. I love Japanese food, but I hate smelling like I just came from a kitchen. The fact that I emerged from Sandaya smelling nothing like what I had just eaten made me so happy that I very nearly cried.

Okay, not really, but big points for that!

Happy belly. The big dump of sauce in that platter in front of me is comprised of 80% of the spicy orange one, and 20% soy sauce, with a little bit of raw garlic that you have to request from the waitresses. This mixture is a tried and tested one by Sarie, but you are obviously free to make whatever kind of sauce you like.

We usually cook the meat first then dip it into the sauce, but I also tried slightly cooking the meat, dipping it into the sauce (like a marinade), then putting it back on the grill. This also produced good results, giving the meat a more of a smoky, charred taste to it.

I don’t know. They give you a stick of gum after, and I guess I made this face.

It was such a great dining experience. Three days after, and I am still dreaming about the food. I JUST WANT MORE. The beef they used was so nice and tender. I can’t get over it. Apparently, Sandaya is also way cheaper than most Yakiniku places. It’s not cheap or a budget place to eat (each order of beef ranges around the Php 200-700). I just mean that you leave feeling like you got what you paid for.

Sandaya is located along Pasay Road in Makati. It’s on the second floor of a building with a wine/liquor place downstairs, and something called The Love Garden. It’s pretty easy to find—their sign says “SANDAYA” in red neon letters.

Operating hours are: Monday – Friday, 5:00pm to 11:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm to 11:00pm. Parking might be a little bit problematic, but it is so very worth it. Thanks to Sarie for introducing me to it, and for taking some of these pictures.

I love it so much, I’m taking my a few of my oldest friends, Isa, Barby, Den, and Val to eat there one of these days! Soonest would be ideal. Like, maybe tomorrow.

I’d been bugging Sarie to eat at Peanut Butter Company for what seemed to be one million years. I’d first heard about the place from Marla’s LJ, and I was kind of hell-bent on trying out the food. (Turns out one of the people I went to school with, Mike Parker, did the awesome branding, too.)

Not exactly a peanut butter fiend, but the idea of mixing it with savory dishes, as well as rumors of flavored peanut butter, made me want to try it out. We went to the branch in Paseo Center, and basically feasted as much as two short people can.

A rundown of things we ate:

Cold Asian Noodles! Mine. I can say ‘no’ to very little sesame-related products and/or requests. For example, a creeper that hollers “Open Sesame!” to our door would get a ‘no.’ I love the taste of sesame, though. These noodles have a great richness to them, but I would probably get the sauce on the side, though, since it felt like it was drenched in it. Good thing the sauce was good. More sesame than peanut butter-y, but I dig it.

BBQ Wings with Rice (Sarie’s) & an order of Box of Chips (to share, but I ate it all). I didn’t get to taste the wings, but according to her it was good. Not very peanut butter-y either, but still, the wings held up. The potatoes were good. Less flavored than Shakey’s Mojos, but I think you can eat them with some sort of PB-mayo dip. (Unfortunately, I hate mayo. Still yummy on their own, though. Balanced out the sesame rain on my pasta, I think.)

Marshmallow PB Sandwich. WE HAVE A WINNER. I wanted something sweet after my lunch, and was drawn to this item instantly. I have an enormous sweet tooth. My body’s probably running on sugar. Anyway, this sandwich did not disappoint. Perfect toasted bread (thick slice!), a generous serving of marshmallow fluff, and a hint of their creamy peanut butter. I was in heaven. Sarie had a couple of bites, too, and she is kind of a sandwich-hater. I know, preposterous!

We also tasted the Curry Chicken Spaghetti, and it was okay. Edible and flavorful, but I don’t think I would order it again.

The best part about all of this is that you get to take the goodness home! Peanut Butter Company bottles all of these peanut butter variants, and sells them for affordable prices. I bought their 50g (I think?) bottles at Php 55 each. I got Cardamon (Cardamom?), Green Tea, and Sesame. They have regular peanut butter, though, and they come in creamy and crunchy. Marla took a photo of the available flavors, which I am nicking for your convenience. The bottles look tiny, but I suspect they will last longer. They also come in bigger jars, but I wanted to sample a lot of flavors.

For breakfast today, I ate toast with the green tea and cardamon flavors. I am thinking about eating another couple of slices once I’m done writing this. Would it be worth the calories? HELLZ YES. I don’t know any happy person who counts calories. (Just kidding, but ugh, I need my toast, leave me alone.)

I guess I am slowly turning into a peanut butter fiend, but I am so frakking excited to try ALL OF THEM.

Peanut Butter Company is located at the first floor of Paseo Center (cor. of Sedeno Street and Paseo de Roxas), and near the IMAX theater in SM North Edsa. The Paseo branch closes at 5PM on Saturdays!

I do not think it is a franchise of New York’s Peanut Butter & Co. I’m pretty sure it’s local, and that is why I love it even more.