Happy Foodies

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4116959731_731a03014f_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Fireplace's Angus Prime Chilled Ribeye Steak</figcaption></figure> Majority of Filipinos are still meat eaters. We love a good and flavorful steak. And those looking for a more exquisite kind of meat would be glad to know that Manila isn’t short of restaurants serving high grade steaks. We only have to choose the dining experience to match with that sumptuous food. Here we steaked-out three restaurants offering some of the best-tasting steaks in Manila.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Singapore China Town Food Street" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4152321693_76519186ba_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Singapore Chinatown Food Street</figcaption></figure> Chinese cuisine has always been one of my favorites. I remember Mapo Tofu being one of my favorite Chinese dishes in a local restaurant. When I went to Chengdu China and ate at <a href="http://www.ironwulf.net/2008/07/18/china-chens-mapo-tofu/">Chen's Mapo Tofu</a> where the dish actually originated, I realized that the Mapo Tofu here is worlds apart from the original one. Since then, I haven’t tasted anything close to it or any of the Sichuan dishes I tried in Chengdu. That is, until I went back to Singapore’s Chinatown Food Street and found some restaurants that offer something close to what I remembered.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Fried Tawilis (P130)" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/4116856375_825ecac1b7_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fried Tawilis (P130)</figcaption></figure> We came to Taal Town in Batangas to revisit this heritage town and bring home some captures. But like in previous out-of-town trips, we had a hidden agenda: to eat something out of the ordinary. We prepared for the shoot but we weren’t able to research well in advance where it’s good to eat. Good thing the kind lady seller we brought some panucha from at the Basilica de San Martin de Tours went out of her way to show us Bistro Taal. It was just 5 or so minutes away from the Basilica and while it’s not really a bistro in the real sense of the word, we thought we had a hearty lunch alright.

<figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="Sri Lankan Chili Crab" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/4130475931_ddacd02378_o.jpg" title="Sri Lankan Chili Crab"></figure> I know foodie friends in Singapore who has have been living there for years. So when I went there recently, they were just too happy to show me their favorite eating places. Say Singapore and you can expect chili crabs and prawns in the mix. We trooped to the back of esplanade and entered a restaurant facing the bay to discover that a really good restaurant really needs No Signboard for patrons to find their way in.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Mamous Lamb Tapa (P 395)" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/4052949540_4c43c11b3d_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mamou's Lamb Tapa (P 395)</figcaption></figure> I first met Malou Fores (Mamou as many call her), the sister of Margarita Fores, when I took on an assignment for a magazine that featured one of Malou’s food shop, The Blue Kitchen. It never occurred to me that I’d see her again but don't look now, she has her very own restaurant. I even had to blink my eyes a few times if she was the one I met before. I loved her Blue Kitchen goodies so I was excited to see how she renders her favorites for Mamou, a restaurant at the heart of Serendra.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Penang Food Village Kuay Teow Soup" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3940462125_7ed458a7aa_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Penang Food Village Kuay Teow Soup</figcaption></figure> Penang has always been synonymous with "Food Paradise" when you're in Malaysia. But my recent visit to the country didn't include the region in the itinerary. Good thing popular and established restaurants have branches in Malaysia. While in Genting Highlands, we had lunch at Penang Food Village and when we went back to the city, we had dinner at Nasi Kandar Pelita. Check out my favorites among the Penang food specialties we had.

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="A table full of Nyonya Cuisine dishes" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3933561686_cc9e5b4b41_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A table full of Nyonya Cuisine dishes</figcaption></figure> Malaysian food is as rich as its history. In between our exploration of the heritage sites in Malacca, we got a chance to experience Peranakan Cuisine where it originated -- Malacca. Recipes dating as far back as the 15th century still exist, evolving to what is now known as Nyonya Cuisine. In a restaurant tucked beside the hidden side street of Taman Melaka Raya, we found Seroni Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant. The establishment is owned by one of the last descendants of the Baba-Nyonya family, so we’re expecting to taste authentic Nyonya Cuisine.