We decided to have a catch up with our friend Yna. We decided to try Geisha at BHS. Their menu looks interesting and we wanted to have drinks with our dinner.
Geisha had a nice and cozy ambiance but I felt under-dressed with its posh interiors--yeah it was one of those days where I think I need to update my closet. Given that it was a little early, we were seated right away and offered menus.
We started with the Geisha Carpaccio (PHP 295) The tuna and salmon were fresh with a little earthy taste from the olive oil. I would want another plate of this if I can still manage.
The Spicy Tuna Crisps (PHP 180) were deliciously seasoned and the crisps added a nice crunch texture as you pop the entire thing in your mouth.
Yna had the "un-chicken" yakitori (PHP 360) which was a mock chicken (veggie meat), served with vegetables and soba. She said it was good and didn't even notice that she wasn't eating chicken.
Chryssie being a soup lover had her bowl of Roast Pork Ramen (PHP 290) which was delicious also.
I was not adventurous and was craving for Katsudon (PHP 280), so I had a bowl. The pork was tender with a good balance from the sauce. I wish the serving was bigger though.
We all enjoyed out sake based cocktails which is reason enough to go back to Geisha. We had Sake Sour (PHP 140), Sakerita (PHP 140) and Lychee Saketini (PHP 140). Of course I had the lychee and a coco-lychee martini is usually my choice of cocktail. Each drink had a good balance and generated the right amount of buzz.
We enjoyed the drinks and appetizers to Geisha the most. I think its reason enough for me to go back.
Geisha Modern Japanese is located at the Upper Ground Floor, West Superblock, BHS Central, BGC.
Craving for Japanese food lead me to discover there's one near my office. I can always smell the katsudon kind of smell whenever I pass by Valero going to Paseo Center but I can't find which restaurant the smell is coming from.
Turns out, in the 2nd floor of a building lies one of the best sushi places in Manila.
So I sort of tricked my sister Choking to join me for dinner one time. The pictures online looks so good that I wanted to try this hidden gem (well a lot of people know about it except me).
We were seated right away and decided we want sushi. Hot towels were provided to prepare us for a good meal. The trick is knowing what kind of sushi do you want. I usually order just maguro or salmon but decided its time I try uni. Yes! This is my first time.
We were served appetizers of marinated mackerel. It was slightly sour and resembles ceviche or kinilaw. We had a good start.
We had the Sushi Nigiri Kiri (PHP 650) to share. This plate had the freshest sushi in Manila. The salmon and maguro were melt in your mouth with a slight hint of wasabi. Each piece was perfection with not too much rice so your can really savor each. The set came with a bowl of miso soup with clams.
We loved the sushi a lot that we had two extra orders of maguro sushi (PHP 65 each) and uni (PHP 80). The uni was so fresh and makes you long for a trip to the beach.
Choking had the Maguro Nuta (PHP 230) as she wanted something light only.
I had the Katsu Tama Ju (PHP 390) which is usually my staple at Japanese restaurants. It came in a cute painted box and a bowl of miso soup with clams. The pork was tender but something that was just ok for me. It wasn't something that I'm crazy about.
The small Chawan Mushi (PHP 190) was so light and fluffy that this is the best one I had ever.
They served us fruits to finish our meal.
I had the best sushi at Tsumura. It is pretty steep but I'm willing to spend for sushi that good. I will definitely come back...on payday!
Tsumura is located at the 2nd Floor Corporate Center, Valero cor Sedeno st. Makati City.
My sisters are Ramen Freaks. I'm more of the sushi type of girl. When they tried Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen without me, I was disappointed though even if I'm not that fond of Ramen. Titit was nice enough to eat there again with me this time around.
As she was sad for not being able to buy the shoes she wanted on time, we drowned her sorrows in bowls of Ramen. We were able to get seats right away as it was quite late already when we finished browsing different stores in Shangri-La (plus the fact I finish work really late).
I had the Ajitama Tonkotsu Ramen (PHP 330) with hard noodles. Tonkotsu broth (not tonkatsu) is from boiling pork bones over high heat for many hours and resulting to a milky like soup. The broth was very flavorful but not overwhelming like some of the ramen places in Manila. The noodles (hard type) had a nice firm bite. I think this would be better if there was another piece of sliced pork (chashu) in the bowl. One slice was not sufficient for us pork hoarders. My favorite element in this bowl is the egg. It has a firm white with a light brown tint from being marinated in soy sauce. The yolk is not dry however but somewhere halfway between a soft boiled and a hard boiled egg. The yolk absorbs some flavor from the broth that makes it extraordinary where I am a lost for words.
Titit had the Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen (PHP 380). This ramen has oil extracted from roasted Black Garlic. It has a nice kick with that garlic flavor. One thing that should be in this bowl is the egg. She had to order extra for PHP 50.
We were enjoying our ramen so much we forgot that we ordered Gyoza (PHP 150). One side had a nice crunch to it. The meat inside was so juicy that it was dripping on the side of my mouth when I was eating.
I also loved the touch of lined wooden panels painted with Japanese characters. It was screaming "visit Japan now" to me.
I think I know where to get a good bowl of Ramen when Marlon craves for some. (Am I the only one not too crazy about Ramen?) I'm not very fond of Ramen still but my friends or sisters can always drag me back at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen any time they want.
Thanks for dragging me in your sorrow Titit. I enjoyed it.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is located at 5F East Wing ShangriLa Plaza Mandaluyong.
We've seen so many people rave about Yabu that Titit amd I decided we should have dinner there as soon as we can. Braving the rush hour with the worst conditions in the MRT, I got there intact for dinner with my sisters.
We often snub Katsu in Japanese restaurants as this doesn't seem very special. Having a restaurant dedicated to serving Katsu intrigues me and should be worth a visit.
I loved the interiors of the place with intimate lighting but bright enough to see and appreciate the food. The manga on the wall was all about Katsu which added a fun factor in your Yabu experience and increases your anticipation for the food you're about to have.
We started off with some appetizers. You can choose two appetizers that they serve in bowls inside wooden boxes. We opted for the seaweed and the potato salad (175 PHP). The potato salad was soft and creamy but the stand out was the seaweeds. I was surprised with the sweet and savory taste plus the ebiko on top added in for a little bit of saltines.
Both Titit and Choking ordered Katsu curries in different variants as these two always have different tastes on their food preference.
Titit had the Tori Katsu Curry set (265 PHP). She opted for the curry with the least amount of heat as much as possible. The chicken was very tender and the curry has that mild sweetness to it. This was served with miso soup, fruit and all you can eat cabbage.
Choking had the Rosu Katsu Curry set (295 PHP) and requestedfor this to the spiciest level they had. Despite the heat in the curry, it still maintained that subtle sweetness. This was also served with miso soup, fruit and all you can eat cabbage.
I opted for the 9oz Rosu Katsu set (295 PHP). I preferred to have a little bit of fat in the pork. If you're a bit more conscious about your health, they also have Hire which is leab pork tenderloin. The premium katsu uses Berkshire pork which is like the angus of pork. Maybe I should try that when I have enough budget. The set comes with rice, miso soup, fruit and all you can eat cabbage.
They gave me a small bowl with toasted sesame seeds on it. You have to grind the seeds to release some that sesame oil for added flavor in your sauce. Drizzled the tonkatsu sauce over you sesame seeds then mix. About 2-3 spoonfuls of sauce will be just right.
I loved how tender, flavorful and juicy the katsu was. I've never had katsu this good. Every bite into it makes me dig more on that bowl of rice, forgetting that I'm in a no rice on weekdays diet. It was that good that I have no further words to express my new relationship with this katsu.
Don't forget the cabbage. It is not there to be overlooked. Thinly and even sliced in its crunch goodness and placed on 1 side of the plate. Drizzle some sesame dressing or vinaigrette over it. I preferred using the sesame dressing more.
The service was good enough for dinner rush and their staff was friendly and polite. They will ask if you need any assistance or instructions on how to prepare your sauce and offer you cabbage when they see that you've emptied your plate.
We all loved Yabu that even if we were half full before going there, we still tried to eat up everything we ordered and it was worth it. This place will convert you into a katsu fan.
I'll definitely go back. Pictures from the iTouch did not do this Katsu justice.
Yabu is located at the 2F Atrium SM Megamall.
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