A CULINARY TOUR OF SOUTH EAST ASIA IN ONE SITTING

By: Lotis Soriano

            The food of South East Asia is perhaps one of the tastiest in the world.  It is sweet, tangy, and spicy all at the same time, it’s a beautiful burst of flavors.  One could truly say that the richness of the Asian tradition can be found in it’s food because it’s a mixture of different influences from India, China and Europe adopted by each country to create that unique taste.  

Stir Fry Crab with Spicy Golden Garlic

            South East Asian Food can never be bland because Asia is where the Europeans discovered spices.  The common thread that binds South East Asian Food is the ingredients which are mainly coconut milk, lemon grass, sugar, basil, fish paste and chili.  And if you’d like to have this wonderful experience in one sitting, only one restaurant fits the bill, Banana Leaf.

Hainanese Chicken

 

            A classic Banana Leaf dinner will start with Roti Canai from Malaysia dipped in either curry sauce or condensed milk. For the main dish you can have Hainanese Chicken from Singapore, Thai Green Curry Chicken and Vietnamese Fried Rice.  They offer the best Asian food prepared true to it’s tradition. This is the exact Tom Yum Soup or Pad Thai that you fell in love with in Thailand. The Roti, Satay, Char Kuay Teow that you wanted to go back to in Malaysia. The Chili Crab and Laksa that you can’t have enough of in Singapore. The spring rolls of Vietnam that makes you crave for more. The Sambal and Goreng in Indonesia that you can’t forget.

Chicken Satay

            And when Banana Leaf says authentic it means business because the main ingredients are sourced from their country of origin and prepared by Asian chefs in all branches day in and day out.  Other restaurant will just hire Asian chefs to standardize their menu but Banana Leaf makes a big investment with their expat chef who makes sure that every visit at any branch will give that unique South East Asian dining experience.

Deep Fried Pomfret with Malayan Seafood Curry

            No wonder it has become a restaurant of choice among Asian expats and Pinoy travelers who have fallen in love with Asian food.  They have curved a niche in the market and is now the leading and perhaps still the only restaurant that offers traditional Asian food.    Banana Leaf has also managed to stay in the list of Philippine Tatler’s Philippines Best Restaurant from  2004-2011.

Penang Char Kway Teow

            The dining experience at Banana Leaf is a treat not just for the food but also for its interiors.  There are intricate wood designs that is uniquely Asian and of course literally eating on a Banana Leaf signals that this will be one great eating adventure.

Malayan Chicken Curry with Potatoes

Jelly-G Opened It's New Branch at Ali Mall

After featuring Jelly-G Thai Milk Tea previously. I was walking along Ali Mall while killing time for my next event when I saw a familiar set up of Jelly-G and the co-owner, Jolly happens to be around. Jolly explained to me then that the stall is just three days old and is trying out Cubao area.

Cubao is certainly a central district since this is where the train lines 2 and 3 intersects and one of the oldest leisure areas and Ali Mall is one of the oldest malls there before the bigger ones.The outlet is located at Ali Mall's lower ground level near the entrance facing SM Cubao. For updates, Follow Jelly-G at Twitter.

A MOUSST DELICIOUS DESSERT

Ever crave for a touch of decadence, without the hefty price tag? Chocolate mousse, that delectable selection of a divine confection, is now available at Goldilocks in single serve sizes for those who just want to indulge without breaking the bank.

Chocolate Mousse Single

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop brings you Chocolate Mousse Singles! Frothy and creamy layers of chocolate mousse and whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and two-tone mini chocolate chips.

Slide on down to the Goldilocks branch nearest you or call 888-1-999 for Go-Delivery today!

Jelly-G Grass Jelly Drink

Jelly-G in Glorietta 4

Who says that grass is only for the goats? Humans and goats are both mammals. It only differs how can we use grass and I don't mean Mary Jane. Food stall owners Jolly and Cynthia provide an alternative use of grass for drinks.

There are food stalls that offers milk teas that people didn't mind falling in long lines just to wait for their turn to order but only few who uses real ingredients than powdered flavors. Instead of pearl sago for milk teas, Jelly-G uses grass jelly.

Choco-Bravo Banana

Jelly-G Grass Jelly opened their first stall in Market! Market! After a year, Jelly-G adds more stall branches and I got the privilege to try out their different flavors. I got to try first the Thai Milk Tea, which is their bestselling drink. Followed by Carmelleto, Cheesy Mango, Jasmine Green Tea, and the Choco-Bravo Banana.

My verdict:Choco-Bravo Banana became my instant favorite. It's rare that you can taste the banana in a chocolate drink. Besides that Jelly-G uses real ingredients and grass jelly, they also use basil to add aroma. I never thought basil would be useful for drinks. Check out their branches at Market! Market! and at the Glorietta 4 Food Court. For more details, Follow Jelly G on Twitter .

Abé opens at Alabang Town Center

Food lovers in the south now have reason to rejoice with the recent opening of Abé at the Alabang Town Center. Instead of traveling into the heart of Metro Manila for their fix of Lamb Adobo, Knockout Knuckles and Abé’s Chicken Supreme, they can indulge in their favorite Filipino and Kapampangan dishes in a location much closer to their homes.

Abé opened its Alabang Town Center branch this year to much acclaim. Within days of its soft-opening, it was already experiencing capacity crowds. Its recent formal opening was graced by food lovers including Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro who cut the ribbon together with top LJC officials, LJC President Lorna Cruz-Ambas, LJC COO Eugene Billones and LJC VP and Treasurer Merle dele Pena, and Javier Hernandez, AVP of Ayala Land, Inc.

The opening also featured the music of the Celso Espejo Rondalla, one the country’s world class string ensembles.

Abé is the restaurant crafted by LJC Restaurant Group founder, the late Larry J Cruz, dedicated to the memory of his father E. Aguilar Cruz, a well-known writer, gourmet and bon vivant.

The restaurant serves traditional Filipino food, mostly of Kapampangan origin, and dishes inspired by Abé’s travels around the world. At Abé, food is prepared and served with a great deal of love, while its concept and design provide the ideal setting for friends and family who wish to dine comfortably and have a good time.

Abe at Alabang Town Center boasts three function rooms for private parties and group meetings. It also has a second-floor portico dining area.

Abé also has branches at Serendra, TriNoma Mall, and SM Mall of Asia.

Abé at Alabang Town Center is at the Lifestyle Strip, Corte de las Palmas Expansion. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For reservations and inquiries, call 623-0899 and 0917-5506033

Goldilocks Rainy Treats

RAINY SEASON SAVINGS WITH SARAPINOY!

The famous “tag-ulan” time of year is upon us, and with school starting and other expenses rolling in, don’t skimp out on the lighter, yummier side of life! Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, brings you more SaraPinoy set meals that are light on your wallet and big on satisfaction!

Avail of any of the set meals within your budget, from three juicy pieces of siomai and a generous scoop of rice to the Breaded Porkchop, Vegetable Kare-Kare  and rice combo, to the Golden Chicken, bowl of Batchoy soup, and the ever-present cup of hot steaming rice.

Even better, dine-in customers can avail of an unlimited rice promo and get fully sated and satisfied with SaraPinoy Meals, all for under one hundred pesos! Drop by the Goldilocks branch nearest you today, or call 888-1-999 Go-Delivery and savour the SaraPinoy!