Kai 6.0

"You love birds stay in love..."

Thanks to our fellow foodie and good friend Eric Dee, Jon and I were able to continue our anniversary celebrations... *still need to post our dinner from the day of* He set up a seafood-only dinner for us at Kai, mine and Jon's favorite Japanese restaurant here in Manila. He may know some people that know some people at Kai ;) Thank you Eric!

Watermelon Sake

Simple Japanese Salad w/ Tomato, Goat Cheese & Orange

Sashimi 5 Ways... and our sushi plate behind

My favorite Sea Bass dish

Jon's favorite Black Miso Cod dish

Lychee Sake (...did he think the watermelon wasn't enough?!)

Our favorite Banana Nutella Sushi Dessert

I get the Chocolate & Caramel // J gets the Strawberry & Vanilla

Mango Tree

"Sawasdee Kah."

Although I didn't hear anyone greet me quite like that, they mighty well could have. I went to dinner at the newly opened Mango Tree Bistro last night [Greenbelt 5], and to my surprise was very satisfied with the food. I heard it was a Thai restaurant, and I was just praying it wouldn't be "Filipino" Thai - where everything is sweetened up for our local taste buds. I didn't find that at all in Mango Tree; our dishes had just the right kick, spice, and flavor. I really hope they keep it that way! We attended a tasting dinner and got to sample some of the top dishes from the menu. I took a look at their menu and found other things that I want to go back and try, including some of their drinks as well. They are still in their soft opening stage, so give them a while to warm up in the kitchen. The ambience is not as traditional as the food, it's more of a modern atmosphere with mirrors, beaded window curtains and over-sized red and purple pillows lining the cushioned seats over at the back wall. Come to think about it, those were probably Thai silk pillows... Haha! Anyways, let's show some love and follow Mango Tree on Facebook & Twitter.

Tom Yum Goong [spicy sour soup w/ mushrooms, shrimps kaffir, lemongrass, fresh herbs] This was really spicy for me!

Thod Mun Goong [deep fried fresh shrimp cakes w/ sweet chili sauce]

Som Tum Thai [green papaya salad w/ dried shrimps, peanuts, tomato] Loved this salad, so refreshing.

Talay Prik Thai Dum [stir fried seafood w/ black pepper sauce]

Gai Ta Krai Yung [grilled lemongrass chicken w/ Thai dipping sauce] You *must* get this, I think this will be their star best seller.

Panang Nua [red curry w/ beef and kaffir lime leaves]

Bagoong Rice Don't get plain rice, get this!

Pad Thai Jay [stir fried rice noodles w/ bean sprouts, egg, tofu, peanuts chives] Vegetarian friendly; another dish I would order again.

Khao Niew Mamuang [fragrant sticky jasmine rice w/ coconut cream sauce and mango] My favorite Thai dessert!

Thanks, love.

CIBO

CIBO

Spinaci Zola

Pizza ai Funghi

Penne al Telefono

Kai

Easily one of my Top 5 restos in Manila. The food is amazing - for a fraction of what you would pay at the likes of Nobu/Katsuya/Matsuhisa! I think the head chef at Kai actually trained under Matsuhisa over in LA at one point. Smart move ;)

First dinner of 2010 - January 1

JOHN & YOKO

The couple well known for their love story and bed-ins is also known for... Sushi! In Manila, being able to eat Japanese/Sushi is a little lighter on the wallet than it is for me in LA/Malibu where it sometimes costs an arm and a leg. John and Yoko's is a regular place I get my raw fish fix at here in Manila; the restaurant is located at Green Belt 5. You stroll past and it's almost disguised as 'Club Orange Violet' with the neon lights and waitresses decked in all black; mini skirts, boots and all. Truth be told, there isn't so much authentic Japanese on the menu - you can definitely see they cater to Filipino taste - but it does the trick if you're feeling for a bit of Japanese at lunch time. I think what I order is the best on the menu, but that's just me ;) Jon and I just missed the lunch crowd last Monday when we arrived around 1 ish. Our little meal before flying off to Hong Kong for the day, check it out below.

Salmon Sashimi

Crunchy Tuna Roll

Agedashi Tofu

Green Chicken Karage

Gyudon

Birthday Luncheon @ MADISON

Good 'ol Southern comfort food took over the table at Teresa's birthday luncheon @ Madison earlier this afternoon. That's right, I'm in Manila folks! The Herrera clan was all present at lunch along with myself, Roxy from NY and a few of Ter's good friends in the Phils. Madison is situated on the ground floor of Green Belt 5 in Makati. Plates and plates of food kept on coming to the loud table in the back room... Teresa is buddy buddy with the chef at Madison (he's dope! and about to open a Mexican joint pretty soon, fietsa anyone?) so together they came up with a menu that covered the dirrty South pretty well from creole oysters to Mississippi mudpie! There was a blown-up B&W photo of New York City - I'm guessing Madison Ave? - hung up on one of the walls, so I'm assuming the restaurant was named after that... Yet the cuisine is from the South? Hm I dunno, I could have missed something...

Nevertheless, I'm going to post the birthday menu up so you can refer to that and match the food fotos accordingly. I'm told that the corn-flake crusted Southern fried chicken isn't normally on the menu, just to warn all y'all that might be looking for it when you get there. They are known for their mudpies, and I can definitely see why. The chocolate brownie textured filling is enough in itself let alone the chocolate shavings, whipped cream and pie crust. Mmm, cut me another piece please!