Goodfellas Steaks and Burgers : The Mafia's Secret Hide-out in Quezon City

Goodfellas Steaks & Burgers having the masculine vibe with the  decors, including photos from the Mafia Movies (some from The Godfather), makes us feel that we are at a Mafia's Hideout. Actually, it was more of a Mafia's Secret Hideout because of the location of the restaurant near the residential area where nobody would be expecting such a restaurant existed.

The restaurant is located at No.56 T. Gener corner K-1st Street, Kamuning, Quezon City.


I was able to try Goodfellas Steaks and Burgers because of a food tasting event my brother (also a blogger) had organized. Prior to the event, I had the opportunity to view some photos of the food on their Facebook page. The photos actually made me more thrilled to try the food and definitely elevated my expectations... 

Did Goodfellas met my expectations? Definitely, Yes! 

THE FOOD

The Pesto would be my favorite of the night because Goodfellas captured the taste I want in my favorite pasta dish. The pesto sauce was a sure winner because it has more basil in it and was actually very creamy.

The Pat and Geno's Sandwich (Php 220 "Solo") look like Shawarma in a bun, but definitely tastes better. The sweet bits of beef compliments really well with the flavor of cheese and the taste of  a slightly toasted bun.

The Margherita Burger (Php 220 "Solo") was a firecracker for me. The combination of cheese and pesto sauce was surprisingly an explosion of flavors in my mouth.

The Angus Salpicao - "Carlitos Gang" (Php 375) was way different from any Salpicao I have ever tasted. The use of Angus Beef definitely played a role in making this dish a whole lot better. Each bite was very tender and sweet because the sauce penetrated deep within the meat.

The Porterhouse Steak - "Big Al" was very mouth-watering when it was served on the table. Goodfellas, specializing in steaks, definitely captured what steak-lovers would want for their steaks. The meat perfectly cooked medium was really savory in every bite.

THE DRINKS

It's a good thing that Goodfellas also have wines available in their menu. Steaks are always perfectly paired with wine. Goodfellas also serves Raspberry Iced Tea (Php 55) which was sweet and very refreshing.


The women in our group were full after all the dishes were served, but unfortunately I was still craving for more. I just can't have enough of the steaks and burgers by Goodfellas.



Like Goodfellas Steaks and Burgers on their Facebook Page!

St. Louie's Park Cafe : A London Inspired Cafe in Quezon City Serving Tasty Sandwiches, Pastas and Pastries

St. Louie's Park Cafe is a London inspired cafe in Quezon City that serves tasty sandwiches, pastas and pastries. St. Louie's Park also has a catering service and kiosks located in World Trade Center and Mercato Exhibits.

Located at the top of the church center of "Jesus Christ : to God be the glory" in 170 Calamba St. corner Don Pepe St., Quezon City, this cafe is a secret haven for church members, their friends, and residents who live near the area.


A Brief History of St. Louie's Park

St. Louie's Park (SLP)was conceptualized by businesswoman sisters Leslie and Weily in the first quarter of 2009, but decided to embrace the "course that life takes" and went their separate ways. Leslie went to London while Weily pursued her passion for food and made a career out of it after finishing her culinary course. The siblings were then reunited in the Philippines upon their father's request. A dream evolved in putting up a cafe with the ambiance and culture of London cafe's when there was a religious project of putting up a Church Center. With the siblings' joint passion, sentiments and expertise, their dream became a reality on January 12, 2011.

THE BESTSELLERS

The Manna (Php 70) is considered to be a favorite among the sandwiches. No doubt, almost everyone liked it because of its livery taste and the complimenting saltiness of the salted egg.
 
The SLP Pasta (Php 120) is the one to order among the pastas because it is their signature Euro-Asian pasta dish and also a favorite among the patrons. The main reason this pasta dish became a favorite because it is only served in their cafe.

MORE FOOD


The SLP French Toast (Php 120) is a complete meal already. It looks thin, but actually it is very loaded with slices of ham and cheese.


The Red Sea (Php 120) was named after the iconic body of water mentioned in the Bible from the Book of Moses. It looks spaghetti-ish with the red sauce, but actually it is a different pasta dish that is bursting with flavors.

The Tuna Pesto (Php 120) could have been better (for my preference) with more pesto sauce in it, but all-in-all it was a good dish.

The Fish and Chips (Php 120) was way different from what I have tasted before. The sweet sauce have given the fish a more enjoyable taste.


The Quiche (Php 65) was a delightful surprise to me. The thin flaky pastry puff perfectly conceals the soft tasty center.

CAKES FOR DESSERTS

The cakes from St. Louie's Park Cafe are specially made and provided by a pastry chef who happens to be a member of the church.


The Blueberry Cheesecake (Php 80) was as perfect as I imagined it to be, but it could have been better if there were more blueberries on top (just my preference). Nonetheless, the tangy taste of the blueberry and the cream cheese perfectly balanced the sweetness of the cake.


The Chocolate Cake (Php 65) was really good (brings back good memories), and to be honest, it wasn't until today that I have tasted a chocolate cake this good (again) ever since our family migrated here in Quezon City.

ANOTHER DESSERT


The Bico and Gomorrah (Php 70) definitely caught my attention with its plating. The "bico" was not too sweet which was really good, and it compliments really well with the "vanilla ice cream" and "chocolate syrup".

THE DRINKS

On the left side, The Berry Passion (left) and the Cookies and Cream (right), both worth Php 100 only, are the ones to order if you want to chill out in the cafe after a busy day at work or in school. There are also a variety of other drinks that you can order with all the delectable dishes in the menu. Definitely, you will find one for your liking. A cup of brewed coffee is also available, either mild or strong, to help you get that dose of caffeine to do that extra work after school or office.


Behind the success and increasing popularity of SLP, it is a non-profit organization where proceeds are used to finance the Church's outreach projects in improving and saving lives through Project G-CCOTE.



Like St. Louie's Park on their Facebook Page!

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue : Now Grilling in the Philippines!

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is now grilling with its first branch in the Philippines at the Bonifacio Global City.

As a Japanese Barbecue Restaurant having hundreds of branches across 8 countries, it is about time that Gyu-Kaku steps on Philippine grounds. Filipinos have already embraced the concept of "yakiniku", that's why they already have an existing market here, but what makes it stand-out from other yakiniku restaurants is the use of charcoal in their grill which is actually something us Filipinos can relate very well.


THE GYU-KAKU JAPANESE BBQ RESTAURANT

Originating from Japan, the restaurant was created by the REINS International, Inc. which was originally established as Kokudo Shinpan Co., Ltd., a real estate business started in 1987. Entering the restaurant business in 1996 their first restaurant was called "Shichirin" which  eventually became as Gyu-Kaku in 1997 when the Gyu-Kaku system of restaurant operating techniques and methods were developed by Rex Holdings Japan, one of the largest restaurant operators in Japan. From then on, Gyu-Kaku sprouted hundreds of branches all over Japan. Eventually, Gyu-Kaku penetrated the world market with their first branch outside of Japan way back 2001 in the USA.

The name of the restaurant was taken from the Japanese word "Gyu-Kaku" which literally means "Horns of the Bull" to symbolize the restaurant's specialty in grilled meat dishes.

As a restaurant created by REINS International, Inc., the restaurant should follow the "Kando Sonzo" philosophy which means to exceed expectations and create memorable experiences. The World Group of Restaurants, a sister company of Bistro Group of Restaurants, acquired the franchise from Reins International Pte. Ltd. based in Singapore which handles the franchising of Gyu-Kaku outside Japan. As expected Gyu-Kaku here will follow the Kando Sonzo philosophy to maintain the standard of the restaurant.

THE GYU-KAKU VIP NIGHT

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant had a VIP Night last April 4, 2013 (Thursday). As one of the guests, I had the privilege to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, the japanese traditional ceremony Kagami-biraki (Sake Barrel Ceremony), the restaurant blessing, and the throwing of the coins for good wealth.


Ribbon Cutting marks the official opening of the restaurant. The Grand Opening of the restaurant was set the next day April 5, 2013 (Friday). The Media Night was held the day before.


Officials had the privilege to perform the Kagami-biraki and had a toast of sake to celebrate the event.

Kagami-biraki which literally means "opening the lid" comes from the Japanese words Kagami which refers to "the lid" and biraki which means "to open".  This ceremony is believed to be the opening of harmony and good fortune since the round shape of the lid is a representation of harmony. Furthermore, Kagami-biraki is a ceremony performed in celebratory events in which a wooden mallet is used to break the lid of the sake barrel and the sake is shared amongst everyone.


A Blessing was conducted by the priest to pray for the blessing of our God Almighty to bless the restaurant with success.


Coins were thrown going into the restaurant from the entrance to invite good wealth and keep money flowing into the restaurant.

THE GYU-KAKU EXPERIENCE

Gyu-Kaku, though known to be a Japanese Barbecue Restaurant, actually offers several dishes which are Korean. The addition of Korean Food in their menu actually increases its appeal to many people.

BEFORE THE PROGRAM


While waiting for the program to start, Gyu-Kaku served us with Crispy Pork Belly. I was able to notice that the guests also enjoyed it as much as I did.


Gyu-Kaku also served the guests with Gyoza. The sweetness of the pork complimented really well with the dip.

AFTER THE PROGRAM


Kimchi had frequent our dining at home lately, that's why I was thrilled that Gyu-Kaku also offers it on their menu. The spiciness of their Kimchi was somehow balanced by the bits of sweetness from the Sesame Seeds. 



Spicy Pickled Cucumber have my appetite really going with the my favorite combination of spicy and sour taste.



I forgot what this salad was called, but I am very sure that it is not the famous Horenso Salad (Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing) which is a favorite in their branches. Nonetheless, this salad was rather simple (on how it looks), but it was certainly very appetizing because of the sesame dressing and garlic with the lettuce.



Assorted Meat Platter is a plate full of assorted raw meat. Customers will really be able to see how fresh the meats were and have an option on what meat they want to cook for preference.



As part of the Gyu-Kaku experience, you'll become the chef yourself by determining  on how cooked your meat will be. 


Garlic Prawn Foil Grill is another way to enjoy your favorite seafood on a grill. An ordinary prawn would be very easy to cook on a grill, but Gyu-Kaku wants the customers to experience it with more flavor by enclosing it on a foil with some garlic sauce, and then can be placed on the grill for several minutes to cook.



Assorted Mushroom. Unlike the Shabu-shabu where you can cook the mushroom on a griddle. Gyu-Kaku had its way of cooking mushroom by enclosing the mushroom along with the seasoning in an aluminum foil and placed over the grill for several minutes.



Milk Pudding was served first for our dessert. I like how the syrup was made out of Muscovado. The syrup along with the Soya Powder compliments well with the milk pudding.



Assorted Ice Cream were served for dessert. The four different flavors offer a different experience on your palate. Among the four my favorite one would have to be the second from the left because of its tangy citrus flavor.



A platter full of fresh fruit slices were served. Fruits play a big role in nutrition, that's why I was glad it is in their menu. A bite from each fruit will convince you that they are only using high quality fruits. You may find some of the fruits not that sweet, but personally I like mine that way, especially the apples which I prefer to have a tangy taste.


A variety of drinks can be ordered from their menu. I felt it was more appropriate for me to order their Sapporo Premium beer and the Sake which compliments well with the meat. 

Some of the other drinks that were also in the menu were Oolong Tea, a variety of different Sodas and a glass of either red or white wine.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue Restaurant is really something I can recommend to my friends and readers whenever they pass-by the Bonifacio Global City.



Like Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant on their Facebook Page!

[ Filipino Food ] Chicken Recipe : Sinampalukang Manok "Chicken in Tamarind Broth"

Sinigang is a comfort Filipino food that has probably become one of the favorites of every Filipino. This dish has a sour soup base making it, without a doubt, a favorite given that most Filipinos love sour foods.

In fact, in almost every part of the Philippines, there has to be a different version of sinigang which is mostly influenced by the availability of ingredients.

Today, we will be learning my own version of one of the more popular variations of sinigang here in Luzon -  Sinampalukang Manok.
THE INGREDIENTS

1/2 kilo Chicken (manok)
1 1/2 Cup Tamarind Leaves (dahon ng sampalok)
1-2 small bundle of String Beans (sitaw)
1 small Ginger (luya)
1 medium-sized Onion (sibuyas)
4 big cloves of Garlic (bawang)
2 medium-sized ripe Tomatoes (kamatis)
3-5 Green Chili
1-3 Chili (siling labuyo) - optional
1 Knorr Chicken Cube
1 Knorr Sinigang Mix

THE PROCESS

A. Preparation of Ingredients

1. chicken - cut into small pieces (1/2 kilo = 8 - 10 pieces)
2. tamarind leaves - remove from stalks (if hard)
3. string beans - cut into 3-inch small pieces
4. garlic - mince or chop into small pieces
5. onion - cut into quarters
6. green chili - cut into one-half cross-wise
7. ginger - chop into small pieces
8. tomato - cut into quarters

B. Cooking

1. boil chicken to clean and minimize cholesterol
2. place pot on medium heat
3. saute garlic, ginger, onion and tomatoes
4. add the chicken and season it with salt
5. saute chicken with chicken cube
6. if chicken is nearly cooked, add water, then allow to boil
7. add knorr sinigang mix, tamarind leaves, string beans

C. Serving Suggestions

The whole recipe can serve 4-5 people. One big bowl of serving with 4-5 chicken slices is good for 2-3 people. Best served with steam rice.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS 

Alternatives for an all natural cooking 

1. chicken cube - create broth from boiling chicken bones
2. sinigang mix - add tamarind fruit or add more leaves
3. chicken - use native/black/free-range chicken

Alternatives for an alternate version

1. sinigang na may gabi mix -  thicker soup consistency
2. native chicken - different chicken flavor and texture

THE COST 

This dish is actually not expensive to prepare. The total budget for the whole recipe ranges between Php 100 - 120.

What's the difference between VEGAN and VEGETARIAN?

This week most of our food features will be about restaurants serving vegetable dishes, and I think that it will be just appropriate for us to enlighten our readers that...

"not all vegetarians are vegan"
(some people use these terms interchangeably)

VEGETARIAN prefers vegetables (and anything produced by plants) over meat (or any product coming from or produced by animals).

TYPES OF VEGETARIAN

1. Lacto-Vegetarian includes dairy products in the diet.

2. Ovo-Vegetarian has eggs in diet.

3. Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian is a diet that combines the first two. Diet includes animal/dairy products.

4. Vegan only eats vegetables and other plant by-products because veganism believes that man should live without exploiting animals. 

Dietary Vegan only applies the philosophy in the diet. On the other hand, Ethical Vegan extends the philosophy in the whole lifestyle.

Raw Vegan is a variation of vegan which prefer to eat raw plant products or (in some case) can be cooked up to a specific temperature.

5. Fruitarian is also considered vegan, but the only difference is they only eat plant matter that can be harvested from the plant (such as fruit, nuts, and seeds) without harming or killing the plant. 

Note: Vegetarians need supplements to get other essential nutrients that are not available in vegetables.

Actually there are more variations to a vegetarian lifestyle, but I will be leaving it up to your curiosity to learn more about it.

NamNam: Giving Comfort to Every Filipino

"The family that eats together stays together."

A family dinner would have to be the most important meal for a Filipino family. It is an avenue for each to share their own experiences. Sharing is an activity that can strengthen relationships.

Dinner would have to be the cheapest, but is definitely the ultimate bonding experience any family can have. May it be inside your home or at a new restaurant that can guarantee you a new dining experience that you can share with your family, or even friends.

In planning that next family dinner, I would recommend (with conviction) that you try one of the newest restaurants in Greenbelt 2. Namnam: Comfort Filipino is a restaurant that serves comfort filipino food that your family will surely love.

DINNER AT NAMNAM WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Sisig, without a doubt, is one of my favorite filipino dishes. I would have personally preferred this dish to be spicier, but I think people in general will really love the sisig from Namnam. Every piece was absolutely crunchy and flavorful.

Who says Salad is not a filipino food? The "Ensaladang Pako" of Namnam is a regular Arugula Salad infused with Salted Egg and Tomatoes (Filipino version of salad) to make this dish 100% Filipino.
 
Bangus Belly alone is a very delicious dish, but Namnam made it even better with their "Overloaded Bangus Belly" by overloading it with fried garlic and spring onion toppings to give your regular bangus belly a different kick and burst of flavors.


"University Fried Rice" is Namnam's version of an all time favorite filipino breakfast Sinangag at Itlog.  This dish is most appropriate for breakfast,, but to be honest I enjoyed this dish even better for dinner in Namnam.

"Caramelized Patis Wings" is Namnam's version of Chicken Wings. This dish brings you to an  experience on a whole new level. I can't see this dish having some leftover meat after chowing down every bit of it. It's sweet flavor with hints of spiciness and saltiness goes deep in the chicken meat. I must say this dish really lives up to the saying "Sarap to the bones".


"Sinigang Short Rib Beef with Watermelon" is included in Namnam's Twists Menu (apparently because of the watermelon). Other than loving everything spicy, I also love food which are sour, and among the long list is Sinigang. This dish did not really meet my standards in the sour department (don't worry I'm always on the extreme side of things), but I must admit the soup gave me a comforting feeling and the beef was really tender.

Namnam's Pancit is on the saltier side, but I personally would want it that way. Its saltiness will really compliment well with the vinegar that they have. The egg on top was an interesting addition to this dish.

Aside from the food, I really love their options of shakes. Their shakes are a combination of 2 or more flavors. I ordered the color green one. You might be expecting this to be green mango, but actually its a combination of Camias and Lemongrass. The combination may sound weird, but this drink is actually very refreshing.




NAMNAM: COMFORT FILIPINO
1228 Greenbelt 2, Makati, Philippines
Operation Hours: Monday-Sunday (11AM-11PM)

Visit them on their Facebook Page!