Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Asunaro Express at Pan Pacific Manila

See my previous post on Miyabi Express here.

We were unsure if our favorite go-to Japanese place in Pan Pacific Manila is still open but we decided to go anyway. From the street, we saw some decors adorning the small nook which was a sign that Miyabi Express was in fact, still in operation. After taking the car to the underground parking, we made our way to the ground level where the restaurants are located. It was only when we took our seats that we noticed that they actually changed the name to Asunaro Express.


The menu was pretty much the same from when they were still called Miyabi Express. And thankfully, so is the excellent quality and superb taste. No matter how many times we browse the hardbound menu, we always gravitate towards ordering the same things all the time!

Spicy Maguro - Php280.00

Uni Maki - Php180.00


Shimesaba Sashimi - Php280.00


Php450.00


I already lost count of the times we've been to Miyabi since I was first introduced to it some five years ago. And knowing that Asunaro Express serves the same quality and quantity, I don't think we'll be considering of going to other restaurants anytime soon for our Japanese food fix.

~o~o~o~

Asunaro Express
Pan Pacific Manila, Adriatico Square
M. Adriatico St. cor. Malvar St.
Malate, Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 536-0351 to 54

Monday, November 17, 2014

The World on my Plate at Dad's World Buffet


Dad's Ultimate Buffet including Saisaki and Kamayan, has been a household name even before Vikings, Yakimix or Buffet 101 came into the picture. With the vision of bringing different cuisines, unique menu and diverse cooking styles from all seven continents in one place, the first of its kind culinary dream called Dad's World Buffet was born.

Now, let me take you to a succulent tour around the world.

Appetizer - Salad, Cold Cuts, Pesto Tuna Bites, Beef Carpaccio, and Mussel Kirkpatrick



Japan (Saisaki) - Sushi, Sashimi, Makimono, Temaki, Tempura, Saisaki Steak, Robatayaki, Sukiyaki, Katsu and Furat, and other authentic Japanese specialties









China - Assorted Dim Sum, Salt and Chili Squid, Beef Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Sweet and Sour Pork, Pata Tim, Chicken Hot Salad, Steamed Fish Fillet with Oyster Sauce or Garlic and Onion, Fried Noodles with Seafood and Vegetable Toppings, and Yang Chow Fried Rice



Thailand - Poh Pia Tod (Shrimp Egg Wrap - Fried with Sweet and Sour Sauce), Yam Pla Duk Foo (Catfish Salad), Chicken Pandan (Fried Marinated Chicken Fillet Wrapped in Pandan Leaves), Fish Tod Lad Prik (Spicy Sweet Sour Fish Fillet), Seafood Massaman (Seafood Green Curry), Fish Cake (Thai Prawn Cake), Kaeng Karee Ki Haeng (Yellow Chicken Curry), Kang Keaw Wan Thalay (Assorted Seafood with Spicy Green Curry and Coconut Milk), Tom Yam Goong (Spicy and Sour Seafood Soup), and Kao Crook Kapi (Rice Stir-Fried with Shrimp Paste)


Singapore - Hainanese Chicken, Spicy Beef, and Cereal Shrimp

India - Vegetable Samosas, Lamb Kebab, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Masala Machchi 

Malaysia - Lamb Curry, Seekh Kebab, and Sambal Goreng Sotong

America (USA) - Beef Ribs in Honey, Beef with Mushroom Sauce, Salisbury Steak, Buffalo Wings, Cajun Fried Chicken, Texan Pork BBQ Ribs, Clam Chowder, Chicken Fingers, Turkey Tetrazinni, Oysters Rockefeller, Mixed Green Vegetables, and Clam Bake


Mexico - Beef Fajitas, Chicken Fajitas, Nachos, Tacos, Chicken Quesadillas, and Beef Burritos


Spain - Paella, Lengua, Callos, Chicken Pastel, Chicken Relleno, Gambas Al Ajello, Mushroom Ala Plancha, Chorizo Croquettas, Turkey Croquettas, Menudo SulepeƱa, Calamares, Onion Rings, Calamare con Potato Gratin, and Garlic Chicken in Olive oil


Carving Station - US Roast Beef, US Roast Turkey, New Zealand Roast Leg of Lamb, and Dad's Ham


Greece - Beef Souvlaki, Pork Souvlaki, Chicken Souvlaki, and Muossaka


Italy - Pasta, Fish Fillet in Salsa Verde, Lasagna, Mushroom Lasagna, and Baked Scallop Potato


Philippines (Kamayan) - Lechon de Leche, Crispy Pata, Kamayan Pritson, Kare Kare, Kamayan Soup, and other Kamayan regional specialities





Dessert - Fresh Fruits, Rice Cakes, Leche Flan, Halo-Halo, Cakes, Pastries, and Chocolates




Some of the dishes we tried

Oyster Rockefeller

Assortment of Sashimi

Saba (Mackarel)

Yakitori

I must admit that I was overwhelmed with the variety of dishes at Dad's World Buffet that I didn't know where to start! After making two rounds at the buffet spread, I finally picked up a plate and grabbed a few slices of Saba, Tuna, and Salmon Sashimi as my appetizer. Since Japanese is my favorite cuisine, I spent most of my time talking to the chef for his recommendations because I knew that I won't be able to taste everything in one night. His top picks include Sukiyaki and Yakitori, which I gladly devoured and finished to the last bite.

Sukiyaki

I love that the restaurant has lived up to its name with the wide selection of dishes that will satisfy whatever cuisine you fancy. The staff are also very attentive to their customers, checking if we needed refill with our drinks or if we wanted to try something else from the buffet.

My only, and probably the biggest concern is that the dishes on display were not kept warm during the duration of our dinner either because the air-conditioning was too cold or the food warmers are not efficient enough to keep the dishes at its best form and taste. Such was the case of Kamayan's Cebu Lechon which supposedly, has the crispiest skin there is available.

Lechon

Dad's World Buffet (including Saisaki and Kamayan)
Special promo price - Valid until further notice
  • Monday-Friday Lunch Php688
  • Monday-Friday Dinner price Php788 (reg. price Php888)
  • Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Lunch & Dinner price Php838 (reg. price Php888)

~o~o~o~

Dad's World Buffet
523 Merchant Bldg., Faura corner Adriatico Sts.
Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines 
Tel.: (632) 528-1723

Monday, November 10, 2014

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

After years of searching, I finally found THE ONE.

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant has been making the rounds on social media and food blogs since it opened last year, hailing it as one of the best places for Japanese food in the Metro. Dr. Boy Vasquez converted the house right beside Cafe Juanita, his equally successful Filipino restaurant, to serve only high quality sushi, teppanyaki, ramen, donburi and other Japanese favorites.




While waiting, you can roam around the restaurant and see interesting displays and souvenirs.





Reservation is necessary because the place is always full of patrons. It was just a spur of the moment decision to dine in Haru that evening but we were lucky that some of the seats by the sushi bar are still available. Parking is also very limited so I suggest coming in early.


What we ordered

We were surprised how fast our orders arrived because we're quite used to waiting 15 minutes on average after taking our orders. But in Haru, it just took a little over five minutes!

Shirashi Sushi - Php538.00

Served with a bowl of piping hot Miso Soup, Haru's version of Shirashi Sushi had the freshest and top grade slices of Salmon, Tuna, Mackarel, Uni, Tamago, Ebi and Lapu-Lapu. If you're undecided on which sashimi to order, why not get them all right?


Dynamite Roll - Php259.00

Be prepared to be blown away with Haru's Dynamite Roll. This no-nonsense roll of Spicy Tuna, Salmon and Japanese Cucumber will make your taste buds numb but heighten your senses for more delicious things to come. If you have low tolerance for spicy food, better skip this one.

Uni Donburi - Php270.00

I've never had so much Uni in my entire life until Haru's Uni Donburi. Even before when Banzai still offered the unlimited Uni on weekdays, I usually have 2 to 3 servings per visit only. At first glance, I thought the chef has mastered the art of disguise with the sea of uni covering the rice beneath it. But after scooping a portion with my chopsticks, we were surprised that it was not a trick at all. The fresh Uni was about half an inch thick, no kidding!


Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant is definitely a Japanese food lover's dream place. If only I could eat here everyday, then I would be the happiest and luckiest girl on the planet!

~o~o~o~

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant
21 West Capitol Drive
Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines 
Tel.: (632) 631-0597
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