Sunday Treats No. 59

Donar (Lamb Kebab) - Hkd79.00

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Ebeneezer's Kebabs & Pizzeria
Shop A, G/F Winfield Commercial Bldg.
6-8 A Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon, Hongkong

Naughty and Nice at Ebeneezers BGC

No, its not THE Ebeneezer's Kebabs and Pizzeria in Hongkong.

I thought I hit the jackpot upon seeing the signage from across the road so I dragged CS in an instant for us to finally try the famous Ebeneezer's Kebabs from Hongkong. I excitedly asked the lady at the counter about it but she politely corrected me that it was not a franchise, just the same name. But what kept us from racing out of the door is her claim that it was established by the same person who conceptualized the famous Hongkong brand so we thought it was worth the try.

Ebeneezers sits on the building beside Shangri-La at The Fort and has 2 floors, the kitchen + salad bar + counter with several tables and chairs on the first while the second level is the bar also known as the Naughty Room, or if you're early, it can also serve as the dining area.

I was grumpy the whole time we were in Ebeneezers because there were naughty mosquitoes everywhere! Not even Deadpool being shown on the television by the bar could cheer me up.

What we ordered

Ebeneezer's Green Mind (Large) - Php275.00

The road to a healthy lifestyle always starts with a bowl of salad. Ebeneezers' Green Mind was a combination of assorted vegetables in special sauce. I was utterly disappointed that the colorful mix did not equate to an interesting stir of flavors because it was the weirdest combination I have ever tasted - just a step closer to being inedible! If you must, don't make the same mistake of letting them put all the ingredients and just request for the basic ones that you will like.

Organic Chicken Marinated in Yogurt Shawarma - Php198.00

Marinated and grilled with love, all shawarmas are wrapped in Ebeneezers' homemade pita breads. While the salad's mixed up flavor kookoo upset my palate, the shawarmas we tried were all party party in the tummy! Both our orders were reasonably priced, savory and delectable.

My Breakfast Shawarma was a complete meal on its own with tender Angus beef tapa, garlic rice and scrambled egg while CS' Organic Chicken Shawarma was a delicious wrap featuring generous strips of delicious chicken marinate in yogurt and turmeric.

Breakfast Shawarma - Php198.00

When in Ebeneezers, just remember to stick to the sharawmas and you'll be fine.

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Ebeneezers

G/F Net Quad Building

4th Street corner 30th Street

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 865-6657

Sunday Treats No. 54

Sabich (Eggplant) - Php185.00

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Beni's Falafel

G/F South Wing, Mall of Asia
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 834-9069

Treasures from Persia Grill

Something different is what we both agreed on. So one cozy night, instead of our usual Japanese food fix, we went to Persia Grill to refrain from going to the usual dinner suspects. Upon entering, the wait staff courteously ushered us to this lovely and aptly designed nook with curtains and beautiful little details that will take you back to the the region of the world's earliest civilizations.

Persia Grill's menu are actual recipes from the owner's grandmother who's family is apparently is from Iran. So if you're looking for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, you've come to the right place. 

What wo ordered

Creamy Yogurt Shake - Php85.00

Gormeh Sabzi - Php255.00

Out of curiosity, CS ordered Gormeh Sabzi, said to be Iran's National Dish, which consists of beef, herbs and vegetables with pickled gherkins, a veggie related to cucumber. I had a spoonful of it and the taste was too much for me, the herb taste was overwhelming.

Chelo Kebab Kubideh - Php275.00

I was too hungry and was not up for surprises that night to I ordered my staple order in Mister Kebab -- Beef Chelo Kebab. Boring I know since Persia Grill offers a wide variety of Middle Eastern food off the menu. But if you've come for delicious and food that tastes familiar, you'll never go wrong with skewers of grilled ground beef with Basmati rice. Just pour the hot and/or yogurt garlic sauce, I like mine more on the spicy side, and you're in for a treat!

This never fails!

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Persia Grill
Bluebaywalk, EDSA cor. Macapagal Avenue
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 843-4771

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 Sulepeña, 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)

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Dad's World Buffet
523 Merchant Bldg., Faura corner Adriatico Sts.
Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines 

Tel.: (632) 528-1723

Sunday Treats No. 13

Beef Chelo Kabab - Php140.00

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Mister Kabab

Blue Wave Macapagal, Macapagal Blvd.

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 822-7825

Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok TH

Are you a bargain hunter like me? Then this post is perfect for you.

Dubbed as the world's biggest weekend market, Chatuchak covers an approximate land area of 35 acres with 15, 000 stalls that sells anything and everything you could possibly think of. From clothes to handicrafts, household items and live animals, you'll just have to know the section number (there's a total of 27 sections in all) and you'll find rows of stalls selling the same item you're looking for. So if the seller does not want to give you a discount, just walk over to the next stall and bargain until you get the price that you want.

Since we only had a few hours to spare in Chatuchak Market, we researched in advance which section sells clothes and shoes, preferably local brands. Good thing the cab driver dropped us exactly where we wanted to spend our Thai Baht shopping money -- Section 4!

Pardon for the lack of photos since we all went gaga over the racks of shoes, clothes and leather items at bargain prices! Dresses, blouses and shorts range from as low as Thb100 (Php150) to Thb250 (Php375) while shoes and genuine leather sandals are priced not more than Thb600 (Php900). It was really a shoppers haven!

Since we wanted to try authentic Thai food, we chose to dine in one of the eateries inside Chatuchak Market. Don't worry if they don't speak English because you'll just have to point which one you like, grab a seat then your food will be delivered to your table in no time.

Extra Spicy Mussels with Rice at Thb40 (Php60)

After three hours of going around and spending what was left of my money (I overspent my shopping budget as usual), I went out to the food stalls to try the street food I've read were not to be missed out when in Bangkok.

Banana dipped in Chocolate and other toppings

All kinds of Satay

Coconut Ice Cream

We found a lot of tourists and locals gathered around the Coconut Ice Cream stall which could only mean one thing -- its a must try! Made from coconut milk with corn kernels as toppings, this will definitely satisfy your sweet cravings. It's creamy, its refreshing, its delicious -- no wonder my friends had two servings of it in a span of one hour while I was busy scouring every corner of Section 4 looking for great finds.

Fries and Rice Toppings

Fresh Fruit Shake

Peaches

More Fries, Hotdogs and Shrimp Balls

Bacon with Golden Mushroom at Thb20 (Php30) per stick

Thai Iced Coffee

Looking for a place to sit down brought us to this gem of a place along the main road of Chatuchak Market. The Chicken Shawarma I ordered was really good and definitely worth every calories!

Chicken Shawarma - Thb60 (Php90)

A total of four hours in Chatuchak Market was a great welcome treat for thrift-shoppers like us. On the other hand, I had no money left for food and tours around the city and this is just our first day!

"Namamalimos po!"