Shawarma center in Ermita

My colleague at work Chris told me that he found an authentic Mideastern foodie place and it is in the heart of Ermita Manila.I can tell that it is authenthic, many Mideastern foreigners come to dine here.

There are actually two Shawarma snack center, both are located in the same street.Wondering why there are two? One is for whose budget can afford a more expensive meal and the other one is for the budget conscious consumer. So might try the budget friendly SSC. I asked the waitress and asked the difference between the two SSC, she said that the expensive one has bigger servings and the place is more elegant but the food choices is just the same. So I ordered shawarma, you can have choices in terms of serving size, they do have a promo of buying 3 medium sized shawarma for just Php 150.00. And a big serving cost Php 75.00 each.

I ordered the beef shawarma, moutabel (spicy Lebanese dip made from eggplant) , kubus, tea and a budget meal lamb keema

I liked the keema best, really spicy and complemented by a soup with curry.

I enjoyed this meal, not bad for it's price. Try checking this out when in Manila.

Price - 7/10

Taste - 7/10

Authenticity 10/10

Persian king kebab in T. Morato

I was visiting a friend who works at E. Rod ave. and It's lunchtime, we decided to go out for lunch. We went straight to Persian king Kebab T. Morato cor. E Rod.

Last time I went here was 5 years ago. I've been dinning in quite a few Mideastern restaurant and compare the experience.

There are few tables with customers eating and as we we're seated I tried calling the staffs attention to hand in the menu list.  We waited for almost 15 min before one of the staff to noticed that no one is assisting us, and called up one of the waiters to attend to us. Unlike other restaurant upon entering , you will be walked to your table. I've decided to order grilled lamb chop and basmati rice for me and my friend and and a plate of humos with kubus ( pita bread).

Grilled Lamb chop is OK, considering it' relatively cheap. As always it complemented the hot sauce and garlic sauce. overall I give it a 6/10 score. Not as good compared to other Mediterranean joint I've been in to. It is open 24/7, and prices are affordable.

Marilaque highway... Jariels Peak, Mang Vics Bulalo

I got this new Yamaha FZ 16, and I wanted to break it in. So I tried going to Marilaque highway , A back door to  Real and Infanta Quezon. My journey starts from Cogeo and going to Boso Boso, Ascending the Sierra Madre mountain ranges.

I started early, left the house around 5 am, and ascended Boso Boso, The sun starting to rise and it is a foggy morning that greeted me.

this highway has limited access to public transport  making it a  favorite route of motorcycle riders and mountain bikers.

There are many resorts along the highway

A very scenic ride, very cool breeze and nice road condition. Making it a weekly destination for a road trip. Along the way up to Infanta, a favorite stopover for bikers is Jariel's peak. A simple restaurant that serve exotic foods, and I must give it a try.

A favorite stopover for bikers

Some of the menu, I must admit it is a bit expensive.

I asked the guy at the counter on what to recommend, since this is my first time being here. Said that I must try the sizzling giant mountain snails and also not to miss the frog adobo

Sizzling mountain snails

Frog adobo

I really like the sizzling snails, the frog tastes like chicken. I enjoyed this meal, it is not everyday that I get the chance to try out this kind of dish.

And I get to play with the monkey

From Jariel's peak, went a little further up and took some more pictures before heading down.

It is almost lunch time and passing down somewhere in Antipolo, I saw many parked bikers and I found another stopover that I must check out. It is Mang Vic's bulalo, I've heard that it is the original bulalo joint in this area.

Mang Vic's bulalo has no vegetable in its serving, just plain meaty goodness. A serving cost 80 pesos.
If you are planning to go to Marilaque, just take Marcos highway and it is all straight up there. And don't miss the foodie stopovers

Ma Mon Luk, A legend in mami and siopao...

I was cruising along Quezon ave. when I felt hungry, haven't eaten the whole day. And Ma Mon Luk caught my attention. It's been some 20 plus years since I last eaten here. I still remember as a child when talking about siopao and mami, Ma Mon Luk tops the list.

Credits to visit pinas.com

It is like a visit to the past, Old newspaper clippings hanging on the wall, old tables, old ceiling fan, Pictures of celebrities during the early 80's and 90's.

I got myself a large bowl of beef mami and special siopao. And the broth taste like stale bread mixed with herbs, not appetizing huh? Well I learned that you have to put siopao sauce to improve the taste and lots of hot sauce.

Then after mixing in the condiments  it becomes a spicy and delicious broth,

via raindeocampo.wordpress.com

The price is a bit expensive for a mami, but to dine here recreates the experience our parents and grand parents once enjoyed.


Experience - 7/10
Taste -  7/10
Price - 6/10


Will be coming back again....

Zark's Burger...

I was really craving for a burger that day, and a friend recommended to try out Zark's burger. So after work, me and my friend went there. We went to Zark's taft, fronting lasalle.

We arrived there very early at around 10:30 am, Zark's opens up at 11:00 am and there are many customers waiting for it to open. The place is your typical college hang out, hanging on its walls are basketball jerseys.

Since this is my first time here,I let my friend choose for me, I ended up having the jawbreaker, 3 beef patties, topped with melted cheese and slices of spam and bacon strips. My friend said that Zark's offer challenges like Man vs. food style. He said if I can finish it within 5 min or less, I can have it for free. This burger is  gigantic, no way I can eat it that fast. I think I'll pass this one.

Price is reasonable and the service is good. 

Taste - 8/10

Experience - 7/10

Service - 8/10

Will definitely be going back. I'll be trying out the tombstone!