Tokyo for Happy Palates (part 1)

Tokyo and its consolidated metropolitan area is home to almost 30 million people. It is the world's largest city in terms of population, and also is the world's richest. This city is just remarkable, beating with an energy and drive so palpable and restless. And the fennel bulbs definitely love this beautiful and dynamic city. 


With its position as one of the planet's most global of cities, the dining scene in Tokyo is one that a lot of other cities also look up to. The best of Japanese cuisine can be had in Tokyo, and some of Europe's best chefs have opened up restaurants in the city whipping up the best of international cuisine. 

The best of Japanese ramen in Tokyo is served in Ippudo. This restaurant chain has dozens of stores in Tokyo, and has achieved much renown for the savory broth and its noodles which are hand-pulled inside the restaurant's kitchens (separated by glass, one can just watch how the best ramen is spurned). Ippudo already has branches in New York and Singapore. 

The picture above is a bowl of luscious Akamaru Ramen (赤丸ラーメン). It literally means "red bowl ramen" and is tastier and the broth is denser than its white bowl counterpart. A rich mixture of possibly boiled pork and duck bones and miso characterize the soup. Light soy is added as a contrast to the light colour of the miso, and a rich paste of sesame adds a dimension of nuttiness to the dish. 

Accompanying the ramen are 10 pieces of Hakata-style dumplings, also known as gyoza. These gyozas are a bit smaller than the usual ones you'd find in normal Japanese restaurants, but the filling is just bursting with flavour. Together with the ramen, an unforgettable meal at Ippudo that would most likely fill the belly costs around Y1100, and not pricey at all. 

A popular Japanese food that has enamored people around the world and has become almost synonymously associated with Japanese cuisine is tempura. Affordable tempura with high quality ingredients can be had at Tenya (てにゃ). This restaurant chain has a lot of stores within the Tokyo Metropolitan area. 

On the picture above is a tempura rice bowl with the addition of lotus and moriatake mushrooms. One set comprises the bowl with a smaller bowl of miso soup. At Y680, it is reasonable enough. And the freshness of the ingredients just reveals itself within the deep-fried layers of batter which are crisp and delicious. 

(to be continued...)

Homely at Cafe Juanita

Many locals in Manila would prefer eating out in restaurants serving international cuisine, partly because a mindset has been formed that Filipino food can already be had at home, and there are too few restaurants with a concept that justifies the need for a dining scene serving Filipino cuisine. 

But one restaurant is definitely making a difference and the fennel bulbs would love to recommend the
place to anyone wishing to experience the dynamic flavours of Filipino food. Cafe Juanita is located at  
the corner of United Street and West Capitol Street in a quiet neighborhood in Pasig City's Kapitolyo 
district. 

The restaurant's interior is a rather eccentric trip back in time. A lot of antiquities adorn its walls, and a lot of interesting vintage accents add up to the place's overall quirkiness. These are memorabilia from the 1940's and the 1950's, from a time where cigarette packs were collected because their covers were too beautiful to be thrown away, and when magazine advertisements of products like Coca Cola were illustrated by artists. They simply had to be kept. 

The dish above is Cafe Juanita's version of Binagoongan (~Php385, Pork in Shrimp Paste Sauce). Crunchy bagnet (pork belly) was used. The bagoong (shrimp paste) has a sweet hint to it, resembling the flavour of hoisin sauce. The bagoong is not too salty to begin with. 

Next is the Laing (~Php270, pork and taro leaves stewed in coconut milk), which is a speciality from the Bicol region. Usually the dish is made with minced taro leaves (dahon ng gabi in Tagalog), and a considerable amount of pork fat is added to give the dish more zest. Also, chillies which are often used in dishes from the Bicol region, are added. Cafe Juanita's version is not very different, but the minced pork and taro leaves are wrapped in whole taro leaves, which is more aesthetically pleasing. This also seals the flavours inside the filling. 

Another inventive dish is the Ratatoy (~Php220), which is Cafe Juanita's comic take on the French dish, Ratatouille. The French version makes use of eggplants, courgettes, bell peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. This Filipinized version uses the same ingredients but makes use of local herbs like cilantro. The taste is reminiscent of Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) which is usually dressed in vinegar, fish sauce, tomatoes, and onions. 

Lastly is the heavenly Sansrival (~Php120 per slice). Sansrival is a rich multi-layered cake with nuts and creamy vanilla-based icing. This cake is quite popular among Filipinos because of its sweet, if not comforting, richness. This Sansrival in particular, is definitely sans rival.

If the fennel bulbs would be hosts to guests from a foreign land, they would definitely take them to Cafe Juanita for a memorable sampling of soulful Filipino food. 

Damp and Smug, London (part 3)

London is a wonderful place for shopping. It may be an expensive city, but great bargains and interesting, if not sometimes even bordering on the esoteric, finds can be had in one of its many markets. The most famous of these markets is the Camden Market, which is actually comprised of a multitude of adjoining markets, all in Camden Town. 

Goods range anywhere from vegetables and fruits to antiques in this market. Plus, there is never a lack of good restaurants offering very affordable food in the area, once one goes hungry from all the shopping.

This deliciously spicy lamb kebab is served over basmati rice. The fennel bulbs had this hearty meal from one of those small eating places in the market that serve food from a multitude of world cuisines.

Besides shopping, London also has a rich array of offerings for art-lovers. The world-famous Tate Modern housing contemporary and modern art is located on the banks of the Thames. A restaurant called the 'Tate', located on the 2nd level of the gallery, serves continental and English food.

In the picture above is a hearty hamburger sandwich made from Aberdeen Angus beef, topped with Caerphilly cheese (£11.75). The tomato is topped with aioli, and some Roskilly's farmhouse tomato relish is served on the side. 

Pan-seared fillet of salmon served over leeks with mussels in cider cream (£12). This is a very delicious dish with the flavours of the salmon complementing the strong aromaticness of the leeks. The mussels add another dimension to the very marine nature of the dish and the cider cream unites all the distinct trio of ingredients together. 

Finally, the flourless chocolate cake with mixed berry compote (£5.10) is as sinful as it seems.

Overall, the Tate at the Tate Modern is an absolutely recommendable place for dining in London. Plus, kids can get to eat free as long as the accompanying adult orders a main entree and a dessert from the a la carte menu. With superb views in a sophisticated location and reasonable prices, the Tate is an excellent restaurant indeed. 

Damp and Smug, London (part 2)

The fennel bulbs' gastronomic adventures in London continue - this time, in the rather opulent and artistically quirky neighborhood of Notting Hill. A famous Turkish restaurant can be found in the area, Fez Mangal, along Ladbroke Grove. 

A huge platter consisting of carved mutton that has been roasted on a vertical rotating spit, similar to the roasts used for making shawarma. This dish is known as doener in Turkish. It's served over rice, and has sidings of red lettuce, arugula, and chips. 

Another good thing about Fez Mangal is that they don't charge corkage if one brings his bottle of wine. Of course, red wine goes best with the doener. Prices at Fez Mangal are very reasonable, with an individual serving costing between £7 - £14. 

After a very substantial meal at Fez Mangal, it would be nice indeed to spend some time lounging whilst enjoying some liquor. Also in the neighborhood is the lovely bar, spirit and wine shop, Negozio Classica, located at the corner of Westbourne Grove and Portobello Road. The place is cozy, with a welcoming fireplace lit for the evening. The wine shop also has an extensive selection of Italian wines and spirits, as well as balsamic vinegar. 

To go with the wine is an opulent tray of cold cuts with slices of cheese, olives, and toasted bread on the side. 

(to be continued...)