by Lori Baltazar
Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to be adventurous.
Note: M.I.Y.O. Monday stands for Make It Your Own Monday, a question thrown out to DCF readers every Monday to jumpstart the week with lively interaction. I also welcome questions and suggestions for future MIYO Mondays. Email me.
It’s practically part of my job description to be audacious when it comes to food: boring and routine, stick-to-the-same-six-restaurants eater? Not I! But sometimes, whether it be the effect of a bad day, a bad mood, or a bad whatever, I seek solace in sustenance and it damn well better hit the spot.
For times like this, I head to Old Swiss Inn. I eat the same things here that I’ve been eating since a college friend introduced me to the place. There’s the cheese fondue of course, and the raclette dish, nuttily piquant, that comes with baby potatoes and gherkins. Oddly enough, the Spaghetti Bolognese here is one of the best in Manila – hearty with lots of ground beef and dare I say, a splash of red wine? It also goes without saying that the chocolate fondue is a required item of consumption when dining here. Really, how can you not?
But what I really come to Old Swiss Inn for is the Baked Pork Knuckle. It’s a dish that speaks to the hardcore pleasure-seeker in me for all things porcine, coming in only second to my love for steak. Pork knuckle doesn’t make a pretty plate. With two bones protruding at almost oblique angles, it’s an oddball of fat and meat and tendon. Anatomically identifiable and unrepentantly fatty, it’s both crisp and chewy, a process owing to it having been brined, boiled, then baked. My dad, who bequeathed his love for pork knuckle to me, likes to cut through the fat and meat with his utensils and when those prove useless, he picks up the knuckle and alternately gnaws and nibbles on sections of meat and crackling. Spoonfuls of sauerkraut cut the grease and keep cloy at bay.
On the days when I feel a need to retreat from the world, Old Swiss Inn is where I go. When he’s free, my dad comes along too and I treat him to a dish of Baked Pork Knuckle; we have one each and for dessert, we share a pot of the Toblerone Fondue which he always lets me have the lion’s share of.
Tell me, where do you go for a guaranteed great meal and what do you eat there?
Related Posts:
My visit to Switzerland
this is hard! i have answers that fit all price ranges. i guess it’d have to be Mamou though. i could eat their steak and truffle pasta for the rest of my life.
Cyma, pancake house, kimpura 🙂
The blueberry pancakes with the country sausages, a side of tacos and a few servings of the steak. 🙂
Pancake House. 🙂 Breakfast for lunch. It’s one of the few places that I have a hard time deciding what to get since I want them all. Always.
Milky Way on Pasay Road–good value for money and perfect comfort food!
Mine would be Cantinetta. Their pasta (aglio olio) and pizza (four cheese) never fail. Throw in some carpaccio as well and I’m set! 🙂
Tsumura =) The best sushi place for me!
Lori,
yeah, I did =) But I usually pick my usual favorites there, tempura…Sanma… Yakitori… Sashimi… and whatever Sushi the Chef wants to feed me… Damn, this is making me hungry! I alway feel happy after eating there, though I can not say the same for my wallet =)
Abe. classics done right. it’d be right up in Plato’s world of ideas for me as the ideal of sinigang, deep fried pork knuckles and fried catfish/tilapia with buro 🙂
Hi Lori, you will enjoy Frites here in HK. their tagline says, Belgian on tap. The decor- a high ceilinged beer hall with sturdy tables and benches meant for sharing. There’s beer, lots of it. There’s frites. And there’s the pork knuckle. Huge! and definitely for meat lovers.:)
I second the motion on Milky Way. It’s great that they have frozen stuff you can just reheat at home (for those days you refuse to step out of the front door). So far Ukkokei and Thai Dara have been consistent. And Bun on the Run for my favorite fast-food fix, the choriburger 🙂
Japanese always hits the spot for me. Hiyashi soba with a tempura or two and a bowl of miso soup. I go to Little Tokyo… Especially when I want to get away from the world.
Mine would be either Lusso or Cibo. I love how Gaita has managed to keep food quality and service in her restaurants very consistent. In Lusso, I always go for the Mac and cheese or the Foie Gras Burger and in Cibo, its the Quattro Formaggi pizza or any of the pastas. Yummy!
Cyma! So affordable yet big servings! Shared here two of my favorites, Pastitsio and Chicken Gyro!
Cafe Mediterranean or Sambokojin! 🙂 I order Chicken Kebab with Basmati Rice and Pita in Cafe Med. Sambokojin is eat all you can. ROAR!
The German Club for German/Swiss food (and yummy Steak Tartare);
Mangetsu and Tsumura/Kuretake for Japanese;
Lugang and Tao Yuan for non-Cantonese Chinese food;
Emong’s (a 1-dish hole-in-the-wall in the entresuelo of an old house in Lipa for the best bulalo ever — it’s been there since 1951)
My mother’s house for good old-fashioned Pinoy food (mom doesn’t cook but the cooking of our old family cook, Manang Lucy, is to die for)
Mangetsu is at Amorsolo Creekside next to Sango Burger and Pharaoh Night Club. You have to try their gyudon, their jumbo (and I mean JUMBO) prawn tempura, and their tori karaage with 3 salts. They will be closing by Sept. 16 but will be re-opening somewhere along Jupiter sometime in October.
Emong’s is along Solis Street, Barangay 9, in the old part of Lipa (by the back of the Cathedral). But you have to call in advance because they usually have no bulalo left by 11:30am! Call Sheila (Mang Emong’s granddaughter who has continued the business) at 09167025689.
The German Club is at the Penthouse of EuroVilla-2 along Rufino near the corner of Legazpi Street in Legazpi Village. While it is “Members Only”, they do make exceptions sometimes. Send me a PM if you want to eat there 🙂
seryna – a plate of sushi and a warm bowl of clear soup (maybe with spicy tuna roll or tempura on the side at times)
It’s Little Asia and Tokyo Cafe for me for comfort food and cheap eats! They do not disappoint and I can probably order with my eyes closed and still end up liking whatever it is that I got.;-)
Izakaya Kikufuji for me. Always stuffed after any meal there and at great prices too.
Flaming Wings at Katipunan. Spicy buffalo wings plus a large, cold glass of mango juice never fail to calm me down. <3 Bonus din ang wicked oreos!
Champetre. Everything on the menu is excellent.
My absolute favorite is Marc Aubry’s Steak Tartare. it is not on the Menu but you can order it a day in advance.
Roasted Veal Kidney Dijonaise is next on my list. It is always clean tasting and it comes with an excellent sauce.
Finally, I like the Foie Gras Terrine. Smooth, very well made.
You are making my mouth water Lori!
Game!
If I loved it just a little bit more, I would have Chateau on speed dial. Sometimes, there’s really just something comforting about predictable reliability. I always have an awesome meal: start off with the Raclette, move on to the Cranberry Duck, and finish off with a heavenly slice of Coffee Pie!
Cyma, Pancake House, Sentro and Banapple! <3
A veneto and Starbucks are my go-to when I’m stressed or sad, because everything I order from these places never fail to put me in a better mood 🙂
mine would be kfc! original recipe chicken with lots of gravy! and their fries are my favorite too!
hmm. there are days when i just want a Wendy’s big classic.
i think they call it “natural cut” fries with sea salt. it’s hit and miss but does the job.
Best Inasal in Manila~
always perfectly marinated
and always perfectly grilled
Isol and Pakpak over at
Bacolod Chicken Parilla,
Sct. Reyes cor. Sct. Gandia QC : )
Northpark’s fried canton with its chunky contents and Subway sandwich chugged down with ice cold green tea 🙂
I agree! I also like their Kansi.
They also serve a mean Paella Valenciana and very good Paella Negra (paellas are not included in the menu and may be had by advance order only)
Tao Yuen Seafood Restaurant Ermita branch for their authentic Singapore style laksa, chili crab, fish ball curry & the special fish head curry. Order plain rice to sop up all the sauces. Yum!
Charlie’s Grind & Grill at Kapitolyo Pasig for their doneness-by-request angus beef burger with crunchy-on-the-outside-mushy-on-the-inside French fries. Just the way I like them.
And finally, Casa Armas Malate for their Paella Negra. You’ll look funny after but it’s well worth it. The paella’s perfectly soft but not wet with the delectable crunchy burnt bottom that I enjoy. Squeeze in some lemon juice and it’ll taste divine.
When I heard “guaranteed great meal” I instantly though “comfort food” — reasonably affordable, reliable, accessible. These are my picks:
– Chilis
– Crystal Jade
– Bon Chon
agree with Bon Chon. fried chicken made great. literally an audible crunch to the skin with soy garlic sauce :S too bad the pieces are tiny
p.s. ms lori, followed your post about cbd milkshake and it was DA BOMB! we are now malt converts 🙂
And how can I forget — Abe!
kfc for me! their original recipe fried chicken with lots of gravy always makes my day! i also love the fries!
I’ve always enjoyed eating in Mamou. Their steak is divine, just like their other offerings (Roast Pork & Chicken, Fish & Chips to name a few). Plus, the staff there are always attentive and nice. So that seals the deal for me!
Cibo and Pancake House for me. In Cibo, I always order the Rigatoni All’alfonso. Sometimes when I’m feeling adventurous, I almost order another dish but then revert to the Alfonso, fearing I might regret that I let a visit pass without having it.
In Pancake House, I love love love their spaghetti. From the first time I’ve tasted it more than two decades ago, it’s a dish that I still come home to when I want something familiar and comforting.
And for a simple Japanese dining experience, Red Kimono is my current go-to. Then again, I haven’t been to Little Tokyo.
Another Pancake House fan here! 🙂 Also, Kuretake, Mamou, and Cibo. And agree with Sanju…Champetre 🙂
Peoples palace. consistently GREAT food for more than a decade i would think.
the kitchen has never been “off” in the times i have eaten there.
that and nihon bashitei for me. 🙂
ABE
comfort food: buro/dahon ng mustasa/pritong hito/mainit na kanin
yummy:)
hahaha, nice one Lori… 🙂
My family always picks ABE. Our must order food: buro/dahon ng mustasa/pritong hito
sarap:)
Lori, am a fan of fried pork knuckle (aka crispy pata). How does the baked pork knuckle fare in comparison? Is the skin still very crispy but not as oily? 🙂 Please share your thoughts so I can try it, if it’s worth my calories. Old Swiss Inn is just around the corner from me. Thanks!
My go-to place would be Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante. My favorites include the Chicken Ceasar Salad, Seafood Asparagus pasta, and the Pizza Puttanesca. Food tastes good all the time, and very affordable.
Eat Well in the Fort. Chinese food is comfort food for me.
Isabelo Garden Restaurant in Marikina.
We love their Spinach Artichoke dip, Italian Paella, stuffed Portobello mushrooms, and the Roast Pork Crackling (cooked in pugon for hours and hours, crunchy skin, sticky fat, tender meat) served with four special sauces. 🙂 For dessert we love her (Chef Portia’s) Yoghurt Sorbet with Fresh Fruits and Walnut Streusel 🙂
Little Asia. LOVE their Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and Crepe Samurai.
Borough at Podium is a recent favorite – the Cheese sandwich with tomato soup (not quite a minestrone) is always a hit, as are Mom’s Cookies and Milk (LOVE the cranberry with white chocolate variant).
Bellini’s is an easy pick for authentic Italian fare; Amici for a cheaper option – my fave there is the Spinach Ravioli and Banana Blast from their gelateria. I also love the Seafood Pesto Pasta from Caffecino by Dome.
Okay I have to stop now 🙂
…by the way, the Seared Tuna Salad is an easy choice for a healthy option at Borough 🙂
za’s cafe in malate… love their pot roast beef… hizon’s birthday cake or any of their cakes for dessert
I like your writing style, Good Stuff!!.
Cafe Georg in Cebu
Lola Idang’s. Nabubuhayan ako lagi sa kanilang binagoongan!
Chariya’s at 168 Mall Food Court. Thai food galore. :-9