Tiny Tweaks Post #4 – Just Food
Tiny Tweaks usually espouses finding the simple joys without veering too far from what is readily available or accessible. For this post however, we would like to tell you about the little adventures outside of our usual routine that have been real treats for us.
For the past two and a half weeks, we succumbed to personal and peer proddings to go on a food trip adventure:
Dampa near Mall of Asia
We have always wanted to go to the original Dampa Market (in Paranaque) but have gotten feedback that it’s not too clean and it’s usually crowded. Besides, it is not so convenient for us to go there. Anyway, our very pregnant friend sent a “Must Go To Dampa” email complete with set menu choices, itinerary and how to get there – how can we refuse, she’s pregnant!
As it turns out, the Dampa Market she was referring to is the newer one along Macapagal Avenue near Mall of Asia. Getting there is easy (from EDSA or Buendia) and parking is not a problem. Just like any Dampa Market, you have to:
1. Identify first where you want to eat. The wet market is bordered by several airconditioned, clean and spacious restaurants. We picked “Kuzina” because our pregnant friend frequents this place (great choice since service as well as taste of food is superb).
2. A crew from the chosen restaurant will accompany you to the wet market. The wet market is very organized. It is zoned in such a way that similar items are lumped together- i.e. fish sections, sea shells section, etc. Price is reasonable too (20-25% more than the ordinary wet market seafood) and the crew can also help you with the haggling.
3. After picking out all the ingredients, you go back to the restaurant to have it weighed and costed according to the type of dish you’d like it to be cooked. Make sure that you agree on the final service charge for the cooking. You can still haggle with the restaurant and even ask for complimentary sidings like tomato and onions.
4. Now you wait. Then binge on fresh, sumptuous seafood fare. Yum!
Miss Desserts
One evening, after a tiring and stressful day at work, I decided that I just needed something to perk me up before heading home. It was one of those days when you just wanted to do something… anything to temporarily relieve you of the days’ worries (based on experience, giving in to these cravings makes me less cranky and therefore results to a more harmonious married life. Hahahaha). Anyway, the search for that little dose of something took us to the Serendra Piazza at the Fort where we found a quaint dessert place aptly called Miss Dessert.
We tried their highly-recommended cheesecake (I think we were influenced by the numerous newspaper clippings on the walls, citing their cheesecake as one of the best in the Metro). We also ordered brownie-ala-mode, a tried and tested (and cliché’) mood booster. The desserts were too dainty to attack so we restrained ourselves and slowly savored each bite until the last tiny crumb. It definitely was a real treat (and a prescription for the stressed, irritable, edgy, *7^8*$#%&^%!!). So when the going gets tough, eat dessert!
Hawaiian Barbecue
The next food adventure takes us to the sunny, sandy shores of beautiful Boracay. Normally, when we go to Boracay, we do not visit the same restaurant more than once. Just like any vacation you want to maximize it and do something different every single day (e.g. try out different restaurants for every meal). But the moment we bit into the juiciest baby back ribs at The Original Hawaiian Barbecue (Station 2), we knew that this time we would have to make an exception.
We sampled pork, fish, prawns, chicken and even dessert – everything was delightfully delicious! Super!.
We went back, ordered exactly the same food items and the experience was as wonderful as the first one. We would’ve wanted to do it one more time but it was time to say bye bye Boracay. But if the craving for Hawaiian Barbecue is too strong to ignore, we can always drive up to Tagaytay where they have a branch at the newly-opened Boutique Hotel, just right past the rotunda (taking the road that heads toward Taal Vista Hotel).
Marakesh
Marakesh is my current favorite place. Before you start searching the web for this destination, let me just warn you that it will be a futile search as this place is unlisted.
Marakesh is actually the name that one of our friends coined for the newly-built house of another friend. The house is Moroccan- inspired and truly a feast to the senses (just like the dazzling markets of Marrakech —- hence Marakesh!). It is not just about the house but the total experience derived from being in a place that is very well thought of. The design and architecture is intricate, tasteful and detailed but it is not restricting and imposing. The place was intuitively designed to have something interesting for everyone (from kiddies to grannies). This is how I want my house to be – beautiful but well lived in, a place where everyone is genuinely having a great time.
Completing the total Marakesh experience is the food. Oh the lovely, wonderful food of Marakesh. Every meal is much awaited (even merienda). The food is not about expensive flavors and ingredients. The food is simple, usual comfort food items. But what is striking is the care that goes into deciding which food item goes with what, what drink suits the meal, etc. Even the table setting has the same beautiful consistency apparent in the entire house- but just like the rest of the house’s elements, it does not leave one feeling ill at ease but instead pleasantly charmed and delighted. Can’t wait to go back to Marakesh!
January 15th, 2008 at 12:21 am
wohoooo!!!!
Thanks for the info…
I didn’t know that Hawaiian Barbecue had a branch in Tagaytay!!!
I was planning to go back to Boracay just to eat their Baby Back Ribs… hehehe…
Thanks Again!!
January 15th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Hi Miko,
Thanks for the comment
Glad we could help on the Tagaytay location! It’s a really nice place to have lunch or sunset dinner.