Tales From The Other Side (Part 3): The Swiss Deli Restaurant

Picking up from the trail we left off, my series featuring the lesser known side of Aguirre Avenue resumes its journey by taking a leap to another continent.  It is a welcome sight to observe that the restaurants along this famous strip now have a more international flavor.

A spot frequented by ex-pats, this quiet deli is unassuming, sharing the lot with a nail spa of some sort.  In fact, one might be misled that there is no dine-in, sit-down type of affair going on inside, if one does not pay attention to the word "restaurant".  Heck, the inattentive onlooker might even mistake it for a first-aid station, with that all too familiar white and red cross sign.

Indeed, it is a deli selling choice cuts of meat and sausages and premium quality cheese.  Then someone had the bright idea of cooking up what they sell and serving it restaurant style.  Hence, the Swiss Deli Restaurant was born.  Inside, the place is simple and quaint.  No fancy decorations here, no pictures of the Alps, no yodel recordings blaring on the radio.  You can tell that the owners like to keep it low-key, and let their food bask in the limelight.

A quick perusal of their extensive menu and we were off ordering a main course for each of us. 

Seafood Chowder, P195 (+10% service charge)

Kickstarting our appetite was this huge bread bowl of seafood chowder, its warmth emanating slowly from the hollowed out chambers of the bread.  It came in the right temperature, and the broth was delightfully thick.  Full of briny flavor, it was hearty and filling.  Though a bit lacking in some seafood contents (we would have preferred more clams), it was a good starter.  The tough bread should complement well, but one might prefer to save some room for more goodies later in the meal. 

Chicken Cacciatore, P260 (+10% service charge)

Mom often times goes for the pasta dish, and this item was off menu but listed as the day's chef's special.  A huge plate of twisted noodles arrived, the delightful scent of fresh tomatoes wafting slowly as it was set on the table.

And the tomatoes were indeed fresh, plump, and juicy.  The sauce was thick and sour, yet still light and not overpowering.  There were huge chunks of chicken in the mix, although a bit dry in some parts.  Nevertheless, the pasta sauce was addicting.  The noodles were perfectly executed al dente, firm to the bite, dancing tantalizingly on the tongue.  A huge dish full of flavor, a steal at under 300 bucks.

Chicken "Zurich Style", P220 (+10% service charge)

The people in Zurich must be utterly out of their minds, as this chicken dish was confusing.  Or the chef in this restaurant simply missed out on this totally.  Swimming in this murky mushroom sauce was a paltry amount of thin chicken chunks.  The sauce was too salty, like an overdone KFC gravy.  The chicken were too few to enjoy, unlike that present in the cacciatore.  A disappointment after all the hits so far.  Avoid it like the plague.

Prawn Mango Salad, P230 (+10% service charge)

The salad, strangely, came midway through our meal.  Still, it was worth the wait.  A huge bowl of dazzling colors of green, yellow, and red glistened in its fresh moistness.  The prawns were large and generous in number, tender and succulent with each bite.  It was smothered in some kind of spicy tomato sauce, rendering an added dimension to this simple dish.

Consisting of just about any green vegetable the chef could get their hands on to, the serving size was good for four.  The mango cubes, though too few, lent its own sweetness to the mix.  Whoever said no good conversations started off with a salad should probably try this one out.

Australian Rib-eye (300g), P660 (+10% service charge)

Of course, I just had to sample their meat offerings which they also sell frozen.  I picked the rib-eye steak and ordered it medium well, according to my liking.  At 300 grams, it was enough for a single person to devour.  

The steak came out exactly as I wanted it.  The criss-cross pattern of grilling were tell-tale signs of an ample grilling method.  The meat glistened in its juices, the strands of fat cloying in the right places.  The meat was succulent, but was inconsistent - tender in some parts, tough in others.  Still, it was seasoned well enough not to need gravy - which they forgot to serve and arrived a little later.

I enjoyed my steak with a side of spatzle - the Swiss (and Germany's) own version of pasta.  This egg noodle has a queer texture, plump and stout, like an over-hydrated rice puff.  It is practically devoid of flavor on its own, save for a light, buttery taste.  I'm unsure how it should taste, but in retrospect, I should have ordered rice with my steak.

Hungarian Sausage, P195 (+10% service charge)

Earlier, before our meal, I peered through their frozen section, rows of refrigerators keeping their choice meats cool.  I was curious how their sausages would taste, so we ordered one to try.  A fat length of sausage arrived smelling fresh and hot off their grill.

The Hungarian was heavenly.  Peppery and stout, its flavor emanated from the juices trapped within.  It was a travesty to use ketchup, as the sausage was bursting with flavor.  It came with a side of french fries, which was rather forgettable - it was the grocery kind of fries.  Still, the sausage was the star.  Meat done well.

This deli dishes out mouth-watering meat dishes, its steak and sausages attractively priced for this kind of quality.  In fact, one might opt to bring home the frozen versions which should save you up to 20%.  But the lazy ones, like me, prefer to dine in this serene spot along Aguirre.  

The Swiss Deli Restaurant looks to become a fixture in this part of the neighborhood, a regular haunt for ex-pats and locals alike.  Service is attentive and generally okay, and prices are reasonable.  Parking might be a drag during peak hours, but taking out the frozen meat is always a viable option.  A welcome member of the growing "United Nations" of food along Aguirre, the Swiss Deli will instantly transport you to the Alps.  Now only if they can sing a little yodel.

Jones

The Swiss Deli Restaurant

321 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/swissdelirestaurantbf

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Tales From The Other Side (Part 2): Mensakaba Geishu

In the first part of this series, I spoke of the tales from beyond, the other side of the long stretch of Aguirre Avenue.  This lesser known section is a haven of multinational cuisines: Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish, and even Swiss and Greek.  Tucked away from the chaos and traffic of the more famous end, the far side of Aguirre flourishes silently on its own.

Already legendary simply by word-of-mouth, this small ramen nook is unassuming and nearly oblivious.  The brainchild of a husband and wife team, Mensakaba Geishu, just by its sheer tiny size, reminds one of cozy street-side ramen stalls in Japan.  Or that corner stall from the movie The Ramen Girl.  Devoid of any Japanese themed decorations, the only things that exude Nippon in this shop are the food and its chef-owner.

With only a short counter table and a few stools, the place inevitably gets packed by the hungry lunchtime crowd.  We arrived just a half-hour before they closed their lunch service, so the place was nearly empty already.  The menu is limited, even down to just 4 basic ramen variants and a few rice bowl choices.  The off-the-grill snack sticks are also quite limited.  And there is no sushi nor sashimi.  Nevertheless, food is guaranteed fresh and cooked to order, as one can waft the tantalizing scent emanating from the traditional Japanese grill and a big cauldron of broth.

Torikawa (Chicken Skin), P35 per stick

Not being a fan of ramen, I proceeded to order from the grilled items.  I particularly enjoy watching Tori-Q's automated grill machines back when I was in Singapore, and I was missing that distinct yakitori taste.  I picked two sticks of Chicken Skin, and I was amused by their small dainty aluminum grill.  It took quite some time for this order to arrive, because it was as fresh as it could be.

The scent of the Torikawa was cloying.  There were some parts that were not charred to my liking, but the smokey flavor was definitely present.  The skin was crisp on the charred areas, fatty and greasy in some.  The sauce complemented the skin well, with its saltiness and a hint of sweetness.  For some, this would pair well with a bowl of hot white rice.  I know I would have done the same.

Shoyu Ramen, P250

Being nearly ignorant of ramen choices, we asked the chef's wife which one was their best-seller.  The Tantanmen apparently sold like pancakes, but this was obviously too spicy for my mom.  Instead, we ordered the mellow Shoyu Ramen.  This huge bowl arrived piping hot and fresh off the cauldron.

Generous slices of chashu were tossed into the mix of clear broth and noodles.  The noodles were firm and perfectly cooked.  The broth was heart-warming, with a tame salty taste.  The pork belly was glorious, with just the right amount of fat marbling.  The sliced egg, I presume, was supposed to be more runny though.  Despite a less colorful appearance, this bowl of ramen was filling for both the heart and stomach. 

Miso Ramen, P250

Just to be a little different, my dad ordered the Miso Ramen.  Served much the same way in a huge bowl, it looked dirtier than the other ramen.  The black stains were actually garlic oil, adding a distinct dimension of flavor.

Thick and generous cuts of pork belly were also a part of this mix, as with the sliced eggs. There were a few chopped cabbage and carrots and a handful of bean sprouts added to give the soup some body.  The garlicky taste was unmistakable, but the broth was still light and tangy.

I did the unthinkable by ordering a non-ramen dish in this ramen place.  Still, it was surprising that this rice bowl was also an apparent best-seller.  Or perhaps, for lack of a wide array of choices, this must be the default.  Nevertheless, it was worth a try.  What with those thick cuts of pork belly.

Chashu-Don, P150

Like most dishes here, the rice bowl was huge!  Six ample cuts of thick pork belly rested peacefully on top of a heaping serving of white rice.  Sprinkled with chopped Japanese seaweed and green onion leeks, the bowl was then smothered in the same sweet yakitori sauce.

The pork belly was roasted to perfection, retaining its smoothness and tenderness while adding a little crunch to the edges.  The meat to fat ratio is amazing and cloying to the tongue.  The sauced adds some spunk, but the dish might be good either way.  The chashu-don deserves to be the best-seller, and not just because it's one of only two rice dishes.  That pork belly is indeed heaven, whether swimming in ramen broth or lying gloriously on top of steamed rice.

The secret is out, the legend is true.  Where else can you enjoy authentic ramen without even breaking the 300 peso mark?  Where else can you greedily gobble thick slices of chashu for less than 200 bucks?  By keeping its menu limited, Mensakaba Geishu managed to perfect its craft and concentrate on the authenticity in the details.  

Service is impeccable, in-your-face, and personal.  It feels much like your friendly neighborhood stall - or even eating at the comforts of your own home.  My only reservations are these two: the menu might be too limited for some, especially those craving for other Japanese staples like sushi, tempura, and teriyaki.  And secondly, I hope they don't grow too famous too fast, following the way of Kenji Tei.  Keep it simple and stay on the other side.

Jones

Mensakaba Geishu

Southland Apartelle, Aguirre Avenue

BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/MensakabaGeishuPH

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Tales From The Other Side: Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant

There was a time when the long stretch of Aguirre Avenue was nearly devoid of any food spot.  A decade ago, there were only a handful of notables, including Conti's (the original branch), Hanakazu, and Little Quiapo.  Today, Aguirre is a bustling neighborhood of cafes, bars, and restaurants.  Often neglected and forgotten is the lesser known far end of Aguirre.  Away from the traffic nightmares so common these days, this area houses a treasure trove of good finds.  I aim to start this series of posts as I discover the tales from "the other side".

Much like the more famous restaurants I mentioned above, Rio has been a resident of BF for a long time.  Under its original title "Little Rio", it slowly gained popularity as a homey, quaint Japanese joint.  It served (and still does) a unique, hitherto unconventional twist with its crispy chicken teriyaki.  Of course, since then, many restaurants have followed suit.  Quite so suddenly, it closed down but resurrected just a couple of years ago with a bigger shop.

The charm of its simplicity, combined with the affordable menu, keeps its loyalists returning.  I, for one, swear on the goodness of their chicken teriyaki.  So, on a rainy and lazy Sunday lunch, we trooped to this quieter side of town.  We had the shop to ourselves when we arrived, and we proceeded to order the usual Japanese fare they offered.

Shoyu Ramen, P190 (Regular)

With the cold downpour of rain outside, sis and Mom deemed it fit to enjoy a warm bowl of ramen.  Mom's choice was the regular sized Shoyu.  The regular bowl was sized similar to the higher end ramen restaurants, but at a much lower price tag.  I don't really fancy eating noodles, but Mom professed it was hearty and fulfilling.  Tossed into the mix were ample slices of chasu pork, half an egg, and some bean sprouts.  I took a little sip of the warm broth and the saltiness was not overpowering.  The pork was tender but lacked a bit of seasoning or flavor.  I'm not sure but the egg should have been a bit more runny.  The thin noodles were okay.

Seafood Ramen, P210 (Regular)

On the other hand, the Seafood Ramen was packed with more contents.  Slices of tuna, squid, and shrimps swam deliciously in a clear broth.  Sister claimed the seafood was fresh enough.  I took a sip of the soup and it was saltier than the shoyu.  Perhaps the natural salinity and brine of the seafood contributed to its denser flavor.  

Clearly, I am no ramen connoisseur, but the ladies enjoyed their bowls down to the last slurp.  Happily though, their 2 orders of regular ramen qualified us to avail of a promo for free 8 piece gyoza!

Gyoza, P160 (8 pcs)

It seemed like the steal of the day with the gyoza worth 160 bucks if ordered outside the promo.  Nevertheless, my expectations were not high for this version.  The dumplings were average-sized and appeared plump.  The skin was all right, not too thick.

At first bite however, it was a little deflating.  The filling was too little as evidenced by the space within.  Still, the mix inside was flavorful with the ground pork and chopped veggies.  Luckily we didn't have to pay for this since I would have regretted ordering it.

Ebi Tempura, P160 (3 pcs)

As usual, I ordered shrimp tempura which I intended to eat on my own.  But of course, the ladies grabbed a piece each.  The tempura was light, the batter thin and crisp.  The shrimps were only average-sized yet still fresh and juicy.  Not exactly award-winning, but definitely better than the regular fast-food variety.

I succumbed to my beef bowl cravings and ordered a serving of gyudon, after missing it for so long.  I eagerly waited for my order to arrive.  My heart (and stomach) has a soft spot for beef served in immaculate pristine white bowls.  This was no exception. 

Gyudon, P210

Lost in the messy presentation were thin slices of beef, a few onions, and an entanglement of noodles topped with a fresh golden egg yolk.  I actually forgot to ask the server to remove the noodles, since I was not too fond of having my gyudon in this manner.  It added too much bulk to the dish.  The mirin sauce was a good combination of savory and sweet, although inclining more to a sweeter side.  The beef, I noticed, was fewer in portion compared to a couple of years ago.  Talk about inflation (and deflation of serving sizes!).  Nevertheless, it was tender and not tough, easy on my jaws.  The rice portion was hefty and I dared not to polish it all off.  

Despite the influx of more hip restaurants and more exciting cuisines, Rio has managed to retain its humble charm and "old-world" magic.  It reminds long time residents of BF how our place used to be so quiet and peaceful, with shops such as Rio offering a homey take on old-time Japanese favorites.  Although admittedly, Rio is not as creative and innovative as other hole-in-the-wall joints.  But neither do they intend to do so.  As such, prices are kept at a minimum (even doing away with service charge) but quality is certainly above any regular fast-food joint.  Therefore, don't expect to be blown away.  Rio is a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the other side, as it rightfully sits on the more serene end of the foodie street.

Jones

Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant

303 El Grande Avenue, corner Havana Street

BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/thelittlerio

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Return to Songkran

On lazy Sundays, the default habit of the family is to eat out for lunch.  There is clearly no need to look further beyond our neighborhood, with Aguirre Avenue already a bustling food mecca.  Despite the seemingly endless options, there's something lazy cozy about coming back to that Thai joint just behind the rusty old gate.

As a testament to Songkran's longevity, the restaurant has remained under the radar yet keeps its loyal followers coming back for more.  Many joints have come and gone along the now famous avenue, yet Songkran has retained its spot tucked amidst the trees in a quiet corner.

We arrived ahead of the hungry BF Sunday crowd, and promptly ordered the Thai staples.  Nothing much had changed since my last visit, even the prices remained easy on the pocket despite a little inflation.

Crispy Catfish with Mango Salad, P215 

An all-time favorite, the Crispy Catfish Salad announced its arrival with a pungent zesty smell.  The shredded fish flesh was lightly fried to a crisp, a texture that was tantalizing to the tongue.  The mango hidden underneath the tangled mess rendered a sweet sour dimension of taste to the dish.  Highly addicting, it was good on its own - but often the case is to sprinkle this over piping hot jasmine rice.

Fresh Spring Rolls, P145

In keeping with a healthier theme, we picked the Fresh Spring Rolls over the fried version.  These rolls were stuffed to the core with fresh lettuce, carrots, and cilantro.  The near transparent wrap barely kept the burgeoning roll together.

Six fat pieces were more than a mouthful.  The greens were fresh and crisp, its flavors enhanced by the accompanying sweet chili dip.  A dash of chopped peanuts added a subtle nutty taste, reminding one of our own local lumpia versions.  I've tried a good variety of spring rolls, from the Vietnamese rolls to the Singaporean popiah, but it's the Thai version that comes out the winner.  Songkran's rendition is a good representation of authenticity.

Stir Fried Morning Glory with Tausi, P135

It seemed we haven't had enough of vegetables, as we added the Stir Fried Morning Glory to our order.  Chopped leaves and stalks of kangkong were sauteed lightly in savory tausi sauce.  The greens were crunchy and fresh, not soggy.  The sauce was not overpowering, mildly sweet and salty.  

Tom Yum Goong, P255

A big bowl of piping hot goodness, the ubiquitous Tom Yum soup was set prominently on our table.  Submerged in the spicy broth were plump shrimp, mixed with some sliced tomatoes, basil, onions, and lemongrass.

However, the vegetables seemed too scanty for the overflowing broth.  A little more greens would have been appreciated.  Also, the number of shrimps was also few, and some were not too fresh.  The broth this time was too sour and overwhelming, despite having the right amount of spiciness.  Still, for less than 300 bucks, the bowl was good enough for three to four persons.  The mere sight of the big silver bowl conjured memories of that Thai stall in Maxwell FC back in Singapore.

Green Chicken Curry, P285

No trip to any Thai restaurant would be complete without sampling the curry offerings.  I've tried Songkran's Green Chicken Curry before, and it was delightful.  Despite lacking a notable viridian hue, the scent of the curry spices wafted gloriously from the plate.

The slices of chicken were tender and moist, absorbing the curry gravy well.  This time out, there seemed to be enough vegetables than my previous experience with this order.  Ample cuts of succulent eggplant shared the mixture with chopped tomatoes and green chilies.  The spiciness was distinct but not too powerful.  The curry gravy was milky, mildly sweet and zesty.  This dish remained consistently good and thoroughly enjoyable.  The only qualm was that the smallish serving size, but one's complaints are easily calmed by the price tag it comes with.

In an avenue with numerous dining options almost like the entire United Nations, (yes there is Greek food finally in BF), Songkran remains the go-to Thai escape for hungry BF residents.  Prices are kept nearly dirt-cheap, although serving sizes are variable and might not be commensurate for some people.  Still, the perk of not needing to endure the worsening traffic of the metro have us homeowners simply strolling leisurely to this hidden gem.  In my case, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump.

Jones

Songkran Thai Restaurant

249 Aguirre Avenue, corner D. Tuazon Street

BF Homes

Paranaque City

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