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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Sen Lek Thai Noodle House: From Rags to Riches

In the foodie scene, each restaurant has its own story.  I'm a big fan of rags to riches fairy tales, no matter how cliche they may be.  It's always fascinating to see a humble little nook rise to stardom.  It gives us something to cheer for in a world filled with daily negatives.

My sister remembers Sen Lek Thai Noodle House as a small joint in a lesser known part of BF.  I never had the chance to visit them when they were still relatively unknown.  But she swears the food, especially the noodle concoctions, were authentic and good.  Fast forward to a few years back, when Sen Lek resurfaces like a prodigal heroine.  Currently, they occupy a strategic spot along the main road of Aguirre, reeling in patrons, both the loyalists and the novice.

Their current home is large and brightly lit, exuding a cozy vibe with walls adorned with Thai-themed furniture and snippets.  On a lazy Sunday lunch time, the place was half-filled.  Ordering is simple since the menu is quite limited.  The star of course are the noodle soups, but they do offer Thai staples such as curry and tom yum  soup.  They do offer rice meals which seem value-for-money.

We were in a bit of a hurry, so we ordered three rice meals that seemed bang for the buck.  We added another order of noodle soup to share among the three of us.

Wanton Thai Noodle Soup, P100

I'm not kidding.  This big bowl of homey goodness is just a hundred bucks.  Filled nearly full with a smooth, warm broth, the Wanton Thai Noodle Soup is a definite bargain.  The broth was mild and not overpowering with a herbal taste.  Some people have aversion to a queer, medicinal tasting soup, but this is quite tame and should agree with most.  Add a little sriracha chili sauce and you're good to go.   

The flat noodles were soft and perfectly al dente.  I liked the generous serving of fresh mongo sprouts swimming in the mixture.  A dash of chopped herbal greens and onions added color and dimension.  The dumplings though were a bit sad and tasteless, like a cheap grocery version.  Nevertheless, beggars can't be choosers with such a dirt cheap price.  I'm usually not fond of noodles or ramen, but I do have an inkling for Vietnamese or Thai noodles.  This, save for the wonton dumplings, is a steal.

Chicken Pandan, P160

Mom picked the chicken pandan, a usual Thai favorite.  This version, however, was regrettable.  Out came two minuscule, nearly flat portions of chicken wrapped in burnt pandan leaves.  

The chicken was dry and crusted.  It was nearly devoid of flavor, and no amount of soy vinegar dip could save the dish.  It was overpriced and disappointing.  We should have picked another noodle soup instead, which are all value for money.

Beef Curry, P140

I grabbed the beef curry rice meal since I wasn't in the mood for a chicken dish.  The serving looked ample, with a sizable amount of white rice.  The sauce looked fiery and exciting, as I eagerly sampled it.

The curry gravy was a tad too oily but was indeed fiery.  It had a hint of zest but the spice level was not overwhelming.  I enjoyed pouring the mildly sweet and milky sauce on my immaculate white rice.  The beef strips were thin but commensurate in number.  It was tender but some portions were inconsistent.  Also, there was nothing else inside the bowl.  I would have appreciated some eggplants or carrots, or even potatoes.  Now I really miss the massaman curry I had back in SG.

Green Chicken Curry, P130

My sister picked the ubiquitous Green Chicken Curry rice meal.  It looked mundane but the taste was surprisingly good.  The curry gravy was less oily than my beef curry, perhaps neutralized by the chopped eggplants and string beans.  The vegetables were fresh and crisp, for that matter.

The sauce was also mildly sweet and had spicy overtones.  It was highly addicting and would undoubtedly lead one to order extra rice for that generous amount of curry gravy.  It reminded me of the curry I had in Maxwell FC.  It had a more watery consistency which some would not prefer, but it was enjoyable pouring spoonfuls over the rice.  The chicken was tender and flavorful, unlike its pandan counterpart.

Thai Iced Tea, P60

All the heat and tangy flavor deserved a cool down, and what better way to do so than with the all-time favorite Thai Iced Tea.  This version was a few notches too sweet, but one can always douse it with more water.  I liked that the leafy taste was distinct but not dominant, and I could somehow make out a little spice on the drink itself.  A perfect pairing for all the spicy Thai dishes here.

I'm not sure where Sen Lek made its first beginnings, but what it is now is a far cry from its humble little corner spot it used to occupy.  Despite the obvious changes, they have manged to keep prices at bare minimum, and thus kept its loyal fans coming back and virginal converts like me to keep wanting it.  The noodle soups are bang-for-the-buck, with its hefty servings and authentic taste.  Some of the dishes might be hit and miss, or too tame for Thai food purists.  But with a price that's hard to beat, a location that's hard to miss, and food that hits the comfort zones, Sen Lek is more than just the cliche of rags to riches.

Jones

Sen Lek Thai Noodle House

4 Delfa Street, corner President's Avenue

BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SEN-LEK-THAI-NOODLE/209933752464115

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Spanish in the Village: Las Paellas Cafe

One of my least favorite cuisine is Spanish.  I don't know why, but it must be its relative similarities with most Filipino dishes, such that the distinction is blurred.  Or maybe it's the general appearance of the food, commonly served in small portions or tapas style.  Although I do agree that Spanish food is both filling and fulfilling.  I have been gratified with my few forays in Alba, Guernica, and Ilustrado - particularly liking salpicao and cochinillo.  Still, it's not something I dream of whenever my mind is idle (and my stomach empty).

Nonetheless, the village does have notable Spanish restaurants in the vicinity.  I couldn't recall when this Las Paellas Cafe branch opened just behind our house.  Likely, I didn't give it much attention.  But, a free lunch is still free lunch.  So, I happily joined the family for a trip behind our fence, ridiculously taking our cars for a distance we can actually walk through.

Caesar Salad, P195 (+10% service charge)

The place was empty as it practically opened for us.  With brightly lit interiors, the walls were painted in festive orange and yellow to set one in the mood for food.  The menu was basically Spanish food with Filipino imprints.  We started of with a serving of Caesar Salad.  The greens were fresh, moist and crisp.  The light vinaigrette dressing was a welcome flavor.  The croutons and crispy bacon added yet another crunchy dimension, although the bacon bits seemed few and negligible.

Gambas Al Ajillo, P255 (+10% service charge)

One of my favorite tapas, the obligatory Gambas was my pick of the day.  Sauteed in olive oil, these shrimps were peppered with chili to add some zest and spice.  It came served with a single piece of garlic bread cut in half.  One would dare wipe up the excess olive oil with the bread, which was crusty on the outside yet soft enough within.

The shrimps were small-sized yet plump and juicy.  Mildly spicy, the flavor was addicting.  My only gripe was that it was literally swimming in oil.  I should have ordered rice immediately to soak up the sauce.

Tortang Talong Stuffed with Galunggong, P195 (+10% service charge)

Although eating with senior citizens comes with its perks (hello, 20% discount!), the downside is most orders are either seafood or veggies.  The Tortang Talong has pinoy written all over it, with its toppings of chopped fresh tomatoes and onions.

An easy dish to make in one's own home, this version was supposed to be stuff with galunggong fish.  I could hardly make out the stuffing, yet even find minute traces of it.  The eggplant was okay, and the egg batter was not overwhelming.

Crispy Kare-Kare, P310 (+10% service charge)

Already widespread in its many permutations, the Las Paellas version was apparently a more recent addition.  A rack of crisp pork belly was soaked in thick peanut sauce and served with various vegetables.  This was obviously ordered to appease my carnivorous cravings.

The pork was crisp but not consistently so.  The fat to meat ratio was 50/50, which is actually a plus for me.  The skin was crisp in some parts, but chewy in some slices.  The meat though was flavorful in itself.  The sauce was nutty and leaned toward a sweeter side, a particular preference I liked in kare-kare.  The string beans and sliced eggplant were crisp and fresh also.  I did, however, raise my eyebrow with how it came served with the bagoong dip haphazardly placed within the bowl itself.  I would have preferred it to be served separately, to give one the freedom to season the dish to taste.  Their version was okay, but pales in comparison to the higher quality of Pino's version of kare-kareng bagnet.

Valenciana, P525 (+10% service charge)

What's a trip to a Spanish joint without paella?  The group feasted on two versions, the Valenciana and the Marinara.  The Valenciana was a mish-mash of nearly everything - chicken, pork chorizo, and assorted seafood.  The saffron rice was soft but not mushy, it was creamy in texture.  The tomato-based sauce was mild but somewhat more fluid than the usual paella way.  I liked the chorizo as it was peppery and fatty.  Bits of chicken were nowhere to be found except when I was jolted by its chopped up bones.  Some of the clams and oysters actually had no content, which was a disappointing revelation.

Marinara, P525 (+10% service charge)

On the other hand, the Marinara mix seemed heftier and had more content.  The slices of squid was tender and not rubbery.  The briny flavor of the shrimp was good and added saltiness to an otherwise oily dish.  Again, the rice was correctly done, leaving no burnt grains on the pot.  The serving size for both paella dishes should be good for 3-4 average persons.

Perhaps not as classy or high-end as Ilustrado, or even Alba, Las Paellas Cafe is an easy and affordable way for people who crave good Spanish food without breaking the bank.  True to their name, the paella dishes are done correctly, but not spectacularly.  For the simple reason that Pino is quite far from my place, I may come back for this version of Crispy Kare-Kare, as it was nearly at par.  Despite my near disinterest for Spanish food, Las Paellas Cafe may deserve that biannual visit.

Jones

Las Paellas Cafe

Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes

Paranaque City

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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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