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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Murray's New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks, and Oysters: Seriously, It's That Long!

There is one cuisine, among others, that never quite picked up and jumped off with the foodie crowd.  Despite the rousing kick-start by joints like Gumbo, the clamor for cajun cooking fizzled out in the past few years.  Overshadowed by the revenge of the ramen and the rise of the gastropubs, cajun themed restaurants are barely carving out a piece of the market.  Nevertheless, loyalists, like myself, still hunt for that distinct Southern' taste.

Having dined in Gumbo in Mall of Asia countless times even before my blogger days, I was looking for another ideal spot for dinner with some friends.  This restaurant caught my eye as I was browsing through the web, not only because of its really lengthy name, but I was also craving for cajun food.

Murray's New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks, and Oysters (yes, it's that long!) is a sister restaurant of the more famous Clawdaddy, explaining their usual 1-2 punch location.  On a regular Monday night, the place was quiet and seemed lifeless.  Inside, the dim atmosphere reminded one of old speakeasy bars.  I could almost hear soft jazz music and whispers in the dark.  The place really felt lonely, but seemed ideal for good long conversations.

Our group sat comfortably on the typical circular couches and ordered swiftly, our stomachs grumbling with hunger.  It was then that our experience seemed to turn for the worse.  It took a really long time for our orders to arrive.  Luckily, there was the obligate complimentary loaf bread to quell our rebellion.  Still, it wasn't enough to tone down our hunger pangs.

Salpicao, P375 (+8% service charge)

Strangely, the Salpicao was the first to arrive.  Served on a small hot plate, the garlic aroma was undeniable.  We almost regretted not ordering rice to go with it.

But, since it was the first dish to arrive, we were inclined to pick away at the delicious morsels already.  The meat was tender and flavorful on its own, with the garlic taste seeping into each sinew.  It was a bit oily but it's all good.  A dash of green chilies added a little zest, but the Salpicao was all about the garlic goodness.  Thankfully, our long wait was rewarded.

Fried Chicken Salad, P285 (+8% service charge)

To counter the greasy mess we just ordered, the Fried Chicken Salad came to the rescue.  Fresh lettuce, big onions, and corn kernels composed the healthy mix.  Tossed in Caesar's dressing, the garden greens were topped with fried chicken and garlic croutons.

The croutons had a peculiar taste, like that of biscocho - sweeter than salty.  The fried chicken was crunchy and quite okay - nothing spectacular.  The greens were crisp and fresh, with the dressing kept light to just add a hint of flavor.

Baby Back Ribs, Half Slab, P499 (+8% service charge)

Of course, no cajun cookin' would be complete without my personal favorite Baby Back Ribs.  A half rack of grilled pork ribs lay gloriously on a stark white contrasting plate.

And so, we meet again.

The ribs were glorious indeed - glistening with their signature hickory barbecue sauce.  The flavor was spot-on, smokey and charred in just the right places.  But, there seemed to be more bone than meat, although the flesh was fork tender.  Maybe Porky was on a diet.

I would have appreciated a little more generosity on the hickory sauce, since after a while, the meat tasted dry.  Nevertheless, it had all the comforting flavor I wanted.  I chose some mustard greens for my sides, and it was quite enjoyable - the bitter taste contrasting with the sweet savory barbecue.  A queer side, however, was the two biscuits it came with.  It was plain and doughy, totally lacking flavor.  It reminded me of puto seko, and I would rather preferred a honey glazed biscuit a la Texas Chicken or Popeyes'.

Pete's Buffalo Wings, P349 (+8% service charge)

Oh, and did I forget to mention we did order STARTERS?  For an appetizer, the Buffalo Wings came dead last.  Hooray for service.  Still, there's nothing that fried chicken wings can't do.

Despite their diminutive size, the wings had a crispy exterior - perfectly deep fried.  The sauce was typical buffalo-style, but more towards the sour end rather than sweet.  It was addicting, pity that it came last.  Still, it was nothing spectacular and you could get better tasting and bigger sized wings at your dedicated wing spots, for an even cheaper price.

Murray's suffers from the predicament of its really long name.  A name too long people find it hard to remember.  And the slowness of service seemed to fit the lengthy billing.  Was it because they shared a single kitchen with the more populated Clawdaddy?  We didn't mind the long wait too much because we found ourselves in good conversation.  But starving people would run amok with this kind of pace.  Being a fan of cajun cuisine, I hope Murray's would have a second coming of sorts and breathe new life into their sleepy saloon.  Their dishes are okay, with the Salpicao and ribs batting above average.  I might come back though, if I see a happier mood in the near future.

Jones

Murray's New Orleans Bourbon Street Ribs, Steaks, and Oysters

2/F SM Mall of Asia, Entertainment Mall

South Wing, Seaside Boulevard

Pasay City

https://www.facebook.com/neworleansph

  

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I Heard It From the Olive Vine

There seems to be a paradox of Western cuisine here in Singapore.  To definitely indulge in the finer tasting Western dishes, one should settle himself in a reputable hotel around Orchard or wander in the alleys of Club Street or Clarke Quay.  This, for sure, will burst your pocket.  Nevertheless, in almost every hawker or food centre, a conspicuous Western food stall is an easy find.  But, almost every time, the hungry expat will find it a cheap and disappointing imitation, an unworthy quick fix.

It was such a happy incident, therefore, that we managed to stumble upon a gem of a find that is Olive Vine.  Hidden in the subterranean walkway connecting Suntec City to Marina Square, the hurrying commuter will often neglect this quaint nook.  In fact, what caught our attention was the opposite stall in front of it, as our palates were craving for that good old Western flavor already, months after being saturated by chicken rice and chili. 

Sleek black and red linings create an aura of style.

Almost shamefully, I admit at first that what hooked us to Olive Vine was that "no service charge" boldly printed out front.  With prices of sit-down mid-range restaurants here exponentially higher than their equivalents back home in our 7,107 islands, that golden phrase was enough to turn our eyes to their colorful menu.  Still, having tried a few Western food stalls in hawkers, we remained a bit skeptical.  Nonetheless, our grumbling stomachs and craving palates gave in.

The cheerful Filipina waitstaff was an added perk - in typical Filipino hospitality, she searched for a cozy spot for us to sit in.  The restaurant, of course, is self-service - you pick your orders from a laminated cardboard menu and queue up to the cashier.  Not a very enticing experience, at first glance, yet the food here is the star anyway.

On our first trip (yes, read on and see why we came back for more!), Olive Vine offered promotional set meals.  That gleaming rack of ribs was enough to get me hooked, as I struggled to keep my baby back ribs withdrawal symptoms at bay.  But, ribs aside, the menu was filled with all sorts of Western favorites - from sandwiches to pasta, from steaks and chops to the ubiquitous french fried potatoes.

Cheesy Fries, SGD 5.90 (approx. PHP 200)

There was nothing a big bowl of crispy fries couldn't do to spark us up that night.  Oozing with gooey cheese and a drizzle of mayonnaise, the fries remained amazingly crisp and crunchy. A highly addicting treat and a sure way to kick start your palate.  The serving size seemed commensurate with the price tag.  And these were real potato fries, for that matter.

Can't get enough.

On our first visit, she picked a chicken + pasta set, a safe choice for our initial try.  We requested for an added spicy kick for the chicken chop, to which the staff obliged willingly.

Crispy Chicken Arrabiata, SGD 10.90 (approx. PHP 380)

Not surprisingly, this was one of their best sellers.  Heck, even in hawkers the chicken chop plus pasta combo are sure hits.  There must be an unfailing love between noodles and Singaporeans here.  I confess I'm not a pasta lover, but with my first bite, the flavor of the tomato based sauce was full and true - there were tell-tale bits of real tomatoes mixed within.  This was no cheap hawker imitation, this was restaurant-grade Italian cooking.

Chicken + Pasta = love

Not one to disappoint, the chicken chop was huge!  Larger than my palm, it was perfectly deep-fried to a golden brown.  Although a tad oily, the crunchy breading was a welcome change in texture.  The meat itself was juicy, and the added spicy level we requested for was prominent.  The big portion was so large we couldn't finish it and had to pack it for home.

Soup of the Day: Cream of Mushroom

My highly anticipated baby back rib set came with the whole shebang: the soup of the day, your choice of drink, a tiny slice of cake, and the main.  The soup was hearty and warm, but not extraordinary.

Pork Ribs Set, SGD 18.90 (approx. PHP 660)

The big plate was half occupied by the rack of pork ribs glistening with the red barbecue sauce.  A generous serving of the same flavorful fries and a side of coleslaw completed the ensemble.

Hello there, I missed you.

As I eagerly sliced through the ribs, my tongue anticipated a unique flavor.  Largely because of my heightened expectations, my first bite was a little disappointing.  The zesty barbecue flavor was there, but it was not full and barely penetrated the meat.  Still, the meat was tender and gave in easily to light pressure from my knife.  The natural juices of the meat were locked in, but my palate was still searching for that real grilled taste - that distinct aroma of charring, that blackened exterior, that smokey flavor.  All three were never fully achieved.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed munching away at every rib - I finished the rack.  This was infinitesimally better than any cheap hawker stall, but still light-years behind Rack's.  But in this island-nation, this perhaps is one of the better and more affordable baby back ribs.

Fruit Punch

Our first experience in Olive Vine was generally a fulfilling one.  The taste seemed authentic Western, with prices reasonable for the serving sizes.  It was therefore not surprising to find ourselves choosing to dine here again for a quick New Year's Eve dinner.

Caesar Salad, SGD 8.90 (approx PHP 310)

In an attempt for a healthier alternative, we swapped the fries for salad this time.  The Caesar's salad was a huge portion, with generous slices of tender white chicken meat and fresh greens.  Curiously, those aren't croutons.  It tasted more like our local biscocho.  A miss for this dish actually.  Nevertheless, the salad was filling and was a meal in itself.

Biscocho salad, anyone?

She still picked pasta this time out, while I chose to go pork all the way.  The Shrimp Algio Olio was a good choice, and again we spiked it with extra chili flakes.

Shrimp Aglio Olio, SGD 10.90 (approx. PHP 380)

There was a reasonable amount of shrimp concealed among the flat tangle of noodles, five plump pieces to be exact.  The noodles glistened in the invigorating olive oil.  The taste was herbal and fresh, the shrimps succulent and tender.  Another perfectly executed pasta dish, similar to the Arrabiata.

Shrimps hiding underneath this tangled mess.

I picked another pork dish, my taste buds craving for that fatty taste.  Can't get enough of that cholesterol!

Pork Steak with Rice, SGD 10.90 (approx. PHP 380)

Two large slices of lean pork steak came served with a hefty portion of rice and a side of coleslaw, all lathered in mushroom gravy.  The gravy was a comforting feeling.  Gravy sauces in hawkers are eerily different, reeking of black pepper flavor, bordering on chicken rice sauce flavor.  That simply didn't go well with grilled dishes.  Ah, but the gravy here in Olive Vine tasted honest-to-goodness mushroom gravy.  

But then, the flowery praises seem to end there.  For some reason, the grilled dishes consistently fall short.  Although the meat was tender, it was bland without the gravy.  That smokey grilled taste was glaringly lacking, the charred appearance notably absent.  A victim of too quick cooking, perhaps?  Still, the gravy was the savior, embracing the otherwise mundane pork meat in its loving flavor.

Blueberry Cheescake, SGD 4.90 (approx. PHP 170)

There was ample room for dessert this time, and the Blueberry Cheesecake was the easy choice, having been deprived of cheesecake for months.  A small slice seemed pricey, especially if pitted against those from Conti's or even Bag of Beans back home.  However, this minute slice was up to par.  The cream cheese stuffing was cloying and soft, almost like ice cream consistency.  It was not overly sweet, and the cheesy flavor mildly subdued.  The blueberries tasted authentic and fruity.  Our only complaint was the slice was rather thin!  It was a sweet end for our carbo loading.

Despite obvious misses in its grilled cuisine, Olive Vine manages to churn out restaurant-quality dishes at pocket-friendly prices.  The pasta dishes are mostly well executed, but they definitely need to improve on their grilling methods.  Still, a testament for their good taste is the long queues and cramped tables during peak dining hours.  So, if you don't mind lining up (both for seating and for ordering), bumping elbows with the tables next to you, but still getting an authentic Western experience, hear it from the Olive Vine.  First hand.

Jones

Olive Vine

Marina Square

#B1-17 Marina Link

Singapore

https://www.facebook.com/olivevine

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