Sumptuous Sunrise Buckets!

There's nothing more comforting than the mere thought of deep fried chicken wings tossed in good old buffalo sauce, a cold drink in one hand, the sun kissing your skin, and the music of ocean waves crashing upon the rocks and sands.  Ahh, such an idyllic moment.

Sunrise Buckets seem to capture this snapshot, despite no trace of ocean for miles around it.  The shop has been a fixture in the Ortigas area for quite some time now, a regular haunt for budget conscious students, weary office workers, or simply those longing for a piece of the beach, and good times. 

The place is a portal that whisks one away to another place.  One that's sunny, happy, bright and gay.  The walls are studded with beach-themed ornaments, complete with surfboards.  The only thing that seems lacking is real beach sand.  The shop was quite small but cozy, comfortably seating around 40 people or so.

The menu consists mainly of American comfort food, but the wings are the centerpiece, of course.  Only a few can rival Sunrise Bucket's vast array of wing flavors, surpassing even that of Wingman.  But is the quality at par?

Frings, P295 (+10% service charge)

The perfect way to start any comfort dinner is to chow down some potato fries and onion rings.  Dubbed as Frings, this huge basket arrived with a gargantuan sized onion rings!  Breaded and deep-fried to perfection, the onion rings were succulent and delectable.  The fries were crisp and plenty, but lacked some flavor.  The blue cheese dip should have added some punch but seemed to be tamed and watered down.

Picking the flavor of the chicken wings seems like a daunting task, with over 15 flavors to choose from.  The menu, though, helps you out by dividing flavors into 3 categories.  "Awesome" includes the tamer and milder flavors.  "Wipeout" amps up the spice a notch higher, including the original buffalo mix and Sunrise's own concoction.  The category also encompasses other more adventurous flavors: hickory, black pepper, and garlic.  The last, more flamboyant category, dubbed as "Cloud 9", truly is the heaven of wings.  With unique mixes infused with liquor such as Jim Beam and Jack Daniels, the taste is out-of-this-world.  We picked at least a flavor from each category for variety.

Spicy Jack, Half Pound, P245 (+10% service charge)

The distinct taste of liquor was evident but not overpowering in their unique, Jack Daniel-infused Spicy Jack.  The fruity overtones of alcohol blended well and was tame enough to let the zest and spice of buffalo sauce shine through.  It's nearly inexplicable, yet it works.  The chicken meat itself was crisp on the exterior, but a little dry within.  Nevertheless, the sauce is enough to make it finger-lickin' good, to borrow that famous punchline.  Trust me, there's no other flavor in this world like this liquor infused Spicy Jack.  Hands down, the best of the night.  For that price tag, it should be.

Smokin' BBQ, Half Pound, P165 (+10% service charge)

A simpler, more straightforward choice, the Smokin' BBQ was probably lost in the limelight hogged by the Spicy Jack.  The smokey flavor was nearly non-existent, although there were a few traces of a grilled taste.  Too tame or too watered down?  This one was a bit disappointing, tasting just like a lowly common fried chicken.

Garlic Parmesan, Half Pound, P245 (+10% service charge)

I'm a sucker for any garlic and cheese flavor combo, and this pick looked promising.  My palate has since been longing for this taste ever since I grabbed a bite of Wingman's own parmesan mix.  My expectations were thus high for this flavor.  Sadly, Sunrise's version was overboard salty.  The saltiness was overpowering, perhaps due to an overflowing seasoning as evidenced by the leftover powder in the bucket.  The garlic taste was hard to find, subdued by the oiliness of the butter and the overeager flavor of the parmesan powder.  This would have been mind-blowing, had it been executed carefully.

Real American Buffalo Hot, Half Pound, P175 (+10% service charge)

We opted to sample their version of the original buffalo flavor, and it was spot on.  The zest and kick was evident, along with the familiar sourness of the buffalo wing taste.  Available in 3 degrees of spiciness, this should be the usual pick for those who prefer no-frills buffalo wings.  

One fact about Sunrise Bucket's wings is that the serving is small - too small for the price tags.  The cheapest bucket comes at a tad above 150 bucks, but the wing joints appear minuscule.  Some pieces appeared thin and lacked enough meat.  This is in contrast to bigger wings seen in Buffalo's Wings and Things, Wingman, heck even the budget B. Wings.  

Pound for pound, it's not the best bargain in the metro out there.  But what Sunrise Buckets offers and keeps hooking and reeling in their customers is the wide variety of flavors and their really unique alcohol amplified concoctions.  I would be willing to shell out a few bucks more just to sample their Jack Daniels or Jim Beam wings again, even if the sizes are less than average.  It's as ground-breaking and other-worldly as that.

Jones

Sunrise Buckets

Madison Square, Madison Street corner Ortigas Avenue

San Juan City

https://www.facebook.com/sunrise.buckets

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Flying High with Wingman!

I'm in a rut.  Sometimes life tends to go by agonizingly slow.  It is during such long lulls and blank stares into space that this thought crossed my mind. 

Comfort food beckons.

I have long heard local foodie lore about this tough-to-find joint tucked somewhere in the back pockets of Makati.  Yet, this place is so famous by word-of-mouth (and by blogs, for that matter), that it ranks number one in TripAdvisor.  Seriously.  For such an unassuming shop, it was making its own legend.  And having fallen in addiction to the wings craze, this was soon on top of my list just begging to be checked out.  On a perfect warm Saturday noon, with the Makati traffic wanting, we set out in our journey for this critically acclaimed wing joint.

Wingman has long been in seclusion in a warehouse turned commercial space along a side street.  The Collective houses a few good restaurants and a slew of other art shops and clothing store.  But, I can bet a hundred wings there's only one place here that gets the greatest mileage.  Armed with my Ipad map, it was easy finding the place.  But it was tougher to grab a parking spot, let alone parallel park!  The wings better be good, I thought, as I squeezed my sedan in between a dilapidated police van and a beat-up pedicab.

The bar is the best place to catch up on NBA news. And a few shots.

Let them do the talking. 

Wingman opens at 12 noon on a Saturday, and we arrived on the dot.  Yet there were already a few customers inside, a testament to the goodness it serves.  The place was well-lit with the walls draped in its signature red. A few World War II - Korean War era posters of war planes decorated the walls, in obvious reference to their name.  Wingman is also a frequented watering hole, with a small bar offering a collection of liquor.  There were a few tables for dining al fresco, but it was rather humid that day.  So we picked a bright spot inside, along the window panes, and then settled in to browse the menu.  Surprisingly, for a dedicated wing joint, they offered other comfort food items such as big burgers and matching fries!

A crumpled menu is always a good sign.

But we were here for nothing else but the wings.  After pondering a bit, we elected to choose the original Buffalo flavor and then tried out a concoction unique to Wingman.  But first, we also picked something on the side to complement our main order.

Onion Rings, P130 (+4% service charge)

When the Onion Rings arrived at the table, we were stunned.  The rings were huge!  The size was reminiscent of the giant rings served at Nolita, although this was way cheaper.  Furthermore, the serving amount was beyond that of Nolita.  The bread crumbs coating the rings were akin to that of katsu, a bit spiky yet still gentle to the palate.  The skin was crispy like no other, while the rings within were kept fresh and moist.

Deep fried to perfection, the onion rings came along with a tangy mayonnaise dip.  They serve free refills of the dip, so don't fret.  With the amount of this serving, the dip runs out pretty quick.  One of the best executed onion rings I have ever had, it was highly addicting.  I would have consumed this on my own, yet I was highly anticipating the wings.

Dozen Wings, P330 (+4% service charge)

At first glance, the wings seemed diminutive.  There is an unending debate whether serving by the piece or by the pound is better.  One thing against serving by the pound is that the bones add to the weight, so you may get less than your buck's worth.  On the other hand, going by the piece makes sure you get the right amount, although sometimes, the wings are smaller.  At Wingman, the wings did appear smallish compared to what I've previously had.  But you get 12 honest pieces, and believe me, we were stuffed by the time we got to eight.  

You can split the dozen into two flavors of your liking.  And Wingman does have an extensive flavor selection, rivaling that of Buffalo's Wings and Things but still a few paces behind Sunrise Buckets.  We always went for the original Buffalo flavor, so as to compare to other wing shops.  The level of hotness can be tweaked however, so we opted for Apocalyptic.  No waivers needed though.

Original Buffalo, Apocalyptic!

What was striking is that the wings were oozing with sauce.  The buffalo sauce was liberally draping these adorable babies, with every nook and cranny accounted for.  The tell tale signs of chopped chili and the spunky aroma was screaming HOT all the way.  At first bite, it hits you with a little jab.  In succession, the pain kicks in.  A delicious kind of pain.  The sauce was tangy, just like the good old buffalo mix.  The skin was crisp but there were portions that were soft, clearly dampened by the overflowing sauce.  Nevertheless the meat was juicy, with the flavor seeping into every sinew.  A few traces of chopped cilantro offered additional zest to the already flavorful mix.

Who bit my wing??

It was our first time to test the Honey Garlic flavor, and we never regretted it after our first bite. The mild and refreshingly sweet honey blended well with the garlicky taste, offering a contrast as the flavors burst into your mouth.  Again, there were no holds barred as the sauce embraced each wing lovingly.  It was a relatively novel flavor, but it grew on me as I gobbled up wing after wing.

Honey Garlic

Despite its meager appearance, the wings were surprisingly packed with meat.  By my 4th piece, I was nearly full.  The ranch dressing comes free with each order, but additional sauces come with a price.  Nevertheless, the wings are already gushing with flavor, so we didn't order for more of the dip.

Another happy customer. And a new Wingman convert.

Now I understood all the commotion and hype about Wingman.  The flavors were spot-on, and neither did they scrimp on the ingredients.  What you see is what you get, and you get every penny's worth.  The vibe of the restaurant adds to the overall experience, with a homey feel, like a corner diner or a cozy bar.  The menu is expansive, an assurance that one will never grow tired of Wingman.  The onion rings alone left me dreamy, and the wings will surely make me come back for more.

One happy man in Wingman.

The only sad part is that Wingman is difficult to reach for people living outside Makati.  For those bringing their own cars, it's a test of orientation and map-reading skills.  Not to mention, you should have cat-like talents in parallel parking.  One might have better chances commuting, but then again, its a long walk from the main jeepney route.  Apparently, the place gets packed once the sun goes down, especially on weekends.  But that should not be a deterrent from trooping out to Wingman.  The wings are worth it.

The good news though, is that they are poised to open two new branches, one in Newport, and another somewhere near C5 in Taguig.  Beats me why they always choose a far-off place.  Newport?  Who goes there anyway.  Taguig?  Tough to find also.  Maybe it's because they want to preserve the sanctity of their legendary image.  Although I would prefer a branch nearer the south (greedy me!)

So does Wingman deserve its lofty top spot?  That remains to be debated and argued violently by wing lovers.  (Stay tuned for my upcoming head-to-head review of wing shops!)  Clearly though, it merits all the superlatives and accolades from foodies and even just plain hungry people.  With a growing patronage, Wingman will always be flying high. 

Jones

Wingman

The Collective

7274 Malugay Street 

Makati City

https://www.facebook.com/wingmangrill

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A Slice of Little Italy

Nowadays, I find pizza shops mundane and boring.  Far too often, they lack creativity and flavor, and brands often taste the same.  I would frequently quip sarcastically (but seriously) that I would prefer Fiesta Pizza than the fancy Yellow Cab variants.  Frankly, I my taste buds had grown saturated with the all too familiar mix of melted cheese and pepperoni.  Sadly, these restaurants often degrade their own taste by offering promos (like their free pizza cards) that leave our palates wanting.  Taste was unwittingly sacrificed by putting a premium on who sells more.  Or who sells the biggest, for that matter.  (I am often amazed by these humongous life-sized pizzas that look amazingly big but dwindle on taste).

Still, the pizza scene remains hopeful with a few foreign brands penetrating the market (read: Papa John's) that offer a different experience (that garlic butter dip is addicting by the way).  Moreover, local culinary groups have delved into the world of pizzas, seeking to amp up the drudgery.

Perched on its lofty spot in BHS Central, Nolita promises a genuine New York pizza experience.  By now, you would have figured out that Nolita is cryptic for "north of Little Italy", obviously referring to New York's Italian quarter.  So, after a wonderful free concert by Jarsofclay, our hungry aching stomachs headed up to the 2nd level to check out this relatively new joint.

The daily menu written in colored chalk: always a good sign.

The place itself was in stark contrast to its surroundings.  Surprisingly simple, its interiors exuded a gritty industrial feel, attempting to authenticate the supposed New York experience. Ordering is self-service, as the counter up front displays the day's freshly baked pizza selection.  One of my first complaints, however, was that there was no clear label which pizza was which.  Compounded by the unique appearance of each, it was difficult to guess their names.  Fortunately, the servers were helpful enough to tell you a short story for each.  Pick a pizza, and then they re-heat it for you.  Fall in line by the counter and select a cozy seat after.

Picnic tables and benches provide a homey feel amidst the gritty industrial vibe.

It took a few minutes to heat the pizza.  We also ordered one of their signature burgers just to  try out.  Even at a late hour on a Sunday night, the place was still abuzz with life.  I anxiously waited for our orders, as I feared I would be disappointed by another monotonous flavor.  And when our two slices arrived, I was completely amazed!

Chicken Parmesan, P250 / slice

This thing was so huge, the slice was sticking out of the hapless paper plate.  Filled to the brim with generous chopped grilled chicken and sticky melted cheese, its tomato base oozes out of its cheese draping.  The dough had just the ample thickness to support the heavy toppings, with the outer crust toasted to a crunch.  One thing was for sure, with the hefty price, they certainly did not scrimp out on the ingredients.

Cheeseburger Pizza, P190 / slice

I picked the slice of Cheeseburger Pizza.  Compared to the Chicken Parmesan, this appeared to lack the visual heft of the latter.  Large clumps of ground beef atop a bed of melted sticky cheese and garnished with onions make for a filling treat.  Although less heavy, this slice did not lack in flavor.  I know a number of pizza joints have attempted to fuse the burger with the slice, but the Nolita version beats them out with its meatier and tastier beef.  At less than 200  bucks per slice, this was definitely worth it.

Angus All Beef Burger, P250, with Onion Rings, add P70

For a manly meal, the Angus All Beef Burger was a sight to behold.  Cleverly served on a wooden chopping board, the deconstructed burger featured a 6 ounce all beef patty grilled the way you want it.  I ordered medium well, and it was cooked accordingly.  Thick and meaty, it however lacked the juiciness I was expecting for a burger looking like this.  Topped with grilled onions, tomatoes and lettuce, I almost skipped the buns altogether.  The saving grace however, were the beer-battered onion rings.  These monstrous rings were faultlessly fried to a crisp, while the onion within remained moist.  With my first bite, I soon regretted not ordering this separately.  Even so, you can add these delightful rings to any order of burger or sandwich for just P70, and you get 6 or 7 huge ones.

Follow the instructions for a worthwhile experience.

One thing was for sure, Nolita has changed the game.  I have had enough of the similar looking and dull pizzas of old.  With its unique, almost queer flavors (I had never seen a whole sunny-side up egg on top of cheese pizza), my interest in pizza was undoubtedly revived.  Despite the heftier price tags, the serving size, quality, and taste maximize your money's worth.  In concert with other bloggers, I thought the Angus burger needed a bit of tweaking to get the right amount of juice.  The onion rings, on the other hand, are perfect.

Nolita remains abuzz with life even during the wee hours

With its prime location, Nolita is set to occupy the top spot among gourmet pizza spots.  For those tired of the same old slice of life, just shell out a few more bucks to taste a different yet authentic experience.  For sure, there is nothing little about Nolita, except its name.

Nolita 

Upper Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, West Superblock

7th Avenue corner 29th Street

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

https://www.facebook.com/NOLITA.PIZZA

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