Finding Italian on the Island: Spageddies

Aside from our own local cuisine, a typical Filipino has only a handful of favorites: Chinese, Japanese, American, and yes, Italian.  Strange that the aforementioned are historically our colonizers, except for the latter.  Truth be told, the common pinoy finds comfort over a slice of soggy, reheated Hawaiian flavored pizza, or the "Filipinized" sweetened spaghetti bolognese from our most lovable big red bee.  Not authentically Italian, but still conceptually so.

As if imprinted in my genes, I found myself craving for pizza or pasta in this sunny island-nation.  I wanted a little more than the hawker Western stall cheap imitation, but my finances shied away from hotel-grade Italian restaurants.  Then I stumbled upon Spageddies, marketing itself as "unmistakably" Italian.

Stereotypically Italian?

A casual dining spot that originated from the US, Spageddies appeared authentic, albeit stereotypical.  The choice of red and green motifs decorating the interiors almost painted the Italian national flag.  Were they trying too hard?  Or was this the real thing?

Nevertheless, despite their nearly inconspicuous location in Orchard Central, the restaurant had quite a cozy corner.  Tall glass panels illuminated the interiors with natural light while providing a stunning view of the boulevard below.  A good spot for a late lunch, definitely.

The menu was straightforward.  None of the fancy fusion inventions nor any local adaptations.  Definitely a plus point for a shop striving to be authentic.  All the appetizers looked appealing, so we got the ball rolling by ordering their triple sampler, the Primo Combo.

Primo Combo, SGD 14.50 (approx. PHP 500, +7% GST and 10% service charge)

Composed of a trio of deep fried goodies, the Primo Combo was an ample way to whet the appetite.  The mozzarella sticks were crisp on the outside.  The cheese itself was tad too firm, as I would have preferred it to be gooey and stringy. Still, it tasted real and true, and not your refrigerated ready-to-cook sticks you can easily buy from the local grocer.

The other components were a little hit-and-miss.  The calamari was correctly fried, retaining the sweetness and tenderness of the squid rings.  However, the batter seemed a little salty and over-seasoned.  The soft-shell crab was a welcome member to the trio, but was similarly over-seasoned and a tad too briny.  Still, the tangy tartar sauce and neapolitan dip saved the day, blanching the saltiness in their own distinct flavors.  

Pirate Andy Pasta, SGD 18.90 (approx. PHP 650, +7% GST and 10% service charge)

I was truly hoping the pasta dishes would not disappoint. At first glance, the Pirate Andy Pasta seemed up to the task.  With a catchy name and boasting of the bounty of the sea, this relatively new item on the menu boasted the triple threat of squid, prawns, and clams.

Bountiful harvest of the sea.

Drizzled in the healthy goodness of olive oil, the noodles were perfectly executed, al dente, as they usually quip.  The seafood was in abundance, nearly smothering the noodles itself.  The squid was firm but not chewy, while the shrimps were small yet sweet and juicy.  I had hoped there were more clams, offering a briny taste in contrast to the herbal mix of flavors of the olive oil and cherry tomatoes.  We requested for a more red peppers to spice up the dish, but we still needed to season it with dried chili flakes to take it up another notch.

Like a tenacious buccaneer, the Pirate Andy Pasta captured our hearts and did not disappoint.  I was eagerly anticipating my next pasta dish, the more traditional Lasagna.

Lasagna, SGD 14.50 (approx. PHP 500, +7 GST and 10% service charge)

Draped in messy melted cheese, the lasagna brought memories of childhood when Mom used to bake her own.  I hoped it had the same homey goodness, although the size was far smaller than what mother prepared long time ago.

Nonetheless, this layered pasta dish burst with flavor with each bite.  The lasagna was pregnant with ricotta cheese within, while the meat sauce was cloying with the light zest of fresh tomatoes.  Still, I would have preferred more ground meat inside to add more body and toughness to this dish.  Also, the sauce seemed to run out when I was down to my last few morsels.

Unmistakably good enough.

Despite coming off as stereotypical at first impression, Spageddies does not fail to deliver.  Even if it does not impress in a mind-blowing manner, neither does it disappoint.  For a casual diner, Spageddies manages to step up a notch.  Serving pasta in immaculate white plates, prompt and quick attentive service, all the little things to make their restaurant feel like a fine dining experience.

Prices are also quite reasonable, although the appetizer seemed too few for the price tag.  Overall, Spageddies Italian Kitchen is a reasonable mid-level option for those who don't want to shell out too much for good, true-tasting Italian pasta.  A charming Italian find on the island.

Jones

Spageddies Italian Kitchen

181 Orchard Road

#04-01, Orchard Central

Singapore

https://www.facebook.com/spageddies

www.spageddies.com.sg

 

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Hot Tomato: Hot Ticket For Your Budget

There are days when the good old char siew pork or laksa just can't make my day.  There are days when I stare blankly into space and dream of the sinewy tender morsels of Snackaroo steak swimming in that sinful mushroom gravy.  There are days when I long for real, badass, high protein, high cholesterol meat.  Thankfully, this was a day that deserved such gluttony.

Pardon the late post, but on my special day (my birthday, of course!), we scooted over to a locally run joint that caught my eye when I passed by one of their branches in Bedok Mall.  Plastered over one poster was the tempting and salivating sight of steak, with a promise that it was the best cheap steak around these places.  I was hooked instantly, and there was no better day to try it out than on my day, when I gave myself the freedom to splurge on calories and cholesterol.

Red hot.

We picked the branch in 313 Somerset since on a weekday, it was quieter, hidden within the mall's basement bowels, away from the maddening shopping crowd.  Having scouted the menu before, we knew there was an ongoing promotion during off-peak hours: 20% off each main course during weekdays from 3 to 5:30 PM.  That alone was a steal.

Hot Tomato offers straightforward Western food, no strange east-west fusion, no weird sounding names.  All these at a price tag that would shame any Western food court stall.  Curious and craving for the true taste of grilled steak, we both picked meats for our main course.  No holds barred.

Perfect time: no crowds, 20% discount.

The place was practically deserted at around 3PM, with a couple of tables occupied by customers finishing off their orders.  Cozy round couches resembling plump sliced tomatoes seemed the perfect spot for dates or groups of friends, while several tables were just simple and neat, obviously for those just wanting to eat and run.  We settled for the tomato couches (how I call it), and wasted no time ordering.  It was past 3PM and we were clearly starving!

We upgraded one of the main course for just an additional SGD 2.90 to score on their soup of the day, garlic bread, and a drink.  The garlic bread looked so shabby and shameful, I didn't post a picture of it.  Clearly not worth the added bucks.  Still, the soup looked promising when it arrived.

Fresh Tomato Basil Soup, SGD 4.50 (solo, +7% GST and 10% service charge, approx. P160)

Of course, Hot Tomato just had to offer tomato soup on its menu.  This warm and filling concoction was tasty and heartwarming.  The goodness of fresh tomatoes gushed forth with each slurp.  They just got it all right with the soup bearing their name.  It was an auspicious start to our meal.

Just Fries With A PInch of Pepper, SGD 3.90 (+7% GST and 10% service charge, approx. P140)

No kick starter would be complete without the standard fries on the side, but this version was quite above standard.  Despite its humble name, these were real potato fries cooked to a crisp.  Although a tad under-seasoned (a pinch of pepper probably isn't enough, eh?), there was nothing a dash of tomato ketchup with Tabasco couldn't fix.  The serving size was worth the price, but still, I've had better fries some place else.  

But, the limelight was to be shared by our two meaty main courses.  Choice cuts of meat paired elegantly with pasta for the obligatory carbs.

Lamb Chop and Bratwurst Sausage, SGD 12.90 (+7% GST and 10% service charge, approx. P460)

Apparently tired of the erratic taste of hawker lamb chops, she tried Hot Tomato's version this time.  All of their grilled meats came with spaghetti aglio olio (sadly, there is no other choice), and a small side of fresh greens.

Where's the sausage?

Resting lusciously on the bed of spaghetti was two large slabs of lamb chops glistening in its greasy glory.  They were beautifully charred on the outside, the distinct aroma of fire grill wafting upwards from the plate.  The meat was tender and oozing with flavor, although we would have preferred it to be a tad more well-done.  There was a generous sliver of fat on each chop, cloying and toying with our senses.

There you are!

Not to be outdone, the bratwurst was seared on its sides yet exuded the juicy and peppery goodness of sausage.  It was huge, by the way, and paired with two large chops, we couldn't finish it off.  All these meaty pleasures paired well with their signature pepper sauce, proudly home-made.  I would have preferred mushroom gravy, but the pepper sauce was addicting!  

The spaghetti, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to the near perfect execution of the meat.  It was bland, to say the least, and perhaps smothering it underneath all that meat was a pretty smart idea, so as to let the flavor of the lamb and sausage drip and mix with the pasta.  Nevertheless, it would be better if the pasta stood on its own.  

Rib Eye Steak, SGD 14.50 (+7% GST and 10% service charge, approx. P518)

Hot Tomato offered only limited cuts of beef, so I picked the rib eye, which they promised to be tender all the way.  And they made no mistake about it.

With the tell-tale criss-cross charred markings on the surface, this huge slab of beefy goodness occupied almost the whole plate, eclipsing the sad spaghetti underneath.  Again, the salivating aroma of charcoal grill rose from my plate, beckoning me to begin slicing through it.

Somebody stop me!

With very little traces of fat, you're quite sure to get all your money's worth for every gram of meat.  I ordered mine medium well, and it was perfectly executed.  The exterior was grilled to a smokey taste, while the meat within remained juicy and tender.  Still, some parts seemed under-seasoned, but the signature pepper sauce remedied that easily.  

Just the way I like it.

Although I ventured to believe the steak would have been better with mushroom gravy (just like Snackaroo), the pepper sauce was quite a revelation.  The serving was also huge and nearly overpowered me, but I was able to finish it off after an extra effort!

Fresh Lime Juice, SGD 2.50 (+7% GST and 10% service charge, approx. P90)

With the upgraded meal came a choice of drink, and the fresh lime juice was just typical and ordinary, but able to quench away all that peppery taste and greasy flavor.

Hot Tomato's attractive menu and even more attractive prices explains why it is such a hit among the younger crowd in Singapore.  With steak grilled the way it should be, it offers locals the true Western flavor, without damaging the wallet too much.  The 20% Happy Hour promotion seems a smart choice, but considering the added 17% from GST and service charge, you actually just get 3% off.  But choosing the off-peak time saves you the hassle of queuing up (and lines do become long here), so the 3% off seems okay.

Still, some aspects of their menu need some polishing.  Perhaps some more flexibility with their steak and pasta pairings would help, or an even more smashing idea is letting diners choose their side dishes.  One thing for sure though, they got their steaks right.  The flavor of their rib-eye reminded me of Borgo Cafe's Butcher Steak back home, and that alone will keep me coming back.  So despite some misses, Hot Tomato remains the easy choice for those craving for a quick steak fix without burning the budget.

Jones

Hot Tomato

313 @ Somerset

313 Orchard Road, 

#B3-35/36

Singapore

http://www.hottomato.com.sg/

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Food Is A Love Potion: Gayuma Ni Maria

Maginhawa Street is a treasure trove of food finds.  Going along that stretch of road is like embarking on a culinary adventure of epic proportions.  Name it, the street has it: burgers, Japanese food, all-day breakfast, Tex-Mex, and the list goes on.  If one begins the adventure at the intersection with Anonas Street, there is one peculiar restaurant that is often overlooked solely because of its unassuming facade and the bundle of trees obscuring it.

Its dimly lit, faintly neon signage would however attract any passer-by with its eye-catching name, and then subsequently mistake it for an adults-only store.  But that is the concept and the aura that Gayuma Ni Maria intends to reflect.  Yes, this is actually a full-board restaurant dishing out a unique and cleverly crafted menu.

The interiors look a bit shabby, like any grandmother's old house.  The pastel colored wallpapers attempt their best to uplift the dim lights and the faded curtains.  The whole place feels like a gypsy shop, minus the crystal ball and manghuhula. (I found out they actually have an in-house tarot card reader.  That explains the strange theme.)  However, the table settings appeal to any couple on a date, complete with a flower centerpiece and floral table tops, setting the mood for a bizarre romantic night.

Guaranteed to crack a smile.  And a giggle or two.

The menu book was a simple laminated paper, but what's written is an imaginative play on words guaranteed to make even the most stoic laugh and the most purist giggle naughtily.  With items named like "Lumpiang Excited", "Rock Me Baby", "Size Doesn't Matter" and my hands-down favorite "Fishy Poque Poque", I'm pretty sure you'll find something you like, whether to order or just to laugh at.  But these monikers actually describe the dish quite accurately, and adds to the charm of Gayuma Ni Maria.  After a bit of teasing and giggling, we tried out a few of their mains.

Lumpiang Barako, P125

To fire up the night, we started off with these dynamite sticks aptly named Lumpiang Barako.  These sticks were filled with gooey cheese and green chilis wrapped in a lumpia skin and then deep fried.  There were some parts that were not crispy and unevenly fried, which was a bit of a letdown.  Also, there was an apparent lack of kicks, although both of us were used to spicy food anyway.  I was expecting quite a firestarter but this one failed to live up to its name.  Even the sissy could consume this thing.

Mi Amore, P215

She ordered a pasta dish that caught her fancy.  The Mi Amore was supposed to be an Italian spaghetti but it had clear overtones of Pinoy-style infused in it.  The sauce was mildly sweet typical of our local variants, except that there were no hotdogs to be seen.  The noodles were al dente and well executed.  The order came with two piece of buttered garlic bread, which were rather forgetful.  They were tough and chewy and a tad overdone.

Rock Me Baby!, P265

For my manly order, I selected one of my favorite cuts of meat.  The Rock Me Baby! was served with two large cuts of hickory barbecued pork ribs, with a side of corn kernels and your choice of mashed potato or rice.  Naturally, I went for the rice pairing.  The marinade was too sweet for my liking, almost tasting like pancake syrup.  There was a glaring lack of zest and spicy smokey feel, which was a bit distressing.  The meat though was soft and fork-tender, with the taste seeping well into its inner sinews.  I would have loved this dish if it imbibed a more grilled and smokey taste, the way a man wants it (pardon the pun, the theme is quite infectious).  But the sweet hints were too sissy.  Also, I would have preferred a more generous serving for that price tag, although the cuts that were served were plump and juicy.

Gayuma Ni Maria will not fail to surprise any curious foodie.  Despite its Filipino tag, the restaurant offers a wide array of choices and whole line-up of cakes and desserts (which we should have tried!).  Its peculiar and inventive theme and vibe and its fancifully branded dishes are enough to spark a dinner conversation and unending laughter.  The dishes themselves however, fail in certain striking aspects, owing probably to cooking technique and attention to detail.

But, just because of its eccentricity, I would go back on the right occasion, perhaps just to tease friends or have a good cozy dinner.  I sure hope they would improve on their servings and tweak the taste on some of the dishes.  For its charm alone, Gayuma Ni Maria should deserve a second look, and perhaps its potion might get one hooked.

Jones

Gayuma Ni Maria

123 V. Luna Extension (near Maginhawa Street)

Sikatuna Village, Quezon City

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gayuma-Ni-Maria/148108488537188

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