I've been to many food crawls before.  Yet, I could never seem to get used to it.  Each time I end up surprised to see a series of feast waiting to be devoured and of course, the company I'm sharing it with.

It has an interior that is similar to a heritage Filipino home.  It was so comfortable that we didn't notice the time flew by as we sat down and dined.

Food

Salads

Caesar (295 php)

As expected from any LJC group restaurant, classic dishes like this Caesar salad is executed perfectly.  

Paellas

♥ Paella Valenciana (650 php)

These days, I've been eating rice-free meals.  But, I guess I'm to weak against the fragrant and flavorful Paella Valenciana.  A taste of this was not enough, I had to succumb and devour even to the crispy brownish layer.  

Main Courses

Inihaw na Sugpo (675 php)

Look at the precise grill marks on the Inihaw na Sugpo.  You could tell by the looks that each bite into its soft and tender meat delivered a delicious juice that fills your mouth with a wonderful sensation.

♥ Costillas de Ternero Guisada Sharing (750 php)

I'm happy to be acquainted with the lavishing Costillas de Ternero Guisada.  The tender beef had a sauce that an exquisite red wine essence that lingers on your taste buds.

♥ Spanish Garlic Chicken (395 php)

I don't think there's any dish that could dazzle the entire crowd like the Spanish Garlic Chicken.  Who would have thoughts that chicken with a bountiful amounts of garlic cloves would be an irresistible culinary masterpiece?  It reminds me of the words of wisdom my mentor Ed shared to us "Your can compare cooking to life.  Life is simple,  You only need to have the essential ingredients to make you happy."

Black Pata Sharing (850 php)

The Black Pata is actually one of my favorite Chinese dishes.  Unfortunately, we don't cook this at home because it's too tedious to prepare so I am so happy when I get a chance to have this.  Our former cook used to cook this dish excellently.  Because of him, I had high standards.  This version passed my standards in terms of meat texture.  It's just too rich and sweet for me.

Vegetables

Adobong Puso ng Saging at Gambas (295 php)

While the Adobong Puso ng Saging at Gambas does not appear to be as grand as the other dishes, it served an essential part of our meal.  It had a refreshing tangy flavor brought by the harmonious mix of vinegar and soy that reset our palates after having the more savory dishes.

Noodles, Pasta, and Rice

♥ Pancit Sotanghon sa Baby Pusit (345 php)

The Pancit Sotanghon sa Baby Pusit  with a hint of kamias and squid ink on the bouncy crystal clear noodles brought a tasty massage in every mouthful.  This reminded me of the Pancit Puti which I tried at Mangan.  Both were pancit sotanghon dishes with kamias.  But, the Pancit Puti had chicken essence while this one had squid ink essence.

Desserts

Gigil Tart (199 php)

Despite the name, I didn't have a memorable sensation when I had the Gigil Tart.  I loved coconut and salted egg but its just that Baklava stole the dessert limelight and casted a shadow over this.

Mango and Almond Panna Cotta (245 php)

I love panna cotta because I love milk.  Even though I was lactose intolerant, I would cheat as a child and eat powdered milk whenever I could.  However, I found the Mango and Almond Panna Cotta to be overly sweetened that it overpowers the milky flavor I yearn for.

♥ Baklava (275 php)

Because I'm a huge fan of pistachio nuts, I fully appreciate the Baklava.  The Baklava I have encountered in the past is a light, slightly greasy and flaky square type.  This is different and has a defining characteristic.  It has a crisp coating and crunchy filling.  It is not greasy at all.  I liked it very much!

Drink List

Fresh Juices

Ripe Mango Juice (145 php)

So happy to find my way to Lorenzo's Way!  Thanks Zomato for inviting me.

Lorenzo's Way
Branches	GREENBELT G/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati City, Metro Manila Phone: (02) 729-0047 / 729-0013 Seating capacity: Main dining 55 / Al Fresco 75 BONIFACIO HIGH STREET CENTRAL 2nd Level, C2 Building, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Phone:  (02)  621-3163 to 64
Business Hours	Lunch: 11am-3pm Dinner: 5pm-11pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	400-1.000
Free WiFi	Yes
Other	Website

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A few months ago, we couldn't find the motivation to cook at home so we dined out for every meal.  For dinner, we ate at Va Bene Pasta Deli.

We just chanced upon it on the 3rd floor of Bonifacio High Street Center. 

The manager was very friendly.  She told us that this is her second branch (the first one located at the 2nd floor of the Petron Gas Station Edsa corner Pasay Road.)

The dining area was quite limited and the place was a bit cramped up so you can all the crowd chatters.  During the time we were there, it was always fully packed.  


They had a specials menu.


Food

♥ Complimentary Bread

Insalata

♥ Va Bene Salad (440 php)

The Va Bene Salad is a superb salad!  We were very impressed with it and I think it's definitely one of the best salads out there.  The scallops milense (with truffle mayonaise) were laid on top of crunchy apple slices is a brilliant idea.  The arugula is very fresh and the lemon dressing is so good!


Pasta Lunga (Long Pasta)

♥ Linguine Pasta (440 php)

I have never seen a pasta dish that has an equal amount of topping as the pasta before.  The Linguine Pasta is one such!  The arribiata sauce with riccotta mousse has the right blend that makes it smooth and slightly creamy.  At the same time, it was zesty and tangy.  

♥ Organic Eggs Tagliatelle (440 php)

My family has always preferred red sauce over white sauce.  But when they tried the Organic Eggs Tagliatelle, they were so delighted with it that they swiped this clean in a jiffy.


 You can request for additional parmesan cheese like we did.

Dolci (Dessert)

♥ Strawberry A La Milena (280 php)

The Strawberry A La Milena looks simple but it actually has a sophisticated character just like the rest of our orders.  Mom and little sister was so giddy with this!  The fresh slightly sour strawberries were bathed in sweet syrup with some balsamico and sprinkled with black pepper.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We were so happy with our dinner at Va Bene Pasta Deli.  That we just had to recommend it to our relatives and friends.  They all loved it too!  I'm hoping to go back to try more of their dishes.  I have strong feeling that they know exactly what they are doing so every order is impressive.  The price is a bit upscale but as you can see, they are quite generous with their ingredients so we felt that we got more than we paid for.

I can still remember my pre-teen years when billiards and bowling was the "in" thing.  Whether it's with family or classmates, we'd play at Robinson's Place Manila. After that I'd buy my favorite Cinnamon Pretzel from Auntie Anne's and cap my snack off with a single cone of Pistachio Ice Cream from Baskin Robins located just outside the bowling center.  Later on, the craze faded and I rarely visited that side and when I did, Baskin Robbins had already closed down. 

When I heard that it opened at Central Square, I persistently convinced the family to have our dessert there.   It was a rainy day but as you can see, there are still lines

Before you can reach the ordering station's you'll first go through the enticing cake display.  I hope I can try this on one of my birthdays.

There's an ordering book there too.

There's a procedure guide on top of the chillers.

You can also have a taste before selecting.

Here are our orders.

Green Tea (139 php/Single Scoop)

Mint Chocolate Chip (139 php/Single Scoop)

Rum Raisin (139 php/Single Scoop)

Very Berry Strawberry (139 php/Single Scoop)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm glad Baskin Robbins is back and we got to try it again.  It's still as good.  I'll try their cake next time.

Nanbantei of Tokyo is an international chain of yakitori restaurants from Roponggi Tokyo Japan.  Since the establishment of its pioneer branch 40 years ago, it now expanded in Singapore, Shanghai, and the Philippines.

I visited their branch located at the 2nd level Bonifacio High Street Central just beside Village Tavern.  The other is in Greenbelt 3.

The interiors are of traditional Japanese with wooden tables, chairs and dividers.  The entire place is lit with soft yellow lighting. 

They have an open kitchen were you can see your yakitori orders being grilled by the expert chefs.

Food

Soup & Salads

Shiitake Mushroom Salad

The Shiitake Mushroom Salad  has the usual salad ingredients: lettuce, carrot, cherry tomatoes with the special ingredient: fresh shiitake mushroom. I never knew that you can eat the shiitake mushroom raw.  I loved it!  The sesame dressing is perfect for it too.

Samurai Sets (888 php/good for 3)

Samurai Set A (800 php/good for 3)

All Samurai Sets comes with 3 servings of Miso Shiru and Gohan.  We tried the Samurai Set A which includes: 1 set of Ebi Tempura (6 pieces), 3 Tebasaki (grilled chicken wings seasoned with salt), 3 Poteto Maki (grilled potato wrapped in bacon seasoned with salt), 3 ♥ Negima (grilled chicken meat with leeks seasoned with salt), 3 Aspara Maki (grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon seasoned with salt) and 3 ♥ Pork Yakiniku (grilled pork meat marinated with yakiniku sauce).


Samurai Set B includes: 3 Leba Maki (grilled chicken liver wrapped in bacon seasoned with salt), 3 Beef Garlic Maki, 3 Pork Garlic Maki, 3 Beef Yakiniku,  3 Shake Kushi Yaki (grilled salmon balls marinated with teriyaki sauce) and Kani Salad.  Samurai Set C includes 3 Bonjiri (grilled chicken tail marinated with teriyaki sauce), 3 Tebasaki , Sakani Maki (grilled dory fish wrapped in bacon seasoned with salt), 3 Tsukune, 3 Shiso Maki (grilled pork with shiso leaf) and Tori Karaage.

Pork

Enoki Maki (140 php)

The Enoki Maki grilled enoki mushroom wrapped with pork seasoned with salt.

Beef

♥ Shitake Maki (220 php)

The Shitake Maki is grilled shitake mushroom wrapped with beef seasoned with salt.

♥ Gyu-Tan

The Gyu-Tan is grilled ox tongue seasoned with salt and pepper.

Seafood

♥ Ebi Maki

The Ebi Maki was a hit among my companions.  It is grilled  shrimp wrapped in bacon season with salt.

Chicken

♥ Tsukune (120 php)

The Tsukune is grilled chicken meat balls marinated with teriyaki sauce.  This is my favorite among all our yakitori orders.

Special Items

Tori Karaage (200 php)

 The Tori Karaage was tender and juicy but I did not appreciate the thick batter.


Side Order

Yaki Onigiri (85 php/piece)

We were intrigued by the Yaki Onigiri  or grilled rice balls.  It was an interesting sight but I didn't enjoy it that much especially since the nori wasn't crispy anymore.

Beverage

♥ Strawberry Mango Shake (100 php)

The Strawberry Mango Shake is really good!  This is probably the best summer fruit shake I've tried yet.

Strawberry Shake (100 php)

The Strawberry Shake is just as good. 


Dessert

Coffee Jelly (120 php)

For dessert, the Coffee Jelly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a great choice.

Green Tea Ice Cream (100 php)

The Green Tea Ice Cream is also a nice meal-ender.

 

Avocado Ice Cream (100 php)

Or you can opt for the Avocado Ice Cream to avoid the caffeine.


New Cocktails

♥ Japanese Mojito (175 php), Malibu Midori (125 php), Gin Basil (125 php), Hibiscus Mojito (150 php) and Fresh Rita (150 php)

Popular among my colleagues was the Japanese Mojito.  It's a blend of Ichiko Soju, calamansi juice, syrup and soda water.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Nanbantei of Tokyo offers authentic yakitori selections and other Japanese dishes for an affordable price.  They have a wide variety of drinks too.  If you're in group the sets are a good option to enjoy more savings.