Ever since I was invited by the Malabon Government to try their Malabon Food Trip Special, I have been a huge fan of Malabon's specialties.  So when I heard about Gabe's Homegrown Dishes, I was very intrigued.
 

See if you can spot Gabe's Homegrown Dishes signage

Because I am usually guided by Google Maps or Waze, I easily found Gabe's.  But if you're simply a passerby, Gabe's signage may be a bit unnoticeable.


Gabe's is found on the second floor.  It is the first establishment you'll see. 


Gabe's is a cool and comfort haven with a loft and some games and reading materials.

I can't believe they have my one of my favorite games as a student.  I used to have a lot of those Super Trump decks.  Aside from those, I even had helicopters, planes and more.

They got creative with their dining area by pairing the small wooden tables with chairs and lettered stools. 

There were also toy displays.

Seems they are Starwars fans too just like my family.


I wanted to leave a feedback but the wall is full of more hearty comments already.

Food
So let's get on with the food which I have to rave about.

Appetizers  

Pinoy Cheese Sticks (80 php)

Starting with something so familiar since my childhood: Pinoy Cheese Sticks.  This is great for sharing and the local tuhog-tuhog style makes it even more fun.

Main Entrees

♥ Lengua (250 php/good for sharing)

The Lengua is so good!  This has a bold fragrant garlic flavor that complements the creamy sauce and the very tender pork and beef tongue.   I highly recommend pouring the sauce over your rice.  Do that and I bet one cup of rice won't be enough for you.

♥ Tinumis (90 php)

At home, we cook the traditional version and Ilocano version (dinardaraan) of dinuguan.  Later on, I discovered that Pampanga has it's own version too called Tidtad Babi.   I didn't know that Malabon has its own version of dinuguan too.  The Tinumis is lighter in sour taste compared to other dinuguan I've tried.

♥ Tinumis (90 php)

And, this Tinumis is very chunky with innards.  I also liked that it wasn't soaking in oil because there it isn't dominated by fatty parts.

Noodles/Pasta

Pancit Malabon (100 php)

The Pancit Malabon is rich in ingredients but the sauce is light-tasting so it may not be enough for some.  On the bright side, the serving size is huge for the price.


Desserts

♥ Halo Halo (100 php)

What I really loved at Gabe's is their Halo Halo.  I've always felt ripped off when paying 100 bucks for mostly milk and ice at Razon's.  So I was really impressed that Gabe's Halo Halo has so many ingredients.  It even beats the pricey halo halo of Halo Halo de Iloko Balay of La Union.  And, it also beats our homemade version which until this time is the best in terms of variety!  Their homemade Ube is so fine and creamy. Their homemade Leche Flan is flawlessly smooth and melts-on-your-mouth.  The shaved ice is so crisp and crunchy just like that of Razon's.

♥ Halo Halo (100 php)

You can even share their Halo Halo because it really heavily loaded!  For the price, it's a steal.  I will definitely recommend this to be a halo-halo stop when in the area.

Beverages

♥ Lemonade (65 php)

Their affordable Lemonade is perfect for the summer!  Not only is this a nutritious thirst quencher, it goes well with any of their dishes too.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I can't think of a place like Gabe's Homegrown Dishes.  The price is so affordable and easy on the pocket.  They offer specialty dishes like no other.  The service is superb.  I'm very impressed with our server Naomi who is very familiar with the history and ingredient of this dish.  For those in the area, you should try this place!  They offer delivery within Quezon City and Eastwood City and they also offer party packages so just inquire.

Aristocrat Restaurant is our family favorite Filipino restaurant.  Even before we were born, our parents dated in Aristocrat. 


Whenever we don't have any home-cooked dishes at home, we would take out (before they delivered) or call for delivery. 

 

Whenever we have to eat at an unconventional hour, we would go to Aristocrat. 


Whenever family and friends from another country come to visit, we bring them to Aristocrat.  


After we go to mass every Sunday, Christmas and Simbang Gabi, we go to Aristocrat.  

Food
And, recently when craving for pinoy merienda, my friends and I also went to Aristocrat.  

Merienda

Aristocrat Flying Saucer Adobo (100 php)

For those who missed being born in the 80's when flying saucer sandwiches was the biggest food trend, you can try the Aristocrat Flying Saucer Adobo at Aristocrat. 

Pospas De Gallina (120 php)

The Pospas De Gallina is literally the chicken soup for the soul!  A tasty chicken and chicken broth will surely replenish your depleted energy at any time of the day.

♥ Arroz Con Caldo (120 php)

For the cold and rainy days, the Arroz Caldo is my recommendation.  It is chicken and rice bathing in rich beef broth.

Tokwa't Baboy (145 php)

Who doesn't love the classic Tokwa't Baboy?  This is a great addition to your merienda and great for sharing too.

Lumpiang Ubod Sariwa (90 php)

If you have healthy or vegetarian friends, you can easily lure them to accompany you to Aristocrat with their delicious Lumpiang Ubod Sariwa.

♥ Dinuguan with Puto and Cheese Roll (150 php + 60 php + 30 php)

I have never met anyone who resist the super duo of Dinuguan and Puto.  If you love the classic duo, I dare you to try Aristocrat's Cheese Roll with their Dinuguan.  Promise!  You'll feel like you've miss half of your life for this late discovery .

Noodles

♥ Sotanghon Guisado (285 php)

♥ Pancit Luglog (190 php)

When we speak of merienda, there has to be pancit on the table.  Aristocrat's Sotanghon Guisado  and Pancit Luglog is so hearty that you can't go wrong with any of them.

I might as well share my all time favorites...

Soup & Salads

♥ Sotanghon Soup (70 php)

♥ Sotanghon Soup (70 php)

Aristocrat Classics

♥ Boneless Chicken Barbecue (190 php)

Beef

♥ Kare-Kare (455 php)

Aristocrat Bakeshop

♥ Torta De Los Reyes Big (460 php)

♥ Torta De Los Reye

♥ Lengua de Gato (240 php)

Beverages

Native Chocolate (60 php)

♥ Mango-Banana Shake (110 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I don't think you really need my verdict on this!  Aristocrat is time-tested by many already.  See you there! =)

Having encountered Susie's Cuisine before at the Pamangan Fiestang Kapampangan 2012, I told the family to make a quick stop there.  



Judging from it's wide parking space and facade, it looks like a full blown restaurant.  We weren't sure if it was open since it was Maundy Thursday but I'm glad it was.

They have a lot of products already packed in boxes indicating that they are a famous pasalubong stop.

 They were shelves of pasalubong items from all over the Philippines. 

We bought our favorite Ocampo Uraro, the one on the left most, and Rico's Lengua de Gato from Baguio there. 

They are located the a few metes from Paning's Store so you can buy directly or if you're lazy there with a mark up of course.  When I was little, I used to de-shell a lot of these just to please my mom.  My mom used to love seeds and nuts but never had the patience to de-shell them.  Unfortunately, due to aging, she can't have much of it anymore.

It has a dining area and they have a utensil holder similar to that of food courts on the side.

Food

Pasta

Baked Macaroni Solo (60 php)

I guess there's no such thing as quick stop for my family as they were instantly tempted to order meals.  My youngest sister loves Baked Macaroni so she ordered this one.  It was just okay.  As you can see it looked pre-heated.  I prefer Nathaniel's version over this.


Pancit

Palabok Solo (50 php)

The Palabok was pretty good.  It's not as commercialized as those you usually encounter in Manila.


Mirienda

♥ Dinuguan (50 php)

What everyone enjoyed the most is the Dinuguan prepared Kapampangan style and what they locally called as Tidtad Babi.  It's a first encounter for all of us and we'll probably search for more!  This is why Kapampangan has always been one of the best Filipino cuisines for me. =)

Kakanin

♥ Moche-Moche Small (210 php)

I've tried the Moche-Moche before at the Pamangan Fiestang Kapampangan 2012, I just didn't know that it was from Susie's.  It is the Kapampangan version of the Japanese mochi.  So when I saw it, I ordered one just so the family can try it out.  It comes with coconut milk sauce.  The family didn't like it though.

♥ Leche Flan Medium (120 php)

How good is Susie's Leche Flan?  It is one of the best Leche Flan we have ever tried so we took a "lot" home with us for us to enjoy and to give them to relatives.  And, we will probably ask all friends and relatives passing by Pampanga for some. =D

♥ Leche Flan Medium (120 php)

My family is a BIG fan of Leche Flan.  We've tried so many versions from restaurants to special order.  So far this is one of the most affordable yet richest and creamiest one we've encountered. 
 

♥ Leche Flan Medium (120 php)

Don't let the exteriors full you, inside it is very fine and smooth.

♥ Tibok-Tibok Small (100 php)

Last but definitely not the least is Susie's signature kakanin, the Tibok-Tibok.  It's the kapampangan version of maja blanca.  According to the articles framed on its walls, this has been featured in several newspapers and magazines.  Of course, I've also tried it before at the Pamangan Fiestang Kapampangan 2012.   This was the last stock available so I felt lucky that the family could try it.

Latik

It is to be topped with Latik (which is coconut milk turned coconut milk curd).  I really liked the Tibok-Tibok but I think the family enjoyed the Leche Flan more.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Susie's Cuisine The Best in Pampango Kakanin surely lives up with its promised tagline.  Make a stop whenever you have the chance.  The service is good as the staffs are very friendly.  The price is also an enticing factor.