Remember when I shared that Ramen Yushoken is the best ramen in town?  So imagine our joy when we heard that it is open under Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village Makati.


It is just beside La Creperie which we've tried before.

Upon arrival, we made our order.


Upon paying, we were issued our order slips with a queue number.  When our turn came, we were asked if it was okay if we seat apart.  Eventually, we managed to seat together. 


Total seating capacity is limited to 25.   A pitcher of water, condiments and paper napkin can be found by the table.


The servers are at the center and they are attentive enough to refill some water.


While waiting for our order, I observed how they prepared the ramen.  This guy is cooking the chashu.


The noodles are placed on the bowl see?

... and then the shoyu sauce is added. 

Food

♥ Shio (360 php)

The Shio broth is exactly the same as in Yushoken.  The chashu is a bit fatter than the cut in Yushoken.

♥ Shoyu (390 php)

We usually go for Shio on most ramen shops but at Yushoken and Mendokoro, the Shoyu is really the better one.

♥ Garlic Miso Ramen (440 php)

Not on the menu is the Garlic Miso Ramen which is available only here so it's the first time for us.  It's really good!



Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant 
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩  
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kenji Tei Ramen House
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Tampopo たんぽぽ Philippines
Takashi Japanese Cuisine
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm so happy that I can conveniently visit Mendokoro Ramenba and reliving the Yushoken bliss as much as I want.  This is still the best ramen for me.

After a dinner in the Makati area, my little sister insisted that we should have some coffee.  We googled for a coffee shop nearby and Commune popped up.


I've heard a lot of raves about Commune in the social media.  I was expecting it to have an ambiance like the mainstream coffee and tea shops.  But, it turned out to be quite simplistic.  It intentionally had mix-matched chairs.  

Some portions have high tables with high stools.  I liked the interiors especially the dangling lights.  However, the lack of sufficient air-conditioning made me uncomfortable. 

The cupcakes didn't seem to entice any of us so we didn't try any.

Hot Drinks

Cappuccino (99 php)

My little sister ordered the Cappuccino and requested to have a 3D latte art.  We were happy with the latte art but the coffee was just average.
 

Cappuccino Decaf (120 php)

Cold Drinks

Iced Cappuccino (130 php)

I ordered the Iced Cappuccino which was very diluted for my liking.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I don't understand what the hype over Commune is.  Perhaps, we should try their food to appreciate?  Or, this turns into something extraordinary during weekdays?  I'll probably only revisit if I'm looking for a hang out place in the area as the price is pretty decent.

If you've been to Salcedo Village in Makati, then you have certainly seen C'Italian Dining.  The facade exudes a grand luxurious intimidating elegance. 

But, to my surprise, "C" in C'Italian actually stands for casual. 

I can easily point out what makes its facade stand out.

• First, the entire building is made of stone.  
• Second, it has an enormous maroon dome awning above it's glittering and well-lighted gold entrance.  
• Third, its sophiscated window pane design.  
• Fourth, it's usher waiting to open your door.  
• Fifth, its al fresco area covered with striped awnings and misty effects.

Step in and you'll find yourself even more enthralled by the golden framed paintings, stylish chandeliers, classy and well-polished furnitures and fixtures and tip-top shiny servers.

There's a shelf filled with white plates authographed by distinguished personalities.

Food

Complimentary Bread

C' Original Panizza

C'Italian Dining is the home of the original panizza.  It is their original recipe.

♥ Jando La Famiglia (500 php)

The Jando La Famiglia is a panizza topped with salami, toasted sliced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.  It is served with arugula.  You can also spice it up with their chili oil.  All my companions loved this.  This is the first time for them to try a panizza and it surely left a great first impression.

♥ Kristina La Famiglia (520 php)

The  Kristina is a panizza topped with bacon, ham, caramelized onions, sun dried tomatoes and mushroom.  Having tried the same item in My Kitchen by Chef Chris, I can't help but compare them.  This is the clear winner in terms of price as this is only 520 php (against 790 php).  Both has roughly the same amount of toppings.  The texture is almost the same, but I have a slight preference towards My Kitchen's.

♥ Rolls Royce La Famiglia (690 php)

The Rolls Royce is a panizza topped with salami, scallop flakes, shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes.

♥ KarMichael Solo

If you prefer the familiar pizzas, you can order the KarMichael which has olive, ham, green bell pepper.

Pasta

Linguine Al Tartufo E Proscuitto La Familglia (790 php)

The Linguine Al Tartufo E Proscuitto is linguine in rich truffle cream sauce topped with Parmesan, prosciutto and asparagus.  I like that they didn't scrimp on the truffle because I love truffle!  But, the pasta was a bit undercooked for me.  It was a bit tough and dry.

♥ Linguine Ai Fruitti De Mare La Familglia (590 php)

The Linguine Ai Fruitti De Mare would be my top choice among the pasta dishes I've tried.  It has generous bits of salmon mahi-mahi, and prawns and pieces of imported mussels in extra-virgin olive oil and tangy pomodoro sauce. 
 

Penne Roberto Solo (320 php)

The Penne Roberto is a great option for those who prefer cream-based sauce.  It is penne in gorgonzola and parmesan cream sauce with chicken fillet, sliced garlic and sun dried tomatoes.

Spanghetti Con Polpette La Familglia (490 php)

Carnivores would prefer the Spanghetti Con Polpette La Familglia with its beef and pork meatballs, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and spices, roasted in olive oil and braised in pomodoro sauce over the Linguine Ai Fruitti De Mare. 

Secondi: Poultry

Tuscan Roasted Whole Chicken (890 php)

The Tuscan Roasted Whole Chicken is a marinated in extra virgin olive oil, white wine and lemon served with vegetable pilaf rice.  I don't recall having encountered this dish before so I guess the bold flavor took me off guard.  It didn't appeal to my taste buds.  I also fount the chicken meat lacking in moisture.

Secondi: Beef

♥ Angus Beef Flank Steak 1000 grams (3490 php)

As you can see, the Angus Beef Flank Steak is marinated with black pepper, rosemary and garlic, served with caramelized onion roasted potatoes, baked pumpkin slice and rapini topped with red wine reduction.  It also comes with kale as side dish.  For the price, this is unbelievably affordable.  It is also tender and succulent. 

Dolce

Lemon Cheese Cake (230 php)

The Lemon Cheese Cake is a very visually appealing baked lemon cheesecake topped with sweet jellied lemon sauce, almond slivers and cream.  This was swiped clean by my friends.  But, I found it too sweet for my preference.  Having this made me miss My Kitchen's version. 

Tiramisu (210 php)

I prefered the Tiramisu over the Lemon Cheese Cake.   But, it's not something I'd order again.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I've long heard of C'Italian Dining and have been meaning to visit it n Pampanga.  I'm glad it's already here in Metro Metro.  Now I can have panizza as often as I want without breaking the bank.  Given the amazing ambiance, this is also a great place to bring guest/s you want to impress.

My bestie Eric and I have this weird habit of inviting each other as spontaneous or impromptu as possible when we know we're in each other's convenient zone.  A few days ago, I was in Makati where he works so I invited him to have a lunch break at an instantaneously found place called "Manila Maki" at Elizabeth's Place Condominium.  If you're unfamiliar with the location, it's wiser to ask the name of the building instead so people can guide you towards it. 

In case you're wondering why Manila when it's in Makati, we asked that too.  Manila symbolizes Pinoy food and not the location.


Eric was smiling as soon as  he saw their happy hour poster by the entrance.  I, on the other hand, was allured by Manila Maki's unique decor and interior.  It was a certainly a mix bag of creativity that blended well with each other.

The lights were made from laminated Japanese newspaper sheets.  Some parts of the place also had Japanese newspaper as a wallpaper.  Tables were either made of solid wood or wooden planks formed into a picnic table.  The chairs had a lot of variety too from modern plastic ones to steel garden types to wooden stools made of planks and picnic benches. 

Seeing their wooden framed food shots and glancing on their menu filled with their Pinoy-Japanese dishes made me feel a bit skeptic.  I mean who does Pinoy-Japanese fusion?  I've always considered myself to be an adventurous foodie but never have I encountered such a bold twist.  I'm fearing that I might end up forced to finish all our orders.  Eric is a good friend but he is such a picky eater.  If he doesn't like the food, no one can ever make him eat even if it means saving his life.


Each table had Japanese newspaper wrapped chopstick, napkin and soy sauce holders.

And, plates were set up with soy sauce holders so you're ready for a whole new maki experience!

Food 

Sashimi

Seared Tuna Kinilaw (245 php)

As you can see, the Seared Tuna Kinilaw is cooked with precision.  Other than that, the preparation doesn't seem too technical as it is topped with peppers and sesame seeds and served with spicy vinegar dip.  Yet, the delivery of the dish  was surprisingly splendid!  We both thought it was ingenious!


Premium Rolls

Manila Maki (255 php)

Our server recommended their best-selling Manila Maki.  It appears like an ordinary topped tuna-topped maki but it's actually very complicated.  It's drizzled with a light mango dressing, the sushi rice is rolled in garlic bits and filled with fresh Philippine mango, kani salad and nilasing na hipon.  I found this to be a more interesting version of the usual California Maki. 

♥ Adarna Roll (225 php)

To be honest, we loved the Adarna Roll more than the Manila Maki.  Can you guess what's on top?  It really looks like Unagi but it's actually their crisp bangus belly fillets braised in teriyaki and topped with sesame seeds.  They were wonderfully tasty.  The rest are common sushi complements such as: kani salad, mango, cucumber, lettuce and topiko duo.

Salad

♥ Spicy Tuna Salad (265 php)

Manila Maki's Spicy Tuna Salad makes all the spicy tuna I've tried in the past pale in comparison.  Despite being so saucy and flavorful due to the interesting pinoy twist of using taba ng talanga, the tiny tempura flakes successfully delivered a sensational crisp in every bite.  It is spiced with chili flakes which you can request to be milder or spicier depending on our preference.

Ala Carte

♥ Longgiyoza (125 php)

I love the classic gyoza but boy, the Longgiyoza has swooned me to a whole new level.  Aside from the perfect skin thickness, smoothness and meat juiciness, cabanatuan longganisa amazingly adds an explosive savoriness to it.

♥ Bon Bon Chicken (185 php)

The appearance of the Bon Bon Chicken is similar to the Korean fried chicken.  But, this is way better!  Upon trying a piece of these boneless crunchy chicken coated in sweet garlic-ginger sauce and drizzled with Japanese mayo, Eric and I just couldn't stop ourselves from munching on some more.  We finished this bowlful even to the last crunchy sauce-coated batter. 

Donburi

♥ Sisigdon (215 php)

The highlight of our meal was the Sisigdon.  It's a bowlful of pork sisig with beaten egg, sweet shoyo sauce, chili powder, green onions and chicharon bits. Gosh! My words can never be enough to expound on this.  You just have to try this out for yourself to appreciate the magical sensation of taste and texture of this dish.

Dessert

Molten Lava (165 php)

I wanted to try the Coco Mango which was not available at the time but I always have to have my dessert so I settled for the Molten Lava instead.  Unlike other lava cakes which had hot fudge splurging from the center, this one just has a center that's more moist than the other parts but lots of chocolate fudge is found on the outside.

Drinks

Shakes

♥ Buco Lychee (140 php)

The Buco Lychee is a tall glass of very refreshing thirst-quencher and palate cleanser.  

Manila Maki Specialty Drinks

Calamansi Saketini (195 php)

The Calamansi Saketini is Manila Maki's take on the Martini by substituting sake.  Sake has a very bold flavor but this drink masks its perfectly by delivering a nice tangy and mildly sweetened calamansi blend.

♥ The Maki Cooler (225 php)

The Maki Cooler is a sweet and delicious four seasons and dalandan juice mixed with coconut rum, vodka and sake concoction that so smooth you'll forget you're having alcohol.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Manila Maki is Makati's hidden Pinoy-Japanese Fusion gem.  I have to hand it to them.  They really know what they're doing.  Every dish is a masterpiece.  We couldn't help but swipe everything clean... everything sticky grain and to the last drop of our beverage.  Price is affordable.  Serving size is great for sharing especially their Sashimi,  Pinoy Maki and Premium Rolls.  The drinks are just as good so go ahead and pair them with your food.  They also offer a reliably fast WiFi.

P.S. Saw on their menu a pamphlet that they also do catering with more dish options.