Last month, I had the honor to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Soi at SM City Manila.

Since SM City Manila is about a 5-minute ride from my place, I am happy that there's now a Thai restaurant there.

Unlike the Soi I visited in Glorietta, this one is quite narrow but it doesn't feel cramped at all because of the beautiful interiors.

I liked that they a bar and open kitchen so you can opt to see how your food and drinks are being prepared.


Because of this, I discovered that they use food coloring on their drinks like their Pandan Juice that I loved.  It somehow counters the healthy benefits of pandan for me.  My companion ordered one without the coloring so I guess that works too.


They even showcase the Thai condiments that they use.

Food

Fried Noodles

Complimentary Pad Thai

For the first 100 customers, we got a Complimentary Pad Thai.

Vegetable in Yellow Curry

Soi also introduced new dishes...

Specialties

Lemongrass Chicken

while maintaining old favorites like my favorite Lemongrass Chicken.

Chicken Leg Barbecue

Fried Banana with Vanilla Ice Cream (128 php)

Thai Halo Halo

I also loved their Thai Halo Halo.

I would definitely come back at Soi when in SM Manila.  Their offer a lot of Thai selections for an affordable price.

There are only a handful moments in my life, other than my birthdays, that are worth celebrating with the family.  This gathering is to mark my milestone on earning my "Atty." (Yes, I' really claiming it!).  For such a unique occasion, it was only befitting that I also pick the most unique Filipino restaurant on my want to try list: Rural Kitchen of Liliw Laguna.

Little did I know that Rural Kitchen of Liliw Laguna has two branches (both within Makati) so there was some members of the family who got mixed up. 

My reservation was at the pioneer branch in HRC Centre in Rada Street but they also have one in 6060 Palma Street corner Osias Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati.  We all had a difficult time locating this along Rada Street because it was not visible from the street view.  Lucky for us, my cousin and little sister arrived early and located it for us.  They advised us to look for China Bank and 7-11 instead a this was located just beside 7-11.  Their signage is so small without any lights so its impossible to see at night.

Food

♥ Complimentary Bonete Bread

While waiting for our orders, we were served their Complimentary Bonete Bread.  It comes with three dips.  The family loved the one with kamias. 


Appetizer

♥ Ukoy (195 php)

The family grew up in Ilocos Sur when Ukoy is quite prominent so every one was curious to see Chef Justin Sarabia's version.  We initially just ordered for sharing.  But since we liked the Ukoy so much, we just had to order more.  It was not just crunchy but crisp to perfection with less grease.

♥ Chicken Lumpia (195 php)

Another interesting surprise though it looks ordinary is the Chicken Lumpia. 

♥ Shitake Bun (260 php)

Mushroom lovers like me will surely enjoy the Shitake Bun.  It was such a great discovery that queso de bola could go well with shitake.  The only drawback for this is the price.  For such a small bun, it already costs 130 php.

♥ Crispy Squid (285 php)

The Crispy Squid offers a great combination of crisp and chewiness that we loved to the point of slight addiction. 

Salad

♥ Pako Salad (180 php)

The oldies where quite excited to find the Pako Salad on the menu.  I didn't quite expect that it would impress both young and old. 


Beef

Beef in Coconut (480 php)

If there was one item that didn't impress us, it would be the Beef in Coconut.  We were expecting this to taste a bit sweet because of the coconut milk.  Yet, it tasted sour so we even doubted if  it was spoiled.  However, we didn't get a stomach ache the following day so I guess it was not.

Seafood

♥ Adobong Pusit (320 php)

The Adobong Pusit is deliciously tasty making it perfect with rice.  It was very tender that the oldies enjoyed munching on it too.

♥ Lapu Lapu with Mango (580 php)

If I could recommend one dish at Rural Kitchen that is a must order, it would be the Lapu Lapu with Mango.  Taste-wise, portion-wise and price-wise, I would say this has exceeded our expectations.

Other

Ox Tail Kare Kare (580 php)

Personally, I found their blend of Ox Tail Kare Kare to be a bit sweet but the family seemed to have enjoyed it.  We all just felt, there could have been more ox tail for its price.

We also ordered the Dinuguan (280 php) which was made from carabao's blood instead of pig's blood.  Unfortunately, we all (except my one cousin) failed to appreciate this dish because of the undeniably gamer and weird smell and flavor.  But, in fairness, my one cousin liked it and he finished the plateful all by himself.

Kalderetang Kambing (280 php)

The Kalderetang Kambing was really good.  It has a lot of bones but that's quite usual for such a dish. 

♥ Lamb Kaldereta (580 php)

We all liked the Lamb Kaldereta.  The lamb was so tender and clean tasting.  I highly recommend this as well!

Vegetables

♥ Kuwalong Talong (180 php)

This is our first time to try an eggplant dish cooked like the Kuwalong Talong.  It was amazingly awesome!  Do you know where this dish originated from?

Noodles

Pancit Lucban (190 php)

My aunt was missing pancit lucban so she ordered one.  She was surprised that the Pancit Lucban looked something like this.  Well, their twist was good especially with the sweet and savory pork sausages.    

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We Tsinoy Foodies recommend trying out Rural Kitchen of Liliw Laguna.  I don't think there is any other place in the Metro just like it.  Although the portion could be more generous, the elegant ambiance and unique menu with their own twist makes up for its higher than average pricing.  

It's been more than three years since I first tried Ramen Nagi.  That was the time when the Ramen Craze just landed in the Philippines.  Having more ramen houses with multiple branches has proven that ramen is here to stay and has become part of our food culture.

Good news for Makati peeps because Ramen Nagi has just opened its very own stand alone store (not a store mall) in Signa Residences Valero Makati that is open until 12 midnight.

This is the very first Ramen Nagi that has a ramen bar style.  It's just like it's neighbor Mendokoro Ramenba but with a another bar type on the side and casual table set up on the outside.


Food

Ramen
Just for the opening of this new branch, Ramen Nagi offered the Nagi Jiro as a Limited King (only 100 bowls) for this branch alone.

Nagi Jiro (490 php) plus add ons

I was surprised with the Nagi Jiro!

Just look at the huge Jiro Chashu chunks!  I almost couldn't finish this because it has a heapload of beansprouts and it wasn't my only order.  But, it was so good that I just had to.  I advise you to finish it as fast as you can though because the chashu gets tougher to bite as it gets cold and dry.

Green King (Midori) (410 php)

After 3 years, I'm happy to report that the serving size, price and consistency of the Green King (Midori) is exactly the same. =)

Side Dishes

Perilla Gyoza (240 php)

They didn't have any side dishes before so I got a bit excited in ordering, not expecting the huge Jiro Nagi.  Ramen Nagi also launched their new flavored side dishes.  So for their Gyoza there is Perilla, Garlic and Cheese.  I loved the Perilla Gyoza!

Matcha Chicken Karaage (290 php)

The Chicken Karaage also comes in three flavors: 7 Spice (300 php),  Curry (270 php) and Matcha (290 php).  The Matcha is bitter and bold.  Try if you think you can appreciate its authentic Japanese taste.  I liked it but my mom found it to be quite bitterish to her dismay.

Pork Katsu Roll (295 php)

Surprsingly even with the new flavored Gyoza and Chicken Karaage, everyone still loved the Pork Katsu Roll the most.

So there you have it.  Now you have Ramen Nagi Signa Residence (found at the Ground Level, Signa Designer Residences, V.A. Rufino St. corner Valero St., Salcedo Village) to consider when you have those late night ramen cravings!  And, they have great side dishes so you can tag along friends who may not have the same craving as you do.   Ramen is also my ideal break time meal whether for lunch or dinner or in between since it is served and eaten quickly.
 

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A few weeks ago, I was invited over to Le Petit Souffle for a brunch with Quaker Oats Philippines.

My family is quite loyal to the Quaker brand.  In fact, every Sunday morning is our oatmeal morning day.  We cook our old fashioned oats and add some powdered milk and honey before serving.  For the past decades, that is the only way I know how to eat oatmeal.

Joyce Pring, Wil Dasovich, Patti Grandidge and Lauren Young

But to my surprise, there's an easier, more convenient and fun way with overnight oats. 

I have to agree with Quaker's Marketing Manager for Nutrition Anne Remulla-Canda that "A lot of people actually think that oatmeal is hard to prepare..."


But with my discover of overnight oats, as shared by Quaker’s own Quaker Overnight Breakfast Club led by Joyce Pring, Wil Dasovich, Patti Grandidge and Lauren Young, I can now have oatmeal more often during the week.


Although you can make your own mix and match...

Check out my creation which I shared on IG.
 
But if you're not willing to risk, you can try these #QuakerOvernightBreakfastClub tried and tested Overnight Oat Recipes.


I recommend the S'Mores Overnight Oats and Mango Overnight Oats for the kids.



 While adults would enjoy the Carrot Cake Overnight Oats and Berry Overnight Oats more.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.   While, a brunch like these at Le Petit Souffle would be my ideal choice. 












I feel that Quaker Overnight Breakfast Club Overnight Oats are just as good.  And, we can easily make them at home too.  I can't wait to make more of it!