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.

Until recently, the only part of Mandaluyong I know was the mall area where SM Megamall and Shangri-la Plaza is.  I know I had to explore more in the area and so my first food stop is St. Nicholas Catering Restaurant.

It is located at Fatima Corner San Rafael Street which is a small street so you have to know about it to find it.  At day time, the facade doesn't look appealing either. 

But, what lies within was enchanting.


It was very spacious so it can hold a small banquet.  My only concern would probably be that the place is al fresco it can be a bit hot during the day time.  But, at night time though, I can imagine being an ultimate hang our place food, drinks and games.  Did I mention they have cheap beer?


Food

Groupie: Prawns

Sweet Chili Garlic (199 php)

They have both solo and group meals.  The Sweet Chili Garlic is generous in quantity.  The sauce was more on the sweet side than spicy.  The prawns are pink in color, firm but soft and bursting with juiciness upon biting.

Ebi Tempura w/ Suka Dip (199 php)

The Ebi Tempura w/ Suka Dip is more of the Filipino dish Camaron Rebosado than the Japanese Tempura for me.  On the table there are 3 kinds of suka dip.  Chef recommended we try it with the red Suka Pinakurat (fermented coconut sap).  We all loved it!

Sisig

Sizzling Pork Sisig (99 php)

 The Sizzling Pork Sisig is a popular Filipino favorite.  As expected, this was the first to be emptied.

Mixed

Adobong Manok at Baboy sa Dilaw (199 php)

 This is my first time to try the Adobong Manok at Baboy sa Dilaw.  The color yellow comes from the tumeric.  Not only is this a healthier alternative to the usual adobo, I find it quite refreshing too.

Chicken

Tinolang Chicken sa Pakwan (199 php)

 The Tinolang Chicken sa Pakwan is very pleasant and delightful to sip because of the sweet watermelon taste. 


Seafoods

Paru-Parong Tilapia with Tamarind Sauce (199 php)

The Paru-Parong Tilapia with Tamarind Sauce was clean-tasting.  I'm very picky with this kind of fish.  I managed to eat some of this so it must be good.

Pulutan, Sizzling at Exotic na Pagkain

Adobong Crocodile (299 php)

The Adobong Crocodile is like pork adobo but a bit leaner and tougher.

Gulay sa Halamanan

Okoy Gulay (99 php)

The Okoy Gulay is a great idea!  Now, vegetarians and those with seafood allergies can enjoy a sumptuous okoy with sweet potatoes and greens.

Poqui Poqui (99 php)

I liked the play of texture with the Poqui Poqui.  The eggplant bits were mushy and the tomatoes and onions were crunchy.  The light saltiness brings out the natural sweetness of the eggplant as well as the other components.


Specialty Desserts

Temptation by Tablea Ala Mode (179 php)

The Temptation by Tablea Ala Mode is my kind of sweet treat.  The cake is dark and bitter sweet.  It was moist and soft.  And, the vanilla ice cream complements it well.

Chocolate Lava Ala Mode (199 php)

The Chocolate Lava Ala Mode gained the praised of all my friends.
 

Chocolate Lava Ala Mode (199 php)

Who wouldn't want a rich gooey chocolate cake like this right?
  

Brownies Ala Mode (75 php)

The Brownies Ala Mode is another hit.  The brownie was dense, fudgy and chewy.  The strawberry ice cream and cherry syrup balances it out.

Heavenly Chocolate Overload (165 php)

The Heavenly Chocolate Overload is a really crazy chocolate madness!  I surrendered after just a spoonful.  This is too much for me.

Honeyed Fruit in Ice Cream (199 php)

I found the Honeyed Fruit in Ice Cream too sweet for me.  The vanilla ice cream failed to neutralize the sweetness of the honeyed fruit.

Turon Con Tsokolate (75 php)

The Turon Con Tsokolate is great for sharing. You can play games and putt this in the middle to snack on.


Banana Shake

♥ Strawberry Banana Shake (65 php)

For a very affordable price, treat yourself their creamy banana shake.  There are many flavors to choose from.  I'm very happy with my Strawberry Banana Shake.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
When in the area or looking for an affordable hang out place, check out St. Nicholas Catering Restaurant for great portions at a price that are easy the budget.  Did I mention that they have FREE WiFi?  With that and some games, I'm sure time here would be quite enjoyable.

I have to confess, it's been quite some time since I discovered Uno Morato Coffee Shop. But some part of me did not want to reveal this awesome secret geek hideaway.

This is hidden behind the big Persian Kebab and Icut Salon along the corner of E. Rodriguez and Tomas Morato.  You have to enter the parking space to access this area.

The sign is pretty simple but quite informative of what to expect. The sign says Uno Morato but I found it to be Uno Morato Book Store or Uno Morato Coffee Shop online.  This is also not to be confused with Uno Restaurant which is also in the Tomas Morato area.

It is a bookstore for many local authors.  Filipinos have yet to be recognized in the field of literature.  Being a writer is not a lucrative profession here so there aren't many book shops that are dedicated to Filipino books.  I'm so glad Uno Morato is one of such rarity. 

Books of different genres and for different age ranges can be found here.

There are also consigned items.  And, fellow gaming geeks like me would be pleased to discover that it is also a board game cafe.  This is where I first discovered about the awesome game called "Munchkin Cthulhu".  Unfortunately, I went here alone with no one to play with. =(

You see Uno Morato is a lot of things.  On some days, there are book or comic groups gathering here.  Some days, you can find game geeks playing here I'm told every Tuesday is game day).   Film showing, seminars and concerts are also held there.

On the counter are cookies...

and other consigned goodies.  There are also some chips and local delicacies for to make your stay worthwhile.  They also serve cheap beer.

Food

♥ Sweet and Spicy Tuyo Rice Meal (120 php)

Whenever I read a book or study, I usually become hungry easily so I'm quite glad that Uno Morato have very affordable meals.  The Sweet-Spicy Tuyo Rice Meal is so healthy and fulfilling.  They serve it with salted egg, brown rice and tomatoes.

I was told by their staff that their food is consigned too.  They have a supplier somewhere far south.  I'm glad they did a pretty good job in selecting their suppliers.

Cheese Panini (65 php)

Okay, just so we're clear, I stayed here for quite some time so I had nothing to do but to eat. lol!  So I also tried the Cheese Panini.  This is so good as it is served hot, crunchy on the outside and oozing with melted cheese.

♥ Banana Walnut Cake (150 php)

For dessert, I had the Banana Walnut Cake.  I loved this because it wasn't too sweet.  I enjoyed it even to the last buttercream icing.

Chocolate Cake (150 php)

The Chocolate Cake is a sweeter option.
 

♥ Kalsada French Press Good for 3 (120 php) *pardon my blurry photo

The Kalsada French Press is so sulit for only 120! 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Uno Morato is the ultimate hangout for geeks.   There's just something about low-key serene places like this that makes it appealing to me.  The staffs are very nice too.