Last May 11, I attended the Grand Opening of Salo Food Park.  To be honest, it wasn't my first time.  It was such a cool place so I've checked it out before.  









And according to a client, this is his ideal place for solitary dinning.  As you all know, I've always shared with you about eating out with the company of friends and family.  I always looks at eating as a social activity.  But, I guess it could also be a comforting way to spend some time alone.  

Goto Monster


Happy to try one of their new Ice Cream Pop flavor : Mango Sticky Rice which was really good!  

Otora

Salo Bites
Potato chip munchers would not be able to resist the Salted Egg Chips from Salo Bites.

Ersao

Takoichi

Sugba


You can see that they are fresh off the grill.

Chorizo de Cebu (99 php)

Sinugbang Hipon (99 php)

Bulad Platter (99 php)

The Bulad Platter is a mix of dried fishes.  I just learned while ordering that Bulad means dried fish in Cebuano.

Hyun's Table Project

ChurroBing

Milk Ice Cream with Long Churros (130 php)

Shake ! Shake ! Kani Salad

Above Sea Level


Amigos Filmex Cantina

Beef and Cheese Quesadillas (180 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
There are no place in Malate like Salo Food Park.  With so many schools and offices nearby, I'm sure they are happy to have this colorful food spot to hang out at.

Salo Food Park
562 J. Nakpil Street,
Malate, Manila, Metro Manila

We've tried Caffe Dolce before for their drinks. When we came back, we found out that they now have a Dessert Buffet for only 299 php.


The Dessert Buffet is available from Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.




But upon trying the cakes, I  was disappointed.

Even the mousse was too sweet for me.



Aside from cakes, they also have some finger foods.

Empanada

Biko

I've always loved cool sweet treats so I was happy to see that they have Ice Cream...

and Halo-Halo.


There are also Nachos, Pasta and Mini Pizza.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Between the Ala Carte and the Dessert Buffet, we definitely enjoyed the former better.  But, if you're looking for a budget eat all you can for quantity and not quality, the Dessert Buffet could satisfy you.  Perhaps because this is our first Dessert Buffet, we still don't fully appreciate the concept.

It was a drizzling afternoon when I arrived at Goto Monster near the corner of Prima Vera St. And Pablo Ocampo Extension.   

It was easy to spot as tricycles are stationed there.  It is open air so you can just drop in to dine.  See those folding table?  At night, crowds build up so they set those up by the street. 

Because inside, they only have a long and big red wooden table.  

There is a rack inviting challengers to their Man vs Food.  For 750 php, you have to finish their monster bowl of goto special equivalent to 10 of their regular bowls kn 45 minutes to win.  Only 1 man has won this challenge as he finished in 44 minutes.  I wanted to try their challenge but their selections tempted me more.  By the glass, you can see printed graphics of iconic people in a cartoonish Goto Monster-fied way.  We found that quite amusing.


And, right next to the red table is their kitchen so you're food is delivered hot and fresh (as they cook them from scratch).  

Food

Fresh Tofu Topped With Onion Leeks, Crispy Dilis and Ginger Sesame Sauce (150 php)

Look at this beauty.  The Fresh Tofu Topped With Onion Leeks, Crispy Dilis and Ginger Sesame Sauce is a good source of protein and the taste is so refreshing to the palette.  I loved this!  I can tell my tofu-loving friends will adore this as well. This isn't on their menu so I guess it's like a secret menu? 

Bagnet Fresh Spring Roll (120 php)

The Fresh Sping Rolls are my favorite.  I am really impressed at how they were able to innovate this with a Filipino touch. Together with the main ingredient are either bean sprouts (when available) or mustasa leaves, mint leaves and cucumber.  I liked the Bagnet Fresh Spring Roll the most because it's a savory centerpiece among the light tasting fresh vegetables.

Mushroom Fresh Spring Roll (120 php)

The Mushroom Fresh Spring Roll is light tasting.  But, together with their three sauces, it is delicious!  Don't feel guilty with using their sauces as they are made of olive oil.

Talong Fresh Spring Roll (120php)

The Talong Fresh Spring Roll is filled with their talong chips.  This is actually pretty good.  I highly recommend this for vegetarians.

Goto Special (95 php)

The Goto Special is their lugaw with ox tripe, toasted garlic, onion leeks, tinapa flakes and creamy duck salted egg.  Unlike other lugaw, their blend is healthy and vegan.  It only makes use of tumeric and ginger.  The serving portion is hefty so I think the price is reasonable although it is more expensive than the usual goto.
 

Bagnet Special (95 php)

Among their goto selections, the Bagnet Special is the most popular one.  I was surprised that many of my friends knew about this when they saw my instagram post.  This is a must try!  They make their own bagnet which is cool right?  And, it's pleasurably crunchy to bite too.  This is a must try!

Chikcharon Special (95 php)

The Chikcharon Special is their lugaw topped with their chickcharon.  Among the four, I liked this the least.  But, my companions liked this so it's just a matter of preference.

Shitake Mushroom Special (95 php)

My favorite goto is the Shitake Mushroom Special.  This is the first time I've tried a goto with shitake mushroom and I'm an immediate fan.  I used to be crazy for the burgers with shitake mushroom.  But, believe me I'd trade those for this anytime of the day.  I just couldn't stop until there was nothing left on my bowl.

 
Side Order

Tokwa + Chickcharon (95 php)

The Tokwa + Chickcharon is a great combination.  On its own, I found the chickcharon too salty so eating it with tofu, rice or goto tones it down a bit. 

I forgot to take a photo of the Tokwa + Talong Chips because probably that was the first one to be emptied.  It is a really good finger food.  Nakakaaddict!

Tokwa + Bagnet (95 php)

 Can't get enough of their bagnet?  Order more by having the Tokwa + Bagnet as add-on.

Tokwa + Mushroom (95 php)

Mushroom lovers the Tokwa + Mushroom is a tempting choice right?

Happy Endings

Bibingka Waffle ala mode (135 php)

When dining at Goto Monster, always leave room for dessert.  All their desserts are drool-worthy!  It's difficult to decide which one to go for so you'll have to have more.  Starting off with my favorite which is the Bibingka Waffle ala mode.  Sometimes, they use Vanilla Ice Cream.  But, since I love Ube, I appreciated the Ube ice cream more.  I cannot put into words how amazing this treat is!  I'm not even a fan of waffles and I fell so much in love with this.

Banana Chocnut Special ala mode (135 php)

The Banana Chocnut Special ala mode is a combination that brings me back to my childhood memories.  I used to eat peanut butter and banana sandwich as a kid.  This is even better!

Champorado Special ala mode (135 php)

Goto Monster is quite famous for the Champorado Special ala mode.  This is trully one of a kind.  The chocolate is rich and bitter-sweet just like the tablea cocoa.  The chocolate waffles with the crispy dilis, vanilla ice cream, rice crispies and chocolate syrup is so heavenly!

Sweet Happy Endings

Banana Chocnut Ice Cream (50 php), Bibingka Special Ice Cream (50 php) and Leche Flan Ice Cream (50 php)

Goto Monster even makes their own ice cream.  My favorite is the Leche Flan Ice Cream.  It's chilled and yet, the creaminess is fantastic!  Chocoholic and kids will surely enjoy the Banana Chocnut Ice Cream.  The Bibingka Special Ice Cream didn't click much for me because I felt that the dessicated coconut didn't harmonize well with the bibingka-based cream.  

Drinks

Iced Pineapple Kalamansi + Fresh Herb (75 php)

The Iced Pineapple Kalamansi + Fresh Herb is one of the best healthy drinks I've tried.  It was rejuvenating, refreshing and not too sweet.  This beats most of the more luxurious restaurant drinks I've had.
 
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Goto Monster is one awesome discovery.  It's offers comforting food you'd gladly have often.  And, they're open 24 hours so cravings can be satisfied anytime.  Next time, I want to take on their Man vs Food Challenge.