I've long heard of Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food.  It has become a cornerstone for Vegetarian Cuisine here in the Philippines.  
 
Ever since, I have been convincing the family to dine there.  Yet, they just didn't seem enticed.  I think it's because we are accustomed to Buddhist temple vegetarian food that gave us an unconscious and automatic impression that vegetarian food is bland food.

As it appeared on the outside, Corner Tree Cafe is a home converted into a restaurant.  I like that they kept the homey vibe.  The waiting area looks like a usual home living room.


The place is casual and bright.  Most of its diners are foreigners.

On the table top, there are vegetarian pastries available for sale.

Food

Starters

Spinach Feta Croquettes 6 pieces (345 php)

The Spinach Feta Croquettes is the healthiest we've version we've had.  It is also one of the most delicious!

Spinach Feta Croquettes 6 pieces (345 php)

It has spinach, feta cheese and red rice.  It is topped with mint yogurt sauce.  And, for spicy lovers like me, there's the harissa sauce.

Soups

Spinach & Pechay Chowder Cup (95 php)

Don't be intimidated by the color green.  This Spinach & Pechay Chowder is so good!  You have to squeeze some lemon before indulging into it. 

Roasted Carrot Soup Cup (95 php)

I wasn't expecting much from the Roasted Carrot Soup.  But, boy was I surprised with its perfect creamy consistency and rich sweet and fragrant taste.

Salads

Corner Tree's Cafe's Raw Organic Salad Solo (190 php)

The Corner Tree's Cafe's Raw Organic Salad is a fulfilling salad.  It has thin shreds of carrots, red beets, jicama, sprouded raw sunflower seeds and greens.


Main Dishes

Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna (445 php)

If I could recommend one dish that anyone would love, it would be the Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna.  This is so good!

Veg Bibimbap (320 php)

The Veg Bibimbap was good and the family loved it. 

Tofu Teriyaki with Sauteed Asparagus & Shiitake Mushroom (320 php)

The Tofu Teriyaki with Sauteed Asparagus & Shiitake Mushroom is another hit among us.This is a superb bowlful.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Corner Tree Cafe Vegetarian Food is a must try for both vegetarian and non-vegetarians.  I would definitely want to pay another visit and try the rest of their menu items.

My mom doesn't like Indian Cuisine and my little sister doesn't like spicy dishes so I was surprised to my delight that everyone was in the mood to try Legend of India one random night.

Right at the heart of the restaurant district in Jupiter Makati, Legend of India has a big glittery signage making it noticeable and easy to remember by passerby.

Inside is a simple dining area with a loud TV playing Bollywood movies.  Each table is already set up with a complete table wear and candle lights too.

By the side, there's a store where you can buy ingredients, food and also order snacks and desserts.

Food

Vegetarian Appetizers

♥ Samosa (120 php)

The Samosa is a triangular crunchy puffed pasty filled with vegetables.  We loved this especially with their delicious dips: Mint Water (Green) and Tamarind Sauce (Black). 


Non-Vegetarian Appetizers

Chicken Fingers (160 php)

Forget about chicken nuggets cause this very crunchy Chicken Fingers with their amazing sauces will win over you anytime.

Vegetarian Lovers

♥ Vegetable Curry (260 php)

The Vegetable Curry is mixed cubed vegetables in delicious thick Indian curry sauce. 

♥ Palak Paneer (280 php)

The Palak Paneer is blended spinach mixed with cottage cheese.  We all loved this!  I look forward to having more paneers.


Mutton Lovers

♥ Rogan Josh (450 php)

The Rogan Josh is mutton curry.  I've always loved mutton dishes.  But, they come to me so rarely.  Between the Vegetable Curry and this, this is my clear choice. 


Rice

Chicken Biryani (350 php)

The Chicken Biryani is flavorful but not too much so you can pair it well with the other dishes.

Breads

Aloo Paratha (180 php)

The Aloo Paratha whole wheat flour bread stuffed with potato.  While I've had Roti Prata stuffed in cheese before, this is the first time I've had flat bread with potato.  Well, it works well and I don't mind having it again even if it means twice the carbs.

♥ Pudina Naan (130 php)

The Pudina Naan is flour-based flat bread topped with mint leaves.  I love this! 


Desserts

Kuffi (120 php)

The Kuffi is Indian ice cream.  When I was told by the staff that they use carabao milk, I was expecting the Kuffi to be like Arce Dairy ice cream.  But it's really different.  This one is so thick that it's more of a really sweet, rough and dense like pastillas than an ice cream.  But, it is really cool.  And, it has rose syrup on it and pistachio bits.

Green Pista (120 php)

The Green Pista is really sweet pistachio pastillas topped with pistachio bits.  I would have enjoyed this had it not been too sweetened with honey.

Indian Drinks

Sherbet Soda (120 php), Mango Lassi (120 php) and Rose Lassi (130 php)

The  Sherbet Soda or rose water soda and Rose Lassi are a bit too sweet.  But, the
Mango Lassi is perfect.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Legend of India is an awesome place to explore more of Indian Cuisine.  Despite having not a good impression of Indian dishes in the past, the family seemed to enjoy this dining experience and we're now ready to go further. 

I've become quite fond of Chef Chris Locker so naturally, I wanted to be among the first to check out Recess by Chef Chris. 


The facade doesn't give much hint of what's in store.



Well, there's a bar which is a bit retro don't you think?

Then there's this really cool dining area which you can pefertecly describe as "so highschool-ish".  There are lockers, black boards and brick walls.   The other rooms are used as function rooms.

The ceiling has elements on them. 

Food

Complimentary Bread

Salads

Recess Salad (390 php)

The Recess Salad has greens, alfalfa, orange slices, grapes, caramelized almonds, apple, cherry tomatoes drizzled with grape seed oil.  This is a really good salad so I enjoyed it.

Originals

♥ Platinum Full (790 php)

Of course, the main purpose of every meal prepared by Chef Chris is his panizza which in this case is referred to his "Originals".  Although I'm not quite fond of pizzas, I react adversely towards pannizas.  In fact, the family has dined several times at My Kitchen by Chef Chris solely for them.  I noticed that the price is the same here. When I tried the Platinum, I once again had that "wow" moment.  This is a very savory and meaty variant because of the angus beef and bacon.   The pineapple, tomato and mushroom brings a milder tone of flavor giving it a balanced taste.

♥ Magnesium Full (790 php)

The Magnesium is more inclined to the Filipino palette because of the sweet and salty flavors.  It has pork barbecue, tomatoes, slated egg and kesong puti.

Pinoy Originals

♥ TiTo Full (790 php)

The TiTo is ideal for breakfast because it it's our favorite breakfast meal turned into a panizza.  It has smoked bangus bits, tomatoes, salted egg and red onions.  

Aside from the Pinoy Originals, they also have other breakfast items which they served all-day starting 7 am.


Burgerland

♥ Recess 70:30 (480 php)

The Recess 70:30 is a one of a kind of burger that will surely mark a lasting impact.  It's a 200 gram burger with 70% angus beef and 30% maple bacon topped with aged cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, golden onion rings and sliced shitake mushrooms.  It also comes with fried onion rings and fries.

♥ Recess 70:30 (480 php)

You can already sense the bacon from the reddish color of the patty.  Gosh! This is one of the most flavorful, sinful but worthy burger patty I have ever tried.

Vegetarian

Fried Tofu (390 php)

Vegetarian friends, this Fried Tofu is for you.  Yes, you heard that right.  It's just for you because it's a bit too plain and not worth the price for me.  It's Fried Tofu with roasted eggplant, tomato and red onion chutney.  On second thought, I'll just share in on the pilaf which has raisins, pine nuts and coriander which is a winner for me.

Fish

♥ Baked Salmon (750 php)

 I don't think I've ever encountered any restaurant serving Baked Salmon that thick.  This
Baked Salmon with mustard cream sauce served with grilled tomatoes, roasted potatoes and Italian brocolli is one of the best salmon dishes I've tried yet.  Despite the size, this was swipe clean with pleasure by yours truly.

Pork

♥ Swiss Style Pork Tenderloin Slices (570 php)

The Swiss Style Pork Tenderloin Slices is one of the most recommended according to Foursquare tips.  Well, I have to admit, it is definitely worth to try!  The pork tenderloin slices is very tender and the mushroom cream sauce is the perfect complement for it.  It is also served with potato roesti and broccoli.

Beef

♥ Special Callos Casserole (510 php)

I've a sucker for any callos dish so pardon me if I'm quite biased in saying that this is very delicious!  Again, not a single bit of the tasty and tender Special Callos Casserole was spared by moi.

Lamb

♥ Lamb Korma (590 php)

The Lamb Korma is hailed by the menu as the king of all curries.  This dish has lamb shoulder in spicy masala with onion, ginger, lemongrass braised with tomato and yogurt.  This is so good that I'd gladly bow down to it or even kneel before it.  The spiciness and zestiness is so addictive.  The lamb is very tender with no hint of any gamey taste.


Desserts

Special Turon (280 php)

The Special Turon is an upgraded version of the turon as itis topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drenched in caramel sauce.  For the price, I'd rather try something else.

Chef Tinlou's Valrhona Decadent Cake (320 php)

The Chef Tinlou's Valrhona Decadent Cake is a moist chocolate cake.

 

Chef Tinlou's Valrhona Decadent Cake (320 php)

I found this too sweet for my preference.  I'm even surprised that this was served with an extra helping of caramel sauce.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Recess by Chef Chris is something new to try!  Portions are huge and food quality is superb.  I also found the food variety to be plenty so it's set to make a fun food adventure.  I actually enjoyed dining here more than the numerous times I dined at My Kitchen.  But, the price may be a bit of a set back as it is beyond what the typical  pocket money can shoulder especially for a casual or regular dining experience with friends.