Balkan is owned by a Serbian and former Green Archer Basketball player named Marko Batricevic and his brother.  Perhaps, Marko's injury causing his basketball career to end was a blessing in disguise as his culinary success began.  Their pioneer branch called Balkan Express is a fast food located in San Juan.  I haven't tried it there yet because this place is nearer and has a more suitable ambiance for our purpose.  But, my cousin shared that they serve the same dishes.

Balkan offers a clean and comfortable feel.  It had a wooden bar, tables and chairs.  There were Serbian portraits hanged on its walls.  The ceilings also have a sophisticated design.

As soon as we entered, we were lead to our reserved table indicated by a wine bottle on top of it.  While waiting for my relatives, I requested for my birthday cake to be chilled first which they gladly complied.  As I glanced on the neighboring tables, I noticed mostly foreigners were dining.

Rostilj (from the grill)

Since it was our first time to try Yugoslavian, we ordered everything our server advised.  According to her, the Cevapcici Platter is one of their best sellers.  Although we wanted to try the burger, she suggested that the platter is more adequate for groups.  The Cevapcici was made of spiced ground beef which was a bit salty and best eaten with the fries.  It was pretty good.  Everyone enjoyed this.

Everyone was raving about the Stuff Pljeskavica that night.  The Serbian burger patty oozing with mozerella cheese was delightful!  It was served with either rice or fries.  I had it with fries so it's lighter on the belly.  But, the rest of my companions had this with rice.

We wanted to order the Stuffed Batak but we were informed that it was only available upon advance notice.  We shall come back for it next time. =)

The Balkanski Kebab is chicken breast wrapped in smoked bacon.  The flavor is very rich because of the smoked bacon but I found the chicken breast a bit tough and dry.

After our satisfying dinner, the owner was so kind to volunteer in slicing my banoffie birthday cake (see previous entry) for us.  We, Tsinoy Foodies, noticed that the owner is admirably a very passionate and meticulousness person.  All the cakes were equally and neatly sliced even to the last chocolate curl.  While we were dining, we watched as he did all the cooking and delivery by himself.  Their service is really one of a kind. =)

I've always loved Vietnamese Cuisine because I love the herbs and all the vegetables.  But, there is only a few dining selections available here in Metro Manila.  For many years now, my family would always eat at Pho Hoa whenever we would crave for Vietnamese Cuisine.  Last night, I was fortunate enough to be invited to Ba Noi's, a hidden gem for fresh flavors of Vietnam in Makati, with a group of foodies whom I've always looked up to.  I'm so glad i get to meet them for the first time.

Although Ba Noi's is new to me, it has already won distinguishing awards.  I did not find it it surprising since their food has a lot of potential.

Right in the middle of its counter is their Sugarcane Press.  I usually see this in China Town so its the first time I've seen one inside a restaurant.  After seeing this, I can't wait to order their freshly made Sugarcane juice.  It's my favorite!

Located in the middle of each wooden table is their Vietnamese Cuisine Instructions.  I then realized that I've been eating Vietnamese food for quite some time and never have I been taught on how to eat them in the right way.  I find their guide very helpful.  I'm glad to know that I was eating "pho" the right way. 

Food

While waiting for my companions, the hospitable owner Henry offered us some Lobster Crackers.  I've never met anyone who doesn't enjoy munching on these.  I usually see this with Chinese Cuisines but I guess the Vietnamese serve this too.

Noodles

The Pho Bo is probably one of the most popular Vietnamese dish.  The Pho Bo is beef noodle soup served with various herbs and spices.  It came with a platter of bean sprouts, lime, basil, chili.  It also came with some hoisin sauce and a chili sauce (tasted like "Sriracha").  The best feature of this dish is that you can add your your desired condiments and sauces to created your preferred taste.  The way I do it is to add everything except for the sauces because I enjoy the light naturally beefy and herb-y taste and a little bit of spiciness.  The thinly sliced beef was so tender that it felt like I hardly had the chance to chew it.  This is the best Pho Bo I have ever tasted!

Appetizers

The Goi Cuon is a famous Vietnamese appetizer.  The Goi Cuon is pork, shrimp, and rice vermicelli, rolled in rice paper.  It is served with Ba Noi's peanut sauce.  I have always enjoyed the Goi Cuon.  Ba Noi's version with the protruding large shrimps is delicious!  You get to enjoy the natural light sweet taste from the shrimp and the meaty flavor of pork.  The peanut sauce adds more flavor into it too.  I was glad that it was wrapped really tight so it was easy to eat with their wooden chopsticks.

The Banh Xeo is something new for me.  The Banh Xeo is a crispy thin crepe filled with sauteed pork and shrimp bits, mung bean and bean sprouts.  It is served with fresh vegetables such as lettuce, basil, carrots and radishes and nuoc nam sauce (fish sauce).  I liked the Banh Xeo because of its crunchiness and flavorful ingredients.  This is a must try!

How to eat Banh Xeo?

At first glance, I was wondering how to eat the dish.  I'm glad we dined with Henry because he thought us how to eat one.  Allow me to share it with you.

Step 1: Place the lettuce flat on your place.

Step 2: Cut a portion of the crispy crepe and place all of them on top of your lettuce.

Step 3: Add the rest of the veggies you see on the plate dish

Step 4: Grab the wrapped lettuce and dip in into the nuoc nam sauce and eat it.

The Cha Gio is deep fried spring rolls with a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, taro and black fungus.  It is served with fresh lettuces, basic and the nuoc nam sauce.  This dish is exploding with flavors.  

How to eat  Cha Gio?

I really thought eating this dish is as simple as our custom spring rolls but it isn't.  To eat this correctly, you have to eat this by placing your lettuce on your plate, add some basil and then the deep fried Cha Gio.  Grab everything and then dip it in the nuoc nam sauce.  

Beef Dish

The Bo Luc Lac is stir-fried spiced beef cubes topped with sesame seeds served with chili and fried basil.  I really enjoyed this!  The beef cubes were so tender and each bite is so flavorful.  It goes well with the fried basil too.  This dish reminds me of Beef Salpicao but it was more fragrant with the sesame and spices and it was not oily.

Beverages

Ba Noi's makes their own Sugarcane Juice so I was enticed to order one.  I am accustomed to China Town's fresh sugarcane juice ever since I was a child.  Ba Noi's is just as good.  Plus, I think its the best beverage to pair with Vietnamese Cuisine.  The sweetness of the Sugarcane Juice allowed me to reset my palate after each spicy or herb-y dish I ate.

Teas

Dessert

The Banh Dan Long is a warm pandan cake filled with a layer of mung beans in the middle.  It is topped with coconut cream and toasted sesame seeds.  I always enjoyed this dessert.  I love the fragrant pandan taste and the mild sweet taste of mung beans.  The coconut cream and toasted sesame seeds compliments the cake too.  This refreshing dessert is the best way to end a heavy meal.