At that juncture, I did not know anything about Cafe Havana except for two things: (1) it serve Cuban fusion dishes (2) the name reminds me of the Latin Pop song "Havana" by Camila Cabello.



Food brings people together.

Work
In my field of work, I would always be on one of the two adversarial sides. With my workmates, we all have our own cublicles and own tasks.  But once there's food everyone would gather in the pantry and the room will be filled with warmth and laughter.  

Family
Ever since we were young, we were taught to cooperate with each other so we can enjoy a meal together.  My mom is the best marketer.  My youngest sister does the ingredient preparation such as cleaning, cutting and peeling.  My older brother and second younger sister does the cooking.  My  first younger sister does the dish washing and I do the drying.  Apart from daily meals, there are also special meals during occasions shared with all our relatives.

Food Styled by John Bunag

#LJCxZomatoFoodCrawl A flatlay with many different dishes combined together is akin to a foodie event like a food crawl is also like it.  In this food crawl, the LJC group, zomato and fellow foodies gathered together.  The foodie community is the friendliest community.  Even when we just met, everyone will get along and talk with other over food or about food.  Everyone will lend a hand and respect one another's skills.  Usually, in events like this, I am just a bystander awed and inspired by everyone.  This food styling is done by the great John Bunag.  I couldn't do the flatlay as well as they do though so I just shot this as I see it.  

Food
Now that you know the meaning of food for me, ready to dig in Cafe Havana's Cuban Fusion dishes?  Cafe Havana is not just for a chill out place at night.  It's a great place for lunch outs too!

Fun Fact
Because it's my first time to try Cuban cuisine, I couldn't resist digging into some facts.  Interesting enough although Cuba is 15,625 km away from the Philippines, they share a lot of things in common.

Did you know that:

• Both of them were colonized by Spaniards for a long period.  Cuba became part of the Spanish Colony in 1492 until 1898 when the United States took over as the victor of the Spanish–American War.   On the other hand, the Philippines became part of the Spanish Colony in 1521 until June 12, 1898 when the United States took over as the victor of the Spanish–American War. 
• Both of them have a tropical climate.
• Both of them have a cuisine influenced by Spanish and Chinese dishes.

Sopas

Sopa de Frijoles Negros (175 php)

I don't know what black beauty means but this reminded me about a discussion with my work mates a few days back when we were talking about the new female staff.  One of my colleagues said, "I like her beauty.  She is not very beautiful but she looks more beautiful the more you get to see her.".  This Sopa de Frijoles Negros made of black beans has that appeal to the taste buds.  At first sip, it will give you an impression but you aren't sure if you like it.  Then, as you sip more... it grows on you and fall in love with it more and more.

Platos Principales

♥ Caribbean Style Salmon with Mango Mambo Salsa (635 php)

♥ Spare Ribs Habanera (605 php)

I really liked the Spare Ribs Habanera with guava sauce.  I liked it because I don't get to have guava sauce that often.

Caribbean Shrimp Curry (450 php)

Chuletas de Pollo con Arroz Mejicano (465 php)

Pizza Cubana

♥ Doble Cara (545 php)

Ordering the Doble Cara means you get to choose two kinds of pizza.  I don't really know why someone would pass that chance so I dare say it is the best option.  We got the Jamon Serrano and Quatro Quezo.  The pizza is oven cooked so I like the texture and flavor.  Everyone fell in love with the Quatro Quezo!

Postres

♥ Guyaba Pie (165 php)

Pudin de Pan Habanero (160 php)

The Pudin de Pan Habanero  is a Cuban-styled bread pudding.  This is really good!


So that concludes our second stop for our Cafe Havana #LJCxZomatoFoodCrawl.  It was satisfying for my tummy and my epicuriosity.  

Every since the family has tried Kumori Japanese Bakery, we've been a fan!  Their Signature Hanjuku Cheesecake has been our first choice for pasalubong whenever in SM Makati or Landmark.  Recently, I discovered that Kumori has an equally awesome product which is their Toyohashi Pudding.

Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

As much as we Filipinos love Leche Flan, the Japanese love their Purin, their version of egg custard.  In Japan, you can buy them at convenient stores, supermarkets and train stations.  When we were kids, we used to buy them at Japanese grocery stores in Little Tokyo and Cartimar too.  But, after trying many brands, we can't seem to find one that satisfies us to buy again.  

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

As the name implies, I guess this pudding receipe is from Toyohashi in Japan.  Kumori's secret in making these delicious Toyohashi Pudding is baking them precisely making use of farm fresh eggs and premium buttermilk cream.

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

Each of the different flavors has a distinct feature.  The Toyohashi Pudding Matcha has a bold matcha flavor.  It was not sweet at all.  It's not flawlessly smooth as you can feel the fine matcha powder subtly which was added a sensational pleasure to the tongue.  The Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate is so good!  It was so dark and rich and melts in your mouth.  I really can't decide which is of the two is the best for me.  I'm completely torn. LOL!

Toyohashi Pudding Matcha (98 php), Toyohashi Pudding Chocolate (98 php) and Toyohashi Pudding Original (98 php)

My little sister loves the Toyohashi Pudding Original.  This is the best for her.  If you like the classic sweet caramel sauce, then the Toyohashi Pudding Original.  Plus, it has a perfect smooth, silky, creamy and melts in your mouth texture that beats the others.

Kumori Japanese Bakery
Business Address	SM Makati Basement Makati Metro Manila Landmark Makati Basement Makati Metro Manila
Business Hours	10am-9pm (mall hours)
Payment Options	Cash
Product Price Range	30-800

The family loves Tokyo Tonteki.  But, such love cannot overcome the distance from our home to UP Town Center so we're very glad they opened their second branch in Greenbelt 5. 

I actually find it a bit odd that they had a narrow entrance. 

And, along that narrow entrance is a display of their dishes.

The design is less elegant than their UP Town Center pioneer branch but it's still bright and clean looking.

Food

Starters

Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg (190 php)

I've shared and raved about the Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg on my first review.  Of course, I have to have more of it! 

Set Meals (Unlimited Pork Miso Soup, Japanese Rice and Cabbage)

Tonteki Sets (Premium Pork Loin Sets)

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

Starting with their classic item: Regular Tonteki Set served with unlimited pork miso soup, Japanese rice and cabbage.

Japanese Cucumber Pickles

It also comes with a serving of Japanese Cucumber Pickles.
 

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

The Regular Tonteki is glazed with the tonteki sauce.  It's a really flavorful blend that's quite captivating.  But, I still like the Ginger Flavored Pork Steak Set more.

Tonburg Sets (100% Pure Ground Pork)

Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce (375 php)

The Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce is another all-time favorite for me.  But, if you  have more money to spend, I' suggest going for the heese Tonburg Steak Set.

Chicken Steak Sets

Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce (350 php)

I really liked their Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce because the taste is just right.  It wasn't short of flavor nor was it too sweet or salty.  It's difficult to decide whether this is better than the Chicken Steak Set with Onion Steak Sauce I've tried before.


Katsu Sets

Salmon Fry 4 pcs. (360 php)

This is the first time I'm trying their Katsu. As you can see, their Salmon Fry is beautifully prepared.  The Katsu breading is so thin and crisp.  The salmon is also fresh and juicy.

Side Dishes

Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew (300 php)

My favorite dish in Tokyo Tonteki is actually not their pork steak but just a side dish.  It's the Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew I just had to order in every visit!  It you like spicy Korean dishes, order this!

Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms (250 php)

The Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms still has 3 kinds of mushrooms.  But, I noticed that their not as big as I remembered them to be.


Rice

Special Fried Rice with Egg (150 php)

The Special Fried Rice with Egg is sinangag escalated ti the highest level.  Everyone was crazy for this!

Dessert

Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream (120 php)

It appears that they have totally revamped their dessert menu.  Although I liked the old ones, I'm glad they did because of this Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream.  It's so good with its semi-powdery but still silky texture, rick dark chocolate taste and addictive vanilla whipped cream.  I won't deny that I didn't want to share this and I didn't!  I swear I'll order this in every visit!

Creme Brulee (120 php)

The Creme Brulee is good but it faded just behind the Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream's limelight.

Beverages

Bottomless Iced Tea Lemon (85 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tokyo Tonteki is now available for those from the South side. I know I'm surely coming back for more of their pork steak and more.  I'd strongly suggest you give it a try too.