What's New in Foodie Kapitolyo

They're not really new establishments, but more of recently explored.

Most would probably frequent the restaurants and establishments along the major street of East and West Capitol, but the side street offers more interesting options.

Click on the link for more of restaurants in Kapitolyo:
Kapitolyo Restaurants

Breakfast at Juanita's

Start your day at Breakfast at Juanita's just beside the famous Cafe Juanita.  They're open as early as 6 AM, serving Filipino Breakfast Meals elevated to new heights.  Try their Chicken Arroz Caldo and Embotido.  The quirky, colourful, eclectic interiors refreshes you to start the day.

Breakfast at Juanita's Signature Embotido

Chicken Arroz Caldo with its array of condiments

Lunch at Pomodoro Pizza

Pomodoro Pizza is located at the corner of San Rafael St. and Sta. Rosa St.  From Shaw Blvd., turn left immediately after passing the gate.

As what the name suggests, they serve Pizza and Pasta, with selections of Italian- Filipino fusion.  On my visit, I tried their Filipino Puttanesca.

Pomodoro Pizza at Night (Photo grabbed from Pomodora Pizza FB Page)

Pomodoros Pinoy Puttanesca

Snack at Kapitolyo Gastro Park

The Park offers countless options, from Mexican-Filipino to Thai - Mexican Fusion, enough to satisfy every craving.

The Filipino Sandwich Bar, serves snack sandwiches filled with filipino favourites like Lechon and Adobo among many others.

The Park is located along 1st Street.  Coming from Shaw Blvd, enter the Gate to Kapitolyo, and turn right at United St.  Immediately after, turn right again to 1st St., where theres a Chinabank at the corner.  Gastro Park is located on the right.

The Filipino Sanwich Bar Food Truck

Ever tried a Mexican Bulalo?

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Mexican Bulalo

Dinner at Ser Chef's Lechon

Right across Kapitolyo Gastro Park is Ser Chef's Lechon, known for their Lechon Macau, which is what we had for Dinner.

Lechaon Macau Rice at 145 Pesos

With this much food option, make sure your hungry the next time you drive by Kapitolyo.

Must Try: Puto Bumbong Cake at Lia's Cake in Season

Christmas is my favourite time of the year.  I look forward to having the seasonal favourite food, and as soon as I hear Christmas Carols on the radio, my craving for Bibingka (Coal Baked Rice Cakes) and Puto Bumbong would sink in.

I happened to pass by a stand selling this items on my trip to Pampanga along Macarthur Highway in San Fernando.  I was so excited that I had to beg Starbucks to let me have them at their cafe.  I think its best paired with coffee.

The Puto Bumbong Cooking Contraption

Bibingka is cooked by sandwiching the batter
with coals on top and bottom.

A few days after, I saw on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho a feature on the Puto Bumbong Cake from Lia's.    I have been craving for it since.  Lia's is very close to where I work along East Capitol together with the other foodie places in Kapitolyo, Pasig.

I finally gave in to my craving last Friday.  It's a bit expensive at 210 pesos per slice, but this really is one of a kind and I just had to try it.

The cake is moist lighter version of the original.  The muscovado sugar topping and grated coconuts gives it that familiar flavour.  The dark brown caramel sauce is indulging.  It's a definite must try in Pasig.

Perfect timing!  I totally blend in with the interiors!

Red Panda, East Meets West in Kapitolyo

Most foodies are now familiar with the Kapitolyo, Pasig area. More and more restaurants are opening offering a variety of food styles to different food cravings.

Our recent visit brought us to Red Panda.   Its a Chinese - European Fusion restaurant.  I was intimidated by the price at first,  but for less than 500 pesos, they have a set meal that comes with soup and dessert.

On this visit, we tried their surf and turf, a combination of steak and shrimp over mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables on the side. I had the beef ribs in barbecue sauce with mushroom risotto and corn. Both comes with a bowl of pumpkin soup and fruit cocktail.

Both were good! The steak was tender and well done as we wanted it and the meat of the ribs are falling off the bone.  You can compliment your meals with their selection of wines.

I must say, with the interiors, service, portion, and taste, it was a real value for money!

Foodie Finds in Kapitolyo Pasig: Ba Noi's

This is actually my 2nd visit to Ba Noi's.  The first time, I find the meals a bit pricey for a single person out for lunch.  But on this visit, since am with my partner, and most of the restaurants in the area are closed for mid-afternoons on Sunday, I decided to give it a 2nd chance.  We ended up having a bill of almost 1k.  The food was great, but still a bit expensive.

Fresh Spring Rolls (195 Pesos)

Pho Bo, Split into two (260 pesos)

Ga Kho Cari Xa (Braised chicken slowly cooked in lemongrass and curry powder, infused with fresh chillies, shallots and spring onions. Best for hot food lovers 250 pesos)  and Vietnamese Rice (90 pesos each)

The restaurants quaint interiors!

Foodie Find Kapitolyo: Epic Coffee Roastery

Just when we thought we have tried out every foodie establishment in Kapitolyo, Pasig comes Epic Coffee Roastery.

I work relatively close to the area, and I frequent the establishment along this street  for lunch or an afternoon coffee.  This Saturday, before visiting the dentist, we decided to have lunch at Three Sisters to satisfy our Barbecue and Java Rice food craving.  After the meal, I went out to consume a stick of cigarette, and there it was right in front of me Epic Coffee Roastery.

From the road, all you can see is a glimpse of the Cake Chiller and a Bicycle right at the window.  Inside, we were amazed with the rustic interiors using recycled wood and bricks, decorated with vintage accents.  It was hard to decide what to order from the cake stand because everything looks so good and tempting.  We tried the house brew and Cafe Macchiato that day and shared on a slice of Rainbow Cake.

To my officemates, if I'm not in my table, you know where to find me!

Never Ran Out of Food Options in Kapitolyo, Pasig

Me and my office mates are celebrating Friday by having lunch out of the office.  We are given meal allowance that can be used to order food from our menu,  but having worked for the company for almost seven years, I've tried most of the item that the opportunity to eat out is welcomed by most of us.

We we're originally planning to eat at Shakeys, but I want them to experience something new.  I took them to Poco Deli.  As what the name suggests, they specializes in Deli' imported abroad.  The assorted cold cuts is the best way to start.  It gives you the opportunity to try a little bit of everything, from sausages to cured meat.

We then ordered the Quatro Carne Pizza (four-meat pizza), and 3 different types of Pasta.  The first pasta that arrived at our table was the Chili Seafood Pasta, followed by the Bolognese and the Seafood option of the Truffle Oil pasta.  We we're not disappointed with the taste and the service was commendable.

Assorted Cold Cuts Sampler

Chili Seafood Pasta

Quatro Carne Pizza

Seafood Truffle Oil Pasta

After the meal, we then transferred to Lia's Cake In Season, 2 establishments away to sample their cake selection.  The Avocado Cheesecake is definitely a must try, but we also ordered the Decadent Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet, Chocolate Avocado, and mango Cheesecake for variety.

Top from left, Avocado Cheesecake, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Bottom from Left, Mango Cheesecake, red Velvet and Chocolate Avocado

These two establishments are just two of my favorites along East Capitol St.  Please check out my other entries on Kapitolyo from my previous blogs.

http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2012/04/foodie-finds-in-kapitolyo-pasig.html
http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2012/06/cab-cafe-foodie-find-in-kapitolyo-pasig.html
http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2012/04/foodie-finds-in-kapitolyo-pasig-part-2.html
http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2013/06/kainan-au-gustu-best-turo-turo-eatery.html

Kainan Au Gusto: The Best Turo Turo Eatery in Manila.

A portion of the dining area fronting the Turo Turo station.

Of all the Turo-Turo restaurants I have visited, Kainan Augusto in Kapitolyo Pasig stands out.  Not only their selection of viand tastes good, but they also managed to make an effort to give their dining area an eclectic charm with mis-matched chairs and tables and adorned their walls and ceilings with collections of old decors.

The dessert stand.

You can order half servings for variety.

Ramen Cool: Happiness in Bowl Part 2

Ramen Cool is one place where you would have to back again and again just to try all the items in their menu.

On my third visit, we got to try the Sukiyaki with the glass noodles and savory sweet broth topped with beef and vegetables.  An egg is added just as the noodle is served.

My advice to diners, the noodle serving is huge and can easily serve two people unless you really have a big appetite.  If you have a partner with you, order individual rice meals and split the noodles into two, or order the fried rice bowl and choose among the selection of viands.  We ordered the friend rice and the Tonkatsu which we also shared consuming a bill of less than 500 for two.  This allows you to try a wider selection every visit.

Ramen Cool is located at the corner of East Capitol Dr. and West Capitol Dr. in Pasig

Here's what we had on our 2nd visit! My recommended combination!

Chicken Teriyaky

Chicken Curry

Kimchi Ramen

Read about our first visit to Ramen Cool:
http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2012/08/ramen-cool-happiness-in-bowl.html

Ramen Cool, Happiness in a Bowl

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After spending the entire day at home due to flooding, the morning after provided some hope for us when the gutter deep water subsided.  I felt guilty when two of my staff is already in the office and they live quite a distance from Pasig.   I decided to leave since I still have half of the working day to go.

Plan A was unsuccessful passing by Kamagong St. in San Antonio, Makati.  We went back and took the Osmena Highway to Magallanes and eventually Pioneer in EDSA.  I was at the office by 2:00 PM.  Immediately, I checked some mails, and attended to my pending replies.  Afterwards, I was asked to inspect the head office for leaks and possible hazards.  By 4:00 PM, it was announced that we are allowed to go home.  I thought, might as well drop by the gym since I am on my Day 10 of my diet plan.  EDSA was a breeze until I reached Magallanes where it took us 2 hours to get to the intersection of Arnaiz Ave.  I figured, the water might have risen in Buendia St. causing the traffic, so I decided to turn back, return to EDSA, took the Forbes access to C5.  It was an easy decision since, the gym is only open until 7:00PM and I already wasted 2 hours in traffic when I'm not even halfway on my destination.

Around 6:30, I was back in Pasig.  I was so hungry that when I passed by this brightly lit restaurant that advertises hot noodles in East Capitol, I had to stop.

 The dining area was divided into 2 sections.  The elevated section provides more privacy with each cubicle enclosed in wood and glass partition, and the other half is the general dining area.

I like the interiors.  It's very rare to find restaurants that would go into the details of reflecting the food into the interiors.

First, I love the color scheme, keeping the natural color of wood and yellow as the dominant accent color.  The drop screens in yellow breaks the monotony of the muted grey, black and white ceiling.  The metal split bamboo drop light created patterns on surfaces enhancing the zen minimalist theme.  The yellow accent wall with cartoon Japanese graphics

serves as an introduction to the Japanese playful menu.

I ordered myself the Katsu-Curry Noodles.  The serving was big, matching my big appetite.  The noodle springy and the broth made more flavorful by the curry sauce.  It was a different but pleasant way of eating breaded pork.  Very timely during the rainy weather.

I cant wait to try the other items on their menu.