Foodie | Heart-2-Heart-Online.com

January 29, 2009

0

New Year’s Countdown Spread

By Heart2Heart | Celebrations, Foodie | 5 Comments

After dinner, we all congregated in the hotel room of Dad and Mom and continued our New Year’s countdown…. This was our food spread which we put on the coffeetable. Mom brought all the gourmet stuff which she bought in the food hall of Mitsukoshi and we brought all the junk food 🙂

Wow!! Yummy strawberries from Japan- they look so perfect!! and taste really good!! Mom buys the condensed milk that comes in a tube and we sometimes add it to the strawberries, but usually it does not need it anymore

Sparkling juice for the kids since they can’t drink champagne 🙂

Hmmm….so why is Javier sipping some champagne…nevermind just a little for New Years!

Yum yum!!

Almond leaf cookie – really good!! You need to try this when you go to Japan!! I wish someone here in the Philippines can make this!

French Cheese which everyone loved!

And wow!! Japanese MUSK Melon!! YUMMY!!!! The most expensive melon in the world!! So only on special occassions! I think one slice costs 2,000 + yen each. And one whole melon can cost from 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen ( US$ 200 plus )

New Years Countdown on TV and Dad checking if his I-Phone is synchronized. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

[email_link]

January 28, 2009

0

Kiryu New Year’s Dinner

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | 2 Comments

For New Year’s Eve, we wanted to celebrate in a good restaurant in Osaka…It is quite difficult since some close early and some are not even opened

Aside from that, is hard to find a restaurant that will allow you to bring your wines, so James searched all over for a restaurant that would allow and at the same time have good food… so we were lucky to have found this TEPPANYAKI restaurant which was in an Italian hotel by the train station. WOW! What a great Teppanyaki experience!!

They even had a Sommelier!

Yum Yum! Crispy fried garlic

Lobster Sashimi

All the raw ingredients prepared for cooking

Since we were the only ones in the restaurant, We had 4 chefs cooking for us. I think it was more because they wanted us to eat fast so they could go home and celebrate with their families 🙂 But I think it was just right because they had to cook many different dishes for everyone so it was an efficient way to do it

In Japan, they take everything seriously!! Every detail is always thought out so well.

These prawns were still alive and so fresh

This is the head and the legs which they still cook and make it so well that it tastes so good!

The steaks! Paul had asked the chef what kind of beef, and the chef said a name which I cannot remember, but apparently it is even better than Kobe. It was really good!!

Freshly grated wasabi!! Each one had their own

Take note of the set up for the steak

My order, foie gras teppanyaki!! This is really just a side order, but this was already my main

And this Japanese fried rice was so unique!!!! First time for me to see this way of cooking. That is the “tutong”.

This version – they purposely make the tutong..they get part of the rice and they flatten it and make it fried till it is brown and crispy…

they even put some kind of sauce on it

After which they cut it into pieces and put it as topping for the fried rice

Nothing goes to waste…Lobster Miso made out of the parts that were removed from the Teppanyaki Lobster

And this dessert!! Wow! It came with Mom’s set dinner!

[email_link]

January 27, 2009

0

Yakiniku Den

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

In Universal City Walk, We like eating in Yakiniku Den. We remember eating here two years ago and we wanted to go back so we made sure we looked for it. Yakiniku is really a good choice when in a big group, you get to order many kinds and share it. We highly recommend this place

Of course, we love looking at the menu in MOCK UP form 🙂

They have plenty variety to choose from and all kinds of price points

All kinds of sauces, sweet, spicy, regular, good thing our brother Paul was there to translate for us….

lettuce to those who like to wrap their beef

Tongue

Which comes with this garlic sauce- YUMMY! Basically tongue does not have much taste so they give a sesame oil sauce with salt in it and chopped garlic

Prime Rib Eye – YUMMY! Look at the marbling of the beef

Previous Entry: Universal City Walk, Osaka January 27, 2009

[email_link]

January 27, 2009

0

Universal City Walk, Osaka

By Heart2Heart | Foodie, Travel | No Comments

As soon as you get out of the MTR station, you are already in Universal City Walk. There are no cars in this area. Universal City Walk leads to Universal Studios and in it are restaurants and shops

This store always seems to attract me! 🙂

There are many restaurants and some shops- we go for the restaurants 🙂 Normally we eat inside Universal Studios to save on time- but dinner we eat here before going home. Universal City Walk at night…

Jaime has to have his RAMEN!

And Quito bought Takoyaki

For more information, please visit the website ( you can translate it to English ): Universal City Walk, Osaka

Previous Entry: Universal Studios Japan Jan. 26, 2009

[email_link]

January 25, 2009

0

The Terrace at 5th

By Heart2Heart | Events and Launches, Foodie | No Comments

A brand new dining destination at Greenbelt 5, The Terrace at 5^th is an exciting pristine restaurant that sits unobtrusively over-looking a lush garden and the restaurant row of Greenbelt 2.

The cuisine is an eclectic mix from a delectable menu of the treasured family recipes of its owners – headed by its executive chef Cecille Ysmael with her six good friends and food connoisseurs Ching Cruz, Maricris Zobel, Menchu Soriano, Carol Garcia, and interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario (who is behind the simple yet beautifully designed interiors).

This is a sure dining destination for any meal in the day.

The Terrace at 5^th is the new restaurant of Chef Cecille Ysmael who first shared with us her passion for Thai cuisine with her highly esteemed restaurant Thai at Silk in Serendra. It projects an idyllic charm with simple yet distinctly appealing interior design that provides a relaxing dining ambiance. Floral murals, bird cage ceiling lamps, French windows with gooseberry accents, warm shades of green and white exude comfort and class.

Enjoy such succulent starters as Cynthia’s Amazing Artichoke Dip whose flavor just bursts in the mouth or the Calamares Fritos which is scrumptious with every bite. Warm up with a mouth-watering Tomato Al L’uovo, a tomato egg-drop soup with fresh coriander. A must-try is the Terrace Salad which is the restaurant’s signature salad of fresh garden greens with crunchy almond chips. Indulge on the rich and bold Crabmeat Pasta with Tarragon or the Laing Pasta a la Cristina with taro leaves and white shrimp simmered to perfection in coconut milk.

Satisfy your palate with the Cote d’Azur Seafood platter, grilled or chilled, served with garlic alioli and cocktail mignonette sauce.

Slowly roasted for 12 hours and reduced in rich balsamic sauce, the Homestyle Confit of Pork Belly is another dish to behold. Steak-lovers will enjoy every luxurious bite into The Terrace at 5^th’s char-grilled or pan-grilled USDA Prime angus steak like 1,000 grams Porterhouse, Rib Eye or Fillet Mignon.

Finish with a Gateau de Crepe, a Mango Jubilee or a Chocolate Fondue to complete an already exquisite meal.

And of course, what’s a terrific meal without the company of fine wine? Try their extensive selection which offers everything from red wines such as Cape Mentelle Margaret River/Cabernet Merlot, Terrazas Reserva Malbec/Mendoza, and the Green Point Pinot Noir/Yarra Valley Victoria, and white wines such as Casa Lapostelle Sauvignon Blanc/Maipo, Green Point Chardonnay/Yarra Valley Victoria, and Terrazas de los Andes Chardonnay/Mendoza. Offered at a special prize of Php 2,950.00 until the end of February is the Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial.

Chef Cecille will even lovingly prepare a dish in a different way if you call in advance. The Dungenese crab has been cooked in many different ways for many of Chef Cecille’s more discerning clients who have an adventurous palate.

Food lovers will, without a doubt, take note of the amazing new dining experience that The Terrace at 5^th will provide.

For reservations call 729-0860, 729-6860, text 0917-827-6860 or e-mail terraceat5th@yahoo.com.

[email_link]

January 23, 2009

0

Je Suis Gourmand

By Heart2Heart | Celebrations, Foodie | 2 Comments

One of the popular restaurants in the Fort. They were one of the first restaurants to open when the Fort was being developed. Owned by our good friends, Cary and family. Finally Heart2Heart features Je Suis Gourmand

Happy Birthday to our brother, Tammy!!! Looking younger every year 🙂

and welcome home to our cousin, Rainier

One of Gerry’s favorite restaurants so he is always here with Tina. Good French food with good wine!

Chef Marc saying hello to everyone

My favorite dish! Tarte Flambee Alsacian Onion, Bacon and Cream Tart

Roasted Smoked Bacon, Roquefort, Boiled Egg & Walnut Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Roasted Bone Marrow in Herb Red Wine Sauce & Mushrooms

Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine with Salad and Toasted baguette

Marinated Beef Carpaccio with Parmesan, Raw Mushrooms, Arugula, Balsamic Vinegar & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Tomato and Mushroom Cream Soup with Garlic Flakes

Crispy Marinated Goose Leg Confit with Sauteed Potato & Mushroom Ragout, Rosemary Red Wine Sauce

Braised Lamb Shank in Sauce with Roasted Vegetables and Potatoes

Roasted Chilean Sea Bass

Seared US Black Angus Rib Eye with French Fries Salad and Bernaise

Sauteed US Beef Onglet with Roasted Shallots served with French Fries and Salad- this is half a portion since Dina and Tina split the order – I got to try this and found it very tasty and YUMMY!

Warm Thin Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce and Green Apple Ice Cream – YUMMY!

Caramel Homemade ice cream! YUMMY also!

Last year we ate here also but was not able to feature it, so here it is, with a different menu

Roasted Duck Foie Gras with Stewed Green Lentils and bacon – I was hoping to have this but they did not have it when we were there this time

Smoked Salmon, Mesclun and Arugula Salad with Creamy Vinaigrette dressing

Gratinated French Onion Soup

Roasted Chilean Sea Bass – Half portion

Roasted Free Range Chicken Breast filled with Raclette Cheese served with Parmesan Linguini – half portion also – This was my order! Yummy!! Raclette cheese! – not available also this time

This was a special for the day, I forgot what they called it

Bleu Cheese Carbonara Linguini with Roasted Prawns and Crispy smoked bacon – YUMMY!!!

This was half a potion of the Bleu Cheese pasta and Chicken breast with Raclette 🙂

Penne Pasta sauteed with Spinach Cream, Feta cheese, Chorizo and Black Olives – YUMMY!!!!!

Special of the Day Pasta

[email_link]

January 22, 2009

0

Homemade Spanish Dinner

By Heart2Heart | Celebrations, Foodie | 11 Comments

To welcome our good friends who are back from the UK, we hosted a casual dinner for them and some of their friends who have become our good friends too

I always try to entertain and host at home. I brag about my cook, Edna, who does wonders for me. As Suharto says, I just make the menu and my cook executes everything else. I am so blessed to have her. Edna was a cook of my Tita Vicky and she told us that her specialty is Paella Negra and Sisig! IT IS TRUE! So ever since i hired her 9 years ago, she has been serving that to my friends! So many have tried these dishes. She makes everything from scratch.

Iberian Chicken ** Paella * Paella Negra* Calamares

Sisig!! Not a Spanish dish but can go with the other dishes 🙂

Believe me, this is the BEST SISIG EVER!! Very unhealthy so we have it only when friends come over..and only because I am proud of my cook!

It is so crunchy and crispy, it really comes in a sizzling plate! YUMMY!!!!

Previous Entries:

Entertaining at Home November 14, 2008

A House with a Personalized Touch August 18, 2007

Blue Leaf August 3, 2007

Wagyu Tapa Rice March 20, 2007

[email_link]

January 19, 2009

0

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

By Heart2Heart | Foodie | 16 Comments

I am so lucky I have friends who always update me on the new eating places! Thanks to Eliza Drilon-Luna and Sabs Hernandez for texting me!! Eliza had texted me since October last year but I kept delaying because it is a bit far from where I live…but as Sabs said it… IT IS WORTH IT!! Even some people from Alabang go to Kapitolyo to eat in Charlie’s Grind and Grill!

Eliza told me that this place is owned by her friend Hilary and her husband JP who are partners with the owners of Cyma. The waiter mentioned “Sir Derick” as his boss too. Thank you guys for bringing us happiness by making good food! Spread the joy and open in Makati soon! PLEASE!

I like the fact that the menu is short and simple. We wanted to try everything so we ordered almost everything in the menu and EVERYTHING was good! Plus value for money!!!

Charlie’s Grind and Grill

16 East Kapitolyo Drive, Kapitolyo Pasig. Open from 11am to 2 am