tempura japanese grill

Tempura Japanese Grill is around for quite some time now. Name sounds very generic but it packs some surprises. This is a bit different as the japanese restaurant is purely filipino owned. Some authenticity might be amiss but i see it as japanese food with pinoy ingenuity.

Branches are now all over the metro. we tried the one at makati avenue, bel-air, near my hunny's office.

my hunny likes anything asparagus. we got their tepanyaki. asparagus spears, scallops, shrimps and bell peppers are teppan fried on a soy based sauce.

we also got a sampler dish of different makis. the unique thing here is that the maki is rolled in balls and that there are bits of crispy fried salmon inside.

another maki was given a different appraoch. they quickly deep fried the roll creating a thin crisp crust on the outside. philadelphia cheese inside the maki made it extra rich and creamy.

food is great and price is very reasonable. you might not find real hardcore japanese food in here but their versions appeal to the masses. for a japanese fast food chain, this is rated A1.

ziggurat: a different food experience

ziggurat is a restaurant hidden behind the busy streets of makati avenue and p. burgos. it is situated on the quiet area of the makati's red light district. you can dine there cozily with friends without the tiring noise you usually hear on bars and joints.

ambiance is very middle eastern. you sit on square pillows on a low lying table. persian carpets cover the floor.

since the place is in the red light district, you'll see foreigners with babes as a common customer.


food is good. you have a number of options ranging on arabian, mediterranean, african, indian and egyptian. samplers are available for the adventurous group.

we tried some and we were not disappointed. they serve a really interesting mix of food very new to a pinoy's taste.

i can't seem to remember the exact names of the dishes as they are really new to me. but the owner knows what he's serving.

from top to bottom: spiced ube (purple yam) boiled and mashed. fresh garlic and olive oil is mixed. this is similar humus but they used local ube to make it creamy.

steamed dumplings. this is similar to samosas or pot stickers or siomais at a different shape. these dumplings were boiled on broth instead of plain water. this dumpling is filled with a mix of veggies and some meat.

black curry. an invention of the owner...or one of the exotic foods from somewhere. curry is tamarind based. a hint of tang is infused in the curry. it's the tamarind that makes the curry dark. fish is used in this dish.

orange curry. this is a curry mellowed by the flavor of orange. a touch of sweetness and gusto of orange is introduced. chicken was used here.

basmati rice. pinoys' staple food with a twist. fluffy with a bit of saffron and spices.

honey beer and mango lassi. imported beer with pure honey and lassi with fresh mangos and yoghurt that's home made.

ziggurat

tigris corner euphrates streets

bel-air, makati city

korea quest: korea garden restaurant

on my hunny's birthday, we had dinner at a korean restaurant not far from where we work. we had a craving of korean food while watching tons of korea-novelas.

we walked around jupiter street, makati. this area is in full blast during night time. this is also the place where young pros go after a hectic day at work. restaurants, bars and even karaoke shops are within the area.

we stopped at korea garden restaurant. the restaurant was established in the 70s and it was only now that i entered the place. the restaurant's interiors has no interesting feature except for its cleanliness.

placed in the menu are their specialties with pictures beside it. a nice touch for people like me who doesn't really know all the korean food names.

we got a safe restaurant favorite. a generically named: korean dinner. for about a little over a thousand pesos, you would get about a dozen appetizers, a korean bbq on a hot grill, some glass noodles in sesame and soy based sauce, pan fried gyozas, seafood soup and different kinds of kimchis.

this is probably the best option when going in there for the first time. everything from kimchis, seafood, some pork stuff and a good serving of korean bbq is prepared.

size of the serving is good for 4. although the appetizers are not refillable, the quantity is good for hungry stomachs.

the restaurant's ambiance is very pleasant and you would see the korean owner wait for guests at the doorway. you now seldom see owners greet guests.

this is a nice place for good korean food and a quiet area to eat. ample parking space is available.



korea garden restaurant
jupiter street
bel aire
makati city