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| Japanese-style pizza |
Staging a food trip in San Juan requires a little bit of mental and physical conditioning on my part, for the reason that I don't own a car and that I usually just commute or travel by foot. So I rarely set foot to San Juan. And the instances that I'm here are on occasions when I'm really raring to try out a restaurant or a food place that I've stumbled upon on the Net.
Tamayaki/The 5th Taste
Tamayaki/The 5th Taste
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| pretty in pink Tamayaki counter |
It was like a game of hide and seek finding this restaurant. I was intending to try out The 5th Taste. And I even walk the entire stretch of P. Guevarra in search for it but when my hopes were almost up and as I walked back from where I came, I saw (almost like an apparition) The 5th Taste situated right atop Tamayaki, a milk tea place that I just gave a curious glance when I passed by it the first time.
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| a flight of stairs leading to The 5th Taste |
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| Black Sesame Seed Milk Tea |
I would have opted to retreat upstairs to get the full The 5th Taste experience, so to speak. But I already felt so tired from too much walking that if I attempted to walk even a few flight of stairs, my wobbly legs would definitely betray me and I might end up crashing down back to the first floor. Now that's not something that I'm aiming for. That good thing is I could still order from the menu of The 5th Taste while lounging myself (or more like nursing my tired feet) in Tamayaki.
While I'm at it, I decided to order a milk tea drink while they prepare the food I ordered from The 5th Taste. I was torn between the taro and the black sesame but the black sesame win and the Black Sesame Seed Milk Tea w/ Milk Custard maybe the best milk tea drink I ever came across. Creamy with a delightful grit from the black sesame, this milk tea has my name spelled all over it.
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| Spicy Salmon Tartar Maki |
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| Lasagna |
For the food I ordered from The 5th Taste menu, the Spicy Salmon Tartar Maki to perk up my palate. A melange of ingredients of salmon, sesame infused cream and raspberry gelee. I liked the zippiness that's further enhanced with the soy sauce and wasabi dip.
I also liked The 5th Taste Lasagna, it's a hefty meal with layers of lasagna doused with heavily with bechamel and stringy cheese.
I could have like the Unagi Pizza. It has the components of what I picture a Japanese pizza could have. Teriyaki glazed unagi, shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, mozarella and a playful garnish of strips of nori. But the crust that carries this wonderful cargo is oh-so-paper thin that it that it barely lifts the weight of its toppings. Could it possibly be the traditional Japanese pizza is really this thin?
I should note that I first learned about The 5th Taste through a former colleague of mine, Ed Katigbak who posted awesome pictures of the food he ordered here on his social media account that really piqued my interest with the restaurant. There's still a lot that I would like to try on their menu so a repeat visit is definitely in order.
I also liked The 5th Taste Lasagna, it's a hefty meal with layers of lasagna doused with heavily with bechamel and stringy cheese.
I could have like the Unagi Pizza. It has the components of what I picture a Japanese pizza could have. Teriyaki glazed unagi, shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, mozarella and a playful garnish of strips of nori. But the crust that carries this wonderful cargo is oh-so-paper thin that it that it barely lifts the weight of its toppings. Could it possibly be the traditional Japanese pizza is really this thin?
I should note that I first learned about The 5th Taste through a former colleague of mine, Ed Katigbak who posted awesome pictures of the food he ordered here on his social media account that really piqued my interest with the restaurant. There's still a lot that I would like to try on their menu so a repeat visit is definitely in order.
453 P. Guevarra Avenue
Addition Hills
San Juan City
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Whole Pet Kitchen: Pet Deli & Bark-ery
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| pet-lover's food at Whole Pet Kitchen |
I was intrigued with the concept of Whole Pet Kitchen. A cafe that actually let you eat with your pet dog. They even have seperate menus for dogs and for humans which was informed to me pointedly by one of the waitstaff when she handed me both the Dog Cafe Menu and the Pet Lover's Menu lest I made the mistake of ordering food meant for pooches.
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| interior |
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| the chow is looking at me |
Truth be told, I'm harboring this great fear with dogs. I have quite a few moments during my formative years of being chased by rabid dogs that sealed this aversion and phobia with these so-called "man's best friends". You could just imagine my trepidation at the sight of a huge golden retriever resting underneath one of the comfy chairs inside the restaurant. But I was assured by one of the staff that Jack (the dog's name) is the meek-type and very accomodating to guests. I was already at ease even with the dog nearby and was absorbing the kitschy interiors while waiting for my orders when things changed as soon as a family of four came in with their two well-trimmed chow chows.
The chows started growling with intense fierceness at the sight of Jack and it might have escalated into a brawl if not one of the servers escorted Jack safely behind the counter. I was tense the entire time especially the dogs stared at my directions a couple times as the newcomers settled to their seats right in front from where I was. Was glad when my food finally arrive. At least I have my sustenance to divert my attention from those menacing stares from the chows.
The chows started growling with intense fierceness at the sight of Jack and it might have escalated into a brawl if not one of the servers escorted Jack safely behind the counter. I was tense the entire time especially the dogs stared at my directions a couple times as the newcomers settled to their seats right in front from where I was. Was glad when my food finally arrive. At least I have my sustenance to divert my attention from those menacing stares from the chows.
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| triple choclit milkshake |
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| lalalasagna |
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| porkballs and pickles sammie |
The Triple Choclit Milkshake is pretty decent though not as thick as I would normally like my milkshake would be. The Lalalasagna satisfies with its bounty of ground meat and tomato but could afford more cheese though I like the fanciful adornment of cheese formed as a bone on top of the pasta. The Porkballs & Pickles Sammie is a different matter though. The baguette they've used is hard. Unusually hard that it felt like I'm biting into hard wood. The sandwich filling of pork balls, veggies and pate is well under seasoned to salvage the sandwich. I almost didn't touch it right after a few bites and just asked to have the sammie for take out.
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| chocolate waffle |
I have nothing bad to say with the Double Choclit Waffle a la Mode. How can you not love a satisfyingly chewy waffle drizzled with lots of chocolate syrup and tons of chocolate chips topped with a scoop of icing and a miniature chocolate puppy?
www.wholepetkitchen.com/dogcafe
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CO/OP Manila
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| table setting |
It's a gem of a place at the heart of San Juan that I intend to come back often to fully immerse myself with the experience of delicious food coupled with a very eclectic ambience.
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| some of the things you could buy at CO/OP |
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| counter |
It was quite a trek and a little confusing to find the exact location of CO/OP Manila, a lifestyle store/cafe among the intricate and maze-like roads that comprise Addition Hills in San Juan. But once you surpass the initial difficulty of reaching CO/OP, you'll be rewarded with a treasure house of knickknack to your eyes' fancy coupled with some good food to keep your palate busy.
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| iced tea |
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| spanakopitas |
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| goat cheese sandwich |
What I really had are just snacks but they were surprisingly filling. The Spanakopitas is a pleasure to eat. The phyllo dough is super flaky and the filling of shrimp, cheese and caramelized onions blended perfectly.
The Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich is a hearty affair of cheesy goodness. The slight tang of cheese, the slight bitterness of arugula and the smokiness of the proscuitto greeted me when I took my first bite. Delicious!
Rain began to patter and it escalated to a heavy downpour by the time my dessert and coffee made an appearance. But I bid my time. Why would I be in a hurry when I have an excellent Dulce de Leche Cheesecake to keep me company while waiting for the rain to dissipate. I took a bite, relish the creaminess mingling with the caramel flavor on my tongue. Truly, life is good!
The Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich is a hearty affair of cheesy goodness. The slight tang of cheese, the slight bitterness of arugula and the smokiness of the proscuitto greeted me when I took my first bite. Delicious!
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| dulce de leche cheesecake and cafe latte |
Rain began to patter and it escalated to a heavy downpour by the time my dessert and coffee made an appearance. But I bid my time. Why would I be in a hurry when I have an excellent Dulce de Leche Cheesecake to keep me company while waiting for the rain to dissipate. I took a bite, relish the creaminess mingling with the caramel flavor on my tongue. Truly, life is good!
189 A. Mabini Street
San Juan
985-5885
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