beef salpicao – Jellybeans in the City

Nostalgia and comfort over Filipino food at Lorenzo’s Way, BGC

We Pinoys have a special relationship with our homegrown food.

No matter the number of new cuisines we are exposed to, we almost always go back to Filipino food, whether these come in the form of heritage recipes that we grow up with or more exotic viands from various regions.

When I recently attended an event in Boni High Street, I was pleasantly surprised when we were served lunch at Lorenzo’s Way, an upscale Filipino food restaurant in the area.

Lorenzo’s Way is the namesake of Larry J. Cruz (“LJC”), the founder of the LJC Group of Restaurants, which also includes popular and beloved concepts such as Café Adriatico, Cafe Adriatico Express, Abe, Café Havana, Bistro Remedios, Fely J’s Kitchen, Larry’s Café and Bar, Polka Dot Bakeshop, Abe’s Farm and The LJC Catering Service.

This particular restaurant’s menu serves as the greatest hits list of winning dishes from other LJC restaurants. This includes delicious dishes that bring a mixture of comfort and nostalgia as only Pinoy food can, such as:

Beef Salpicao (Php590). Tender morsels of beef sauteed in garlic and olive oil.

Crispy Baby Squid (Php310). Baby squid coated in light batter and fried crisp as popularized by Bistro Remedios.

Spanish Garlic Chicken (Php445). Boned chicken baked with garlic cloves and olive oil.

Binukadkad na Pla-Pla (Php495). Butterflied giant tilapia fish served with balo-balo (Kapampangan fermented rice) and fresh mustard leaves, a Bistro Remedios original.

KKK (Php725). Bistro Burgos’ highly celebrated take on the classic Kare-Kare made with a chopped oxtail neatly surrounded by the dish’s vegetables and doused in the rich and nutty sauce. This dish spawned the Kare-Kare Klub of journalists, bankers and PR practitioners who used to meet every Thursday at Bistro Burgos to catch up as they savored this dish.

Sikreto ni Maria Clara (Php225). Sweet sticky rice and ripe mango slices and topped with coconut ice cream.

In keeping with the family-style way of serving Pinoy meals, my fellow attendees and I shared multiple generous orders of these dishes among ourselves, chatting with each other while eating our fill.

Fresh fruit shakes also round out our meal.

So if you feel like sinking your teeth into the delicious comfort and nostalgia of Filipino cuisine, be sure to head to Lorenzo’s Way.

This Lorenzo’s Way branch is located at 2nd Level, C2 Building, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Taguig City, open for dine-in, takeout and delivery Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 76213163, +63 2 76213164 or +63 917 5284206.

Another branch is located at Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77290013 or +63 917 5522733.

Know more about its menu and offers by following Lorenzo’s Way on Facebook and Instagram.

Culinary delights at SilverSpoon QC

Being a foodie myself, there are few pleasures in life as universal as the enjoyment of a delicious meal. From childhood memories of dinners with my family to those first kilig dates at fancy restaurants, dining on good food has the ability to bring not just satiety, but a sense of joy.

And for people like me who are passionate about food and all its delicious possibilities, there’s no better feeling than sharing their gustatory adventures with others.

That’s what I did when on the first day of our #ReturnToOffice, I took my teammates to one of my favorite places in the Tomas Morato area for our first #HappyLunch after nearly three years: SilverSpoon Kitchenette.

Located in one of the side streets off Tomas Morato Avenue, this cozy little kitchenette is a hidden gem that has been making waves in the local food scene.

The kitchenette is run by a team of passionate foodies who are dedicated to bringing dishes that are not only delicious but also made with the freshest ingredients. They source their produce from local farmers, ensuring that every dish is packed with the goodness of the season. They also instituted a quarterly showcase of classic Pinoy food from various regions to make these heritage dishes more accessible to their clientele.

However, for this particular food adventure, my coworkers and I focused on SilverSpoon’s pastas and mains, which included:

Creamy Spinach Ravioli (Php365). Handcrafted ravioli stuffed with creamy spinach filling served on a flavorful sauce bed.

Pasta al Nero (Php330). Squid ink pasta tossed with crisp vegetables and calamari.

Crispy Lechon Kawali (Php330). Deep-fried pork belly served with saffron rice with lechon sauce on the side.

Honey Garlic Liempo (Php330). Tender grilled pork belly glazed in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce and served with garlic rice.

Gambas in Tomato Sauce (Php385). Plump tiger prawns flavored with paprika and tossed in a sauce of pureed tomatoes.

Beef Salpicao (Php495). Tender beef strips and mushrooms stir-fried in Worcestershire sauce, butter, garlic and chilis served on a bed of garlic rice.

But the food is only part of the story. SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a warm and welcoming space that’s perfect for everything from a quick lunch for office workers to a leisurely dinner with friends.

The decor is simple and minimalist but has a charming vibe that makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re sitting at the bar with your coffee and a sandwich or feasting with your buddies at one of the cozy tables, you’ll be feeling quite at ease.

In a world where fast food and pre-packaged meals have become the norm, SilverSpoon Kitchenette is a refreshing reminder of what real food is all about. So the next time you’re in the mood for a meal that’s made with love and care, head over to SilverSpoon Kitchenette and prepare to be delighted.

Silverspoon Kitchenette is located at 81 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily for dine-in, takeout or delivery from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries, reservations or delivery orders, call +63 917 1603327. It also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Plus, here’s a something to make your culinary adventure even more delightful!

Scan this code and present your boarding pass when you dine in at SilverSpoon to enjoy 10% off on your bill! (Applicable to dine-in transactions only)

For updates on its latest offers, follow Silverspoon on Facebook or Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about SilverSpoon:

‘Tis the start of the season for fam celebrations with Silverspoon

3 reasons to treat your Valentine to a meal at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

Sumptuous snacking at Silverspoon, Tomas Morato

Take a bite of classic Kapampangan food at SilverSpoon QC

#UnniesTimeOut at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club

It’s been quite some time since I enjoyed a sojourn at the posh Rockwell area in Makati. With all the upheaval in the metro caused by the pandemic and the recent elections, I have not been able to re-explore a lot of my favorite haunts.

That’s such a shame as one of benchmarks for a fine-dining experience remains to be Chef Jessie Rockwell Club.

Having re-opened after pausing its operations due to the lockdown measures in the city, Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is all set to provide the metro’s foodies with well-crafted gourmet dishes and a luxurious environment in which to enjoy their meal.

Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is helmed by Chef Jessie Sincioco, a pioneer in the locak culinary scene. Having won the baking category grand prize winner in The Great Maya Cookfest in 1983 and becoming the very first Filipina Pastry Chef in 1990, she furthered her illustrious career by managing upscale restaurants through her own company JCS Gastronomie, Inc. In 2015, she received the distinction of being hand-picked to cook for His Holiness Pope Francis during the Pontiff’s visit to the Philippines.

I was happy that during our recent trip to the Rockwell area, my fellow unnies Jen of Sand Under My Feet and Nix of IEatAndIWander, were able have a sit-down meal at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club to enjoy Chef Jessie’s celebrated culinary creations.

We started with Chef Jessie’s Ciabatta, a long, flat and rustic-looking loaf that’s sets the tone for a great meal, especially since it’s accompanied by Chef Jessie’s Special Dip made with finely chopped red and green bell peppers, pimiento and grated parmesan in herbed olive oil, along with bread rolls and butter.

We had our taste of fresh produce thanks to the Salad ala Judy Ann, composed mixed greens tossed with bits of fruits in season along with slivers of brie and bleu-cheese in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

To further whet our appetites, we had our serving of Cream of Carrot and Pumpkin Soup, a thick and creamy bisque made with wholesome ingredients with a final seasoning of freshly ground black pepper upon serving.

One of our main dishes was a serving of US Beef Tenderloin Tips Salpicao, made with the nicely trimmed and flavorful ends of US beef tenderloin, stir-fried in Worcestershire sauce, butter, garlic, and other spices, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables in season.

We also enjoyed another tasty viand: the Pan-Fried Salmon in Mariner Sauce, a succulent fillet of Norwegian Salmon on a bed of creamy, herb-infused sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, and served along with creamy mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables in season.

To cap off our sumptuous meal, we enjoyed a decadent serving of fluffy Chocolate Souffle drenched in vanilla sauce.

We also accompanied our meal with both cold drinks – Freshly Brewed Iced Tea and Fresh Lemongrass Tea – and hot beverages – Freshly Brewed Coffee and Basilur Tea from Sri Lanka.

For this group of unnies, our sit-down dinner at Chef Jessie Rockwell remains one for the books!

Chef Jessie Rockwell Club is located at Ground Floor, Rockwell Club, Amorsolo Square, Rockwell Center, Makati, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 88906543 or +63 2 98907630.

Know more about Chef Jessie through her website or follow Chef Jessie on Facebook and Instagram for more details about her restaurants’ latest offerings.

Check out my previous posts about Chef Jessie.

Chef Jessie’s Place, Makati — Chef Jessie’s Place in Makati soon to open

Chef Jessie’s Place for delivery — Chef Jessie’s creations are now available for delivery and pickup!

Chef Jessie Light Summer Berry Cake — Chef Jessie unveils newest creation: the Summer Berries Light Cheesecake!05

Bar chows and chill drinks at After Hours, Tomas Morato

After hours is that precious time when the day’s work is done and we can finally sit back to relax and spend time with friends.

After Hours is also the name of a newly opened bar in foodie haven Tomas Morato. This is where my foodie friends and I, shortly before the Covid-19 and the ECQ came down upon all of us, were able to enjoy a few hours chillin’ in each other’s company while discovering all the fun to be had after hours.

1) The buzzy welcoming vibe

You would think that Tomas Morato would already have its fill of concept bars but there’s definitely room for more, especially this one.

With its ample parking space, trendy decor, comfy furnishings, a playlist made up of 80s and 90s hits (which my friends and I sang along with!), excellent chows and a well-stocked bar, After Hours is a haven for those looking for some well-deserved R ‘n R.

2) Chill drinks

According to co-owner Rey Trillana, the focus of After Hours are on cocktails, whiskey and a bit of wine, drinks to chill with after work. Each cocktail is handcrafted (no pre-mixes). For whiskey connoisseurs, the bar also boasts of a well-curated whisky collection. Guests even have the option of getting the bartender to craft something Out of the Blue, based on their favorite liquor and taste profile.

During our visit, my foodie friends and I were able to sample:

Jack Estate’s Pink Moscato. A fresh and fruity wine from Australia.

Perfect Pear. A fruity non-alcoholic mocktail for lightweights like me.

Smoked Old Fashioned. The classic mix of bourbon, simple syrup and Angostura bitters, served with a bit of smoke and flair.

Red Sangria Spritzer. Handcrafted sangria made with wine, brandy, mixed berries, chamomile honey, calamansi and soda.

After Six. Gin mixed with elderflower liquor, lavender syrup, egg white and lemon juice.

Punch Drunk Love. After Hours’ signature cocktail made with spiced rum, chai pandan syrup, lemon and pineapple juice, Angostura bitters and clarified milk, served with a dehydrated pineapple.

3) Tasty bar chows

Of course, we needed some chows to go with those drinks, and After Hours has a very good kitchen going managed by Chef Miggy. He and his crew whipped up some tasty bar chows to complement our drinks, such as:

Beef Salpicao. Tender USDA beef tenderloin sauteed in a garlic butter sauce, definitely a favorite among tipplers and foodies.

Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers. Spicy, salty and slightly sweet bite-sized chicken breasts.

BBQ Beef Pockets. Crispy wonton pockets stuffed with ground beef doused with bourbon BBQ sauce and cheese.

Four Cheese Pizza. Mozzarella, feta, parmigiano reggiano and gorgonzala, all the good stuff on a thin-crust pizza.

All-Meat Pizzadilla. Gooey mozzarella sandwiched in two flour tortillas and topped with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, BBQ sauce and even more cheese.

Pork Binagoongan Pasta. Spaghetti with crispy-fried pork cubes tossed in shrimp paste.

Bacon Mushroom Truffle Pasta. Creamy truffle spaghetti topped with crunchy bacon.

Oh, such a happy time! There were good food, good drinks and good company.

But then, the community quarantine came and, sadly, After Hours had to close its doors for a while.

It seemed like the entire bar industry had been severely affected by the community quarantine.

However, a few weeks ago, I had the pleasant surprise of finding out that it had resumed operations to enable its loyal customers to get that After Hours experience even while at home through Buy One Take One offers on its wines, its signature cocktails by the bottle, as well as a selection of its bar chows, all available for delivery or pickup!

Thanks to Rey Trillana and the rest of the management and staff of After Hours Bar for having us and congratulations for succeasfully pivoting your business to operate in The New Normal.

So until the next time I can visit After Hours again, I can enjoy my after hours at home.

After Hours is located at 125 Don A. Roces Avenue, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. To order its bar chows, wines and cocktails for pick up or delivery, fill up this form, send a message over Instagram or call +63 917 1767383.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.