Showing posts with label spanish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spanish. Show all posts

Terry’s Selection

Terry’s Selection is a hidden treasure tucked away in the lower level of Podium Mall. If it weren’t for poeticnook’s searching prowess, we wouldn’t be able to find this restaurant at all. It was even my first time going at the lower level of this mall, I always thought it was reserved for their underground parking. But I was surprised it was lined up with several utility and special services stores and at the very end, there stood Terry’s. When entering their store, you will be welcomed with top of the line products which are hard to find in your normal grocery store. It looked like a huge delicatessen for me, worthy of another visit. And then I turned right towards their restaurant section. It was a little early for lunch and I was the first customer there.

I ordered the Callos ala Andaluza right away. I’ve tasted poeticnook’s cooking and honestly, that one’s the one to beat (but yes, yes, I know we’re here for Terry’s). Terry’s Callos had soft enough tripe, Spanish chorizo, olives, chickpeas, and Jamón Serrano. Since I didn’t order any rice to accompany this dish, they gave me complimentary bread. I think the chefs here were able to make the tripe shine and be the star of the dish, as it’s meant to be. The only downside to this dish was its serving size. I guess it was for sharing.


By the end of the meal, my dessert, Flan de la Abuela, translating to Grandmother’s Flan, is a sweet, custard treat. I’m a snob when it comes to flans, since my mother happens to make the best flan I ever tasted. I get annoyed with the small bubbles stuck in the custard for cooking it on high heat. This one’s not perfect but it had great taste.

Verdict: 3/5

I did like the interior of the restaurant, intimate and cozy, perfect for family gatherings. The crew were all very attentive, but maybe because I was the only customer (yeah, nobody came in after me, and still noone after I left! Hmm..) Since I have tasted better callos and flan, minus 2 for those already. But I do want to go back to their delicatessen and check what’s out there. Maybe visit the restaurant again, but not anytime soon.

Ipar's

After the countless times we passed by this rustic Spanish restaurant standing in the midst of Ramos street, we finally decided one day to visit Ipar's. This restaurant stands beside several other business establishments but none of them can compare to this traditional Spanish restaurant.
The ambiance of the place is truly enchanting; I saw several paintings and flags hanging from the walls and ceiling while slow paced melodies of romantic articulations in Spain's native tongue wafted in the background. The designs were more of a mixture of traditional and contemporary: there was a tinge of familiarity and strangeness inside, as if one were stuck in between two different eras.

Upon claiming our reservation for lunch under my name, we were made to sit in of their massive furnishings made from sturdy tree trunks. Several of these were made to fit the dining area for their eager patrons. By the back of the entrance to the dining room, there was a rack of bottled goods, most of which were homemade sardines in corn oil and tomato. Both of which are sold at an affordable price of 100 pesos per bottle. They also sell a thick glass of pure honey for 350php. 

I was quite impressed by their wide selection of food here, ranging from staples such as bacalao (cod) to callos (ox tripe simmered in thick sauce). I was only disappointed by the fact that there are some dishes that are not available because the ingredients are out of stock.


We had an assortment of tapas for appetizer, all of which were delicious in their own right. The gambas was by far my sister's favorite whereas the chorizo was mine because it reminded me of the longganisa you can get from lucban. The Croquettas de pollo reminded me of a cheesy cordon bleú, but cheesier and piping hot.

The main dishes were their signature paella dela casa, an assortment of shrimp, squid, chicken, chorizo and pork. Their pollo asado al horno was baked just right with their juices still intact. We also ordered a serving bacalao, which basically salted cod fish stewed with tomatoes. We also had lengua estofada (ox tongue) and callos madrileños. 


To end the meal, all four of us shared a small round flan. Definitely the best flan i've tasted in my whole life. Better than max's!



Ipar's 
F. Ramos Street


Verdict:
A: 4.25/5
Unique and authentic taste with several of their ingredients imported directly from Spain. There were dishes that are a bit salty, but you can never go wrong with his restaurant.












Casino Español


Vegetable salad, pork chop and fish fillet 




Lengua estofado, chop suey and fish fillet 




Chocolate monster


Casino Español de Cebu
107-109 V. Ranudo Street
Cebu City 6000, Philippines



Verdict:

N: 3.5/5 I had high expectations for their lengua but it was just ok..
A:


Don Merto's

Don Mertos is a unique dining facility that caters a mix of traditional Asian and Western cuisines. One branch is situated in a small space in SM Northwing, with an assortment of steaks, salads and favorite Spanish food. We sampled the mushroom burger (comes with fries), Lengua (a spanish-Mexican cuisine made from beef tongue) and the Don Merto's lunch special, which contained burger steak, a choice between salad or soup and your own sidings for that day.

It was a wonderful experience, all of the food being delicious albeit served with minimal helpings that doesn't encourage over indulging. It was a little bit pricey for the amount of food, but for the taste, I guess it was okay. Service was mediocre, we were served bread for appetizers but we didn't feel pampered enough. The waitress mentioned that they were understaffed, and I suppose that is one of the things about it that brings the quality down.


Verdict:

A: 3/5 Food was ok. Service was so-so. Cramped for room. Understaffed.

Don Merto's Deli and Resto
SM Northwing Branch
North Reclamation Area
Cebu City