Cocina peruvia

You have to taste a culture to understand it. – Deborah Cater

I know its been years that Peruvian cuisine have been introduced to the Philippines.

Photo credits: https://imgur.com/user/thearabthatgaveyoupototoesthatonetime

Trivia:

Did you know that potatoes before are considered only as livestock feed in Europe until French chemist Antoine-Augustin Parmentier began serving dishes made from the tubers at his lavish banquets. His guests then were convinced that potatoes were fit for human consumption. The varieties used in Europe and most of the world, however, derive from a subspecies indigenous to Peruvian Andes, namely Solanum tuberosum.

I remember one of my colleagues telling me to be more adventurous when it comes to trying dishes that I am not familiar of. And I really thank her for telling me that, each new taste I’ve tried and discovered is so exciting, it buoyed me into trying more.

Photo credits: http://www.picturequotes.com/

I came across Cocina Peruvia from their very enticing Instagram account, and fell in love with their Galera de Chocolate, it is so pretty and I can’t wait to have the actual thing in front of me.

Galera de Chocolate: Baked chocolate tart with dark chocolate ganache, topped with salty blue (or purple) chips and dried figs. 

So, finally, we made it. Looking at their menu list, I really am confused as to what I am having because everything looks so delicious. As a blogger, I should invite more friends to dine with me because if its’ just me and Jen (my foodie/ travel buddy), we can only consume as much.

So what we’ve had are these:

I had Anticucho de Pollo, it came with Chimichurri and Aji Anticucho sauce.

I actually can’t forget those two flavorful condiments. They really enhanced the taste of chicken that was really tender and a hint of smokey flavor coming through.

We actually requested for additional chimichuri, later we found out, we can buy from the bottles. =)

While according to Jen, she really enjoyed her Seafood pasta because everything she’s craving were on it. And the taste of them all layered together was really exquisite.

we instantly loved our starters, the mixed Patacones.

And since I can’t do without rice, we tried their Cilantro chicken rice as recommended by their attendant being one of their best sellers.

Don’t forget to squeeze that slice of lime. =)

And I must concur with their recommendation, I definitely love the Cilantro rice. We all know for a fact that Cilantro has a very strong pungent flavor, though their version is mildly and tastefully translated. We totally forget the word “diet”.

And this for our dessert. =)

I can’t find the right word to describe what’s it like after we dined, let’s just say it via a hashtag: #happytummy

I told you it’s purple. =)

Interiors/ Ambiance

You will find the many colors and patterns of Peru creating a festive feel. =)

Next time we visit, we agreed to try Ceviche for Jen which is one of Peru’s staple dishes, the Lomo saltado for me and those attractive Brochetas. Oh, they have their versions of pizza too! =)

Photo credits: https://konyoqueen.com/2019/02/11/cocina-peruvia-at-the-podium-ortigas/

Hats off to Chef Him Uy de Baron, clients will keep coming back to Cocina Peruvia. =)

Their addresses:

• Fifth Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
• Ground Floor, Bonifacio One Technology Tower, Rizal Drive Corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
• Level 2, Ayala Malls – Vertis North, Quezon City

Apartment 1B – Henry Hotel

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. ~ John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Each time I am visiting a new place. It feels like a Get-away or an escape from the usual humdrum of daily life. It sets my vibe. Like when I visited Arte Mondo at the Artelano 11 inside the compound of Henry Hotel at F.B. Harrison, Pasay City. It is a Pre-Holiday Gathering of Premier Filipino Design, a collaboration between Artelano 11 and The Travelling Trunk.

After the canvasing and shopping and “Can’t get enough mode” of taking photos from this exhibit, very timely for the upcoming Christmas season, all we wanted to do is eat. We actually, had DIC (Jen, where is our photo of Mamang Sorbetero?) already.

We were very lucky to find one at the lobby of Henry Hotel: Apartment 1B, I’ve heard a lot of good things about this restaurant, owned by Chef Marivic Diaz Lim and that there are two branches in Makati (One in Salcedo and another one in Rockwell Center). they offer gourmet comfort food and is actually under the wings of The 1B Group along with Kitchen 1B and Pablo. The former is a healthier version of their amazing offerings while the latter is a Continental Bistro bar.

Jen had pizza and I had pasta. We also tried their coffee, I had cafe latte and Jen had Vittoria coffee and espresso.

Simple syrup for my coffee.

I just love cheese. =)

My foodie buddy took care of the menu as I took joy in taking photos. I fell in love with their interiors while enjoying the piped-in music that softly played songs of Carla Bruni. And even if I do not understand most of it, It was so relaxing.

I was able to capture my moments hours ago because I was surrounded by things I love. You may check the link of my separate blog about “Arte Mondo”: https://beautsantua.com/category/my-bohemian-blood-2/arte-mondo/

Simple yet impressive Architecture.

Lovin’ those tiles! ❤

And we really appreciate the experience of being here. The people are very nice. The place was old and they were able to preserve (and restore) most timeworn elements, the windows with decorative glass, the doors, especially those floors. F.B. Harrison street is very rich in history, passing along by it, you’ll see quite a number of manors that’s been sublimely standing still after many generations.

Love it here! =)

Jen and I were wishing that soon we will go back to stay at Henry Hotel even for a few days. It is located at the heart of Pasay City but the feel is very different while we’re inside the compound. It is so tranquil and composed and those greens are very relaxing.

Art in every corner. Those greens are old bottles of wine.

Should you wish to visit, it is located at: 2680 F.B. Harrison Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila. Below is a map for your reference. =)

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Source: https://www.apartment1b.com/a1b-menu.pdf

It’s chow time at Johnny Chow!

You have to taste a culture to understand it. ~ chickadeestories.com

When you’re at Resorts World, and you need to dine with all the flurry, you have some more than 50 delightful restaurants to choose from, whether you’re craving for local dishes, Asian cuisine, American or even European F & B, they have it, artfully integrated.

We spotted Johnny Chow at the second floor of Newport Mall, it is a sight to behold like a muse among other pretty faces. The vibrant colors and the hanging lamps are really a “come on”.

Johnny Chow was curated by the team who introduced to us SumoSam, Mr. Kurosawa and John and Yoko. A fusion of Thai, Chinese and Korean cuisine. I remember the first time I tried John and Yoko in Alabang Town Center, I really loved it and when my foodie buddy asked me to bring her there, this time the one in Makati, I had to say yes, and it’s just a difference of 2 days. I love their food and their interiors too. It’s purple. =)

Nowadays, menus of Restaurants are usually displayed in front, giving customers to gauge their choices, assisted by a bubbly attendant so amusing, enumerating points to help you make decisions. At Johnny Chow, theirs are somehow eccentric, the ladies are wearing colored wigs, the men exuding attires depicting a culture that is truly pop! =)

https://www.rwmanila.com/restaurants/johnny-chow

And the interiors mesmerized me, like a scene from a Broadway hit during the 1960s. My eyes feasted on all the colors that I love.

And our tummies had their own feast too. =) Check them out:

We had soup…

And some dim-sum.

Birthday noodles for our Ash…

Hainan chicken.

White fish fillet, loved those black beans, reminded me of my papa.

I remember they got sweet and sour pork for Echo, I just missed to take a picture I think, My son, Echo loved it too.

Head on to Johnny Chow, I think all those in their menu are really gratifying, really delicious and not that heavy on your pockets too. =)

It is located at Newport Mall, 2/F, Cybertourism Zone, Newport Blvd., Domestic Airport, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. You can contact them for reservations at: (02) 659-8353/ (02) 908-8888