A Hearty Dinner in More Ways than One

Entering through the heavy door of Earth Kitchen, one is quickly transported into a homely wooden cottage with a selection of colorful artworks sprawled across a wall; and quirky displays of Got Heart merchandise on the other corner. It is such a vibrant place in a quiet and dark street, which makes the restaurant both out-of-place and welcoming at the same time.

Earth Kitchen sources its ingredients locally from indigenous communities; which assures that all its ingredients are organic and sustainably sourced.

SHRIMP SPRING ROLL (P280)

If you’re looking for something fresh to start with, the Shrimp Spring Roll is perfect for the summer heat! Whole shrimps, herbs, and greens were delicately wrapped in silky rice wrappers and paired with a tangy lime-infused hoisin sauce. Do go generously on the sauce as the rolls tend to be bland on their own.

WATERMELON AND ROCKET SALAD (P270)

I found the Watermelon and Rocket Salad quite underwhelming. The yellow and red chunks of watermelon made the salad refreshing; and was served with a bed of nutty arugula leaves. Pili nuts, crushed kesong puti, and sticky sweet honey balsamic vinaigrette aim to add flavor and texture to the salad; but, in the end, I still found it quite lacking. Cyma’s Watermelon and Lamb Salad still remains to be the salad to beat when it comes to Watermelon salads (and is absolutely perfect for the hot weather).

4 MUSHROOMS AND EGG (P350)

Earth Kitchen describes its 4 Mushrooms and Egg as its own version of the classic Carbonara. Served with bacon, smoky mushroom varieties, and a fresh poached egg; it looks like a typical carbonara dish, but it was too soupy for me (it was more reminscent of sopas which I’m not a fan of), than the classic Italian pasta.

UNI NEGRA (P390)

Fortunately, the Uni Negra was a breathtaking spectacle all on its own! A delightful marriage of squid ink risotto and rich uni butter topped with chewy squid bits makes this dish ultimately droolworthy. I’d definitely come back even just for a bite.

HOT CHOCOLATE (P115/125)

Earth Kitchen allows you to customize your hot chocolate; offering options for just Tablea and Muscovado (P115), or an addition of milk, egg yolk, and cream (P115), or everything plus an extra dollap of peanut butter (P125). This wonderful comfort in a cup is the grainy kind of hot chocolate, but would definitely warm you up the right way.

Overall, I wasn’t too pleased with our meal; however, I’m not scratching it off my list just in case there’s a gem like the Uni Negra in the restaurant’s menu that I have yet to discover.

Earth Kitchen

Lot 10-B 10 White Plains, Katipunan, Quezon City

Date of Visit: January 10,2015 (with Adriann Caldozo and Nick Castro)