Dining Snippets: Full Belly Craft Kitchen x Mien San Noodle House x Tapenade x The Chocolate Kiss Ca

There is much significance in the little things.

This fact is what I wish to highlight in my new feature called, ‘Dining Snippets’. There are times that I find myself sampling just a dish or two in a restaurant. I’d find the experience relevant; however, since it’s not ‘meaty’ enough to stand alone as a feature on its own; it’s simply shelved and archived.

As a remedy to this, I tried looking for a common denominator to use as a unifying theme, such as can be seen in some of my features. However, there are still a number that remain unclassified.

Thus, ‘Dining Snippets’ aims to be the catchall feature of all my talk-worthy dining experiences, snapshots as they may be. Hope you enjoy this!

FULL BELLY CRAFT KITCHEN

There’s comfort in a greasy plate of scrumptious meat. Some use it to nurse a hangover, while I just eat it for fun. Recovery Food has gained market popularity by serving up its own greasy bowls of ‘happiness’; however, I believe that Full Belly Craft Kitchen deserves to share a piece of that pie!

FULL BELLY TAPA (P250)

The house specialty, the Full Belly Tapa features succulent slices of tender beef belly. It’s served with two eggs, and garlic rice on the side, making it a hefty meal. It’s really oily, but insanely delicious that you don’t mind the guilt that comes with devouring this dish. The cherry on top is that it comes with a vinegar dip, which was slightly sweetened. It's the perfect complement to the beef belly.

BAGNET SISIG (P220)

The perfect marriage of fried pork belly and chicharon is at work at the restaurant’s Bagnet Sisig. Although it did lack in the crunch department, I couldn’t deny the full-on flavor each piece boasted.

Full Belly Craft Kitchen

5 Sergeant Esguerra Ave., Quezon City

Date of Visit: August 29, 2015 with Lily Chua

MIEN SAN NOODLE HOUSE

For years, Mien San has always been a family favorite. Dining in Mien San (or simply taking food out from Mien San) is a cause of celebration and excitement in our household (despite us eating its food on a regular basis).

FRIED PORKCHOP RICE (P168) AND SPICY WANTON (P88)

My staple order would always be the Fried Porkchop Rice paired with their delectable Spicy Wanton. For me, Mien San’s fried pork chops has set the standard (Nope, Delicious Kitchen’s Pork Chop Rice is NOTHING compared to Mien San’s). Each piece is thinly sliced, and wrapped in a thin and slightly sweet batter that gives the meat a perfect crunch to it. The meat is well-marinated that it requires no condiments. The only thing you need to pair it up with is a hot steaming bowl of rice. The side dishes it comes with bring about the fun in the meal, as you’d never know what you’d be served with. Often times these vegetable and egg sides are forgettable, but there are gems that surprise you. Just like Mien San’s Fried Porkchop, Mien San’s Spicy Wanton is a class on its own. Its wanton pieces may not be the best out there; but its sauce is definitely a winning formula. The spicy chili oil is well balanced with a hint of sourness and sweetness which makes it so addictive to eat.

Mien San Noodle House

Granada St., Valencia, Quezon City

Date of Visit: August 26, 2015 with Charlie Ledesma and Mina Tionloc

TAPENADE

If you’re looking for a refreshing alternative to buffet dining, a visit to Tapenade’s Salad Room is a brilliant choice. Rows of freshly baked bread, an assortment of gourmet cheeses, and smoked meats fill up one side of the room; while fresh greens, and a medley of dips, oils, and dressings fill up the other. The prized goods of this buffet would be in its cold selection which boast of fresh graded oysters, mussels, and sliced salmon. This buffet guarantees to fill you up without the groaning food coma that comes after other buffets.

TURKISH COFFEE

End your meal with an order of their specialty Turkish Coffee, a sweet shot of espresso served with sweet treats on the side, and a glass of cold water.

Tapenade

GF Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Date of Visit: August 28, 2015

THE CHOCOLATE KISS CAFÉ

I may have studied along Katipunan for four years, but admittedly, it was only in 2015 (2 years since I graduated) since I stepped into The Chocolate Kiss Café. I wound up in UP as my friends invited me to catch a play with them. We intended to go to Maginhawa’s Streat Food Park for dinner, but since the rain was pouring outside, we decided to wait it out in The Chocolate Kiss Café. It was a dimly lit café, but was definitely conducive to have long conversations with friends.

SATE AYAM AND NASI GORENG (P265)

Ever since I visited Bali in 2011, I fell in love with Nasi Goreng, and have been endlessly craving for it. Thus, seeing it on the menu of The Chocolate Kiss, I was set on grabbing an order of its Sate Ayam and Nasi Goreng. At an affordable price of P265, I was treated to a large plate of Nasi Goreng, served with seven sticks (yes, SEVEN) of grilled chicken barbecue, an egg on the side, and of course, the signature shrimp Kropek. The fried rice was flavorful, and though it wasn’t spot on, it was able to satisfy my Nasi Goreng cravings. The meat was tough and tasted lackluster; fortunately, the peanut sauce it came with was really thick, and delectable. As I struggled in finishing my main dish, I clearly didn’t have any room for any of its desserts so I’m definitely looking forward to another visit!

The Chocolate Kiss Café

GF Ang Bahay ng Alumni, R. Magsaysay St., Diliman, Quezon City

Date of Visit: September 5, 2015 with Jayvee Fulgencio, Lisa Manila, and KP Baltazar

CASA VERDE

BEST SAMPLER (P328)

Ever since Casa Verde branched out to UP Town Center, it incessantly drew in long queues of diners despite testimonies that it’s not as good as its original branch in Cebu. After two failed attempts (because our tummies growled at the long waiting time), we finally succeeded in getting a coveted table at Casa Verde.

BRIAN’S RIBS (P250)

Since we were just two, we decided to get a small order of their famous Baby Back Ribs, the Brian’s Ribs, and their Best Sampler for our appetizers. The Best Sampler was a mediocre platter featuring bland and dry offerings of buffalo wings, potato skins, and fried cheese sticks. Filling, but not satisfying. Then came the ribs. The ‘small’ portion was a monstrous two-half slab portion of baby back ribs that’s probably good for four. It took a while for me to process how to even begin eating this giant. What’s funny is that it came with only one cup of rice, and a measly portion of corn and carrots, as if depicting that this ginormous dish is good for only one serving. The meat was really tender, and I would have to give them props for that. However, it terribly failed in taste. It was in need of more sauce, and the meat itself was wanting of a longer marinade.

Despite the lackluster quality of the food, I understand how people would patiently queue up to get a table in Casa Verde. Its meals come in generous servings which are perfect for sharing, but at prices cordial to a small budget.

Casa Verde

2F UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Date of Visit: October 31, 2015 with Lily Chua