Dining Snippets: Pampas x Gelare x Me Love You Long Time
PAMPAS
Tears were shed when I saw the Argentinian restaurant, Gaucho boarded up. Its location may be quite hidden but it boasts of sophisticated interiors and a beautiful outdoor view. Of course, its food selection was unparalleled. Roasted meats such as the Beef Falda and the Cochinillo highlight its main dishes; while desserts such as the one topped with caramelized pears serve as the perfect endings to one’s meals.
PORCHETTA (P620/300g) AND BEEF FALDA (P570/300g)
Fortunately, the same group decided to refine and revive its concept; which gave rise to Pampas. Its main dishes come in serving sizes meant for sharing; so don’t sweat over the prices of its menu. I was ecstatic to find out that the Beef Falda was still on the menu. I loved how it was able to retain its heavenly smoky charcoal-roasted flavor; and that the meat maintained a melt-in-your-mouth texture. We also ordered the Seafood Skewers (P620) which featured huge skewered pieces of salmon, sole, tuna, squid, and prawn. I liked that the seafood selection was diverse; however, most were overcooked and dry. The Porchetta came with a beautifully golden crisp layer of skin; however, it seemed in want of its spice rub. Fret not as the lack in flavor can be solved with a spoonful of their addicting chimichurri.
Pampas
Uptown Parade, 36th Street cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Date of Visit: July 17, 2017 with Alphonse Burkley, Jayvee Fulgencio, and Erica Ong
GELARE
Gelare’s bright signage in the Uptown Mall made us curious to try it out. It was still on soft opening when we dropped by, but the staff seemed well-trained in giving recommendations. Initially, I thought that Gelare was solely a gelato shop; which was why it was surprising to find out that they actually specialize in waffles. As I don’t frequent BGC, I decided to go all out by ordering a Waffle ala Mode for myself.
WAFFLE ALA MODE WITH PEANUT BUTTER CUP (P280)
The Peanut Butter Cup flavored ice cream would please any fan of Reese’s. The peanut flavor tastes natural owing to the actual bits churned into the mixture. The waffles? They were perfectly done. Visually, I was served with a whole waffle with a golden brown hue. The waffle came with crisp edges and had a dense bite to it. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to finish it on my own as it’s obviously good for sharing.
Gelare
3F Uptown Mall, 36th St cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Date of Visit: July 17, 2017 with Alphonse Burkley, Jayvee Fulgencio, and Erica Ong
ME LOVE YOU LONG TIME
Serving up Thai and Vietnamese dishes, Me Love You Long Time may be a tiny-sized restaurant but it serves up hefty dishes that are guaranteed to fill up ravenous appetites. Its seating capacity can barely fit more than ten people inside but it still made the effort of decorating its restaurant with a beautifully painted background.
SHRIMP PAD THAI (P205) AND BLACK THAI ICED TEA (P95)
Its Pad Thai is coated with a spicy and thick peanut taste that makes it heavier on the stomach than most. It may be sparse on its shrimp toppings but the flavor and heat are undeniable. Other variants include Vegetarian (P175) and Chicken (P195). Its Thai Iced Tea comes in two variants, black and green. Opting for a stronger flavor, I chose the black variant. For P95, the Thai Iced Tea is served in a large glass. Unfortunately, it was too watered down for me. I’d rather be served with a smaller glass as long as it doesn’t skimp on quality.
BAGOONG RICE (P55) AND MIXED SATAY STICKS (P195)
We paired this with a combination of its fragrant bagoong rice, and a mix of pork and chicken satay sticks. An order comes with 6 sticks. You may opt for an all chicken or an all pork plate for the same price. Don’t be discouraged by the sloppy appearance of the sticks as each is topped with a thick peanut paste that possessed a balance of sweetness and saltiness.
Me Love You Long Time
2F POS Building, Scout Madrinan St. cor Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Diliman, QC
Date of Visit: July 22, 2017 with Jared Chua
