Dining Snippets: Ikomai + Tochi x Damiana’s Kitchen x Flame Restaurant
IKOMAI + TOCHI
ABURI DUCK (P380)
Ikomai’s servings may be on the small side; but its offerings definitely leave a lasting impression. Take the Aburi Duck for instance; a plate comes with five thin slices of half broiled duck which possess a subtle smoky flavor. Season it with a bit of salt and douse it in its sauce and you’re good to go.
BUTA KAKUNI (P350)
If you’re looking for something heftier, the Buta Kakuni serves up large slices of its immensely fatty but tender marinated pork. Complement this by ordering the lighter Asari Chan (P300), which features a decent serving of sake-steamed clams. You’d definitely want some rice or bread to soak up all the sake-spiked clam juices!
IKOMAI SALMON TACO (P200)
The Ikomai Taco is a highly recommended addition to your meal. This elevates the classic maki rolls by using nori sheets and tempura batter as taco shells instead of simply rolling these up; making it a more fun and crunchier way to eat. The Salmon Poke (P350) boasts of fresh salmon cubes lightly dressed in a tangy sesame ponzu sauce.
SALMON CHEESE WITH AVOCADO (P150)
As far as small servings go, the Salmon Cheese with Avocado was immensely depressing. It comes in two bite-sized pieces; so small that I barely could appreciate what it tastes like before it was completely consumed.
TOCHI’S DESSERTS
I don’t really have a sweet tooth so I barely save room for dessert. However, looking at Tochi’s display of art-like desserts definitely made that night an exception. Small as each slice may be, I recommend sharing it with a group to give you more opportunities to try more variants. Just make sure that its Lychee Bavarian will be a part of your selection!
Ikomai+Tochi
G/F ACI Building, 147 HV Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Date of Visit: August 16, 2017 with Gwen Chuahiock, Howie Chuahiock, Michelle Cruz and Tikay Yu
DAMIANA’S KITCHEN
Before it closed down, The Red Dot served delicious value-for-money classic Japanese fare in its semi-hidden nook along Palanca St. Its being underrated lent to its charm as it made the venue exclusive and private. Retaining a number of its interiors and fixtures, Damiana’s Kitchen aims to revive the quiet charm of The Red Dot by serving up its own fare of Filipino classics; still at affordable prices.
LECHON SISIG (P280)
Perfect as a starter or as a main dish, these guilt-inducing chunks of pork are wonderfully salted and topped with a dollop of mayonnaise to lend the dish some moisture. It may not be able to compete with Manam’s House Sisig, but it’s a pretty decent alternative to it.
TWICE COOKED ADOBO (P385)
Its Twice Cooked Adobo makes use of two kinds of protein: chicken and pork. The adobo comes with a trio of sauces which all taste the same to me (but it does win points on presentation)! The adobo was too salty for my liking; I would have appreciated more hints of sourness in the marinade. The Gising Gising (P180) serves as a wonderful complement to the meal. Simmered in a delicious coconut broth, pork chunks are added to boost the flavor of this vegetable dish.
Damiana’s Kitchen
110 C. Palanca St., Legazpi Village, Makati City
Date of Visit: August 14, 2017 with Michelle Cruz and Irene Tan
FLAME RESTAURANT
ENTICING SAMPLER
Discovery Primea’s Flame Restaurant, takes you all the way up to the 16th floor. I’ve frequented its more casual Mediterranean concept, Tapenade, as I adore its Salad Room; so this will be my first visit to Flame.
BRAISED US SHORT RIBS (P890)
Each diner is given a starter set dubbed as their Enticing Sampler, which features interesting hors d’oeuvres of tuna, bacon, coconut and crab. The Braised US Short Ribs boasts of immensely tender short ribs which wonderfully melt in your mouth. It comes accompanied by mashed potatoes to aid you in soaking up all its delicious sauce. Flame had a more intimidating ambiance as compared to Tapenade’s due to its more intimate set-up. Nonetheless, the warm service of the staff made us comfortable throughout the meal.
Flame Restaurant
Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Ave., Makati City
Date of Visit: August 14, 2017 with Hershey Rufino, Den Avis, and Mirri Mosuela
