Dining Snippets: Tsuta Ramen x Connect Lounge x Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge
TSUTA RAMEN
When word got out about Tsuta Ramen opening up shop in Taguig, I was completely ecstatic. Being an avid follower of Buzzfeed’s Worth It, the idea of finally tasting something that was featured on the show was mind-blowing. Oddly, there was not enough hype built around it. Queues that commonly come with the opening of a franchise which earned at a least a Michelin-star in one of its branches were clearly lacking.
KONBO 1 (SHOYU RAMEN) – P499 + P60 for AJITAMA
A common factor that diners point out for this was that Filipinos tend to be more familiar with the incredibly rich full-on flavor of a tonkotsu broth served by popular chains such as Ramen Nagi which have earlier entrenched their domain in the dining scene. Tsuta’s lighter tasting broth couldn’t stand a chance when pitted against the tonkotsu heavyweights.
However, armed with the knowledge that their broths are really lighter; you’d come to appreciate of how ramen bowls can actually be refreshing. Opting for their Shoyu broth, I was treated to a light soy sauce-based ramen which was really delicious. It was a welcome change from other ramen restaurants which often leave you thirsting for a glass of water after downing a bowl.
The Konbo 1 set promises value-for-money as the bowl comes complete with juicy gyoza pieces, boiled edamame, a cup of house tea and an exquisitely smooth red-bean topped matcha custard.
Tsuta Ramen
C3 7th Avenue, Taguig, Metro Manila
Date of Visit: September 14, 2019 with Lily Chua
CONNECT LOUNGE
HIGH TEA (P1110)
Fortunate for my dad’s expiring Marco Polo membership card, I managed to score a complimentary high tea experience at Marco Polo’s Connect Lounge. The assortment of finger sandwiches for the day included the Brie and Grape, Chicken with Mild Curry, Shrimp with Dill, and Roast Beef with Tomato. All sandwich combinations were craftily done and executed well that it was difficult to a favorite one! Unfortunately, things didn’t get better as we proceeded to the next levels.
The second layer housed two hefty raisin scones. I adore scones but theirs were incredibly dense that it became a chore to eat through.
The third layer contained a selection of mini cakes: Coconut Mango, Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Cashew and Calamansi. Unfortunately, I really don’t have a sweet tooth so I just opted to take a bite each; leaving us with more than enough cakes to bring home.
The high tea is meant to be shared between two people; each given a choice of coffee or tea. Honestly though, the set can be comfortably shared among three people; which makes it a reasonable jazzier alternative to having a coffee shop meeting at Starbucks or Toby's Estate (assuming that each person would be getting his/her own drink and food). Being situated on the 24th floor also allows it to provide diners with a nice aerial view of the busy city below; so try to request for a window view upon reservation.
Connect Lounge
24F, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Meralco Ave, Ortigas, San Antonio, Pasig City
Date of Visit: September 23, 2019 with Lily Chua
NINYO FUSION CUISINE AND WINE LOUNGE
I’ve always had fond memories at Ninyo’s as it made the concept of degustacion relatable and more approachable. I recall constantly scoring Buy 1 Take 1 degustacion sets through online coupon sites back when I was just a student in Ateneo. Over time, work led me away from Katipunan that Ninyo’s started becoming quite ‘out-of-the-way’ and inconvenient for me to go to.
However, as a friend needed help in finding a venue for a marriage proposal; I willingly volunteered to do the ocular visit to Ninyo’s so I could use it as an excuse to dine there again.
Unfortunately, I was too full to have an entire degustacion; so I decided to just help myself to an entrée.
DUCK LEG CONFIT WITH WILD MANGOSTEEN DUCK JUS (P800)
I opted for their Duck Leg Confit; which came with stewed grains and wonderfully roasted onion bulbs which housed the duck's lusciously dark and flavorful jus. The duck itself came in a crisp skin and wonderfully tender meat. It was a perfectly delicious meal, elevated by the restaurant's attentive and gracious service and drop dead gorgeous interiors; but I can’t help but compare its Duck Leg Confit to that of Duck and Buvette’s (D&B), which it simply couldn’t match. Of course, it didn't mean that Ninyo's Duck Leg Confit is not worth trying; it's more of a realization that D&B simply has elevated the Duck Confit dish to a level of mastery other restaurant's strive to match.
Ninyo Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge
66 Esteban Abada St., Quezon City
Date of Visit: October 13, 2019 with Beth Chua and Lily Chua
