Cafe Bola revisited

My college friends and I were having dinner after a month of not having seen each other. Nothing new, just the usual - Friday night, Makati area. But it was not an ordinary Friday night - it was Payday Friday. And God knows how long the waiting queues are on Payday Fridays.

Glorietta restaurants were packed. With nowhere to go, I suggested National Sports Grill, even as we were trying to pinch pennies. Not all of us, after all, have graduated. But the big servings coupled with live sports (and need I say hotter than usual waitresses) would make the higher price-point worth our moolah.

But alas, it's the Wimbledon men's final. Understandably, nobody is giving up his seat.

By that time, it was already past nine in the evening. And we were starving. We came up with the consensus that any restaurant that can offer us seats would be the winner. We went to Cafe Bola upon my suggestion.

And again, Cafe Bola delivers.

It would be a sin to dine in Cafe Bola without ordering their famous Adobo Flakes and Kesong Puti rice bowl (P180). It's a generous serving of rice topped with crispy adobo flakes, kesong puti, tomato slice, and spring onion. The slightly sour kesong puti is a good foil to the salty krispy adobo flakes. I can finish this in minutes!

Cafe Bola is also know for their, what else, bolas or meatballs. The Carambola on pasta (P210) packs three meatballs (beef, chicken, and seafood) on top of spaghetti with a choice of classic tomata and peas or parmesan cream and ham sauces. It's the best way to sample the meatballs in one dish. This is incredibly filling and the mish-mash of the different flavors of the meatballs is a wonderful experience.

Of course, the ambiance adds to the experience. The red and orange interiors and circular patterns are extremely modern, while the local movie posters add that Filipino touch without the use of salakots and barongs.

I'd have to say it's one of my favorite restaurants.

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Food Post, part II

Josephine's Restaurant

This was called Mutya ng Cavite Soup and I loved it. I've always loved chowder. I'm not a big fan of Filipino food so I cannot judge Josephine's. I also liked Tortang Alimango, which my father tried copying lately.

Noche Buena

Ham, cheese, spaghetti bolognese, toast with butter, and a cup of hot chocolate. How more comfort food can you get? I could eat this everyday.

Ajisen

My family is not that adventurous with food, so it was a feat for me to get their approval to order unagi. I loved their gyoza! In fact, we ordered another one because it was gone in a flash. I wish we had tried their ramen, which I heard was their specialty.

Kanin Club

I've heard of Kanin Club for a long time already, but I hate rice so I was not eager to try it. Yes, I hate rice. I would even prefer it if I don't eat rice at all!

But Kanin Club's rice was super! I loved it. It's like an entree and rice combined into one order. So worth it. Food was overall great. I liked everything, but I really enjoyed the tapa, lemon chicken, and the rice. Their KC turon is made up of ingredients you can find in halo-halo, like ube,banana, and jackfruit. But it was overrated, I think. Or maybe I was just too full already.

Almon Marina

My birthday fell on a weekday and I had to go to my internship. Since I'm the only intern at our department, and my bosses do not know that it was my birthday, I ate my birthday lunch alone. I think Almon Marina is underrated. It actually serves nice slow food at not so exorbitant prices. I really enjoyed my lunch. I think I should eat here more often.

Cafe Bola

I treated my best friend for dinner in Cafe Bola at Greenbelt. The adobo flakes with goat cheese was amazing. I'm craving right now! Amazing food, even more amazing interiors. 'Nuff said.

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