beer eats

Pier One's grilled squid

The Filo palate has evolved in terms of favourite tipple and tapas. During my last holiday in Manila, I was amazed by the availability and quality of drinks and bar food in the city.  My friends were nice to take me out to several bars for catching up over drinks and nibbles and the standard was pretty impressive. However, trips to Philippines will never be complete without a good session with friends at 'bar & grill' spots. When you’re in the Philippines, forget about rendezvous-ing over sophisticated cocktails, nouvelle cuisine and modern fusion. Nothing, at least in my opinion, beats golden  moments over an ice cold beer and good old Pinoy pulutan.

hospital nicoise

Tuna nicoise, The Hospital Club (sans the tuna)

The Hospital Club is a private members club for the 'creative' industry. You walk in and immediately you know that people here either work in advertising, media or the arts. The vibe is tres cool, modern contemporary and slightly eclectic. Meeting rooms are jazzed up with funky decor like felt walls, Vivienne Westwood paintings and forest murals. The bar area and the common rooms are zoned with tres chic people who exude an ultracool, no-nonsense aura.

I had lunch here a few weeks ago and ordered a tuna nicoise with a side of hand-cut chips. The success of a tuna nicoise to me depends on two things: how the tuna is cooked (if it's a thick fillet, I like mine seared nicely please) and the nicoise dressing. I asked the waiter to make sure that my tuna comes out medium because more often than not my tuna fillets get overcooked. He replied with a scoff and a 'It IS slightly seared so it DOES come in medium,' Uh... okay. Was just making sure, mate. Didn't realise even the servers at The Hospital hafta have the 'I'm so cool and I don't care if I come across as rude' type.

The dish arrived and, save for the boiled egg it came with (which I passed on to my colleague as you know I do not eat eggs), looked well appetizing. The portion size was perfect for a light-but-filling lunch and the colour was vibrant. I sliced on the tuna and fair enough, it was seared to perfection and was still pink inside. The disappointing thing about this dish was the sauce. Such a let down. I reckon I would've preferred it without the sauce AND with LESS onions. Yes. More beans and less onions please. Shame. The chips (which was gone in 30 seconds hence the lack of photo) were amazing though. Perfectly crispy on the outside and melting soft on the inside. Doused in ketchup, those chips totally made my day.

After our meeting I ordered a lychee martini and boy oh boy was it... the worst of the lot I've ever had. Perhaps the bar staff could do a bit more training from the guys at LAB? And perhaps a bit more lessons on proper hospitality. Pft.

Visit: The Hospital Club
24 Endell Steet
London WC2H 9HQ
020 7170 9100

The hardest part

The thing about letting go is that saying goodbye isn't exactly the hardest part. The hardest part is that time between your last few moments and the final touch. There's a bittersweet taste to the last few minutes because more often than not you spend it reminiscing about good times whilst a voice in your head calls you to the present time and you realise there's not much left. There's a soreness to the last touch because you don't want it to end and when it does, you're left wanting more (but can't) except all you can do is watch until you're left on your own.

08 March 2011. Yesterday London celebrated Pancake Day. Yesterday the world waved the vajayjay flag for International Women's Day. Yesterday, I let go. Again.

mushy flights

Cream Dory + crispy noodles

Qatar Airways is one of the seven airlines given a 5-star rating by Skytrax. I decided to try flying with them last Christmas after a not so great flight w/ my usual favourite, Emirates. My friends rate QA highly but I've been forewarned that Doha Airport isn't that great. Saying that, I had high expectations for the airline's qualilty of service, entertainment and most importantly, the food.

I was super looking forward to the trip but Sod's law did not evade me once again. A bit of drama on the flight out and getting stranded on the return trip. Ah yes. I'm doubtful of getting on this airline again...

I guess I owe yous...

...an apology for constantly neglecting this blog. I've been so busy since (ACK!) November! Since my last post, I've consumed 10 million calories and .01% exercise. Saying that, all's well in Londontown and eating's never been better. I'm gonna try to play catch up with the posts and hopefully bore yous again with the stuff I've been filling my belly with. Watch this space.

Remembering a Wahaca summer

It's grey in London today. Most people I know seem to have a cloud about their heads and I am on a mission to spread sunshine. I'm feeling a bit gloomy too but there's a reason to smile: Wahaca's opening down Wardour Street! That's lunch sorted for me most days then. I shall never go hungry at lunch again!

Ana & her mojito

Saying that, the last time I've actually been to Wahaca was... last May when Ana & I sampled their summer menu. Yikes. It's been ages, but that doesn't mean I love the restaurant any less. I mean it's been months but I'm still raving about the fresh ceviche tostadas and the yummy chicken mole tacos.... Oh and of course, how can you go there without their mojitos?

Al Duomo, Brighton

Cod fillet, shrimps and a mountain of potatoes

Our party of four went out for Italian in Brighton. Nothing fancy but we didn't want to go to a chain restaurant so we searched the internet for independent Italian restaurants. Al Duomo came first and seemed to be the popular choice. It's located right next to the pavilions and is 'one of Brighton's most popular longest established Italian restaurants'. Surely that must mean something right? Right.

It takes me ages to order (plus we were driving from London) so to save everyone some time, I went on the website to choose my grub and... overwhelmed is not the word! They weren't kidding when they said they offered a 'wide-ranging menu'. I also checked what (else) they had in store and that's when warning signs went a-flashing. Surely any Italian restaurant (or any restaurant) that hosts Elvis nights, cheesy hen dos and a basement club must be avoided right? Right. Or if you have to have to go, you shouldn’t really expect your grub to be as special as the barmen’s striptease right? Right. However we were going to be in Brighton after all. The holy mecca of all things flamboyant in the UK. So it's okay, right? Right. *gulp*

olive toast

Black, green or both?

Most people I know think olives are pointless but you’ll always find them in my food cart/ cupboard. They’re quite moreish but who cares as they're a healthy snacking alternative anyway (the FSA says 30 olives may count as a portion of your 5-a-day!). I can finish a whole shop-bought jar in one sitting - two if I'm hungry, three if I'm starving. I prefer them plain or in brine but I don't mind them soaked in some herby/oil & garlic infusion either. Don’t really mind which colour but if I really githad to it’s got to be black ones over green, pitted over stuffed.