Destinations
Kaffir Restaurant & Deli: SEA street food with twists
Try to drop by Kaffir Restaurant & Deli in Makati City, as it aims to whip up “authentic” Southeast Asian cuisine supposed to remind diners of Southeast Asia’s (SEA) “ultimate street food at prices that are easy on the pocket”.
I was in Bengalore in India when I was warned not to eat anything with milk as prepared by the street food vendors. Apparently, though I see a LOT of Indians buying stuff from these vendors who prepared what, for me, looked yummy what-have-you’s, “your tummy may not be on a par with the tummy of the locals,” my guide warned me. “So promise me, please: Don’t.”
I promised.
And it’s one promise I somehow regret making.
Why?
Because when visiting places (particularly other countries), the best locations to savor these places’ best offerings are often from street vendors. The Pad Thai of Bangkok’s Silom Street is much, MUCH better than any hotel’s (a lot more expensive) version. The 24-hour hawkers of Singapore offer – for me – the best laksa noodle soup. And don’t even get me started on the coffee served by the vendors of Ho Chi Minh…
These are the same offerings that Kaffir Restaurant & Deli intend to serve, as it whips up “authentic” Southeast Asian (SEA) cuisines (mainly from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam) supposed to remind diners of SEA’s “ultimate street food at prices that are easy on the pocket”.
And yes, they have meat-less variants.
The place is somewhat small – there are less than 10 tables in the entire resto that could only seat, say, less than 30 pax. I’m fine with this, since it gives the place a “we’re-all-friends-here” ambiance. But be warned that exactly because it’s THAT small, when the chefs cook, you may end up smelling like one of the recipes they include in their recipes.
As for the food, start with the Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Summer Roll, which is fresh salad roll consisting of herbs, rice vermicelli and other ingredients wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper; P100 for the vegetarian version, P140 for the variant with pork or prawn). It’s somewhat refreshing – crunchy when bit and chewed, so you’d know you have freshly prepared rolls. I have an issue with the dip used, though – ditto with the Cha Gio (Vietnamese Spring Roll, which has ground meat, mushrooms, vermicelli and vegetables; from P150), since that satay-tasting sauce doesn’t give these two justice.
For something soupy, try Tom Kha Gai (spicy yet tangy soup with coconut milk, tamaring, galangal, chicken and straw mushrooms; P150) or Tom Yum Goong (hot and sour broth with lemon grass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilis and lime juice, topped with prawns; P160). Or try their version of the Laksa Lemak (rice and mee or egg noddles with coconut milk, chilis and spices, prawns, and fish cakes; P180) – quite pale/bland when compared with Singapore’s hawkers, but should (particularly if you ask those who prepare to add more coconut milk and chilis), good enough as go-between your next overseas trip to test the real deal.
Else, just go straight to one of the main dishes. Their Pad Thai (fried rice noodles with tofu, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, tamarind pulp, chopped peanuts, and then topped with eggs; P99 for the vegetarian, and P150 with prawns) will not necessarily bring you back to Bangkok, but it… satisfies. Then there’s the Khao Kluk Kapi (fried rice cooked with Thai shrimp paste – akin to the Filipino Bagoong Rice – a served with sweet pork, sour mango, scrambled eggs, chili and shallots; P160), with the flavors somewhat “sanitized”, so that there isn’t much after-taste when the meal is done.
No, this isn’t the best “cheap”/affordable SEA diner alternative (though in these parts of Makati City, it actually is). But yes, it’s worth a check for capturing the SEA penchant for whipping up something that could – and does – bring us all closer together. That’s food that makes us… chow, chow, chow.
At least here you can eat to your heart’s delight. And you don’t have to break any promise to do so.
If keen to check out what Kaffir Restaurant & Deli has to offer, head to The Collective at 7274 Malugay Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.
For more information, call (+63 2) 208 4343, or SMS/call (+63) 9228960034 or (+63) 9228782296.
Destinations
Going Chinese in Pulilan, Bulacan
Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan, and we’re on the fence here (yes if no choice, no if you can go elsewhere).
We happened to be in Pulilan in Bulacan, and I had pancit craving. As if on cue, we passed by Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan, which – after we Google-checked – is supposedly one of the more frequently-visited Chinese restos in these parts of the province, so… of course we checked.
@outragemag Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, this place is really, REALLY easy to find. Located along the Pulilan Regional Road in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan, this is right in the middle of the municipality.
Ikalawa, the resto is actually divided into three parts: one side is for those with reservations, another part is for walk-in diners, and another part is for events. If/when the resto isn’t full, only the main part (middle one) is kept open.
No, this isn’t some fancy resto. More like an airconditioned karinderya, complete with wooden tables and plastic chairs. Look-wise, it wasn’t dirty naman when we were there, so that’s a plus.
Ikatlo, the workers were friendly naman… and they moved fast – e.g. while waiting for our orders, we were given must-check peanuts, and since we finished what we got fast, our waitress was more than happy to accommodate us.
Ika-apat, now… how was the food?
The house specialty, the Lee Foo Chicken (₱265 for half, ₱495 for whole), looked like fried chicken with ketchup. Okay… the breading was okay since it didn’t overpower the meat. The chicken, too, was properly cooked, and it wasn’t dry. But it was tasteless overall; so the ketchup taste is what stays with you.
The Pancit Canton Bihon (₱255) had thin pancit noodles, almost as thin as the bihon. It didn’t have lots of sahog; instead, you’d notice the extenders (like kikiam, and so on). I like good pancit, I swear… but this isn’t one of them, sorry.
The weirdly-wrapped Hakaw (₱155) was small, so it was bitin.
And then there’s the Siomai Steam (₱155), which was, in a word, weird. The size was good, similar to those ₱10 siomais. But the way this was prepared was weird for us – e.g. like the meat was overwatered, and having a hard time staying solid, so that it was smudgy, and disintegrated in the mouth even without chewing. I suppose that, at least, it wasn’t disgusting taste-wise.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is, we believe, popular. Like President in Chinatown, or a branch of David’s in some mall. To each his or her own nga naman. But for us, we’re off to look for other Chinese restos na muna as we head out in search of more lafangan venues.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is located at 159 Barangay Cut-cot, Pulilan, 3005 Bulacan Province. For more information, contact 0925 800 0168, or email leefoopanciteria@yahoo.com.
Travel
Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales
#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.
Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.
In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.
@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.
Ikalawa, what’s there?
The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.
What will you see while there?
- the former lighthouse engine room
- the top of the lighthouse
- South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins
Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.
This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.
Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.
The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.
Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.
But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
Travel
Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales
Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.
When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.
So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.
@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.
Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.
Ikatlo, what’s there?
Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.
So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.
But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.
Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.
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