Dim Sum at Jasmine

My parents and I have been going around the city trying to find a decent dim sum restaurant. Unfortunately, we just have not found one up to our standards. Our standards are those found in Hong Kong, where you can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients in the meal.

In our most recent attempt, we tried Jasmine at the New World Hotel. I think the meal would have been pretty good and actually satisfying, but, wow, the flour tasted rotten! I did not expect to ever run into this problem at a hotel restaurant. Because of that rotten flour taste, it affected the taste of almost all our orders, which were made with this flour. How unfortunate. I guess I'll just have to wait until my next trip to Hong Kong to really satisfy my dim sum cravings.

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Last Night's Meal in Taipei

Because we had an early morning flight the next morning, we decided to stay at our hotel and enjoy another meal at Le Palais, their Cantonese restaurant. The meal was satisfying, but our dinner their two nights before was far better. One of the advantages of staying at a nicer hotel is that the hotel cuisine is usually delicious and authentic.

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Museum Break at its Tea House

Halfway through our exploration of the National Palace Museum, our stomachs were calling our attention away from the artifacts. So we took a break at the tea house located on the top level of the museum. I was expecting a museum coffee shop. Wow, what a surprise!

San-Hsi-T'Ang Tea House is a sight on its own. It's a modern tea house with some fun small plates, both savory and sweet. It's such a great place to take a break.

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National Palace Museum in Taipei

To get a better feel of the culture, we visited the infamous National Palace Museum. It houses some of China's oldest art pieces. We were sent back through time as we studied the paintings, calligraphy, pottery, bronzes, gems, and many more art works throughout the museum. Unfortunately, I was unable to take pictures in the museum because of their no photography policy.

The architecture of the buildings and the gardens around its property are so well-kept and beautiful. Here are some pictures of the exterior of the museum:

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Seafood Shabu Shabu

For our second trip to Taipei, we knew we'd have to revisit the Shabu Shabu place we ate at the first time. This was the first place I encountered seafood shabu shabu, and it's presented and executed so well! The selection of seafood and the quality are so delicious and memorable. After eating beef or pork shabu shabu, I feel full yet unoily. After enjoying this seafood version, I felt full, satisfied, and healthier.

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Back in Taipei

My parents and I flew to Taipei for another short stay. We stayed at the same hotel, Palais de Chine, because of its great service and cleanliness. Thanks to the director of rooms, we were welcomed back with open arms.

Since we had to get up early each morning, we decided to have dinner closer to our hotel, if not, in our hotel. So on the first night, we enjoyed their Cantonese restaurant, Le Palais.

We dined on one of the set menus which had eight courses (and unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the fish course - it was excellent, though). This meal was a great opener to the beginning of our trip.

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Next Trip

Please pardon my absence for the rest of this week as I'm out of town on my next trip. I'm currently in Taipei filling up on foods, fruits, and fun treats! I'll be back with updates from my trip this weekend. Until then, keep eating!

Food and Wine Night at Red

There were many times in college and post-college when my friends and I would go out just to celebrate life - an appreciation for just being here. This was one of those nights out, and this time with my parents. We accepted an email invitation to wine and dine again at Red.

The wine pairing came from Wolf Blass, a south Australian winemaker. Honestly, I wasn't too impressed with the selection of wines for the night...They were either flat, tight, or simply just fell short of what good wines should taste like. It lacked those smooth and full bouquet notes. So much so, I completely forgot to take the pictures of the wines after two glasses.

I still enjoyed eating at Red, despite the mediocre tasting wines and that not all the foods were up to par. I definitely want to go back again to try out more of their a la carte menu.

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Comfort Foods at Home

Comfort food at home can help ease the stress from during a long week. For me, comfort foods are any foods that warm you up inside, like a bowl of soup or a mom's cooking.

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Lunch at the Museum Cafe

For a quick weekday lunch, my dad and I walked to Greenbelt 4 for a bite at the Museum Cafe, or M Cafe. It was surprisingly pleasant outside, so we enjoyed their outdoor eating. The food was pretty good and nicely presented. If I do go back, I think I would go back just for a casual drink, though. Although it still isn't to my standard of a good strong drink, it is the least watered down cocktail I've encountered thus far.

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Slow-Cooked Ribs at Home!

My mom can seriously have a whole recipe book of signature dishes. It took me about 19, 20 years to figure out how to lose weight while still enjoying her cooking and baking (it's really about moderation and staying active). Even if she has perfected a recipe, she always looks to improve it.

Her ribs are one of my favorites - they are slowly baked in a kind of sweet soy sauce. After making some Bo Ssam at home and watching a food show about slow cooked pork in a claypot, she tried out a new technique for her ribs recipe. Instead of baking it, she slowly braised it in a pot. It came out even more succulent and tender! Plus, the cut of kurobuta short ribs was really the way to go. The better the quality of meat, the better tasting the end product (well, only if you have good cooks).

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Sunday Cooking

There's something about Sundays that put me in the mood to cook. Perhaps, it's because it's a quiet and relaxing day off. I usually get inspired to cook something simple with whatever is in the fridge or pantry. I'm the kind of home cook that prefers not to use recipes. I love challenging my palate to figure out what flavors will complement each other and how I can put a meal together.

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UMU at the Dusit Hotel

After hearing about Dusit Hotel's new Japanese restaurant, UMU, my parents and I decided to try it out for dinner. It has hotel prices, but the atmosphere, quality, and presentation are all memorable, and even repeatable. Next time, however, I think I'll go back to try their promotions - the buffet lunch or happy hour.

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Red at Shangri-La Makati

To celebration my cousin's birthday, we dined at Red at Shangri-La Makati. I ate there when it first opened, and it was an enjoyable experience. The atmosphere is beautiful (with a red and white color theme) and the landscaped view is gorgeous (and I'm not just saying that because my uncle design it).

When I was still in the states last year, my brother and my sister-in-law had their wedding reception here. Wow, if only every wedding reception could have the food they did...I saw the pictures from the reception, and I was excited to finally taste some of what they had served, like the Braised Beef Cheeks.

After my second visit, which was years after the first one, I was pleased that the consistency of the food and service has remained excellent. I look forward to my next dining experience there!

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Dim Sum Buffet at Shang Palace

After a disappointing Mooncake High Tea at the lounge in Shangri-La Makati, we went back to the hotel to have better dim sum at the main Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace. We have been here a few times before and have enjoyed the food. Plus, their dim sum promotion can be irresistible - I mean, 810PHP (before tax; $18USD) for a dim sum buffet!

Like our previous experience having dim sum here, we left satisfied. The portions are nice and small, which allows you to order a variety of as much as you can handle. About two thirds into the meal, I started slowing down with my picture taking. I got so overwhelmed with how much we ordered that I was so focused on eating what was in front of me to start clearing some of the plates out. It's a great deal for some quality dim sum. But, definitely come hungry.

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Mooncake High Tea

There are two times of the year when I really look forward to Chinese sweets: Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. During Chinese New Year, it's time to fry and eat nian gao, or tikoy here in the Philippines. It's that sticky rice cake that you coat with egg and fry. Such a great dessert treat! And, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it's mooncake time! We've had hit and misses - some are perfect with a thin, moist pastry and delicious lotus paste and egg; while others are bland and dry.

Before flying back to Manila, I bought a tin of mooncake at the Hong Kong airport. It's produced from the Wing Wah bakery. It's probably some of the best mooncake I've eaten so far.

Since my parents and I were craving for more mooncake, we went to the Shangri-La here in Makati because they were having a special Mooncake High Tea in the Lounge. The setting was pleasant with a small orchestra of musicians. The food..unfortunately it disappointed. It took a long time for our afternoon to come out, and when it did arrive it was all cold. It actually tasted like leftovers from the Chinese restaurant.

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