ATSU-ATSU: "Natsu" good for a Japanese resto

It was Ensogo, the online discount site, that brought me to Atsu-Atsu. A P250 coupon for a set meal worth P500 sounded like a great deal, plus the fact that I love ramen that if I was in Japan, I'd marry me a bowl. 

When we got to Atsu-Atsu, the cozy Japanese feel started to sink in. I remembered our chicken karaage boat-sake experience in a local Japanese pub January last year, the wooden walls, the little Japanese warrior figurines, the paper lamps, and the paintings and writings on the wall. Nostalgic. =D

And then I saw Atsu-Atsu's dirty kitchen, my bubble popped. 

Everyone coming in had a coupon, that one from Ensogo. Atsu-Atsu might have been too aggressive in selling vouchers, at least 30 people were crowding the small Atsu place on a weekday dinner. We were approached by a waitress with very little knowledge about their menu. They were not arrogant, the place was just too homey for their very casual service. 

A set meal includes a large bowl of noodles, shrimp tempura/chicken teriyaki, iced tea, california maki and coffee jelly. First came the bottomless iced tea, followed by the california maki. As you can see in the picture below, it looked like a 2-piece maki split in half to make four little ones. It wasn't that good either. 

Then came the shrimp tempura, how can you go wrong with that? A normal order serves six shrimps, the voucher serves only four. 

Then came the Tokyo ramen (shoyu-based ramen topped with simmered pork, green onions, hard boiled egg, bamboo shoots and fishcake) served in a large bowl. The noodles were al-"dented", the soup was okay, and the pork tasted a day old. There was nothing special about this bestseller. 

This was followed by the Tonkotsu ramen (pork bone soup topped with simmered pork, fishcake, vegetables and hard-biled egg). It was easy to tell the two ramens apart when you look at them, but I was pretty sure they tasted alike. 

The chicken teriyaki was just as bad. You could tell that the chicken was sitting out in humid air for too long, you could taste it. A normal order includes a side salad, the voucher teriyaki doesn't have one. 

The coffee jelly was definitely the worst. We got a glass with black jelly mass. Remember when we were younger, and we'd mix black coffee with our gelatin mix? No? Atsu Atsu will help you remember. Tsss. P80 for this crap.

Overall, my Atsu-Atsu experience was natsu-good. Was it because we got Ensogo coupons that they had to cut down on quality and service? I hope not. 

Will I go back to Atsu-Atsu with high hopes of getting better food and service if I'm a regular paying customer? Definitely not.

 This was me before I started eating.

 Price: P120-P350

Atsu-Atsu is located at: 1281 Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Food :                     *

Ambiance:               ****

Service:                   **

Cleanliness:             *

Experience:             *

Value for money :    **

Serving:                   ***

TORCH: Keeping the Flame of Good Food Alive

Torch tried so hard to please everybody by serving Japanese, American, Filipino, Italian dishes, breakfast and coffee in the morning, fondues and beers at night, that the words "identity crisis" played repeatedly inside my head. What worries me most about restaurants like Torch is that they do not have a solid theme that people can actually talk about. They try to put a little bit of everything together, they lose concept/theme in the process. Luckily, Torch was able to come up with signature dishes that are both creative and outstanding.

Torch was really brave to setup camp at the ground floor of Home Studio along Connecticut street. They are at least two blocks away from the busy food district in Quezon City. Nonetheless, interiors were bold and pleasing to the eye with tall plants parading right at the center, a neat open kitchen, an attractive wine display, beautiful bar setup, and sophisticated and modern chairs and tables, altogether create a place that is was warm and cozy.

The soft shell-crab salad is a Torch original (P299). They deep fried the soft shell crabs in heavy batter and tops a vegetable salad with mangoes, pomegranate, grapes and their signature peppermill dressing. Though this starter was excellent the way it was, I would have appreciated the soft shell crabs more if the fry-batter wasn't too thick and over-crunchy.

Next, we ordered the Salpicao Medallion (P480) which was served on a stone grill, with garlic rice and side French beans. It was my first time with stone grills, and it was erm... interactive. Hah! The Angus Beef was lightly seasoned, the bacon around the medallion was tasty, and I really appreciate the stone grill since I really wanted a very well done steak.

Then came the Volcano Roll (P364). Freshly baked sushi rolls with tempura, tamago and Japanese cucumbers, topped with scallops and mozzarella cheese. I'd have to say that their Volcano rolls, by far, are the best sushi I've tasted. This dish deserves every right to be called Volcano rolls- powerful, very active, and an explosion of wonderful flavors occur in every bite. Never miss a Torch visit without these babies!

I'd recommend the Torch simply because they serve a variety of good food, from pancakes, to pizzas, to burgers and steaks. It's a nice place to hang around with your family, friends, officemates, or even by yourself. They have LCD tv's to keep you entertained, alongside friendly service from their crew. Overall, the Torch is a relaxing close-to-lounge feel that will show you that living in the Metro is not all stress and time-constraining, it's the good life too!

Food :                       ****

Ambiance:              *****

Service:                    ****

Cleanliness:           *****

Experience:            ***

Value for money : ****

Serving:                   ***

Visit their Facebook Fanpage: TORCH

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They accept functions and do catering services as well.

The Torch is located at: 

63 Connecticut St. Greenhills, San Juan, 1208

GAYUMA NI MARIA: Where Food and Love Met

Gayuma is a form of black magic that allows one person to attract another. It is a darker version of your love potion that works better if the caster strongly believes in its powers. It has been a running joke among Filipino couples that gayuma was a key element in making the more attractive go for the lesser one. It's a joke only FIlipinos can pull off without making it sound offensive.

Gayuma ni Maria is a restaurant themed with love. It has a shrine dedicated to it solely, which includes books, toys, mock love potions and a branch that collects red ribbons, where love intentions are tied, prayed for, and displayed for everyone to see. With love songs playing in the background, you can never go wrong when you go here on a date.

The place looks chic and sassy, but in a shabby kind of way. It doesn't have the sophistication of the late Fat Michael's restaurant in Makati, now the Frazzled Cook in Ortigas, but you see the place trying its best. Their menu came with a list that is unique, with Rock Me Baby, Mi Amore, My Countryside Fling and many others.

 We ordered the Please Be Careful with My Heart (twice-baked chicken in olive oil and garlic), Cross My Heart (chicken breast with asparagus, cheese and mushroom) and Rock Me Baby (hickory bbq pork ribs).

The food were well presented. My pork ribs came in a bit cold, but the hickory sauce was good. There wasn't anything special about the ribs, but it was good, and the mashed potato too! The serving was good for one, leaving just the right amount of room for dessert! (P195)

The Cross My Heart was surprisingly delicious. It has the right amount of sweetness and tang from the lemon, while the chicken was tender and juicy. Tender Juicy! ahahah! (P240)

The twice-baked chicken came in a bit too salty, but was a perfect match with rice and the baked whole garlic clove that came with it. The lemon added an exciting twist to this hearty meal. (P195)

We could have stopped right after eating dinner, but they strongly recommended their desserts. I tried their Beats Sex Everyday (a rich chocolate cake topped mercilessly with butterscotch, cream and choco bits).
The serving seemed too big because it wasn't that good at all. It was too sweet it nerved my teeth, and there wasn't really anything special about it. I should have believed when they mentioned the word "merciless" in this cake. I stopped eating with a smile on my face halfway through this cake. But according to GNM, Ateneans are so in love with this cake, we were lucky enough to get the last slice for the day. If this cake actually beats sex everyday, I'm gonna die a virgin. =D

 The Chocolate Sin was a relief. It was too sweet, but tasted better after the BSA cake. It has a cookie crust below, a chocolate mousse center drizzled with chocolate syrup. Again, nothing special, but anything else would taste better after the Beat Sex Everyday. (galit?) ahahah

In My Dreams is a canonigo treat of rhum-spiked meringue topped with fruits. Again, it was too sweet, it overpowered the fruits. The cake could use a simple chiffon layer to balance the flavor, and improve the boring texture.

After the last cake, I started to think sugar is a key ingredient for love. But just like love, too much of anything isn't good. 

Gayuma earned its rights as one of Katipunan's well-loved place. People who are heart-broken will definitely feel good after having a meal or two in this cozy, out of the box restaurant. Gayuma has more than just unique ambiance, they serve good food too.

I strongly recommend Gayuma's main dishes, but not their desserts. 

Price: P150 -P250

Gayuma ni Maria is located at:

123 V. Luna Extension (Maginhawa st.) Sikatuna Village, Quezon City

Check out their Facebook acount! Gayuma ni Maria

Food :                       

***

Experience:             ***

Ambiance:               ****

Service:                    ***

Cleanliness:            ***

Value for money :  ****

Serving:                   ***