Ogetsu Hime

Early last month, Hubby and I were both craving for Japanese food.  It just so happens that he passed by Ogetsu Hime just a few days before and saw their advertisement for Matsusaka Beef.  Matsusaka Beef, as we have tried in Osaka way back in 2013, is the best beef in the world.  Well, at least according to our tastebuds.  So at the mere mention of Matsusaka, it takes very little to convince me to go.  Ogetsu Hime, as I have found out, is from the same owners of the Saisaki Group, but on the higher end.  Let's go to the food, shall we?

Otoro Sashimi

Like the Matsusaka Beef, the Otoro Sashimi was also one of the unforgettables we've tried in Japan.  It's really great that Ogetsu Hime serves the harder to find Japanese food for us here in Manila who are pining for it.  Sadly, Hubby finds Ogetsu Hime's Otoro Sashimi not as good as the one he tried in the land of the rising sun.  But hey, this was the next best thing.

Ogetsu Hime Roll

The roll was good, although the quality of the rice failed.  It was not as sticky and as chewy as the Japanese rice we've known and loved.

Gindara Teriyaki

Haven't had gindara teriyaki for a long time, so we opted to order this to counter the upcoming "evil" dish.  LOL.  Well I'm glad we did!  It was everything you could ever ask for in a fish.  Soft, moist and extremely delicious.  They cooked it perfectly!  The teriyaki sauce wasn't too sweet either so it complements the fish amazingly.

Matsusaka Atsui (Thick Cut)

I was disappointed when our Matsusaka Beef arrived.  Before cooking, we were showed a full piece and the marbling was glorious.  Sadly, when it was served, it was all chopped up AND overcooked.  Plus, it had more fat than meat.  So we returned this and asked them not to slice the replacement.

Matsusaka Atsui (Thick Cut, Part 2)

Looks far better, don't you think?  But wait, let me show you what the cross section looks like.

Cross Section of the Matsusaka Beef.

YES.  This was the Matsusaka Beef we've come to love.  Even when cooked, the marbling is still very obvious.  And it tastes exactly the same as the one in Osaka!  I have died and gone to Matsusaka heaven.

So the verdict?  I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars because of the other two dishes.  But if it were just the Gindara Teriyaki and the Matsusaka Beef, then I'd give it a full 5 stars.  Finally, we don't have to fly all the way to Japan just to taste the best beef ever!

Ogetsu Hime is at the 5F, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Todd English Food Hall

A few weeks ago, the whole of Manila went wild with the opening of the latest dining spot:  Todd English Food Hall.  My facebook and instagram feed was churning out pictures upon pictures of the said restaurant, and even the food bloggers and celebrities alike were one in unison about how Todd English Food Hall rocks.  So after a week of seeing rave reviews, I mustered up the courage to brave the crowds of SM Aura and stepped into the halls of the famed Todd English.

Todd English Food Hall is a restaurant with a buffet-like spread.  There are several stations to choose from ranging from pastas and pizzas to meats and seafood.  But make no mistake about it, they are certainly not a buffet restaurant.  All you have to do it order from their menu, and your food will come out from the specific station that makes it.  Simple as that.

Pasta Station

Bar

Desserts

Fried Oyster

The oysters were too small, overcooked and dried up.  You know the 'squirt' that you get when you bite into oysters?  Well they don't have that.

Asada Steak with Pear Salsa Tacos

The combination was great, but the 'taco' wrap was too thick.

Parmesan Fries

Possibly the toughest, hardest fries I ever ate.  No parmesan taste either.

Crabonara with additional shaved fresh truffles

Crabonara ingredients on the side

Originally the crab, bacon and egg was supposed to be mixed into the pasta.  But since we ordered additional shaved fresh truffles to be added, we had the other ingredients on the side.  This one was ok.

US Hanger Steak with Roasted Bone Marrow

You know how the dish says 'with roasted bone marrow'?  Well, the server didn't tell us that they ran out of stock.  We didn't find out till we tried looking for it, couldn't find it, and asked about it.  In place of the marrow, they put in a teeny tiny piece of foie gras which was overcooked to the nth level.

TE Two Way Duck

TE Two Way Duck is comprised of duck breast and duck confit.  Duck breast was not bad, but the confit?  EXTREMELY salty!!!  Not to mention oily too.  Feels like I'm drinking oil.  And since we don't have a death wish, we returned it.

TE Half Chicken

The only good dish of the day.  This was the replacement to the failed TE Two Way Duck.  The chicken meat was very soft and juicy, even the breast!

OMG Dessert

Next to the chicken, this was the next best thing.  If you love chocolate lava and salted ice cream, then you're in for a treat!  Wish they toned down the sugar on the lava though... it was way too sweet.

Other observations:
*exhaust not working; the place is overall stinky, so prepare to smell like food after dining there.
*lots of small flying insects everywhere!

Sigh.  I guess by now I should have learned my lesson when it comes to overhyped restaurants.  But when almost all food reviews and social media posts say it's good, then one cannot help but get their hopes up.  Lesson to be learned:  either don't go to a restaurant while on their soft opening, or don't believe everything you read. 1 out of 5 stars.

Todd English Food Hall is at 5/F SkyPark, SM Aura Premiere, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

SM Aura's Style Hunt: Please vote for me!

Remember this photo?  Last Saturday, I wore my tried and tested outfit and was luckily spotted by the SM Aura Style Hunt team. I, together with 18 other finalists, have been chosen to get a chance to win GCs from SM.  Part of the voting percentage will come from the online Facebook votes. 1 like=1 vote. So can I please please please ask you, my dear readers to vote for me?  Please do!  I will be eternally grateful. XOXO

Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=717947371563512&set=a.717946784896904.1073741846.198130963545158&type=1

Oh. Kay.  So maybe it doesn't quite look the same in the link.  Can you say haggard?  But since you guys love me (yes, I'm assuming, haha!) please do vote for me.  Voting ends on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 6PM so please like, like, like!  Thank you in advance!

Ramen Nagi

Starting off my first food post of the year with something special:  Ramen Nagi.  Those who frequent Butao Ramen in Hong Kong will be familiar with Ramen Nagi.  Why?  Because it's one and the same!  The Ramen Nagi name is the original name of this ever-so-popular ramen place in Japan.  When Hong Kong franchised it, they named it as Butao.  I guess the Philippine franchisees just simple chose to go with the original name.  Judging from the post I made the last time I ate in Butao Hong Kong, it would be an understatement to say that I was excited for Ramen Nagi's opening.  I wasn't excited.  Nope.  I was ecstatic!!!  Yep, that one deserved a good three exclamation points!

Storefront

Early in the morning one Saturday, I dragged Hubby out of bed and to SM Aura for one main purpose:  to try out Ramen Nagi.  I wanted to see if this one is comparable to Hong Kong's version, which I absolutely loved. 

A view of the kitchen

See those empty chairs?  It's not because they lack customers, but rather, it was really early in the morning.  Can you say 10am?  Come 11am, the place is filled to the brim!  Early bird gets the worm!  Or rather... early glutton gets the ramen!  LOL!

Dining Area

Hmmm... seems like we're not the only early worms after all.  These customers are also pretty early risers!

The simple menu

And now on to the menu.  As you can see, Ramen Nagi's menu is as simple as it looks.  What you see is what you get.  One page, 5 kinds of ramen. (5th ramen, Limited King, not in menu)

Choices, choices, choices

Just like the one in Hong Kong, you're given a choice sheet.  All you have to do is encircle (or cross, or check) your choice!

Original King (Butao)

The original broth.  It's the base broth for all the other ramen flavors.  I'd recommend this if you're a Ramen Nagi newbie.  Simple unadulterated soupy heaven.

Black King (Kuroo)

This one has squid ink and gives off a more garlicky flavor.  There's also quite a texture in the soup.  For the more adventurous ones!

Red King (Akao)

If you like it hot, then the Red King is for you.  I could only take in one spoonful of soup before I gave up.  Hubby, the spicy monster, love it. 

Green King (Midorio)

Now who wants pesto?  The Green King gives off a more Italian feel.  It really does taste like pesto ramen with the basil, olive oil and grated parmesan incorporated into the soup.

Limited King

There's only two things that I can think of when I tried the Limited King.  Prawn Bisque or Lobster Bisque.  Fans of the soup can be assured you'll get that exact same flavor.

Add-ons

Ramen wouldn't be complete without the Tamago and Seaweed.  I find the tamago a bit too salty for my taste, but it's perfect when eaten with the soup.

All lined up in a row.  My pretties.

Presenting:  my Instagram picture.  I had to make sure I immortalized my first visit to Ramen Nagi (and at the same time make all my IG followers drool.  LOL)

So the verdict?  I'm in love!!!  Confession:  in the two weeks since I've first eaten in Ramen Nagi, I've already been back 5 times.  Yes, it's THAT good.  Two people even claimed that it tastes better than Butao Ramen in Hong Kong!  Whoa!  I say I agree 100%.  Ramen is awesome, and the place is comfortable.  Service needs a bit of improvement, but other than that, I say GO TO RAMEN NAGI NOW!!!  5 out of 5 stars!

Ramen Nagi is at 5/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway, McKinley Hill, Taguig