Lamon Review: Shonantei Japanese RestoBar

I am a sucker for Japanese food, ever since Dad always brought home Maguro Tuna Sashimi from Farmers Market, Cubao from our younger years.

Now, every time I go into a Japanese restaurant, I have a hard time choosing whatever I want to eat. From the simple sashimi, to the complex sukiyaki, the choices are hard and endless.

My default order if I can't choose is always Katsudon (Deep fried pork cutlet with Egg on top of Steamed Rice). Why? Because it's freaking PORK.

Then my best bud, (who is also an avid fan of Japanese cuisine as well) suggested this place near our area in QC. He and his girlfriend raved about it so much, my sisters and I got curious and decided to try it for ourselves.

(Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shonantei-Japanese-Resto-Bar/1441886446062979)

It was a small place along Mindanao Avenue, near the way to Project 8. Parking was tricky as the main space can accommodate only up to 2 cars. The rest will have to park along the highway.

When we got there, we had the option of choosing between 2 kinds of seating, the regular with tables and chairs, and the lounge seating wherein you can sit on the floor. Since we were just trying the place out, we chose the regular seating. (and my back was hurting then)

The place was decorated beautifully, it was reminiscent of the ambience of the restaurants in Little Tokyo, Makati. With Japanese posters, sake bottles, Japanese beer cans and bamboo partitions.

That guy is looking at us funnily.

It was just Mom, the sisters and me who went and tried it out, since Dad was in the province at that time. Out of the five of us, Dad was not the most adventurous eater. But he will try things out once it has his food choices in the menu.

A couple of excited foodies

We were attended to by the restaurant's co-owner, Ms. Janet. She was very accommodating and told us little tidbits on how the restaurant came to be, and also how the food is prepared as fresh as possible.

Looking at the menu, there were many interesting and tasty choices. So going back to my default order was out the table. They have so many affordable food items, it was damn near impossible to choose. So, we just stuck to our gut and ordered what suited our fancy.

Before the meal, my sister noticed that the restaurant served her favorite type of sparkling Sake, Mio Sake and ordered it without a second thought. It was our aperitif before the feast. And it tasted pretty damn good. Then Ms. Janet offered us a wine cooler to keep the sake cold throughout the meal. Not to mention she also recommended a Sake that was Plum-based called Cho-ya and presented us with its benefits as a "healthy" sake. We were also presented with tiny cups that were appropriate for drinking Sake. It was a complete and unreal Japanese experience all thanks to Ms. Janet and her awesome hospitality.

The cooler and the pottery is gorgeous and the cups were pretty.

We decided to try out the house specialty, which was the Wagyu Saikoro Steak which was priced at an affordable 280+php. This was also a recommendation by the best bud so we were intrigued since we have not tried Wagyu before. It was the first to arrive, and each of us tried a bite. After trying it, we were literally speechless. It MELTS! It literally melts! And it tasted considerably like another pricey dish, the Foie Gras. Which had the same texture and rich flavor. For 280+ it is definitely a must-try.

I could eat this forever. (Until the heart attack attacks.)

So then came our orders,

I ordered my ultimate Japanese favorite, the Yakitori (Grilled skewered Chicken) which was priced at 50php per stick, which was hella affordable.

Oh good Lord, thank you for creating this dish.

These are different parts of the famed bird, I ordered Torikawa (Chicken skin) and Torimomo (Chicken Thigh). The Torikawa was fat and crispy, while the Torimomo was oh-so-juicy. It was decadent bites up to the last part.

Mom ordered the Nikutamagotoji Soba. It was a ramen dish of Soba Noodles in a hot dashi broth finished with egg on top. The soup was delicious and we all had nothing but good things to say about it.

Soba. Soba-dass.

Ate Jody ordered her Salmon Kaisen-Oyako-Don which comprised of super fresh Salmon Sashimi Slices on top of steamed rice topped off with Salmon Roe which kind of resembled the Philippine Sago. Thinking it was the same, we first tried the Salmon Roe, which was unlike we ever tasted before. It was circular eggs which exploded when eaten and gave off a Salty Sea flavor which was perfect with the Salmon Sashimi. Needless to say, the dish was exciting and at the same time, balanced.

Eating the mother and the unborn children. Very dark.

Finally, Ate Jaymee ordered the simple Maguro-don, which comprised of her affinity for Maguro Tuna. The Sashimi was fresh to the bite, bouncy and flavorful.

Maguroooooooo

It was a very fun and educational trip. We are coming back. Though it may be with different people, but we are definitely returning. There are still so much more to try, especially the alcohol. I wouldn't mind getting drunk here.

For those who want to experience this awesomeness,

Their address is at:

863 Mindanao Avenue, 

Bahay Toro, Quezon City

455 9160

Restaurant Hours - 5:00PM - 1:00AM (No lunch dates)

Tuesday - Sunday

Kampaii!!

Native foodtrips: Balayan edition

Growing up, the town of Balayan, Batangas, the hometown of my father, has been one of the reasons I have a passion for street food and the like.

Our dad always liked to hold curbside inumans at his house with some of his barkada. They would often bring gin, tequila and brandy, but surprisingly no food. And the reason was interesting, as my father said, you can buy the pulutan by the market. Any food that tickles their fancy.

My father's barkada, the Crucials Club

We always volunteered to be the ones who would buy so that we can add some extra so that the kids will have something to munch on as the night progresses. Papa would always show us the way to the different kinds of BBQ vendors along the side of the market, and that was how we were familiarized with the street food scene in Balayan.

Now that I am older (thus wiser, and hungrier) I decided to check the varieties of food myself.

Barbeques and Grilling are common here, from Isaw (Chicken Intestine), Adidas (Chicken Feet), even Betamax (Blood Clots) to the traditional Liempo (Pork Belly), Chicken Legs and Pork BBq's. The street is lined up with different vendors with their unique takes on their grilled fare with different sauces, and marinades. These stalls are located along the front side of the new Balayan Public Market.

And then, I stumbled upon this shack called Malabanan's (Insert septic jokes here), I heard this from our cousins who grew up in Balayan, with their main fare is one of the Philippine's most beloved yet pricey dish, Crispy Pata. But theirs is only 55php a plate, complete with rice and a hot cup of beef stew. At first I was skeptical about the price, indicating that the quality may match the amount we paid for, but it was authentic as can be. Juicy meat which melts in your mouth and crispy skin that would even rival Chicharon. Their stall is located beside PNB near Mcdonald's.

A lot of great street food was discovered here at just a small portion of the town. Hopefully I will be able to venture into other barangays and try out their fare. Until then, will keep you all posted on my next street food adventure here in Balayan, Batangas.

Now, if I can just borrow a tricycle around the corner...

Mother's day is a-comin'!

Mi mama and me

So, here's my mom and me. The relationship we have may differ from some people because, well, we act like brother and sister to the point we trade blows lovingly. We love each other to bits. Even though we joke and fool around like we just pulled a prank on somebody. But at the end of the day, she's our ever loving Mama.

It wasn't like this before.

In truth, I wasn't the perfect son to begin with.

I grew up with ADHD. Which means, I was all over the place. I was the kid who would run to the altar of the church while mass was going on. I was also the kid who was always found in the customer service of a mall being treated as a lost child, announcing my full name all throughout the mall. Also, during family reunions, being the eldest male in a family full of kids, they would always follow what I do, what I say and do all the shenanigans I did, which to my grandma's expense, often ended up with spanking, shouting and discipline.

I was the kid nobody wanted.

Mom had to resign from her job to take care of me. After an incident at school where I beat up some smaller kid and dragged him on the school bus floor. I was treated to psychological treatment to hinder my ADHD tendencies in which, I had forgotten why I did those things before today.

Now, fully aware of what I did and what my reputation was when I was a little bugger, gave me a whole new sense of what my mom sacrificed just to make sure I grew up as proper and disciplined as possible. She did mention, we could have anything that we wanted then and now when she was still working, but I may be out of school and in a jail cell somewhere if she did.

I love her for that and that may never be enough because between a proper financial security life and a son who's tumbling down a downward spiral, she chose to stand by me.

And now I'm giving back everything. Everything she ever wanted, she ever wished for. Working hard just to see her smile, that smile that gives us the hint that she is happy and everything is all right.

I love you, Mom. It's my turn.

Do something for your mom today! And this coming mother's day, treat her like the queen she is. :)

Some parody to make you lol.

So my friend showed a youtube video of what seemed to be a Taylor Swift video off her single "I knew you were trouble" and to our delightful surprise, just when the chorus was playing, a cut of a screaming goat replaced what was supposed to be voice belt by Swift.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

We were laughing so hard we tuned out the screaming goat playing in the background.

We don't know if this was the first one, (albeit I think it's the most popular one) but it sparked several versions of the famous song's scream part. Starring some cats, wrestlers, actors and a napkin dispenser of all things.

I can watch this video several times and still LOL at the goat. Even the sisters' sides are ripping everytime they hear the song on the radio or on TV, eventually screaming themselves when the part comes up. (The eldest one does it perfectly)

AAaaaaaaAaaAhhhhhHHhhHh!!

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Manila has been the target of the sun for the longest time since I can remember.

It has been hot to the point that people are complaining each and every day how scorching the weather is.

Plus, some are also saying that it's significantly hotter with each day that passes by.

It is said to hit at 39 degrees celsius, more than the body's ideal temperature. Which is significantly higher.

Since then, friends have been getting sick, a relative died and utility bills skyrocketed to an all time high due to extensive baths and aircon usage.

Stay safe people and drink water always when going out.

(Doing the rain dance might help too.)

Get that grill going!

Some people have preferences on how their food is prepared. Some like it fried, boiled, steamed, and etc.

I like it sizzling over an open flame or roasting on a bed of hot charcoal.

When I first tasted Inihaw na Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly) when I was just a little glutton, the taste lingered on my tongue for the longest time. The mixture of greasy meat, smoky linings and charcoal-infused burnt ends were just perfect for my palate.

oh sweet indulgence

Ever since then, I had an affinity for grilled meats and the like. You would always see me in a turo-turo ordering their grilled items especially pork. And my mom will always oblige, because to her, it's a healthier alternative to my usual cravings for deep fried food such as chicken and breaded porkchops.

Also, I'm a big fan of street grilled meats like Isaw (Chicken Intestines), Adidas (Chicken Feet) Tainga (Pig Ears) and Betamax (Blood clumps)

mmmm... b-meggy.....

you can still taste the feeds!

A vampire's pica-pica

There are pros to eating grilled meats such as:

1. The fact that it's cooked over an open flame will rid some of the excess fat building up on the meat itself.

2. It's cheaper to buy charcoal nowadays rather than refilling a 13 lbs. LPG tank

3. It gives off a flavor unlike any fried, steamed or boiled food item, the smoky factor adds to the experience.

4. You can control the rate of done-ness in the food that you are cooking, from rare to well done.

and while there are pros, there are also cons,

1. Cooking over an open flame will result in smoke and unhealthy carbon monoxide gas releases.

2. Grilling is always an outdoor activity, so rainy days are always a grill-blocker.

3. Some burnt sides can trigger carcinogenic properties.

That is why I always take it serious when it comes to grilling. I take extra precaution to prevent any cons from popping up so that I and other people will have an experience unlike any other when I grill their food.

What are you waiting for? Get that grill going!

Back from a lazy hiatus..

Hello all,

I apologize for the inactivity from updating this blog.

A mixture of work, play and laziness prolonged any thoughts this author wished to impart with the readers.

Now i'm back,  BIGGER (definitely) and better than before.

Thank you!