Colorful [Makulay]

@ mirandablue

Ito ang makulay at kakaibang interior ng lumang Cafe Juanita, isang restaurant sa Pasig.  Lumipat na kasi ang Cafe Juanita pero malapit lang naman ang nilipatan sa dating lugar.  Isa ito sa mga paborito kong restaurants---masarap ang pagkain, abot-kaya ang presyo at kakaiba ang ambiance dito.  Mas maaliwalas ang bagong Cafe Juanita at nandon pa rin ang kakaibang interior design.  Pero nakaka-miss ang intimate at kitschy charm ng lumang Cafe Juanita.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

This is the colorful and unusual interior of the old Cafe Juanita, a restaurant in Pasig.  Cafe Juanita had transferred to a new address just across its old location.  This is one of my favorite restaurants---they serve delicious food at affordable prices, and I love the ambiance here.    The new Cafe Juanita is more spacious and the eccentric interiors that has become its signature are still there.  But I miss the intimate and kitschy charm of the old Cafe Juanita.

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to answer and join:

1)  What is the color of your toenails?
2)  What's the last event you dressed up for?

Tinuktok at Cafe Juanita

@ mirandablue

In Ilonggo, "tinuktok" translates to diced, chopped, ground---tinuktok na baboy means ground pork.  So I got curious what's diced or chopped in Tinuktok, and was delighted at the aesthetic appeal of the dish when it was served.  It looks like stacked suman.  It's actually crab meat wrapped in taro (gabi) leaves and cooked in coconut milk, and topped with coconut cream with crab fat.  The crab meat was mildly spiced, and the flavor of crab fat was not overwhelming.  Imagine the richness of the sauce!  It's a lot like Laing with a twist. But I wish there were more crab meat.:p

This was one of the dishes we had for dinner last Friday at Cafe Juanita-at the Fort located in Burgos Circle, the newest dining hotspot.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Juicy [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

A Vietnamese appetizer--Chao Tom or grilled diced shrimps on sugarcane stick.  I love the idea of juicy sugarcane skewer with its sweet flavor blending into the garlicky shrimp mixture.  The grilled shrimp is eaten wrapped in crisp lettuce with rice vermicelli and basil leaves and dipped in nước chấm. Scrumptious!

Posted for Photo-Hunt hosted by TN Chick

Comfort eating

Food was the last thing on my mind on Monday afternoon. Franzia and I met to discuss where we should go to volunteer for the relief operations. I had coffee and two bibingka (rice cake) before meeting her at Starbucks. But as we talked about what happened and what was still happening---the tragic death of people, the devastation of properties, the gut-wrenching scenes on TV with victims helplessly watching their homes destroyed by overwhelming flood water and mud, of children hanging on to their mothers' neck, the unspeakable grief of a father as he talked about the family he lost in the flood, of friends who spent all night walking in flood water to get home, I started craving for food.

Comfort food---to somehow ease the guilt I was feeling because my home was warm and dry, and my family is alright. Franzia told me about Cafe Juanita, a cozy resto in Brgy. Kapitolyo, where she had her birthday dinner.

Cafe Juanita has an extensive menu---it was difficult to decide what to order. We had the all-too familiar Molo Soup for starters, with lots of fried garlic. After the soup, I wasn't hungry anymore but decided to try a Vietnamese appetizer, Chao Tom, or grilled shrimps on sugarcane stick. A mixture of garlicky shrimp paste wrapped around a sugarcane stick then grilled. It was light and aromatic, and I loved the flavor. Served with vermicelli noddles and fresh lettuce and basil, it is eaten wrapped in crisp lettuce and basil then dipped into the addicting nouc cham (dipping sauce).

I love the idea of fresh sugarcane as a skewer with it's refreshingly sweet flavor seeps into the shrimp mixture while being grilled.

Franzia ordered Callos and steamed rice which we also shared (did I say I wasn't hungry?). The serving was generous and it was good but I still prefer Casa Armas'.

The conversation was getting interesting so we ordered Crepe Samurai for dessert. Layers of cream and mango to complete a delightful meal at Cafe Juanita.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Exotic Cafe Juanita

Cafe Juanita is definitely overwhelming.  The eclectic decor, vivid colors and gypsyish feel were a bit too much to take in for the first few minutes.  But as I sat down and surveyed the place, I started to like its exotic, baroque interiors.  Pardon my ignorance but I never heard of Cafe Juanita until Franzia mentioned it when we were at Starbucks on Monday afternoon.  It's a Filipino, Asian, fusion restaurant in Brgy. Kapitolyo in Pasig, a short drive from my office.

 Looking at the collections of china, ceramics, dolls, and curios full of knick-knacks, I would imagine the owner of Cafe Juanita is quite a collector.  A myriad of textures  fill  this restaurant---from lace to gingham, shantung to brocade; crocheted chair covers, beaded curtains, overhead lighting draped with beaded fabrics, Indian shawl on the wall, embroidered curtains, capiz and colored glass windows.   The chandeliers were  bold and elaborate, they reminded me of Tessa Prieto's flamboyant head-dresses.

 

Franzia and I agreed that Cafe Juanita is a perfect place for a romantic date.  The intimate ambiance and stimulating interiors would definitely set the mood.    And the food?  Ah,  we have sampled four dishes [including dessert] from their menu that I will post on Friday, and I will definitely come back to try some more.

Reds...and some blues as well.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday