High and Low, but Equally Satisfying

Yes, I've been remiss in my food-blogging duties. So let me just make this a two-for-one entry to make up for lost time.

I finally got to eat at SOMS, that Thai carinderia I've been hearing about for ages. Located in Rockwell gilid, the place is a roadside eatery with tables set up on either side of the street. I enjoyed the Tom Yam--I imagine it's what sinigang tastes like. I've never really been a fan of sinigang, but figured that if it had the same sour, comforting quality, I should give it one more shot! I also liked the spring rolls, which probably aren't anything out of the ordinary--but I suppose I was so hungry that night that they tasted like heaven! We also ordered the catfish salad and shrimp in curry (if I remember right). Yum yum. Sadly, they had run out of the milk tea.

(From top) Spring rolls, catfish salad, shrimp with curry

On the other end of the price spectrum is Chelsea. Well, OK, it actually isn't as pricey as a bunch of other restos in Serendra, but it's still a leap from SOMS! The servings are huge though, so you can split with a friend. They've got pasta and sandwiches and a bunch of filling entrees. I got to try the Four-layer Toblerone Cake on another visit. All I can say is...OMG.

Inspired by the trendy Chelsea district in New York, the resto is a great place to hang. With high ceilings, picture windows, and dainty little chandeliers, it's stylish, airy, and comfortable...if you're lucky enough to get a seat! The place is normally packed, especially on weekends.

(Top) rich and filling pasta (carbonara, if memory serves me right); (bottom) salmon sandwich with potato wedges

The Best Puto Ever

"Iba talaga dito sa Marikina!"

That's what we say whenever we have shoots in Marikina, not just because we're amazed at how clean the streets are, but because two of our most memorable shoot meals were in Marikina. We never expect to be fed, but it's always a treat when the homeowners are just so hospitable.

The most recent memorable Marikina meal was yesterday's--definitely one for the books! We feasted on a bilao of the famous Aling Remy's puto.

I must've had about 20 of these! They're so moist, and the cheese is just perfect. We were eating them like chips! (I also had some pancit, and the best damn chicken inasal I've ever tried--it was cooked by the homeowner, a native of Bacolod.)

I told my mom about our gluttony and about these starchy little wonders, and she said, "'Yun ba 'yung pula?" Even she knew about them as a friend from Marikina would bring puto to their get-togethers. Aling Remy, panalo ka!

Aling Remy's Puto, tel. (02) 950-4867, mobile 0916-3191811; look for Yolly