You see it does not have a good visibility as its signage is only a small tarpaulin that is usually blocked by parking cars.

Good thing it has a good landmark which is the Masjid Al-Dahab or the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila.





Food

♥ Paratha + Sweetened Milk (25 php)

Unfortunately, we were planned to have a meal elsewhere so we only had a light snack here.  We had this comforting hot, soft and chewy Paratha + Sweetened Milk for an affordable price of 25 php.  It was quite satisfying!

♥ Lassi (40 php)

We also tried its Lassi which was so refreshing against the hot weather.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Arab Asian Resto Cafe serves affordable, halal, natural and healthy food and drinks that are worth the try when you are in the area.  We hope to try more of its heavier meals in the future. 

There are only a few places in the Metro where you can grab some falafel.  So I was so excited for the grand opening of Falafel Yo! Israeli Falafel & Salad Bar.


Falafel Yo is located at the 4th floor of Greenbelt 3 making it the ideal pre-movie meal or movie snack.

Falafel Yo! aims to preserve traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation.

After paying at the counter, you will be given this thing so you can be buzzed when you're falafel is ready.

Tip: If you're very picky with ingredients, kindly advise the cashier to buzz you before preparation so you can instruct them on what to put in.

Don't worry about the Roasted Green Chili, they put it on top so you can just remove it.

So here's my falafel ready to go.

If you don't go to the counter before preparation, you're falafel will be waiting for you by the counter like this.  I actually ordered two: 1 Falafel and 1 Falafelito.

♥ Falafel Yo! (159 php)

Falafel Yo! made me dig deeper into falafels because this is the first time I've heard of Israeli falafel.  Sure, I've had falafels before but I had no idea that each country in the Middle East has its own take on how to cook it just like the shawarma.  In fact, it has been considered as the national dish of Egypt, Palestine and Israel.

♥ Falafelito (99 php) and ♥ Falafel Yo! (159 php)

Fun Fact: Did you know that in Egypt, they use Fava Beans on their falafel?  On the other hand, most middle eastern countries like Israel use Chickpeas.

The Falafelito only has 3 falafel balls and occupies only half of the pita bread.  You can have this for snack.  While with the Falafel Yo! has 6 falafel balls.  This is a meal in itself.  

I want to try the Falafel Beast with beef next time.

♥ Falafel Yo! (159 php)

Wow to my surprise, the Falafel Yo! is really heavy!  But, it was so good I couldn't help but finish it to the last bite.  What I like about their sandwiches is that they have Fried Eggplant, Homemade Hummus, Sumac (pickled onions), Roasted Green Chillies, Sour Cabbage, Coleslaw Salad, Chopped Salad and Tunisian Salad.  And, they also have a 2 kinds of special dips: amba - sour yellow sauce, made of mango, cumin and tumeric and tahini - mix of sesame seeds, coriander and parsley.

Beverages

Lemongrass Juice Large (105 php)

I found the Lemongrass Juice to be a bit too sweet for me.  The sweetness together with the lemongrass bits made it a bit difficult to gulp down the throat.  Perhaps, more ice would have improved the balance of this drink.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I don't think you can grab a superb Israeli falafel other than Falafel Yo!  I'll definitely come back for more.  And I'm sure that if  I'm watching a movie at Greenbelt 3, this will be my choice for meal or snack.  Can't wait for their other branches!

Ever since Linguini Fini opened, brother has been insisting that the family try it because he loved the food here.
 
Finally, the day came when our cravings and availability matched so we were able to go SM Megamall just for it. 

The interiors is unlike any other restaurant I've been to. 

There were various seating styles available.

The vibe felt like the streets for me as drums where used as seats and there were graffiti on the wall.

Manny Pacquiao is getting a lot of heat lately but here he is depicted us a pasta server.

I didn't expect that this would be a candle-lit dinner.

Complimentary Bread

The Complimentary Bread was warm and nice enough to appease our growling bellies.

Insalata

Caesar (385 php)

The Caesar is cheese-filled and fresh so it was spectacular.

Pasta

♥ Papardelle "Nose to Tail Bolo" (430 php)

The highlight of our meal is the Papardelle "Nose to Tail Bolo".  The papardelle texture is so smooth with a nice al dente chewiness.  One bite is full of savory goodness as this has a very flavorful red sauce and tons of pork meat from different parts. I'm an advocate of the nose to tail concept because its both eco-friendly and healthy.

♥ Arthur Ave. Linguini & Clams (355 php)

The Arthur Ave. Linguini & Clams with fresh clams, garlic, spicy tomato brodo also received our approval. 

Pizza

♥ Manila Caprese (445 php)

The Manila Caprese is a pizza with cherry tomatoes, kesong puti, basil and olive oil.  This is one of the best local inspired pizza that we've tried!  Two thumbs up!


Contorni

♥ Porchetta (595 php)

The Porchetta is one of the best out there too.

Dolce & Digestivo

♥ Tiramisu (195 php)

Save some space for dessert because the Tiramisu is a must try!  It is a mascarpone cream topped coffee cake crumble with a coffee gelato inside.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
If you're looking for fresh gourmet and made from scratch Italian dishes, Linguini Fini should be on the top of your list.  I heard they've closed down and then reopened in Hongkong.  I hope they can be consistent with their discipline and concept because right now they are awesome!

In the food industry, many establishments come and go.  But, nothing as shocking and saddening for me than to hear the 15-year old La Cocina de Tita Moning closing for good on May 31, 2016.


The family decided to dine and remember the experience before we bid it farewell.  I encourage you to take the opportunity as well.
 
My mom invited her college friend who came all the way from the United States to join us.  We booked a week in advance.  The dining experience begins with a tour around the Legarda Home.











Our last stop of course, is the dining area where our table was already set up with a Murano Bird centerpiece and laden with rose petals.  The Murano Birds were purchased by Don Alejardo and Dona Ramona Legarda during their first trip to Italy.  And, were used as far as the 1920's.  

Food

Starters: Salad

Fresh Papaya Salad with Jamon Serrano, Fresh Basil, Carabao Cheese and Honey Calamansi Vinaigrette (350 php)

Roasted Beet Salad with Organic Greens, Torched Davao Goat Cheese and Caramelized Walnuts (350 php)

Between the two salads, I liked the Roasted Beet Salad with Organic Greens, Torched Davao Goat Cheese and Caramelized Walnuts more.

Starters: Soup

Sopa de Oro (Cream of Pumpkin Soup) (275 php)

Sopa de Molo (Native Pork Dumpling Soup) (275 php)

Main entries and side dishes were served individually by their servers. The Whole Baked Lapu Lapu and Grilled Eggplant Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette were light courses.  They go well with their Salsa Monja which the nuns used to make for the friars as meal acaccompaniment.  It is also found at the center of the table.
 

Paella Vallenciana

Then, we proceeded to heavier ones.
 

Lengua Cooked in White Wine with Sauteed Vegetables and Brown Rice

The Lengua Cooked in White Wine tastes so clean and so soft that it melts in the mouth.

Tita Moning's Slowly Roasted Pork with Its Own Cracklings and Candied Sweet Camote with Sauteed Vegetables and Brown Rice

The Tita Moning's Slowly Roasted Pork with Its Own Cracklings is so good!  It is a tastier, leaner and softer than Lechon.  And, cracklings is super crispy!

Desserts

Tita Moning's Bread and Pudding and Churros Con Chocolate-Eh with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Calamansi Tart and Fresh Cream

We were all impressed with the Tita Moning's Bread and Pudding.

Drinks

Hot Chocolate

The siblings had Coffee and Herbal Tea.  And, they surprised my little sister with a birthday song and complimentary cake.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
La Cocina de Tita Moning offers an unforgettable and timeless dining experience.  It is so sad that it has to close its doors for good.