Around the  world in 7 tastes

Can’t leave town? No need to splurge with a gold medal budget. You can go around the world in seven days by staying local.
Here are hip bites on Olympic tastes for this week:

La Cuisine @ the Saturday Salcedo Market: You either love French food or you despise it. And it’s the same with the French. Rumor has it, they either decide you’re worthy to talk to or pretend you’re not there. But that’s only in Paris!

Now, La Cuisine is “in your face” French food. You can’t get any more French than that. Jean and Michelle d’ Orival have so much affection for what they prepare, a bite of one of their dishes takes you with its authenticity.  

Cantinetta @ Rockwell: The history of Italian food always dates back to old family recipes passed on from generation to generation. In Cantinetta, you’ll be embraced by a warm feeling of home cooked food but with the vivid quality of restaurant standards. I like the spaghetti vongole the most. Be buttered by baby clams tossed in creamy garlic, a splash of white wine and fresh green parsley.

Lili @ the Hyatt Hotel/Casino and Gloria Maris Greenhills: Whoever created Lili knew that sophisticated palettes and chic ambiance cannot be separated. Graze Chinese food, Cantonese style from Hong Kong chefs and the best ingredients flown in fresh, without the heavy smell of grease and the prevailing clanks of plates and utensils. Pick from the standout wine display and dine in a library, a private room decorated with a perfect balance of old Europe and new China. 

Dimsum and hotpot without burning your pockets can’t get any better in Manila then Gloria Maris Greenhills. All the other Gloria Maris franchises don’t deserve the name. Sorry, this branch just really stands out!

El Cirkulo on Pasay Rd. and Terries Selection Deli @ Pasong Tamo Extension and the Podium mall, Basement: Spanish food is all about the pig. Is there any part that can’t be used? As I attempt to go vegan (read: lose weight), I think:   “How can I be a vegan if I love pork?”

But have the sisig or cochinillo (Spanish lechon) in El Cirkulo. Chef Jay Gamboa and his sister Malou consistently deliver food that makes you go “mmm...”

Meanwhile, Terry’s selection deli is a delight! You walk in and want to buy everything from the different aged manchego cheeses to sobresada (spicy chorizo spread) and even world-class beers with matching proper pilsner glasses that are also for sale. Trust and do try terry’s selection.

5. Tokyo Tokyo fast food in various shopping malls, Tsukiji on Pasay Rd and Sushi Kappo @ Jaka 2 Bldg.: This may get controversial because there are many favorites. Although we have spectacular Japanese restaurants, I must say there isn’t one that beats all the rest. Each has their own specialty depending on how much u want to spend. The establishments I am selecting for this in particular may or may not be my favorites, but I just wanted to bring to attention the magnitude of difference in pricing, proving that Japanese food caters to all budgets.

On a date/or for two...

• P200: Go to Tokyo Tokyo and have their famous potato balls, red iced tea, beef teppanyaki, to name a few. Even at these prices with their yakisoba, you can’t go wrong. It’s the same quality and taste as that of a buffet.

• P7,000:  Have some chu toro sashimi (just one order, 6 pieces of sliced prime tuna belly) and wagyu/kobe beef at Tsukiji. 

• 10,000: If you want to spend even more, try Sushi Kappo. Ask the Japanese chef to surprise you by making anything he desires to create that evening. Just don’t be surprised by the bill.  They have an exquisite sushi selection, which by the way, includes whale.

Mickey’s deli @ Jupiter: There’s so much more to Germany than sausages and Oktoberfest. And if you’ve ever had real German food, when you come to Mickey’s deli, you will not feel shortchanged by the flavor, taste, portion, quality and price. 

Unlike other “trying hard” German places in town, Mickey’s — and its owner Mickey — stand out. Just walk in and your jaw will drop with the aroma, sight, and sound of the food display. You may even sample their daily special: pork knuckles. It’s a German version of crispy pata. Who do you think invented it first?

SILK in Serendra: “Sawasdee ka,” or  ”krup khun kaaaaa,” is what you normally hear on the streets of Bangkok. Because this country is quite near and affordable to visit, Filipinos familiarize themselves a lot from Thailand, from street food to the ultimate in tiangee shopping in Chatuchat market.

But what is your favorite Thai dish? I ask because Thais don’t eat pandan chicken and they only invented pad Thai for the tourists. As popular as the Thai restaurants are in Manila, supposedly none are really authentic. It’s not that they aren’t good — most are excellent and are always busy. But ask any Thai person: They wouldn’t be happy with what they find here.

For me though, I love SILK. Owner Cecile Ysmael studied a variety of Thai cuisine and put together 200 dishes perfected for the Filipino palette. And I admit, each time I visit, SILK gets better and better.  I leave you to decide what to order. But I always start with a lemongrass martini.