Va Bene in BGC's Central Square Mall

Lunch last Friday with my favourite Serendra resident was in Va Bene. I had already eaten in the Va Bene branch located in Petron Dasmariñas Village before, and this branch opened just last year. I was also able to try their catering service for an event in Serendra last 2014 - Valentine's Day dinner. I was able to meet Chef Massimo and his wife Carolyn, and they were able to help me with the heart's day event in Serendra.

For starters, we ordered Arugula Salad with Chicken Milanese. The salad had a light balsamico dressing. I took a picture of it, but after reviewing it on the laptop, it was quite fuzzy.

We ordered two types of pasta. The first one, which was such a hit with me, was the Veal Cheeks Ravioli with portobello mushrooms, veal juice, and fresh parmesan cheese.

Our 2nd pasta was the Black Ink Tagliolini, which had mixed seafood, marinara, and light tomato cream sauce. We had it topped with fresh ground pepper and minced chilis to give it an extra bite.

Va Bene uses fresh pasta, which made all the difference. Their pasta was just superb. I remember they used to sell fresh made pasta in the branch in Petron Dasmariñas Village before.

We had such an appetite for lunch, because that morning we went to Shaw Boulevard, to Jelly Bellies, for a meeting regarding the party we're organising for April. The theme of the party is Strawberry Shortcake, which is so retro, but apparently has been revamped for 2014-2015.

Please feel free to visit Va Bene in Central Square Mall, and do try their delicious fresh pasta.

Va Bene Pasta Deli
Cinema Level, 3rd Floor
Bonifacio High Street Central Square Mall
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
tel. no. 0917.722.5780

Tokyo Tonteki in Greenbelt 5

Kim and I had dinner last Saturday in Tokyo Tonteki in Greenbelt 5. Lately, we've been growing fond of the Japanese pork loin-places that have been sprouting in Metro Manila. We've actually tried quite a few already - Yabu, Ginza Bairin in UP Town Centre, Saboten in Serendra, and now, Tokyo Tonteki.

For that evening, it was really because I was looking for fiber in my diet, and Kim pointed out the cabbage salad that was included in the pork loin sets of Tokyo Tonteki. 

I ordered their signature Tonteki, and opted to get the 350g serving, priced at PhP 450.00:

I realised later on that I could have made do with the smaller portions, since the Tonteki was quite heavy. Kim ordered the Chopped Tonteki at PhP 375.00.

I had a feeling that the Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms would be interesting, and it did not disappoint. The side-dish had three different types of mushroom, although I was only able to identify the enoki and shiitake, but at PhP 250.00, it was so worth it:

Tokyo Tonteki's dishes come with unlimited servings of Japanese rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup - so if you were to really look at it, their prices really pack in value for your money.

It was a satisfying dinner, and should you feel the urge to try their juicy pork loin steaks, or the mushrooms, then their details are below:

Tokyo Tonteki
2nd Level, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati
telephone number: 02.744.8652