Tsugi Na To

I recently had the opportunity to try Chooks To Go (159php) while in the boondocks.

♫Chooks To Go, Chooks to Go!!!♫

Yes, this is the chicken with the LSS-inducing jingle.

Their claim is that their chicken is good to eat even without sauce.

At first, you could taste how flavorful it is.

After a few bites however, the flavor got old and I found it too salty. The chicken also left an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth which was hard to remove even with gulps of water.

Never again.

I certainly got what I paid for!

Bad Night at CPK (Greenbelt 5)

This was supposed to be a food post about an old favorite, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). Food, however, will have to take a back seat as I express my disappointment with the unusually crappy service my group experienced.

Aside from the food, a reason why I continue to patronize CPK is because of the good service I receive whenever I dine at their Glorietta 3 branch. Servers are always accommodating and attentive which certainly adds to the overall dining experience.

It’s a different story in their Greenbelt 5 branch however as service, I experienced firsthand, is below standards. It was a Saturday night so the place was brimming with people. Upon inquiry, we learned that they only had separate tables available to accommodate our group of 7. We noticed though that the maitre d could have easily fixed the problem if she had the initiative to ask the diners of one table to move since they just arrived and were dividing the two free tables. The maitre d was probably no longer interested in welcoming more guests as we had to personally talk and request for them to transfer. They were kind enough to agree.

After what I felt was a long time to make the necessary table arrangements, we were finally seated. I immediately requested for a glass of water since I was parched. We had finished ordering but there was still no sign of my water. In fact, I had to follow up my request two more times before it arrived. The refill of water also didn’t come automatically as per usual experience. I had to call a server’s attention every time my glass became empty.

Our food, to their credit came at an acceptable time. For those interested, here’s the spread that night:

The Original BBQ Chicken Chopped (585php), Garlic Cream Fettuccine(365php), Marinara Linguini Chicken (545php), Cheeseburger Pizza (445php)

After finishing dinner, we requested for our bill but had to wait a good 10 minutes before it was given to us. It didn’t escape my notice that we were the last patrons of CPK at this point so there was no excuse for the long wait. Talk about servers no longer caring. I understand that they were probably tired from the long night, but making us wait for the bill was simply ridiculous.

It’s important to note however, that this unpleasant experience at the Greenbelt 5 branch won’t prevent me from returning to California Pizza Kitchen. I just now know better and would avoid dining at their Greenbelt 5 branch at all costs. Consider yourself warned.

California Pizza Kitchen is located at Level 2 Unit 77 & 78 Greenbelt 5, Makati City. For more information and other locations, pls. visit cpk.com.ph.

Divine Delize Cakes

Pistachio Sans Rival (875php)

I was introduced to the magical kitchen of Jill Sandique via Delize’s Pistachio Sans Rival. It’s the 4th best privately baked cake in Manila according to the Inquirer so I had high expectations. The Pistachio Sansrival certainly lived up to its hype for it was love at first bite. Each layer of the crunchy, buttery goodness was nirvana and I could have finished the entire cake on my own if only calories were not an issue. It also didn’t hurt that the cake looked so inviting since the cake had a nice green shade thanks to the use of California pistachios. Undeniably, the best sans rival I’ve eaten in my life.

Because of the wonderful introduction to Delize, I’m now a Delize convert and have been trying their other specialties whenever there is an opportunity.

Pavlova (760php)

We once tried their version of Pavlova and it also didn’t disappoint. For those who like to mix fruits with cream, the Pavlova will be a sure winner. Made from crisp meringue and fruits, not only is this cake beautifully crafted but the kiwis and mangoes used were all fresh and naturally sweet. The Pavlova is the ideal treat for those who like their desserts light and not so rich.

White Chocolate Cheesecake (1,230php)

More recently, we ordered the White Chocolate Cheesecake at Delize. I had to admit that I was disappointed when I opened the box and saw this sad looking cake. I’m used to visually stunning cakes from Delize so I was surprised at how ordinary this one looked. I should, however, have had more faith in the talent of Jill Sandique as what the cake lacked in appearance was more than compensated for by its taste. The cheesecake was a close-my-eyes, where-am-I wonder!

You wouldn’t be able to distinguish the cheese from the chocolate as Delize managed to harmonize both ingredients perfectly. Also, unlike other cheesecakes, I didn’t get tired of eating the White Chocolate Cheesecake after a few bites. In fact, a single slice wasn’t enough and I wanted more. It’s hard to describe how good this Delize cheesecake is as all the superlatives won’t give it justice. Just trust me when I say that it’s a definite must-try.

I have already planned my next Delize cake and it will be their chocolate meringue sensation, the Concorde. For sure my love for Delize cakes will be brought to new heights as the Concorde, according to the Inquirer, is the best privately baked cake in Manila. I seriously cannot wait!

For orders, you can call Delize by Jill Sandique at 7217022 or 4978811. Mondays thru Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm. Allow 2 to 3 days for your order.