FOOD TRIP: Cantina Sicilianita

There is a good reason why Elizabeth Gilbert "ate" in Italy in her autobiographical narrative, Eat, Pray, Love. We understand why we have to say the name of the country like you eat it. It is a little bit impossible to think Italy without thinking mouthwatering Italian food. They say Italian food is very broad and has to specified so let's call this food trip a Sicilian gastronomical adventure.

Yesterday, I tagged along a willing human to a quick dinner to a Sicilian restaurant. A good friend of her resigned from work and I can imagine how difficult it must be to adjust to the same work environment without someone very dear to you. Food always makes people feel good so I tagged her along.

We went to Cantina Sicilianita in Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong. This hole-in-the-wall has been around since mid of 2012 but has not been given much attention due to its unlikely location - buried in the busy Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City. Its signage used to be overshadowed by Rex Bookstore's, which could be the reason it was not easily noticed. But it has had its share of TV appearances and food bloggers' review.

The trip started with the following plates:

Black Truffle Pasta (P240)
Delicious and succulent mushrooms marinated in black truffle infused virgin olive oil.

Gamberetti Fra Diavolo: Spicy Shrimp Linguine (P210)
Fresh spicy shrimps marinated with the Godfather's secret recipe. Tossed in linguine pasta with red wine.

After all the pasta, it will be nice to treat yourself with a desert, a glass of wine, or coffee or juice.

Cannoli 1pc with Caffe Americano Combo (P140)
Sicilian delicacy is meant to be enjoyed with freshly roasted coffee.

We were also honored to have our food prepared by the owner and chef himself, Marky Buhain, who brought his love for Sicily to Manila for us to experience it in a much less expensive way.

The interior design, the mood, the music, and the overall feeling of the restaurant give you that complete Italian experience that makes you want to play with a few Italian words you know while dining.

Let me share with you an Italian food proverb.

Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare (Eat to live and not live to eat.)

My Humble Review 

Disclaimer: I am not a cook, a food expert, or a professional food reviewer. I am merely a customer who sees food not just as something my body needs to survive but a travel experience and a reflection of a culture. I am not, in any way, associated with this restaurant or its owner.

5 - Excellent
4 - Above Average
3 - Average
2 - Below Average
1 - Poor

Price: 5
Very affordable, which is unusual for an Italian restaurant. Serving is good for one.

Taste & Quality of Food: 4
We were only able to taste two dishes. Smell alone was already an appetizer.

Parking: 3.5
Ample parking space from Facilities Building. Not sure if there's a parking fee. Little space in front of the restaurant.

Location: 3.5
Location is not very visible right away. Signage was improved compared to how it looked before.

Customer Service: 4
Fast,  Friendly and Accommodating

Atmosphere & Appearance: 4
Clean, Smells Good, Good lighting, temperature and music. Clean utensils. There were about 6-7 tables. For peak hours, you may need to call in for reservation.


Overall: 4

Restaurant Details

Cantina Sicilianita

548 Shaw Boulevard, Facilities Center Building, 1550 Mandaluyong, Philippines

Contact Number: (02) 570 2905

FOOD TRIP: Magnum Manila

Magnum is no longer just the ice cream bar that took Manila by storm and had fans taking selfies while eating it. It has moved an ambitious notch up by opening its first cafe in Manila located at SM Aura Premiere in Taguig. The first Magnum Cafe was opened in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011.

The Magnun Cafe opened in April 8 and gave its first 500 customers free make-your-own-magnum bars. There's a bar where you can dress up your naked magnum with toppings and flavors of your choice.This option is for take out orders only.

If you wish to stay longer, chat a little bit, and dine, you may choose from their variety of Magnum bar servings and other dishes.

No warm dishes were served when my friend and I visited so we just gave ourselves a sweet treat and what we came there for - the Magnum art. We had the following:

Rainbow Dream

White chocolate covered vanilla Magnum bar covered in dreamy rainbow cake crumble, on a moist slice of cream cheese rainbow cake.

Red Velvet

Moist red velvet cake and cream cheese, on a slate paired with vanilla Magnum and dark chocolate sauce, crushed pistachios and red velvet crumble.

Aside from the ice cream experience, you may also enjoy the overall ambiance of the place including the classy interior design of the restaurant.

This pleasure store will only be around for 500 days, which makes it a must-try.

Women Weavers

This is Glenda Castillanes. She was the star of the last leg of Abel Ilokana, an event that celebrated women weavers from Ilocos Sur, Ilocor Norte, La Union, and Abra (north of the Philippines) in celebration of Women's Month. Glenda represented Abra.

She gave a lecture and demonstration on weaving using the traditional wooden Tilar.

Ate Glenda was so nice enough to answer all of the questions I endlessly threw at her. Ate Glenda learned how to weave from his mother who also got it from her mother. It has been a tradition to pass on this talent and source of income from one generation to another. This weaving has supported kids to school.

She said it usually takes 8 hours to produce a 7-yard. This artwork whose intricate details show how complicated the process is and how one mistake can affect the pattern pre-set for each design. It tells you how the design seems to be innately embedded into the heart and mind of the weaver and how they know it like the back of their hands.

I did not leave without showing support in my own little way. I bought a few rolls that I would like to turn into pillow cases for my 70's-themed red bedroom.

It is my wish that these weavers be given enough support and recognition. They not only need it to survive but they are also excellent vessels of our roots as Filipinos

My Coffee Journey

For more than a month now, I have developed a more intimate love for coffee. I don't just mean drinking a cup. Drinking is just the habit, something I think I got from my father seeing him savor his cup every morning. By intimate, I meant a deeper understanding of what it is and everything that happens before one savors a cup.

I have educated myself a little, in all possible ways I know of at the moment, of its beginnings and all the processes that a coffee goes through - to farming, to picking and harvesting, to processing and drying, to roasting, to grinding and brewing. I have also read a lot about my country's contribution to its market. I found out that we used to be the fourth largest coffee producer in the world in the 1800's. Various factors have caused it to change and we are slowly trying to make it again.

My discoveries have also lead me to take more frequent trips to different coffee shops. I developed a higher sense of respect for those who make it, flourish it, and keep it, especially the hardworking farmers. I also applaud those who support the local industry.

I remember visiting a coffee plantation when I was younger. I may have to schedule another visit again soon. I am hungry for more.

I will write about my discoveries and I will include you in my journey. I will make you love coffee in a more meaningful way (if you are not yet on that stage).

Because it is so much more than just knowing what to say when you order it.

A Date with Myself

When was the last time you had a date with yourself? Yes, you read it right, a date with yourself.

Work or studies or other obligations can, sometimes, pile up taller than we could reach it. It is in these times when we find ourselves all over the place, if we are not careful. We tend to forget to give ourselves the precious time it deserves.

When I am faced with a crossroad (or not), I always find it helpful to spend some time to get connected to my own being. I don’t mean getting a pedicure or a massage but actually quietly connecting with everything me. Pampering our physical selves is good and important but you need more than that.

Last Friday night, I gave myself another one. Remember, it’s good to talk to yourself every now and then. Just pair it with a cup of coffee, a pen, and a piece of paper.

Love thy self. When you do, you learn to love others in a more meaningful way.

I originally posted this entry here.

TRAVEL SNIPPET 2010: A Trip to A White Paradise

As I write this, it's 35 degrees Celcius here in Manila and it's a Thursday. All I want to do right now is head to the beach and get that one cold drink after. Sadly, I can't. I have work to do and I can't just leave.
A summer Throwback Thursday is the closest I could do, for now.
 
In November of 2010, my friends and I completed our LuzViMinda (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) adventure by visiting Cagayan de Oro.We decided to take a short tour to the province of Camiguin and visited the White Island.

The White Island is a sandbar found in the province of Camiguin in Mindanao. This C-shaped beauty whose shape changes with the season can amaze you even from afar.

It was quite a long travel from our host's home (from a jeepney ride, to a bus, to a ferry and a small boat) to get to the island, but it was worth it. We were never shortchanged.

The island is uninhabited so there are no cottages to stay under when the sun is at its peak and can be scorching hot. We have been warned by our host friend so we packed light, brought our sunblocks, and of course, our cameras. You just can't leave this island without bringing at least a still memory with you.

At the port, you will find locals who will offer you beach umbrellas and hats before you head to the island.

This sandbar experience will surely make you feel that you are one with nature. 

When you visit, do not forget to take a photo with Mt. Hibok Hibok as your backdrop. We took a bunch of jump shots of ourselves.

If you love marine life, you may also enjoy snorkeling to see not just the surface of the island but also what's underneath. It was said that one side of this island has a hidden colorful reef.

This is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. I fell for it even from afar. It's a place I won't mind going back again and again. I hope you can come and experience it, too.

Photos are owned by Mapet Abesamis. Philnee Duran and myself.
A special thanks to Abesamis family for hosting this and all our other activities during this trip.