YABU: All Things Katsu

A colleague invited me and another one to lunch to try out this new Japanese restaurant in SM Megamall. Couldn't even remember the name that when the time came to meet-up, I had to send a sms one last time.

Upon reaching the place, I noticed that the interiors were minimalist in design but the golden glow made it seem friendly and cozy. One side had Japanese manga murals on the "art of katsu making" while the other side had wooden intersecting panels.

Yabu, The House of Katsu opened its first branch last November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) at the SM Megamall Atrium. Since then, the place was always packed with Katsu lovers, even on supposedly lean hours between lunch and dinner. In Japanese Yabu means a "perfect 10" for perfect katsu. Indeed, the katsus we ordered were perfect in size, taste and presentation. With the culinary knowledge and expertise of Chef Takuya Kazeda (head chef of Tomkatsu Takeshin, popular tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo) passed on to the chefs of Yabu, a perfect and delicious katsu is guaranteed everyday.

I ordered the Fish Set (from the Seafood Katsu Sets) composed of 180g (PhP 335) of Cream Dory fish fillet (smaller portions available at 120g and 90g, at PhP 300 and PhP 275 respectively) served with Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. I thought this was a small meal good for one but when the food was served, I had a hard time finishing it as it can be actually be good enough for two. The fish katsu was golden brown in color, perfectly cooked -- crunchy on the outside while fish is soft and juicy on the inside. I love vegetables so I had a grand time munching on the cabbage with sesame dressing.

Fish Set: cream dory fish fillet, miso soup, rice, cabbage and fruits

Perfect golden brown fish fillet (180g) good for two

My companions both ordered the Katsudon Set which offered of a choice of Rosu (pork) Katsudon (PhP 265) or Chicken Katsudon (PhP 260), Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. Yabu's Katsudon is made with a two-egg omelet and special sweet sauce ladled over tender katsu served on top of steaming Japanese rice. And yes, this can be good enough for two people as well. So when ordering here at Yabu, the key word to remember if SHARE.

Rosu Katsudon Set: pork katsudon, served with miso soup, cabbage and fruits

Pork katsu topped with egg omelet, sweet sauce over rice

For dessert, we tried a scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream and Lava Ala Mode (chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream) . Sounds ordinary, right? But wait till you try them because the ice creams were extra creamy and really delicious but sweetened just right.

Yabu's creamy Strawberry Ice Cream scoop

Lava Ala Mode

We cannot put our finger on the ice cream brand and so we asked the restaurant manager what brand they serve. All our guesses were wrong because they serve they own ice cream creations that are available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and green tea flavors.

Filed under FLAVORS

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

For those of you who have been following my blog and reading my entries, you probably know by now that I am not a sweet tooth so I would almost always skip dessert. This time though I wasn't able to escape the sweet temptation because all there was to eat were desserts -- heavenly chocolate desserts.

The sweets-laden buffet at Manila Hotel

Colorful and inviting creations for kids and adults alike

Tried Manila Hotel's Heavenly Chocolate Buffet at Cafe recently and I was floored by the wide array of chocolates and chocolate pastries. At the center of the buffet is a giant dual fountain of cascading dark and milk chocolate sauces, surrounded by a delicious display of pralines, cookies, cakes, fudge brownies, creme brulee, chocolate gateaux, crepes and chocolate coated fruits.

Dual chocolate fountain: dark chocolate on the left,

milk chocolate on the right

Espresso Walnut Cookies: coffee you can bite

White Chocolate Pralines with Strawberry Swirls

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: pure heaven

Opera: dramatic vanilla cake, chocolate layers & fruits

Chocolate Croissant

Chocolate Profiteroles: eclair-based chocolate with pistachios

I felt like a kid who visited Wonderland on Christmas day when I saw all the gorgeous sweets on the buffet spread. Even the whimsical figures on display were enticing -- figures inspired by the recent visit of Cirque du Soleil, made of chocolate as well but not for eating, unless some sneaky kids snatch it off the counter.

Cirque du Chocolat

Strawberry Mousse in margarita glasses

Light Choco Ganache: sinfully light

Chocolate & Strawberry Mousse: delectable concoction

Dark Chocolate Rolls

There's even an ice cream counter at the side -- a must-try is the Ferrero ice cream -- with lots of toppings to choose from.

Ferrero Ice Cream with chocolate syrup: to die for

Cheery toppings: mini chocolate chips, candies & mallows

The rich chocolate concoctions, which are guaranteed to bring you sweet dreams, were expertly created by Manila Hotel's Executive Pastry Chef Rolando "Mac" Macatangay.

Chef Mac: the sweet tooth fairy

Chocolate Rice Crispies

Chocolate Mousse with fresh strawberry

Chocolate Crinkles

The Heavenly Chocolate Buffet is available at Manila Hotel's Cafe Ilang-Ilang from 3- 6 pm and is offered until October 31. Which means that I have to stay away from the sweet temptations until the end of the month. But that's just me. Don't stop yourself and indulge while you still can.

Forgive me for using too many visuals here (seeing the goodies again made me hungry), I just think that is the best way to blog about chocolates. :)

Filed under FLAVORS