Greeka Kouzina: A contemporary Greek restaurant at SM Aura Premier

Hi, everyone! It’s great to be back after one whole week tasting food with FoodPrints in Manila. I had one day off and I spent it with my best friend since kindergarten, and Brandon boy. SM Aura Premier was my choice while Greeka Kouzina was Brandon’s pick, and birthday girl Alma gave the promdis the pleasure. She’s so nice, just like me, we’re two peas in a pod, we both love food, and Brandon was in good company.

We actually went straight to Greeka Kouzina, but decided to check out the other restaurants. I saw Paul Boulangerie, Todd English Food Hall, Tamarind Thai, hahah, Ramen Nagi, Shine Bakery and Cafe, Magnum Manila (which was also on Brandon’s list and was reserved as our final destination), but we went back and settled on the Greek and Mediterranean restaurant.

There is nothing primordial about this Greek spot. The interiors are contemporary. Love the byzantine-inspired glass lamps, the very chic and unexpected basket weave pattern on the diner seats, the floor tiles and the non-intimidating ambiance.

The menu is exclusive, but well-curated. Diners who are big meat eaters will be happy with the steaks and lamb chops, but they also have katopoulo (grilled chicken) and herbed salmon among others. Alma stays away from lamb, so she had striploin (awesome-looking, btw). Brandon got lamb shoulder (which was excellent), and I picked out the bestseller, Arni Lemonato, a 5 hour roast lamb that falls off the bone according to the menu. Indeed, it melted in the mouth, with just the right flavors, but better with the house gravy and lemon squeeze. Really happy with my choice! The entrees come with potatoes and your choice of big size sidings such as rice, pasta, more potatoes or salads — names include pastitsio, salata horiatiki, stuffed zucchini with agolemond sauce, yemistes, moussaka, spanakorizo, couscous salad, lamb ragu, Greek pita, etc. — it’s not so hard to choose ‘coz the photos are in the menu. We shared arni keftedes pasta (with lamb meatballs) and garlic arugula pasta,  and Alma had salad for balance.

Servings at Greeka are really huge, one serving is enough for two I guess, but we ate all but the bones and rind. The prices are worth every bite. Service is great.

Spotted former chief justice Corona and his wife at one end.
Baklava honeyed- phyllo pastry and Greek yogurt were on the menu.

The week was so full. I have so many stories to tell, excited much!

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Slice of Pia Cayetano’s

The other side of the outdoorsy, eco-defending senadora Pia Cayetano is revealing. Slice cafe/bakery in Bonifacio High St. Central in Taguig is a slice of her creativity and enthusiasm for healthful living.

According to Slice’s Facebook page, “Slice is where breakfast is served all day, dessert is at the top of the menu and healthy alternatives are always recommended.”

After going out of town over the weekend, Ericke came home with boxes of Slice muffins and cupcakes. She handed me my yema cupcake, Slice’s bestseller. The size is modest. The yema (candied egg yolk) matched the beautiful, fairly thin texture of the chocolate cupcake, all in all tasting much like a Toffifee sans a hazelnut. Love the idea of prettifying a cupcake with dainty swirl roses.

Sticking to Slice’s eco-friendly attitude, the boxes came in a reusable bag. Clever packaging is important to punch up an otherwise hard-to-embrace cause and culture besides attracting people to wonderful options. More power to Slice!

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2012