Vietnamese Volkswagen

From Hermanos in Greenhills located in the parking lot of a Petron, to that famous pasta joint in Makati located on top of a Petron, it is safe to say that food served in close proximity to a Petron gas station has a decent chance of being good. When I pulled into the Petron on Katipunan and saw this little food stop, I had to try. I've been craving Vietnamese grub ever since I moved here, the closest thing was the Pho I made at home, other attempts at Vietnamese food here have ended in disappointment.

 

 

Some of my favorite food back in California comes out of food trucks. This isn't exactly a truck, and i'm not sure if its even mobile, but i'm hungry and waiting for an oil change, so what the f*ck.

 



 

 A little Banh Mi 101 from the people at "The Banh Mi Stop"

 



 



I like a simple menu, it makes it easier for me to order with my below average reading ability. The sign on the bus said "Banh Mi" so I already knew that was what I was going to order. I decided on the grilled pork; pork always pairs nicely with a hangover.

  

The good: This thing was big. Bigger than the usual Vietnamese sandwich I am accustomed to. I thought about cutting it in half and giving the other piece to Mia, but the oil change took a little longer than expected. The inside parts of the sandwich (pork, veg, pate, and sauces) were pretty close to spot on. It was a little over sauced, but since the flavor was nice, I didn't mind.

 

The bad: The bread. A good french bread should have a firm crust on the outside and a soft inside. This bread had neither. It was very much the same density throughout making it similar in texture to a hoagie.

 

Overall I did enjoy this Banh Mi. For php 150 it was a substantial sandwich and more than enough for lunch. I would go there again, maybe I'll bring my own bread next time. See you soon at The Banh Mi Stop.





Sorry Jon Cruz, I ate Chinese food

I do not like Chinese food, even skipping dinner at more than one Chinese wedding in defiance. However, Mia and our friend Rev wanted to check this place Lugang Cafe in Greenhills, and since that damn womens suffrage movement must be respected and I was outvoted 2-1, Chinese food it is. So with an open mind and empty stomach, I forged thru.

Lugang Cafe is located on Connecticut Ave in Greenhills. It is a chain which started in Shanghai. The space itself is quite opulent, with a 30 foot stone waterfall in the foyer and a multitude of chandeliers.

 

This is what Mia and Rev came here for... Xia Long Bao. I don't know what that means in China talk but basically they are dumplings with soup inside them. Conceptually I can appreciate what is going on there, the delicate texture of a dumpling with a steaming hot soup wrapped inside. I can only imaging the technique involved. I tried one, it tasted like won ton soup. They ordered three kinds of these types of dumplings, Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Crab Roe And Pork Xiao Long Bao, and Steamed Angled Loofah With Shrimps Xiao Long Bao. I would still rather have them in soup form.

Mia also ordered the Steamed Vegetable And Pork Dumplings which I did not try but i'm assuming it is like any dumpling or gyoza. Still very pretty, still very unappetizing to my Panda Express hatin' a$$.

Rev ordered the Taiwanese Salt And Pepper Shrimp. Nicely breaded and fried so you could eat the shell, but it was more sweet than salt/peppery. Covered in a salsa of green pepper, red pepper, onion, and green onion which did nothing to add to the flavor of the dish but did make the plate more colorful, all I could taste was sweet.

Since I don't do dim sum I ordered the spicy beef and tendon noodle soup. I was actually happy with the depth and flavor of the broth, definitely not Magic Sarap or Knorr. However, soup temperature wasn't hot, and it wasn't spicy at all. I did like the flavor and noodles, but when I see the word "Soup" it should come out piping hot, and when I see the word "Spicy," well.....

Overall I did not hate this lunch. I always enjoy getting out and having a bite with friends. I did appreciate how every plate looked and the atmosphere the restaurant provided. That being said, it is still not a menu I can enjoy, and for that reason, I find it difficult to give it a positive review. However, if you do like this kind of food, check it out http://www.lugangcafe.com.ph