Toki Japanese Fusion Updated

Because Ayala Avenue is close last night we had to scrap our plans of dining at CiÇou and opted for a dining place at Fort Instead.  Since we had quite a heavy glutinous dinner the night before at Cav we figure to eat something lighter and hopefully healthier.  Hence, the choice for tonight is japanese.

There are a few japanese places at Fort but our favorite hands-down is Toki. As can be seen from my previous post we really enjoyed our set lunch before, but now we ordered ala carte.  Though i still prefer the set lunch - to manage your budget and all - I must say their ala carte orders are not only good but has perfect sharing portions. I won't talk much anymore and just let the photos do the talking. Bon Appetit, or probably I should say tabetai! :)

japanese pickles moriawase (6 types) Php240
One thing I will never tire of is pickles and this Japanese pickles strengthened that resolve. 

Onigiri (grilled salmon in japanese rice) @ Php160
I forgot what it's called but this one is yum-yum for sure!

Toki Style 3 Kinds Sashimi Carpaccio Style (Php380)
This dish was devoured in seconds. Toki menu labels it recommended, and I absolutely concur!

Takoyaki Roll (Php240)
Very nice, though the consistency of the octopus is on the rocky side, i have a chewy one and others got some soft ones

Unagi Bou Sushi (Php750)
One of the best thing in the Toki Menu is eel.  Whether topped on rice of sushi-fied, Toki eel never disappoints.

Nigiri Mori (9 Kinds) Php550
I didn't get to try everything but I didn't hear any whining, just nomnomnom. But then if it looks this good how can it be bad eh?

Spicy Lapu-Lapu (Php 370)
I like lapu-lapu and I like it spicy. This dish didn't seal it for me though, I blame the flour-y breading.

Japanese Cheesecake (Php170)
After all the binging a good diner knows to leave some space for dessert.  Ordering dessert is easy we just pointed to the most yummy-looking photo on their menu. I'm not really a big fan of japanese cheesecakes, always preferred the non-spongy ones. 

Macha Roll (Php195)
This feels like eating green tea ice cream -- indulgent but the same time giving you that 'healthy' feeling. Or maybe its just me who associates green tea with healthy.  Nonetheless, still a must try dessert!

Tiramisu (Php 190)
One of the best ones! I'm torn between these and the Macha cake.

3 Kinds Crepe (Php260)
I love love crepe and this one tastes like ice cream.  I can't figure out what the 3 kinds of whatever good stuff is inside it but it tastes like Ice cream and I love it!

We ordered other stuff as well and Asahi beer (Php200) too!  Toki is good but I kinda prefer doing it for lunch.

TOKI's full menu is found on this link.  You can also order online through their website.

Address: 2nd floor - 32nd and 5th Building corner 32nd St. and 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines

Review: Toki Japanese Fusion and Fine Dining

Last Saturday, we felt like eating something light but healthy and one which wouldn't make us hungry in 2 hours.  With such qualifications, we decided to do Japanese.  With all the Japanese restos sprouting around like mushrooms -- from fine dining to your tokidoki foodcart -- it's not so easy to find a good one.  When we read the review on Anton's blog recommending it, then we know where to go.

Located at 32nd and 5th Building beside Aubergine, Toki has a very nondescript entrance.  The moment you stepped in, however; the relaxed atmosphere, occasionally broken by the sound of pans, immediately preps you for a good meal.

entrance to Toki

going to the restaurant itself

photos of their celebrity guests lines up one side of their 'lobby' entrance

 After getting ourselves comfortable in their red cushioned seats, we proceeded to order.

the Super Bento Set (Php700)-- Includes Tempura (ho-hum), Sashimi (super good), Soy Chicken (tender and succulent), and Pork which is as soft as butter.

closer look

while i went for variety, Ferdi ordered the Unagi Set (Php620) with Soba Noodles

We paired these meals with Black Iced Tea (for me) and cold Oolong tea for Ferdi.  A good brunch and just filling enough to get us through Wall Street 2 without feeling the munches. :)

Cantinetta is Open in Global City

Cantinetta just opened their third branch at Global City. Since someone is craving for good wine we headed there. The original plan was to walk from high street but alas, the rain poured, and poured and poured...

Drenched, cold and hungry we just went to Cantinetta by car.  Burgos Circle is unimpressive, but immediately seeing the restaurants around will make you want to park as fast as you can.

We didn't call to reserve, but the restaurant wasn't full so we were immediately accommodated.  As we weren't too hungry, we just ordered the Cantinetta Insalata, Mushroom Soup, Veal Osso Bucco, and Panna Cotta for desert.

Cantinetta Insalatta

Appetizer would be the Cantinetta Insalatta. I forgot how much it is exactly, but if i'm not mistaken it should be about Php280.  Since we like grilled vegetables, this serving is a hit.  The vegetable layers of zucchini, eggplant, and carrot were grilled just fine -- just enough to wilt it and bring out the flavours without making it soggy and mushy.  The layers of grilled vegetables was topped by two slices of fresh mozarella de buffala.  I really like how they have the authentic fresh mozarella, and not those cheapass types that's more runny than cheesy.  The 'creation' was drizzled with just enough balsamic vinegar sauce.

Crema di Fungi

I was disappointed that Cantinetta didn't have pumpkin soup, I have this habit of craving for pumpkin soap when it's raining, I opted to order the crema di funghi, instead.  The crema di fungi (Php 230) is not astounding or anything, neither good nor particularly bad.  The serving has enough mushroom to it, but not enough texture.  The serving was not runny either but one thing that really stands out with the soup is how salty it is!  It's such a shame since the saltiness detracts you from appreciating the taste.

Veal Osso Bucco

The Osso Bucco, at Php920, was really good! The veal is tender and cooked just fine.  The vegetable sidings was good too just steamed enough, retaining its crispy vegetable texture.  I particularly like the sidings for the fact that it was simple -- no butter, or anything. It was a bit disappointing that no waiter came offering some pepper, which I realised just now, would make it better.  The only falling grace of this dish was the risotto.  It's too creamy and a bit tasteless.  Other than that, this meal is particularly satisfying.  My best veal was still at L'incontro, before Chef Gino left it, but this one doesn't fail.

panna cotta

I like their panna cotta.  I have very sensitive sweet tastebuds, so I really don't like my dessert sweet.  This one is not sweet at all and just enough creaminess.  I particularly like how consistent and firm the texture is.  It is a bit heavy so if you don't have a particularly sweet tooth, I would suggest that this be shared.

Sharing is caring. :)

Full menu at munchpunch.

One really irritating thing though is the parking.  Parking at the roadside would cost you a flatrate of Php50.00. They don't do any validation, so it wouldn't make any difference if you ate at the area. Worse Megaworld, who owns the buildings, doesn't even issue an OR for the parking. ><

Degustations at The Goose Station

Saturday has always been a long day for me. A 1:00-4:00pm class with every other week legal aid classroom component, not to mention the occasional downpour that visits the UP area almost every afternoon makes me tired to the bones come nightfall.

Tired and sometimes drained, I look forward to Saturday dinners and this time it was particularly more so.  My friend Paola suggested this restaurant called The Goose Station. The original plan was to go there Friday night, but alas they don't have any seats left. The restaurant opens only in the evening and one must always make sure to call for reservation.  It's located at the outskirts of Global City, i say outskirts because it's not anywhere around Serendra, High Street, or Burgos Circle, at the W building.

The Goose Station is the brainchild of husband and wife team Chef Rob and Sunshine Pecson.  The name the Goose Station is of course, if you haven't guessed it yet, a play on the word degustation, it also serves to forewarn you that their specialty is (ta-dan!) foie gras.  So for all those with high blood pressure, a prior dose of simvastatin wouldn't hurt, and for those with squirmishes on the plight of the poor goose, this might not be the restaurant for you.  Nonetheless, the other food items i.e. not involving foie gras is still worth the visit.

choices for their 5-course menu

Ordering at the goose station is easy. Although they have ala carte menu, it's better to opt for the course menus.  They have the express 5-course menu (at Php1600 exclusive of Vat and SC) and their signature 9-course menu at Php2500 plus Vat and SC.  Since we weren't so hungry that night we all opted for the 5-course menu.

THE foie cone

Their menu is composed of at least two items to choose from. For snacks we had the foie gras cone.  Unlike the other items, for snacks this is the only choice, and for very good reasons.  A visit to The Goose Station wouldn't be complete unless you try this. It simply is an explosion of flavors from the filo pastry - not a cone - to the foie gras and the complimentary hazelnut topping gives you that perfect theater ending -- satiated but still wanting to have more.  Next on the snacks is the trio of potato glass, truffle puff and savory macaroon. Paola had to check four square and dished out the advice that this trio must be eaten from right to left. We heeded the advise and had the potato glass first, next the truffle puff and finished off with the savory macaroon. The advise was perfect! Eating it in that order allows the tastes to merge starting off with the salty potato glass, the tangy truffle puff and finishing with the mildly sweet savory macaroon.  These snack items surely does it's job of getting the taste buds more excited for the next degustations.

remember to eat from right to left