Eat around the world in a small Makati neighborhood

When I'm at home, the kitchen is my happy place. I'm no chef, but I always enjoy cooking, whether it's a quick snack for myself or several dishes for my daughter's birthday party. Still, there are lazy days, too, when I just don't feel like it.

 

Days like these used to mean giving in to popular demand and having some fast food delivered. But we discovered that where we live is the perfect place for a culinary trip around the world. 

In the mood for Japanese: Suzu Kin 

 

A few years back, the only nearby restaurant was Suzu Kin, a tiny corner canteen that serves Japanese favorites for less than usual. Whether you want tempura, teriyaki, teppanyaki, or maki, you can have your fill for around P200.

 

They also have a sampler plate (P123) with chicken furai, ebi tempura, fried dilis, pork kushi yaki, tai kimiyaki, tuna steak, rice and soup. Of course, if you're not a fan of fried food you should stay away from the sampler and try the noodles, or sashimi if you aren't averse to raw fish. The California Maki and the Salmon Sashimi are both less than P200, and while they probably won't be the best you've ever tasted, they hit the spot if you just need to satisfy a craving, but aren't willing to splurge.

 

Established in 1981, Suzu Kin was once a popular date place. It still attracts a steady clientele, but it's not the place to go if you're looking for a fancy dinner—you’ll only see simple wooden chairs and framed pictures as decor. In a corner, a water dispenser stands next to a rack of dishes. The uniformed staff greet customers in unison when they enter, and are very polite. It's a small space, with around 10 tables, but they also have party platters that you can take home.

 

Happy meals at Cucina Rusticana

 

For a fancy dinner, there's Cucina Rusticana a few blocks away. This Italian-owned restaurant has all the ingredients for a happy meal. Cheerful yellow walls, pristine white tablecloths, bright paintings on the wall, and irresistible food, from tasty appetizers to dreamy desserts. 

 

Start with Spinacci al Formaggio (P285), a savory spinach and capsicum cheese dip served with toasted baguette. Like most dishes on the menu, this antipasto is for sharing. The servings are large at Cucina Rusticana, and we discovered that just one dish is already enough. 

 

They have soup, salad, and familiar pasta dishes like the meaty Spaghetti Bolognese, the rich Fettuccine Carbonara, and the spicy Penne Arrabbiata. If you're really hungry, they also have meat dishes like Lubetti di Maiale alle Erbe (Italian style porkchops) and the Osso Buco (Tuscan style braised beef shanks slow cooked for three hours in roasted Italian tomato sauce). 

 

For dessert, try the Tiramisu, or the Chocolate Rhum Panna Cotta.  

 

Cucina Rusticana has a selection of red and white wine, as well as mocktails like St. Peter's Basilica, which they describe as "lemon with fresh basil ice-blended to Sainthood."

 

Everything on the menu looked delicious, but after sharing an appetizer and some Fettuccine Carbonara, we could barely move. The handmade noodles were smothered in a creamy sauce, and they didn't scrimp on the ham bits and grated parmigiana. Three of us shared the pasta, and we were all very full. Still, we couldn't resist ordering some Tiramisu, and ended our meal with Savoiardi sponge cookies soaked in Coffee-Italian Liquor and layered with heavy cream.

 

An Indian adventure: Mr. King Kebab

 

Not far from Cucina Rusticana and Suzu Kin is Mr. King Kebab, where you can satisfy your cravings for curry, biryani, masala, shawarma, and keema. If you're going solo, you can get a shawarma or a kebab for P50, and if you're with the whole family, you can order a full mutton karahi for P800. There are vegetarian options, too, like Mutter Paneer (P250), Aloo Tikki (P90), and Mix Vegetable Biryani (P150).

 

Mr. King Kebab is spacious, with two dining areas. The place is nothing fancy—back-to-back benches, framed pictures on the wall, and a tray of condiments on each plastic-covered table. But what the restaurant lacks in ambiance, it more than makes up for with the food. 

 

The staff is also very cheerful and helpful, and will gladly explain if you need help figuring out what's in the dishes. Mutter Paneer is a North Indian curry of peas and cottage cheese, while Aloo Tikki is a spiced potato cutlet. Biryani is a rice-based dish with meat, fish or vegetables, and the mutton karahi is a sheep stew. Masala is a mixture of spices, and keema is a minced meat dish. 

 

If you're having trouble with the spiciness, a refreshing glass of cold lassi will do the trick. Mr. King Kebab is open until midnight, so it's a good place to grab a late night snack.

 

Spice it up: DekA Authentic Thai Food

 

For a different kind of spice, there's DekA Authentic Thai Food a few blocks down. The small restaurant on the corner of Flordeliz and Pablo Ocampo Streets has indoor and outdoor seating, and stays open until 10 p.m. 

 

They have familiar dishes like Spring Rolls (P150) and Pad Thai (P180), which can be ordered with chicken, prawns or tofu for vegetarians. They also have Kaw Kok Khapee, a must-try for fans of bagoong rice. The meal comes with shredded onion, slices of green mango, fried egg, and sweetened pork.

 

They have different curry dishes, as well as seafood like Pla Neung Manao, steamed Cream Dory fish or sea bass with spicy lemon dressing (P350). Also on the menu is Yum Koong Pao, grilled king prawn, which goes very well with the Som Tam papaya salad (P150). A bowl of Tom Kha Gai chicken in coconut milk soup flavored with lemon grass, lime leaves, galanga, chili and lime juice (P300) or Tom Yum spicy shrimp in lemongrass soup (P250) is perfect for rainy days. 

 

If you need to cool down, order a glass of Cha Yen Thai traditional iced milk tea (P60), Cha Kiaw iced milk green tea (P60), or a cold bottle of Thai beer (P130). 

 

DekA is very small, and has less than 10 tables inside. But the furniture is neatly arranged so that it feels more cozy than cramped. There are miniature Thai flags on the wall, and vases of plastic flowers on the tables. At dinnertime, you can watch the news on the television above the counter, but once your food arrives you won't have eyes for anything else. The presentation isn't too fancy, but you can tell by the vibrant colors and heavenly smell that you're about to taste something wonderful.

 

Even after discovering all these neighborhood dining options, we still prefer home-cooked meals. But whenever we get lazy, or feel like going on a culinary adventure, all we have to do is walk around the block. –KG, GMA News

 

Suzu Kin is at 9753 Kamagong St. corner Sampaloc St., Makati City. Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:30-9 p.m.

 

Cucina Rusticana is at 9531 Akle St. cor. Kamagong St., San Antonio Village, Makati City. Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-10 p.m.

 

Mr. King Kebab is at the corner of Pablo Ocampo Road and Dumas St. in Makati City. Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12 noon-12 midnight

 

DekA Authentic Thai Food is at 245 Pablo Ocampo Road corner Flordeliz St., Makati City. Hours: Monday to Friday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5- 10 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.