A second go at the Mega Food Tour

As if there weren't already plenty of new restaurants popping up around the metro, it seems as if more are moving into the malls every day, as proven by the second round of the Mega Food Tour at SM Fashion Hall in Megamall on Sept. 18.
 

Here, four of its newest restaurants offering dishes delightful to see and delicious to bite.
 

Ippudo

During one particularly busy Sunday, the kitchen of Ippudo churned out 800 bowls of ramen. If the kilometric lines outside this internationally-renowned ramen brand is any indication, then that figure will soon rocket to tsunamic proportions.

Ippudo serves three types of Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. Its signature ramen is the Shiromaru Motoaji, which features a delicately creamy tonkotsu broth with ultra-thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, kikurage, and spring onions.

A variation of its signature ramen is the Akamaru Shinaji, which is spiked with miso paste and garlic oil. If you want a little more kick, go for the Karaka-men. The noodles in this bowl of ramen are wavy, the better to hold the bits of minced meat swimming in the spicy broth laced with miso paste and garlic oil.

Diners have a choice of adding tamago (salted soft-boiled egg), chashu (simmered pork belly), nori (seaweed), and other ingredients to their ramen.

If you ask me though, get the Nikumiso Tofu Salad. It is a delicate dish featuring the surprisingly refreshing combination of tofu, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and pineapples tinged with fish sauce and a light sesame dressing.  

Eri Curry

As a dish, the curry is more often associated with India. But the Japanese actually have their own version of this spicy entree with a milder flavor and a thicker sauce.

Eri Curry brings the Japanese take on curry, tweaked to suit the Filipino palate. What’s more, you can customize your meal according to your particular taste.

Choose from any of the curry plates including Katsu Curry, Thin Sliced Beef Curry, Shrimp Curry, and Eggplant Curry. Tell the server whether you’d like 200, 300, or 400 grams of rice with your meal as well as the level of spiciness you’d like on your curry. Last but not least, finish off with your choice of topping from fried squid to asparagus. This way, you can whip up a meal that’s truly your own.

Apart from the curry plates, Eri Curry also serves a selection of makis as well as a shaved iced dessert with vanilla ice cream and azuki beans.

Linguini Fini

Originating from Hong Kong, this Italian restaurant takes pride in using locally-sourced fresh produce and making everything from scratch. You won’t find packages of noodles here, as they make their own pasta right before your very eyes.

A must-try is the Papardelle “Nose to Tail Bolo.” The house specialty, the ragu is cooked slowly using brined pig’s head, braised ox tail, and veal, resulting in a meaty flavorful taste. The papardelle is so deliciously soft that you can actually be satisfied munching on it without the sauce.

Of course, what would a respectable Italian restaurant be without the porchetta? A deliriously savory hunk of boneless pork roast, Linguini Fini’s version has been rubbed with fennel, slow roasted, and served in slices with caramelized onion marmalata. Be prepared for a treat especially since the skin is very crispy. You may also have the porchetta chopped and dipped in a chili mustard sauce.

Other interesting finds include a spaghetti entree with fresh crab meat, aligue, chili, mint, and dayap; smoked salmon with peperonata and chives; and meatball and sausages served with Linguini Fini’s Sunday Gravy.

Triple O’s

Canada’s first drive-in restaurant zooms into Manila with a fastfood restaurant. Claiming to have the “sauciest, juiciest, tastiest, bestest burgers around,” Triple O’s puts the spotlight on premium-grade 100 percent Canadian beef patties.

The burgers, which come in different variants like Monty Mushroom and Bacon Cheddar, are humongous and served with equally satisfying sides.

Choose from either a bag of fries, served with a tangy chipotle dip, or some big old onion rings, dipped in tartar sauce.

Triple O’s also serves Fish and Chips, Dippin’ Chicken, Buttermilk Chicken, and Three Cheese Pasta. The milkshakes are a delight. — VC/BM, GMA News