Ogetsu Hime Japanese Restaurant (SM Megamall Branch)

Asia, being the largest and most populous continent in the world is one gigantic gastronomic destination to explore! While the culture in each region/country is ultra diverse, there is an undeniable degree of homogeneity to Asian Cuisine that makes it distinguishable and globally popular. Food is indubitably the real universal and unifying language of the world! 

The Filipino Cuisine is among the 100 Best Cuisines in the World for 2023, at 33rd place with an impressive rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars on Taste Atlas' annual list of the best-rated cuisines and dishes in the world! While it is obviously my strong Asian Cuisine bias, my next favorite is the Japanese Cuisine which deservingly earned the Top 2 rank, with a rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars!

When craving for Japanese food, the best way to go is choose a restaurant that offers a wide-range variety of traditional Japanese dishes using high quality, fresh ingredients, prepared meticulously and served like a masterpiece! Even better if you could find one that offers unlimited, eat-all-you-can authentic Japanese food for a single fixed price! Japanese Cuisine could be a bit pricey due to the cost of the premium ingredients used and the preparation techniques mastered by skilled chefs that underwent years of training and apprenticeship.

The Ogetsu Hime Japanese Restaurant offers 'eat-all-you-can' for only P 1,288 for walk-in diners and provides a discounted price to those who made early reservations. It's best to reserve a table in advance because the restaurant is mostly on full capacity even during weekdays. It goes without saying that the place is a bit crowded and noisy especially when there are large groups of diners celebrating an occasion. Another downside of this restaurant is their service, starting with a blurry, printed out menu order form where you're supposed to tick the boxes for your orders, except that it's hard to choose when you can barely read it because aside from it being blurred and the letters so small, the Japanese dishes do not have English descriptions. So, if you are not Nihongo proficient, you will need to compare it to the main menu for reference. Otherwise, make sure to bring your reading glasses and prepare to Google your favorites for the English translation so you'll know what's in your sushi. It's also advisable to order everything that you want on your first round and indicate the quantity (2 or 4 servings/orders) as well, because the service, aside from being slow, is also not accurate. Your orders will not come at the same time and some of it will never be served despite repeated follow-ups, including drink refills. 

Nevertheless, the Ogetsu Hime Japanese Restaurant is still a recommendable place to satisfy your Japanese food cravings because they have a wide assortment of delicious and authentic Japanese dishes for a fixed and fair price.  

Itadakimasu!

The traditional Ebi Tempura is one of the best they offer. They use fresh prawns coated with batter, deep-fried to a light 'blonde' brown achieve the correct fluffines, flakiness and crispiness expected of a good tempura! The combination of the sweet, meaty prawn and the crunchy coating dipped in the tempura sauce, create an exciting texture and flavor that will make you want to ask for more. Okawari kudasai!

Ebi Tempura 

More Ebi Tempura!

The US Angus Tenderloin Teppanyaki is a must-try! The meat is tender, savory and juicy! Request for your preferred doneness because they usually serve it medium-rare, with visible traces of the red meat juice. Their US Angus Ribeye Teppanyaki is also good but a bit tough.

     

  

The Shake Sashimi (Norwegian Pink Salmon) is of course, a favorite! Served fresh and chilled, sliced hira-zukuri style with just the right thickness to fully enjoy the salmon's soft texture, juiciness and natural umami flavor; dipped in Japanese soy sauce with lemon, it definitely hits the sweet spot!

    

Their Sukiyaki is also great! They serve the sweet soy-based soup, hot in a bowl or you have an option to cook your own Nabemono! They will provide you with a portable propane stove and a cute little pot, as well as the ingredients and the broth to complete the9 experience of creating your own hot pot. Their authentic Miso Soup is also a good choice to start the meal!

Miso

Sukiyaki

       

For appetizers, you may try their beancurd/tofu selection. The Agadashi Tofu's (Deep fried beancurd) crispy coating somewhat resembles the taste of radish cake. On the otherhand, the Chawan Uni (Steamed sea urchin) is like a salty taho topped with sea urchin and served steaming hot. The smooth, silky texture of the soft tofu absorbs the natural sea salt umami flavor of the sea urchin. Weird, if you're used to the sweet taho but really quite delicious once you acquired the taste!

Chawan Uni

Agadashi Tofu

They have an impressive array of delectable aburi  (flame-seared; torched) sushi and rolls to choose from! They all look nice and delicious, so just order those that really catch your fancy because you can't try them all in one visit, which gives you a reason to come back! Enjoy your meal!

 

  

#Foodblog #FoodReview #OgetsuHime #JapaneseCuisine #AsianCuisine #SMmegamall #Philippines #Japan #JapaneseRestaurant

Poetry: Knee-Deep

San Juan Beach, La Union

𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘄𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮,

𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲,

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲,

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮,

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀,

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀,

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀,

𝗔𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆,

𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗹𝘆,

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.

𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻,

𝗔 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲,

𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀,

𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘄𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮.

~ 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗟𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 2024


#beach #elyu #launion #sanjuan #poem #poetry

Prime Steak House Unlimited Imported Steak

The Robinson's Place in upper Antipolo has some new and exciting restaurants opening soon, giving Rizalenos all the more reason to hang out at "The Place."  The mall's layered design in mediterranean color scheme with varied slopes and elevation, gives it a variegated texture that blends perfectly with the terrain to showcase the area's vista. The trellises, canopies and angled roof lines on the facade, the refreshing landscape and garden designs, all complement the cool weather of Antipolo. The over-all look is like one welcoming village or community that brings out a feeling of familiarity; in contrast to other popular malls that are merely blocks of stone with monochromatic exterior wall cladding that, albeit being considered as modern, monolithic and minimalist in design, simply do not exude the same warmth. Another good reason to frequent the Robinson's Place is its vast parking area which used to be free of charge; valet parking is also available for a minimal fee to add more convenience to shoppers. 

One of the best features of the mall is the 2-level, al fresco dining strip, lined with coffee shops and restaurants. However, the recent north wing mall expansion promises to elevate the Rizalenos' dining experience even more by inviting popular restaurant brands to finally launch operation in Antipolo such as The Prime Steak House, Tong Yang and Vikings, to name a few!

Medium or Medium Rare?

Karnevore's Rib Eye Steak and Tender Loin Steak

B&W Mural

There are some recommendable steak houses in Antipolo, but one of the definite go-to places is the Karnevore, along Sumulong Hi-way across the Robinson's Place. The prices are a real steal for the quality of their well-seasoned steaks, cooked precisely how you like it. The meat is tender, moist, juicy and exceptionally tasty. The portion and thickness of the steak are also fairly good, although do not expect a great side dish to come along with it. The serving time is likewise commendable, with the steak served smoking hot on a sizzling plate atop a wooden charcuterie board, fresh off the grill from their see-through grilling station. The Karnevore's commissary type ambiance with its old, tarnished wooden chairs and tables, bare ceiling design and a simple black and white calligraphy mural painting on one wall, do not make it a fancy steak house for a romantic date; but as their name suggests, it is indeed a place to satisfy your meat cravings and pacify the carnivore in you. 

With only a handful of good steak houses in the area, it is delightful to hear that the famous Prime Steak House Unlimited Imported Steak has opened a branch at the expanded north wing of the Robinsons Place Antipolo in October of 2023! They do not occupy a very big space, but the dining area lay out is strategic with ample table spacing to allow comfortable dining. The lighting is just right, neither dimmed nor glaring but with a soft glow that makes it conducive both for dining and picture-taking. The piped-in, up-beat bossa nova music playing in the background, sets a relaxed mood for the diners to better enjoy their meal. The over-all interior design is casual and simple yet tastefully stylish. 

Got the Best Seat in the House!

The restaurant was full during its soft opening with excited diners coming in groups. The early birds of course, got the best seat in the corner with adjoining faux marble-top tables, a cushioned L-shaped, built-in long seat, with a sage green brick wall accent at the back where the cornice-lighted Prime Steak House logo is displayed; definitely the nicest display table with the best angle!

The 3-paged menu is printed on bond papers held together by a clip board; it'll probably be more presentable after the trial run. The unlimited steaks offered on the menu for P899 are the T-Bone, NY Strip, Flat Iron, Rib Eye, Salisbury, Beef Salpicao and the Hickory Pork Ribs. The package includes 2 side dishes of your choice (all throughout the meal) with the following options: plain rice, steak rice, French fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn and carrots and buttery garlic green beans.  To avail the unlimited Wagyu cubes, add P100. They also offer unlimited wine consumable in 2 hours for only P799 and other nonalcoholic beverages for a separate price. 

Rib Eye Steak

T-bone Steak

We sampled the Rib Eye, T-Bone, NY Strip, Hickory Pork Ribs and Wagyu Cubes with steak rice, coleslaw and mashed potatoes as side dishes and ordered the unlimited iced tea to wash it down and cleanse the palate. The quality of the meat was good; however, it did not achieve the expected juiciness and tenderness because the slices were thin. I had to adjust my preferred doneness from medium to medium rare because the meat was a bit dry, tough and chewy, especially the Rib Eye. The flavoring was also too bland for my taste which I remedied with the available seasoning and their 2 types of gravy; I liked the mushroom gravy (the same one used in their mashed potatoes) better than the tangy one. The coleslaw was served delightfully cold and crisp each time, which added texture and flavor to the meat. 

NY Strip Steak

Wagyu Cubes

The NY Strip did not disappoint, it was tender and juicy and definitely a must-try. Too bad they do not offer the filet mignon cut but the Wagyu cubes were a blast. I do not recommend the Hickory Pork Ribs at all. 

Hickory Pork Ribs

The service was fast, and the crew members were polite and friendly; they even offered to take our photos. Overall, the dining experience at the Prime Steak House in Antipolo was good! I will definitely come back to try the Flat Iron Steak, Salisbury Steak and Beef Salpicao and of course, indulge in the NY Strip Steak which I highly recommend.