Ryu Ramen and Curry -- Tantanmen is a must try

A dear friend and I was at Ryu Ramen and Curry last Sunday afternoon. It's our early Christmas get together. I specifically requested that we go that place because I've heard some good things about it from friends.

We were there late afternoon but it was still hot outside so I had a difficult time deciding whether to order curry or ramen. I ended up ordering ramen because in the first place that's what I really went there for.

There were a lot to choose from. I had Tantanmen in mind but I still asked my friend what she thinks I should order. She said she heard from her friends that Tantanmen is a must try. Then still undecided, I asked the waitress what she would suggest I order. She also said Tantanmen. So naturally I  ordered Tantanmen. The menu says that Tantanmen is a spicy miso base broth with ground pork, soft boiled egg, negi and garlic oil with two slices of chasyu (it looks like a slice of morcon). You can choose the level of 'hotness' -- mild, hot very hot. I asked the waitress how mild is mild. She said it  is already hot. Given that I have colds that day I opted for just mild. I think I made a right choice. It was the most I could handle that day.

Tantanmen deserves to be their house specialty. It's really good -- with just enough flavor (no overpowering taste).

My friend by the way ordered Tonkatsu which I also got to sample. It is served on a bed of greens which I totally love.

Tantanmen

Tonkatsu

The appetizer - meat balls (?) and vegetables.

Ryu Ramen and Curry is owned by celebrity couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez - Alcasid.

I wonder if they regularly visit the restaurant. It would be lovely to see them there entertaining their customers haha. Hmmm.....Regine, why don't you try to rehearse there for the repeat of Silver. Pak!! haha

Anyway, I saw Jed Madela at Ryu that afternoon.

Ryu Ramen and Curry is along Tomas Morato, Quezon City.  It is near Scout Lazcano (on the same building that.  houses Kumon).

Mercato, Fort Bonifacio -- A Wonderful Food Haven

I was able to finally go to Mercato at Fort Bonifacio last month. I've been wanting to go there for a long time already but it's only last month when I got the chance to because we visited a friend at St. Luke's Hospital.

Based on stories from friends, I already have an idea of the things I would find there. I know that since it is a food bazaar there's going to be a lot of good food choices. But I was really pleasantly surprised when I discovered that when they said a lot, they really meant A LOT.

There were lots of choices so whatever your tummy tells you will definitely be satisfied. There's an area where you can find barbecue and isaw. There's also a corner where you can order various flavors of paella. Pasta lovers will also be happy at Mercato. In you want flavors from different places in the world, this is also the place to be -- there's Japanese, Korean, Italian, Thai, Indian, etc. Desserts also abound. There are a lot of cakes and pastry stalls. I felt like just the sight of them is already enough to give me diabetes.

I'm not really fond of waffles but this one surely looked good.

They all look yummy.

Shawarma P90

My greatest regret -- not trying this Ilocos empanada.

Good gift idea.

Definitely filling

Should try this out next time.

In the past there weren't really lots of chairs and tables for customers. It used to  be such that people eat standing. But now there are plenty of tables and chairs -- in and out of the tents. When we were there we ate outside -- near the football field. We didn't see the Azkals training that night but a good friend told me that she saw them there once.

Though it is a food bazaar, do not expect that your wallet will not be heavily 'damaged'. Prices of food aren't really high but they are not cheap either. There are stuff that are pricier than if you would eat them elsewhere. Shawarma for example is priced at P90. You can get one for just P50 at the malls. And since there are plenty of choices, you will really be tempted to have not just one kind of food but several. Believe me you will be tempted to order one meal after another.    

Overall it was really a great experience. I had fun going around the stalls several times.It's not an eat all  you can place but if have the budget and you practice proper pacing, then you can eat at Mercato, Fort Bonifacio eat all you can style.