West Coast Series: The Real Meals

Forget the greens, salsa and vinaigrette which were so last post (West Coast Series: Salads and Sweets), you’d think I’ve gone all Bugs Bunny on you. Truth is, it’s time to cast off the pretension and start focusing on the “real” food—the full courses, carbs and that thing we call a proper meal.

"I'll pass" is something unheard of in the sight of these almighty meals, while starvation, a word only concocted by activists - an institution that will never accept me for my lack of shouting intensity.

Once in the West Coast, the best thing to do is take a seat, eat and forget all about it. After all, what happens in the West, stays in the West!

Not to be left behind though are the photos (and proof) of those outlandish and sizzling moments that always ended with that blissful burp. The burgers were not mine, but were just as irresistible to shoot!

Bon appetit! Or should I say, more appropriately: DIG IN!

[caption id="attachment_1649" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Fish Tacos, Tacos Mexico"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1647" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Philly Cheesesteak, Charley's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1650" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Tuna Salad Sandwich with Pickled Red Onions, International Cafe, Universal Studios"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1651" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Pad Thai, Thai Kitchen"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1645" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Spinach, Mushroom and Tomato Pizza, Bonnano's, MGM Hotel"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1652" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Spinach and Broccoli Stuffed Pizza, Sbarro"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1654" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="My Mexican Salad Platter, Spice Market Buffet"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1655" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Seafood Selection, Spice Market Buffet"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1653" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="My Dainty Dessert Portion, Spice Market Buffet"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Buckwheat Noodles, Asian Grocery"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1644" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Applebee's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1643" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Blackened Chicken Penne, Applebee's"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1648" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Cheeseburgers, In-and-Out Burger"][/caption]

Thai Will Be Done (@Oody's)

Thai food is best described as vibrant, diversely flavored and patron-choosy—which is why I’ve never been too fond of it, being one of the patrons forced to face its spite. The spicy part, I can endure, but the liberal flavor of fish sauce and peanuts has not been too friendly to my salt-averse sense of taste. The Legaspi Market’s Pad Thai though, drastically improved my assessment on this dish and presented an opportunity of, possibly, craving Thai food in the future.

And crave I did.

 Oody’s Greenbelt was a mindless choice, logistically advantageous and appealing to the Makati walkers. That, and for some odd reason, my peers did not consider Banana Leaf an option. Pity—and so Oody’s it was!

 

My quest for Pad Thai was thwarted though, by the flaunting photo of the Pad Siew. Less pallid, fortified with greens and devoid of peanuts—it seemed to reach out to me, and so I ditched the Pad Thai fancy. It was a choice not to regret. Pad Siew literally means “fried with soy sauce” and its rice noodles were chewy yet tender, just the way I imagined them for weeks. The chunks of chicken and scrambled egg were generously incorporated in the dish and not placed as a measly siding. While a bit on the oily side—what can you expect from stir fried noodles?—I suspect a cup of tea would assuage the risk of a shortened lifespan. Nonetheless, the tea never emerged, but rather, a hefty crepe with ice cream. I suppose there’s always room for dessert.

The Pad Thai and Noodle Soup with Chicken were not mine to begin with, but let me provide snippets of the comments from my equally hungry and opinionated mates:

Soup:

“I suppose it’s okay.”

“I’m only eating soup because I have gastro-something. I sure hope it’s not spicy!”

“I’m paying this much for this soup? Hmmm.”

When asked for comparisons, “Of course Pho Hoa serves much better soup. This doesn’t even come close.”

Pad Thai:

“Wow, that’s a lot! But your Pad Siew looks way better!”

“You can have some of my Pad Thai, you know.” To which I nearly screamed, “No, thank you!”

I rest my case.

 ON THE SIDE

House appetizers – The spicy peanuts and fried wanton made lovely centerpieces and to our delight, were rather tasty. “Refillable” was another key to securing our economical enjoyment. As for hygiene, well that’s another story.

Service – Undertaking the challenge to serve us water in small, decorative glasses, Oody’s waiters nearly regret their insensible decision. While tall glasses graced other tables (I wonder why), they opted to serve us, human camels and giant gulpers, the beakers amongst their dishes. Concession was made by leaving a pitcher instead, but that was after about 3 rounds of “Water, please. Your free peanuts are choking us!”