Lola Maria's delectable classics with a twist

The Legend Villas, home of Lola Maria's Restaurant, nestled in the middle of busy Pioneer street in Mandaluyong.  It is with great humility and delight to have had the chance to dine at this one of a kind restaurant.  

With furnishings and interiors which are Vigan-inspired, a tradition traced to the late Doña Maria Villanueva Rosario, the maternal grandmother of Legend Hotels International corporation.  

Everytime you dine in at Lola Maria's restaurant, it feels like you have traveled back in time, bringing memories and scenes reminiscent of your grandparents' provincial home.  It is indeed a sight to behold.

We were invited to partake in this special dinner showcasing Lola Maria Restaurant's new dishes, inspired by famous celebrities of our time.  Apart from their delectable signature dishes which includes home-cooked favorites  like kare-kare, lechon kawali, beef steak and chicken gallantina.  This new selection of dishes will once again tickle the fancy of their loyal customers and ignites a spark for those first timers.

The evening started with a selection of fruit juice mixes  (Dalandan slush, Pomelo slush and Pandan iced tea) which got me guessing which to have as my drink for the night, I did have a choice to have all three served but I just liked the taste of Pandan iced tea, it had the right sweetness, the right blend and I am a sugar freak so it was definitely Pandan iced tea.  The pandan leaves gave the iced tea a nice scent that kept me going for glasses, sugar rush indeed.

In consultation with Chef Michael Martinez, Lola Maria Restaurant is proud to present the following dishes:

Our first dish of the evening, Vegetable Quiche

Vegetable Quiche by fashion designer Randy Ortiz: baked tender pastry crust with fresh vegetables, topped with a dollop of sour cream.  This came as a pleasant surprise to me, as some of you may know I am not a fan of vegetables, that is why my uric acid level is always high. Now can you help me keep that secret?  

Honestly speaking I did not taste any vegetable inside of it., really  It is made of a mixture of different vegetables which includes asparagus, mushroom, bell pepper, onion, egg, spices, cheese and fresh cream. This dish is perfect for any meal, or any snack for that matter, they are small, bite-size and very nutritious.  A great starter for a grand meal ahead.

Next to be served to us, is Fish Pinipig

Fish Pinipig, actually thinking of the name makes me feel that this was already part of the desert, but this creation by actress / host Iza Calzado gave it a twist, thus the Filipino version of fish and chips.  Healthy and easy to make.

Made with freshest creamed dory fillet covered with crispy pinipig flakes, dipped in tartare sauce.  This dish is then sided by home-made crispy potato chips from Lola Maria's and trust me they are to die for.  The pinipig flakes gave the cream dory a crispy crust, while biting in to the soft dory fillet, made it a dish to feast on with so much gusto.


Up next, the dish that captured my heart upon first bite.


Prawn Cakes


- inspired by the most successful local show car maker Atoy Llave, a fan of seafoods.  It is oriental style minced shrimps coated with bread crumbs, served with Hoisin sauce.  


This was quite different from the first two dishes that we had as this dish leaned closer to Asia, as I would think it, inspired by the Chinese way of cooking as it is sided by one of the most common yet most delicious sauce, Hoisin Sauce.

I loved how the prawn cake tasted, the rich flavor of the prawns mixed with the distinct flavor of Hoisin gave a tad of spice and sweetness that just stayed in my mouth, the crisp of deep fried, and the soft and tender prawn mix inside definitely made my day.  I had quite a lot this, and still I want more.

Cocido, a favorite of Our Awesome Planet blogger Anton Diaz

- beef ribs stewed in rich tomato sauce with chorizo and fresh vegetables, is the foremost representative and beloved national dish of Spain.  It is no wonder that this dish has made it into the hearts of many Filipinos, and best to hear that Lola Maria Restaurant will have this on their regular menu and buffet tables.  Best served with rice.

Garlic and Rosemary Rib Eye

- best cut of beef marinated and seared with fresh garlic and rosemary with a siding of buttered vegetables.  A tasteful treat by actress Ara Mina.  Rib Eye is indeed the best beef to use for steaks as it is soft, easy to the bite and no doubt perfectly infused with garlic and rosemary.

And lastly for desert, it was (from left) Ube and Langka Panna Cota, Ensaymada Pudding and Fried Suman at Tsokolate.

Ensaymada Pudding by Ford Suptermodel grand winner Danica Manpantay, Ube and Langka Panna Cotta by actress Sherilyn Reyes-Tan.  And finally, Fried Suman at Tsokolate by actress/ host/ model Wilma Doesnt.


The fried suman was crispy and hot, dipped in the traditional tsokolate, made me remember my childhood days when we would dip our suman in white sugar, but the tsokolate served as a different dip that is equally satisfying.  

The Ube and Langka panna cotta tasted better than any panna cotta that I have tasted.  It gave the panna cotta more flavor and smelled great as well.


Personally among the three, the ensaymada pudding was the the best and perfect for me.  It was the perfect ending to a very satisfying meal.  And looking forward to another good time at Lola Maria Restaurant.

Take time to visit Lola Maria Restarant and savor the dishes you would definitely come back for.  Lola Maria serves breakfast buffets from 6 am - 10 am and lunch buffets from 11 am - 2 pm daily.  For dinner, guests can enjoy a la carte dishes from their menu.

This Valentine season, The Legend Villas and Lola Maria is having a Chocolatey February,a special Chocolate buffet is being served every Saturday and Sunday for the whole month of February.  Available during weekend lunch hours, with Php 250  nett for adults and Php 180 nett per child.  Come spend Valentine's with your special someone.

Also, Legend Villas presents its Valentine promo package.  For a rate of P 3,850 net inclusive of an overnight stay for two in a Premier room with a special romantic turndown service with petals, candles and wine and a sweet Valentine's token.  Valid from Feb. 1 - 20 only.  

For more details on this promo and other Valentine specials, you may reach them at (632) 702-2700 to 04 and Lola Maria Restaurant at (632) 702-2793 or visit www.legendvillas.com.ph

Lola Maria Restaurant

Legend Villas

Pioneer corner Madison Streets

Mandaluyong City

Pedeli's Gourmet Kitchen : Sandwich Delight

Since we have been talking slabwiches, now let's do something simpler, sandwiches.  Pedeli's Gourmet Kitchen sandwiches that is.  I have been intrigued by Pedeli's for quite sometime, and finally I was able to try their creations, and I'm happy to say, they have made me a fan...

It was one cloudy lunch, as some of "The Club" members were invited to sample Pedeli's Gourmet sandwiches. We were met by the owners Peter "The Sandwich God" Sison and Francisco "EBOY" Bautista.  We were then shown the way how Pedeli came into this world, and it was quite a friendship to behold.  I could definitely say they are made for each other... in business terms that is.

Now for a crash course on what you need to know before picking up that phone and calling Pedeli's, let me show you some of their delectable creations.

The Signature Series

 Crabsticks and Mangoes, P110 [Big], P140 [Bigger]

If you want to know, how big is [Big] and if you can finish a [Bigger], as for my case am already full at [Big], yes they are packed sandwiches, as their driving force states "SIZE DOES MATTER", and it was one hefty serving, a simple California maki in a sandwich with tangy spread, it may be as simple as that but in the hands of Peter and Francisco, they tasted extra special.

The Supreme Series

 Tuna Supreme, P145 [Big], P185 [Bigger]

Tuna Chunks with minced egg, sweet ham and cheese, and a lot more sweet ham, sliced egg and sliced cheeses in 3 whole wheat bread.  This is definitely the healthy choice, with protein-rich tuna, this is definitely for the weight conscious yet packs a full stomach without the guilt.

 Bacon Supreme, P145 [Big], P185 [Bigger]

Bacon bits with everything that you want in your sandwich, this is one of my favorites, the delicious bacon was too much to resist and the taste mmm....... not to worry they only use lean bacon, lesser evil I would say.

 Hungarian Supreme, P 145 [Big], P185 [Bigger]

This came out as a surprise for me as I usually have my sausages in buns, but this was quite exceptional, the Hungarian sausage was to die for, add it up to a great sandwich, then you get one awesome sandwich.  Loved it!

They also have the Deluxe Series which is basically the same as the Supreme Series, but with only 2 whole wheat bread and less cheese, ham and eggs.

Pastas

Basil Pesto, P 90.00 

with an option to add Chicken or Crabsticks at P40.00

I have to say this to you guys, I am no fan of Pesto, sorry to say, I know a lot of you are Pesto lovers, but I just don't like the taste, but since it looks yummy I gave it taste, and guess what, to my surprise, I loved it! It had an exquisite taste that I honestly can say I love Pesto, well only Pedeli's Basil Pesto that is.

 Creamy Linguine, P 90.00 

also with options on chicken and crabsticks at P40.00

This Creamy Linguine just won an award... well my award of excellence that is. Ha!  No words to describe how good it tastes, just order some and get your fill, I know I will.

 The magic behind Pedeli's Gourmet Kitchen, Peter and Francisco (Eboy).

Try out Pedeli's Gourmet Kitchen, you will be more than fulfilled, I assure you.  I would be back again here to try out their dessert masterpieces such as the Choco fudge with cashews, No bake cheese cake, the Pavlova, the Honey Semifreddo and to cap it all off the classic Flantastic.  I will be back here, definitely.

Before I finish this post, try out their Oatmeal Chip cookies, they can surely melt your heart away.  It's a waste that Pedeli's has only small room to accommodate its guests because of space restrictions, they will definitely expand soon.  But for the mean time, you can always call them for take-out or delivery.   Always remember this, all of Pedeli's sandwiches and food creations are freshly made upon order.  So you can be assured of its tasteful bliss.

You can reach them at (632) 570-9708 for delivery or you may visit them at LG66, Cityland Pioneer, 128 Pioneer St., Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.  Delivery hours is from 2PM - 11PM.

But wait they currently have a promo online so you may want to visit and take a look at www.ensogo.com.ph. that you can get their set meal worth P605 for only P300.  Ain't that a treat!  Buy now and get the best gourmet sandwiches in town.