'Ono Kine Grindz

New Dalisay Café

I haven't done any posts on Filipino food since this blog began, but to be quite honest, I don't eat very much of it.  Why?  Don't know really.  I guess it's because there aren't too many places around that I know of.  Today, we decided to go to New Café Dalisay.

I was unable to take a photo of the restaurant this afternoon because it looked as though there were some "shady" dealings going on in front of and inside of this shop.  As I took out the camera, I got some nasty looks, so I decided that it would be best that I try again another time.  This is not exactly the most friendly neighborhood and to think, it's only a 10 minute walk from the office.  Oh well...I went back to after work and was able to snap this photo.

Judging from the outside, you would never even think to come here to eat.  If you saw the inside, you'd think twice as well.  But you place your orders at the kitchen which looks moderately clean.  The food is often cooked by a middle aged couple, often oblivious to what's going on inside the restaurant and right outside the front door.  We place our order in advance, over the phone, so that it's ready by the time we get there....it's take out (we'll eat at the office, thank you very much)!

This shop has a menu consisting of 10 items at most.  The one item that I always order, and the only one that I've eaten here, is the sari sari (US$6.00).

Sari sari is like a soup filled with squash, eggplant, ung choy (swamp spinach), tomatoes, shrimp and crispy fried pork.  The soup/broth is seasoned with patis (fish sauce).  The soup is a bit salty, but flavorful, tasting both "porky" and mildly fishy at the same time.  The vegetables are cooked until tender and the pork...well, the crispy fried pork, and the fried pork skin, stays crispy even after being in all of that liquid! 

By the way, the portions here are huge!  I had eaten all I could for lunch, and the bowl you're looking at in the picture, is what I was able to take home for dinner.  All in all, this was a very satisfying meal.  Would I recommend the food here?  No doubt.  If you can get past the appearance of the place, then you will definitely be glad you came.

New Dalisay Café - House of Filipino Food
1169 Maunakea Street
Telephone:  808.537.6012

Nanding's Bakery

Early this morning, I woke up craving some fresh baked bread.  Since most bakeries that I go to for bread are not open so early in the morning, I decided to visit Nanding's Bakery in Kalihi.

This bakery sells all sorts of Filipino pastries, such as the ube rolls and ensaimadas.  My favorite pastry to get here are the Spanish rolls (US$1.00 for 3 rolls).

These are soft rolls that are slightly crisp on the bottom.  Light and fluffy on the inside, they're very buttery and have a hint of sweetness to them (I wonder if it's from the butter?). 

Don't know if any of you would consider this bread, but it sure did satisfy my craving for freshly baked bread.

Nanding's Bakery
918 Gulick Avenue
Telephone:  808.841.4731

Golden Coin Bakeshop and Restaurant

It's been really hot here so I've been having a lot of sweet treats...sweet, cold treats...so that I can beat the heat.  Today, I splurged a little and got the special halo halo (US$3.95) from Golden Coin in Kalihi.

This is a wonderfully delicious Filipino dessert.

It's normally made with things like cooked and sweetened red and white beans, macapuno (sweetened coconut meat), langka (jack fruit), nata de coco (coconut gel), and various types of colored gelatin on the bottom.  It's then topped with shaved ice and condensed milk.  This one's my favorite because it's topped with soft serve ube (purple sweet potato) ice cream!

The way I like to enjoy this is to let the ice and ube ice cream melt and mix with all of the ingredients below, the resulting mixture is....ahhhhh!!!...simply too good to describe!

Golden Coin also offers a wide selection of Filipino food, including desserts and baked goods.

Golden Coin Bakeshop and Restaurant
1833 North King Street
Telephone:  808.842.0866