When Simple Can Mean Great

i still find it so amazing how sometimes, simple things turn out to be wonderfully great!

hubby has been suggesting we eat at Luk Yuen Noodle House for the longest time and because i have never really heard of this place from my friends, ive never taken a second look.  the simple interiors and no fuss ambiance didnt really interest me (although in retrospect, i do remember that the restaurant always seemed to be full)

tonight i was craving for dimsum and because Luk Yuen was just outside the chapel where we heard mass today, hubby finally had a good reason to buy me dinner there.

the place was almost full when we got in and after entering the door, i waited for someone to usher us to our seats but hubby just went in, picked a table and it was ours. he frequented this restaurant a long time ago and knew his way around. hehehe!

our table was quickly set with dimsum saucers and chopsticks as the waiter handed us the menu.

it didnt take us too long to decide what we wanted to eat and within 5 minutes of taking our orders, our food were served!  the service was fast and satisfactory for such a packed place!

we ordered hot and sour soup

this had just the right sourness to it. an order is actually big enough for two. you just have to ask for an extra bowl to share.

my always on the table siopao came next

the jumbo Hong Kong siopao is huge!

as we opened the bread, warm steam escaped the dimsum and revealed meat and egg filling

i love this siopao! the bread is sweet and soft and stuffed with loads of egg and meat! its sooo good! blogging about it makes me want another one!  i definitely found a good place to get my favorite dimsum when im craving!

the pork siomai was served

this was so delicious!

the braised noodles with seafood came next

hubby was a little disappointed at how this dish looked because it seemed like a regular plate of noodles. but when we tasted it, our minds were blown away! the sauce was so good, and the shrimp plump and juicy, the veggies were crunchy and the mushrooms cooked just right for that soft, chewy goodness! im serious, this is a must order!

main course (yes, that was just for starters hahaha!) was supposed to be roasted duck but they were unfortunately out of stock so we settled for peppercorn spare ribs

this dish looked deliciously crunchy but it sort of ended there. although the flavors were great, the meat was a bit tough. it was too bad because this dish has a lot of potential. we had this with their yang chow fried rice, both of which were half spared for take away.

dessert was surprisingly picked by hubby (not the sweet tooth between the two of us)

the bowl of almond jelly with lychees was a great ending to our scrumptious meal because it was neither too sweet nor bland. it was a good thing too that we ordered just one because the bowl was packed with almond jelly from bottom to brim!

as we were winding down waiting for our bill, i was looking at the next table where a family of four was seated.  i was pointing out to hubby that they ordered less than we did!  i had to snicker when i realized that they even had enough for a whole bag of take away!  ooohh, i feel like such a hog!

when the waiter handed us our bill in less than 5 minutes after we asked for it, i was surprised that it was under P900!  seriously!  ok, i admit it, i love this place!!  not only were most of the dishes we ordered a hit and so affordable, service is fast and efficient!

my mom would love this place. ill have to take her here on her next visit to manila! i cant help but think back when she used to give me lessons in life which i now apply (or at least try to) in my daily affairs.

you were right mom, simple could actually be great! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

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Set for Life!

A famous sociopolitical author once said, “All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.”

The Holy week has been fruitful for me

i have learned how to slow down, to stop and smell the flowers as others may say, and how important it is to do so in life

and now, im just about raring to go!

we began our day by hearing mass with an excellent homily by Father Concepcion and then, excited after 3 days of abstinence from meat, we headed for M Cafe.

i have heard a lot of good reviews about this place, more so after winning the best brunch category in the Gold Spot and so, without batting an eyelash, i reserved a table a week before easter just to make sure we would be seated.

this proved to be a good idea as majority of the tables were reserved when we got there.

i started my breakfast with yogurt, cheese and bread and then had a tomato, mushroom and cheese omelet made by the chef to pair with sausages.

the omelet was cooked very well! it was fluffy and still moist in the middle and the added mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese complemented each other!

when that was gobbled up, i headed to the spanish cold cut plates for a refill. there were also grilled vegetables beside the platters that looked wonderful!

i cannot name all the slices i got but they were all delicious!

the japanese table was next on my agenda

although i was disappointed that they did not have salmon sashimi, the maguro made up for it! it was so fresh, and the slices thick enough for that melt in your mouth sensation! yum!

oysters are always on our radar when eating at buffets and fortunately, majority of them offer this.

the oyster platter at the M Cafe brunch buffet empties out fast. luckily, we were near the kitchen door so when a waiter came out with a tray, we were right behind him to get the most succulent of the batch! hahaha!

after our fill of our favorite mollusks, we headed to the chinese tables. there were crab cakes, calamari, vegetable tempura, crab cakes (ok i said that already!), shrimp hakao, soimai, sharks fin, and chicken shiitake.

i had just gotten small pieces of each, as at this time, my jeans button was already screaming murder! hehehe!

there were more to taste: waffles, pasta, rib eye, baked salmon, filipino breakfast items like fried rice, tapa, and other chafing dishes i didnt dare to open anymore, less i had to be carried out of the restaurant from sheer fullness!

but i could not leave without dessert and this light taho seemed perfect for the already stuffed. hubby sampled their cakes and was satisfied…next time ill leave more room!

our scrumptious brunch culminated with a perfect cup of illy coffee

and as the easter bunny looked on, we sat and savored the pleasant ambiance, the courteous and efficient staff and delectable dishes we sampled.

and i thought, if all happiness really depends on a leisurely breakfast, then i must say, we are set for life!