Caffe Ago-Go

Before I plunge into a wondrous world of writing, I belonged to call center industry first. And having said that, it means that I have my own share of morning beer session with workmates to wherever our feet may drag us.

One place my friends and I would frequent to is Caffe Ago-Go in Ortigas Center. And although I'm no longer in the CC Industry, I still visit this place and meet up with some friends and do some catching up over buckets of beer and satisfying food.

The place is relatively small but the service is good as well as the food. The crowd mostly comprise of call center people which contributes to its happy atmosphere. The prices are reasonable as they offer bucket sets which includes 6 bottles of san Miguel Beer (Light/Dry/Pale) and then your choice of finger food. The price for this sets ranges from 345php to 385php.

Although they offer wide variety of food, my personal choices are their Fish and Chips, Onion Rings, Nachos, and Quesadilla. I would have to say that their garlic sauce which can be paired with anything is so good I always ask for more.

Caffe A-Go-Go
(Ortigas Branch) G/F, Emerald Mansion
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City
Contact Number: 638-7664

Sushi on a budget

If Sushi cravings hit you when you are on a tight budget, it is not yet the end of the world. There is Sushi-Boi Delihaus and SM Supermarkets to save you.

You see, my love for Japanese food started with a love affair with sushi. In a perfect world, I'll have plenty of dough to spend on Sushi, or I'll even go to Japan and drown myself with sushi just to get over this perpetual craving I have. But then this is not a perfect world, and I have a budget to work on.

Good thing, food stalls selling mixed sushi are now proliferating in some supermarkets in the metro. My mother frequently buys Mixed Sushi at SM Megamall Supermarket, while my sister and I would settle for Sushi-Boi Delihaus because they have one franchise in Puregold San Juan, just a stone throw away where we live.

In comparison, the one that they are selling at SM is a bit pricey as compare to Sushi-Boi, but the taste and the quality of the food speak for itself.

The mixed sushi at SM supermarket is on a black styrofoam which I believe adds to its aesthetic sense while the one in Sushi-Boi Delihaus is in a white styro. As for the taste, Sushi-Boi’s California Maki is better, but the rest, well, my vote goes to the one at SM supermarket.

Mixed Sushi which consist of 3 california maki, 3 futo maki, 4 kani maki, 3 kani sushi, and 2 tamago is 130php. While Sushi-Boi's 10 pcs California Maki is 70php.

Sushi-Boi Delihaus

Available in every Puregold Market

For Deliveries/Franchise call:

0915-4034123

740-7643

Fish & Co.

One thing I like about Fish & Co. is the way they prepare and served their food in a simple and straight-forward manner.

Order Fish and Chips and you will be served a generous portion of both fish and fries in a hot pan on a fish-shaped wood, then you can feast your hearts out. Though simple, one should not be deceived, as the freshness of the fish served accompanied by the equally tasty and crispy fries is definitely to-die-for.

And since they have introduced their new varieties of fish and chips the first quarter of this year, there is no reason for us to pass on having to experience the new choices.

The varieties of flavor available are India, Japan, Malaysia and US-Philadelphia. And since I'm a cheese lover, I ordered for the US-Philadelphia variety.

It may look like the usual fish on a pan that they served but once you take a bit on it, you would be happy to know that it is oozing with right amount cream cheese that des not over power the taste of the fish. It was such a Fish-tacular experience.


Also, we tried their Seafood Pizza and we were not disappointed as well. There is generous seafood topping which are very tasty and the crust of the pizza is made of pastry-like dough, meaning it is not thick, so you'll get to enjoy the taste of the toppings rather than just the dough itself (i'm not a fan of thick crust pizza).

The Fish and Fries will cost you 200+php, but it can be for sharing because the serving is big.

We also must not discount the fact that their food servers are very accommodating while the ambiance is very homey and comfortable (air conditioned smoking area, and yes, there is a wi-fi) It is really worth the price you are paying.

FISH & CO.

SHANGRI-LA MALL
Fri-Sun: 11:00am-12:00mn
GD 115 Streetscape
Shangri-la Mall Edsa corner
Shaw Blvd Mandaluyong City
Tel/Fax: 63 2 9102140 to 42
Opened since 27 October 2005
Operating hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00am-11:00pm

Other branches are in Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia, and Greenbelt 3
log in to Fish & Co.’s website at
http://www.fish-co.com/main.htm

Khaleb Shawarma

Khaleb Shawarma is not the best shawarma here in the metro, in my opinion, but it will do, once cravings hit you.

The beef used is marinated, so expect that it's a bit sweet, the pita bread is soft but nothing extra-ordinary, and they used the usual veggies such as cucumber, tomatoes, and onion just like other shawarma stores do. But I heard that they actually have cheese sauce, just like the one they have at Turk’s but they didn't offer that to me. Oh well.

For the price of 50php, you'll have the large serving of this shawarma, and then you can move on with your life.

Got this one at their Cubao Shopwise branch, but they have a lot of kiosks wherever other food kiosks are located.

Kuya Chito's Takuyaki

Takoyaki, which originates from Osaka, is a Japanese dumpling made of batter with diced octopus, tempura scraps, green onions, konnyaku, and pickled ginger, topped with mayonnaise and fish shavings.

Since Filipino is known for its creativity, no wonder that we have come up with the version of our own which definitely suits Filipino palate.

Among the Pinoy version of Takoyaki, my favorite is Kuya Chito's Takuyaki. Owned by a down-to-earth businessman with nothing but love for food and cooking, Edgino Bogayong, also known as Kuya Chito now shares the opportunity to his fellow entrepreneurs by opening this business for franchising.


Kuya Chito’s version of takoyaki are balls made with shredded vegetable fillings drizzled with mayo, topped with chicken, beef or fish flakes then spicy or sweet & sour sauce, depending on your choice. One thing noticeable about Kuya Chito's Takuyaki, is that it is crispy on the outside, soft in the inside, and the shredded vegetables remain crispy. Also, their sweet & sour sauce, plus mayo combined with fish shavings is so awesome you would crave for more.

One serving of Takuyaki consists of three balls for 24php only. The kiosk I usually frequent to is the one in Robinson's Galleria, and I learned that they also have kiosks located on various LRT/MRT station.

Kuya Chito's TakuyakiLevel 1, Robinsons Galleria,
EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave.,
Quezon City