As food-loving people, we don’t need an excuse or an occasion to gorge on comfort food, especially restaurant-quality ones. But there’s something about rainy days that just intensifies cravings.
The good news is when slaving in the kitchen and going out to get your fix don’t sound appealing right now, there are homegrown brands willing to do all the labor of love for us so all we’re left with are the sweet, delicious fruits of said labor.
From starters to afters, here are some of the best to have this wet season:
Mini kaisen don from Hosaku Trays
Facebook: @hosakutrayscebu
“Kaisen don” in Japanese means “seafood” (kaisen) and “rice bowl” (donburi). It usually consists of slices of fresh raw seafood over a bed of unseasoned white rice. It is similar to chirashi sushi except the rice in chirashi sushi is vinegared (think deconstructed sushi). Hosaku Trays has come up with a mini version of the kaisen don using fresh tuna, salmon, unagi, squid rings, mackerel, shrimp, crabstick and tobiko on top of sushi rice that also hints of wasabi.
Ribeye from Tales and Feelings
Facebook: @talesandfeelings
This hole-in-the-wall has quickly become a household name, thanks to its constantly updated menu and a five-star service sans the hefty price. Upgrading another customer favorite, Tales and Feelings now serves St. Helens ribeye instead of sirloin, so you know it’s even more moist and tender with all those layers of flavor from the natural marbling. The steak comes with house-made ravigote sauce, pickled onions and mushrooms and a side of parmesan fries and truffle mayo.
Naan pizzas from Pukot Kitchen
Facebook: @pukotkitchen
Here’s a new way to enjoy pizza—on a flatbread such as naan. While pizza dough has flour, yeast, salt and water, naan has dairy in it—either milk or yogurt. When dairy is added to the dough, it yields a much softer texture, so the naan pizza is pliable yet crisp but not cracker-like. Pukot serves this in sets of two, its bestsellers being Diavola (salami), Quattro Formaggi (four-cheese), Sardine e Feta (sardines and feta) and Boscaiola (mushroom, ham and cream). Naan pizza and pasta sets are also available.
Churros from Tablea Chocolate
Facebook: @TableaChocolate
We couldn’t be more excited when we heard that Tablea is bringing back one of its originals, the Tablea Chocolate con Churros. Crispy outside, soft on the inside, these churros are dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with Tablea’s Sipping Dark Chocolate.
With treats this irresistible, who needs a rainy day for an excuse to indulge? S
French onion soup from Tamp Cafe and Co.
Facebook: @tampcafecebu
Legend has it that French onion soup was created when Louis XV got hungry one night and all he had in the pantry were onions, butter and champagne. Then he ordered someone to cook something using only those ingredients. Fast forward to present times and this soup is certainly one of the most comforting to have especially on cold days or nights. Imagine plunging your spoon through cheese that’s beautifully charred on top but melted and stringy underneath, and getting a spoonful of warm broth and onions, both deeply flavorful. Now that’s one pleasurable bowl.