Malaysian-Thai Dinner on a Banana Leaf

no plates... just banana leaves!

It was already about closing time when I reached Trinoma. Shops were already closing I didn't get there soon enough to find a pair of shoes that I was supposed to wear to a wedding the following day, thus we decided to just get something to eat. Since most of the shops inside were already closing, we headed to the fourth level where most restos and food bars are located. We scouted the area and saw Banana Leaf. I remember eating there one lunch about  years ago. It was where we celebrated his graduation day. I remember that the food tasted great but we haven't been able to return to any of its branches since.

Pad Thai-Banana Leaf style tastes more like char kuey chow

at first I thought it was all shreds... Wok Fried Black Curry Lamb

 Food Ordered: Wok Fried Black Curry Lamb and Pad Thai-Banana Leaf Style; Iced Malaysian Tarik and Iced Milk Tea Hong Kong Style for the drinks

Location: Banana Leaf, Trinoma

Cost: P238 Black Curry Lamb; P188 Pad Thai; drinks P68 each

while waiting

She says...

The food here tastes great. The wok fried black curry lamb (what a really lengthy name for a dish!) is really flavorful. It is mildly spicy that makes it really acceptable for those people who wants their food spiced but not flaming hot. The shreds that coated the lamb, presumably grated coconut added a pleasant texture to the dish. The pad thai noodles banana leaf style ('coz they also have a pad thai-thai style) tasted more like the char kuey chow we had in Genting Highlands in Malaysia.  The flat rice noodles was cooked just enough so that it ain't sloppy. Soy sauce was predominant in this dish while the bean sprouts added a juicy, crunchy texture. Eating them all in a banana leaf makes dining here extraordinary and pleasant. The Malaysia Tarik complemented the dishes that we had. It has that sweet creamy taste resembling a caramel toffee. 

She rates: 4/5 Wok Fried Black Curry Lamb; 3.5/5 Pad Thai-Banana Leaf Style; 3.5/5 Malaysia Tarik

 

taller tarik, stouter HK style iced milk teas

He says...

I've always liked Banana Leaf restaurant since the first time I ate there some years back. This visit is very special because we probably ordered their best foods yet!

The Pad Thai noodles reminded mo my favorite noodles back when I went to Malaysia, only tastier. This noodle had mo ingredients than before.

The lamb dish was excellent! It had a spicy flavor which I favor (rhyme!). Too bad we were a bit full then or I would have eaten them all there.

He rates: 5/5 for everything!

An Evening in Muang Thai

half serving of pad thai noodles @Muang Thai

Just finished a session of Aikido at the Philippine Heart Center dojo and we were so hungry. We thought of eating in the nearby concessionaires like Jollibee and Chow King but felt we needed something new, something different on our palates. Thus just a few strides behind Philippine Heart Center, along Malakas St. I think, we found a resto, Muang Thai, that looks like a cute house. It's just close to McDonald's (which is currently on renovation) and just right beside Pancake House. They serve authentic Thai cuisine as well as sell embellishments that bear Thai influence like pots and serving bowls as well as other goodies. 

We ordered half binagoongan rice, half pad thai noodles (yes, although not stated in their menu, they do allow you to order just half-a-serving), and grilled pork. We also had house iced tea for their drink.

half serving of binagoongan rice @Muang Thai

grilled pork on a hot plate @Muang Thai

Location: Muang Thai, Malakas St.

Food Ordered: 1/2 Pad Thai Noodles, 1/2 Binagoongan Rice, Grilled Pork, 2 Bottomless Iced Tea

Cost: Total of P508 (Can't give you a breakdown, my apologies)

in my favorite corner spot...

She says...

I loved Pad Thai noodles. The texture of the noodles was just right, 'al dente' perhaps. It was really flavorful and had a certain nutty taste owing to the crushed peanuts that topped the the noodles. The binagoongan rice was just as yummy. It was topped with caramelized pork, strips of green mango, and strips of egg omelet. The different textures and tastes was just perfectly in harmony with each other. The grilled pork on the other hand tasted like any other marinated pork, however, when we poured the sauce over the pork, which was served in a sizzling pan, there was a significant difference in taste, a bit sweet, a bit salty, and truly meaty taste. The iced tea on the other hand was just your normal sweet cold iced tea.

third refill...

What I like about the place on the other hand was its homey feel. It was like an old house with tables and chair made of hard wood (seats were not cushioned). The large water fountain on the side added a relaxing feeing to the total ambience of the place. The people there were pleasant and most of all, they give additional discount to PHC employees!

She rates: Pad Thai: 5/5, Binagoongan Rice: 4.5/5, Grilled pork: 4.5/5, Iced Tea: 3/5, Place: 4/5, Service: 4/5

He says...

I love this place. The food is very compatible with my taste and yet so unique in its own way. The Pad Thai noodles was especially delicious. I cannot recommend it enough. It is one of the most delicious pasta-like food stuff out there, even better than our own pancits.

The Grilled Pork was also delicious if you mix it with their vinegar mix. Without the vinegar it tastes just like an average steak but with it, it becomes the most delicious.

He rates: 5/5 for the food. 3/5 for the iced tea.