Cheesy Mashed Taters: Team Glasses Style

Being born and based in the Philippines, our staple carbohydrate is rice about 65% of the time. The remaining 35% is a combination of noodles, pasta, bread, and of course potatoes. One of our most recent endeavors is our take on a classic: mashed potatoes. 

As kids we were used to having our mashed potatoes with a knob of butter followed by a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. A little more reading and experimentation has introduced us to some variations with herbs, cream or milk, and other add ons to make the potatoes smoother and tastier instead of thick and lumpy. One recipe which we’ve been hoping to try is the French aligot, which depending on sources, is said to originate in Auvergne or Occitania in the south of France. A look at aligot recipes had us shaking our heads since essential components of this include cheese and cream, two delicious ingredients that our guts no longer tolerate as well as they used to. More importantly, we forgot to order our favorite non-dairy nut cheeses to stock the refrigerator with (maybe we’ll get around to this by Christmas). 

So what did Team Glasses do with a handful of potatoes? Since Lee has been enjoying the Pasta Grammar blog and videos as late night viewing, we decided to take a leaf from their Italian-inspired Thanksgiving dinner. One dish served up by Eva and Harper of this wonderful site is “Purè di Patate di Mamma Rosa”, a take on mashed potatoes that is not quite like aligot, but creamier and richer than most other recipes. 

Our version however had some crucial differences. In lieu of whole milk, we had soy milk on standby (which we did not get to use since the potatoes became creamy very quickly). We did not have nutmeg, so to add some flavor to this mashed potato mix we decided to add bacon drippings. Now since Kat cannot have foods that are particularly high in preservatives such as nitrates, we searched high and low for uncured bacon. Finally we found some slabs of smoked uncured bacon from Rare Food Shop. This bacon will hopefully feature in some upcoming meals posted on this blog.

It only took a matter of minutes to prepare the dish, such that we found ourselves eating an early dinner. The mashed potatoes had a rather mild flavor, with much of it coming from the smoked bacon. The potatoes were smooth with very few small lumps, but not quite the consistency to make a ‘cheese pull’ photo. All in all it was a good attempt, and a starting point perhaps for making our own aligot in the near future. 

The verdict: 

Neurodivergent Score: 4.5/5. Nothing in this dish had MSG or other preservatives. While the presence of butter may cause some problems, there are vegan alternatives that may be used. Perhaps to up this, and improve the texture, we will put in that dash of soy milk and the nut cheese next time!

GERD Score: 3.5/5: The butter in particular could still set off someone with GERD. Although the grease from the bacon was essential, it could get out of hand if used carelessly. Other than that, this would be a good alternative to the typical mashed potato recipe.
Team Glasses Score: 4/ 5: This is one of our early attempts at cooking in our home, and juggling out each other’s food preferences. We will definitely tweak this with non dairy cheese, and maybe even a different herb mix when we set out to make aligot. Nevertheless, this is still in our recipe arsenal for those days when a little cheese makes everything better.

Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria

A good many people would rank among their comfort foods heaping bowls of mac & cheese, spaghetti with meatballs, or alternatively, large slices of pizza with all the fixings. This is exactly what Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria caters, combining tried and tested favorites with their special take on Italian cuisine. An sister restaurant of the famed Mama Lou’s establishment, Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria is a great choice for casual dining, a quiet night out, or simply seeking food for the soul.

On our visit to this restaurant’s branch in Robinson’s Galleria, it took us some time to pick out entrees from their extensive selections of pizzas and pastas. Their long pastas are available in three kinds of sauces: pomodoro (tomato based), olio (oil based), and alfredo (cream based). Other types of pasta such as ravioli, lasagna, and macaroni are also on the menu. Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria also offers popular pizza combinations such as pizza margherita, as well as one of a kind toppings such as kimchi, clams, and foie gras. We eventually decided on two simple pastas: creamy salmon ravioli, and Macheroni (pommodoro, basil, and ricotta).

The creamy salmon ravioli was relatively mild in terms of flavor, despite its being cooked with anchovies and capers. What made this a real treat was the restaurant’s very own homemade pasta, which made the ravioli itself chewy without being soggy. On the other hand, the Macheroni was a bit too creamy for my tastes, but it’s somewhat balanced by the salmon and basil. The bread was passable in any case.

Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria also offers a range of appetizers, soups, salads, and even desserts. This place is great to begin a night on the town, or for a quiet dinner with family and friends. We hope to be back some day to sample the pizzas and other selections in this up and coming restaurant.

Food Score: 4/5: If comfort food is what one seeks, Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria has got it. This is not the place for gastronomy or novel combinations, however. That being said, flavors here are on the mild side of the spectrum. The real treat though is their pasta, which is made fresh in the restaurant each day.

Ambiance Score: 4/5: Despite its being situated in a mall, this place is a cozy haven, with chairs and lighting perfect for casual dining. No fancy light tricks or old bistro vibes here; this is a family restaurant through and through.

Service Score: 4.5/5: The staff are very attentive and prompt, adding to the homey feel of the place. Dishes are served hot and on time, with a little flair from the pepper mill of course.

GERD Score: 4/5: The selection of their menu definitely provide plenty of options for the ones who want their traditional taste, and those with adventurous ones. This trait definitely makes up for any meals that might trigger heartburn and other concerns

Neurodivergent Score: 4/5: One great thing about Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria is the emphasis on fresh ingredients from the pasta, the pizza dough, and the sauces. The wide selection of dishes allows most sensitive diners to pick out something in accordance with their tastes and medical indications.

Team Glasses Score: 4/5: For comfort food, Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria certainly has quite a bit to bring to the table. We hope that you, our readers, will give this cozy place a try soon!

Gotti’s Ristorante

Away from our usual haunts in Makati, we found ourselves in Megamall with dad and his business partner for a surprise dinner, and with a challenging budget of 300 per head, we decided to take a chance at Gotti’s Ristorante at the Atrium 4th floor.

The place reminds one of the different modern casual dining areas here in the metro, from sleek designs of solid red mixed with pictures of Italians, to the wooden chairs and cushioned leather seats, as well as the restaurant being lit and pleasant to the eye.

 

Margherita Pizza

So for dinner, we shared a Margherita pizza. Aside from that, I had the Gambino Gamberi, Kat had the Salisbury Steak with rice, and then dad and his business partner had the Grilled Chicken Pesto and Creamy Basil Bacon pasta.

As we see it, one gets their money’s worth here in terms of volume. The pizza was more or less alright with its crisp thin crust sides, the cheese complements the tomato base and I would say, a guilt-free margherita.

Creamy Basil Bacon Pasta

Grilled Chicken Pesto

The grilled chicken pesto and creamy basil bacon pasta had well-cooked pasta for both. As for the taste however, I have to say that it’s a little uninspired and too overdone in either creaminess or the oily feel to the tongue. However, these are things that can be improved on in the future.

Gambino Gamberi

With the Gambino, it’s quite filling and the stone-baked rice meal concept is actually quite interesting, especially in keeping our meal warm. At the same time, I’m quite a sucker for seafood and they cooked this one well enough.

Salisbury Steak

The Salisbury steak on rice was served piping hot, with enough cheese on top to make the first bites delectable. However a little sauce coating the rest of the dish would not have been amiss. Nevertheless for a solo dish, this was a pretty tasty deal.

There was actually a lot of food left over from the two pastas that we took some home too. That said, if one wants to be full and hang out with friends at a budget, Gotti’s Ristorante is a good place to dine in.

Food Score: 3.5/5. The food here is a testament to the adage you get what you paid for, with decent taste suited for the Filipino palate and decent serving sizes, but there’s some room for improvement with some hits and some misses here and there.

Ambiance / Service Score: 4/5. Gotti’s ambiance is pleasing to the eye, from clean lines and welcoming appearance, it’s a treat to dine here every now and then. The servers were quite attentive as well, which is always welcome.

GERD Score: 3/5. One could say that each order of food is for sharing, so it can be a task for someone with heartburn to go at it alone. That said, there are thankfully some good options for selections, but again, for sharing.

Epilepsy Score: 4/5. This is a case again of not knowing what exactly goes in the seasonings and flavorings. Unlike some other establishments, diners don’t have as much control over any dietary limitations and modifications to menu items. However there are enough food selections to cater to the preferences and needs for most diners.

Team Glasses Score: 3.5/5. When one puts everything into consideration, Gotti’s Ristorante is a decent place to dine in on a budget, giving value for money with their serving sizes. The place is certainly great to bring some friends in for a casual dining experience. However, for people who have medical conditions such as ours, we believe they can do better.

Cafe Mediterranean (the Alexander the Great Special Part 1)

The Cafe Mediterranean

The Alexander the Great special (Part 1)

Apart from food, one of our shared passions happens to be World History. We decided that for this month we’d pay an ironic tribute to one of the most celebrated conquerors of ancient history, Alexander the Great, by writing about restaurants featuring cuisines from end to end of his empire. Well what better place to start other than the Cafe Mediterranean?

The Cafe Mediterranean features Greek, French, Italian, and Turkish cuisines, to name a few.  The ensuing variety in the menu is something I have always appreciated, since there are choices for snacks or appetizers, as well as entrees and platters for a small gathering. On our latest visit here, we were joined by some of Lee’s immediate family, thus giving us an opportunity to try out platters and group meal selections. To start off our dinner we chose a sampler plate of four appetizers: kofta (lamb and beef meatballs), tapenade (minced olives with olive oil and capers), labneh (strained yogurt), and foule (fava beans with olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice). The kofta in particular was flavourful and juicy, while the tapenade’s sharp tartness was perfect for whetting our appetites for the rest of the meal.

For our entree, we ordered two different platter sets: the gyro platter with beef, tuna, chicken, and falafel, as well as the kebab platter with chicken, beef, fish, and kofta kebabs.  These platters were also served with sides such as hummus, tabbouleh, and salad. We also ordered biryani rice and couscous to accompany our food instead of the usual pita bread.  The meats were all lightly seasoned, cooked just right to retain their natural flavour and juices. The falafel in particular was a treat; when served warm its crisp outer crust readily gave way to its delicate, slightly sweetish chickpea interior. However the biryani was a little wanting in terms of flavour, but certainly not in quantity. In fact these two platters were more than enough to satisfy our party of 6.

This visit, and our other ventures to Cafe Mediterranean, have never been disappointments. One feature of Cafe Mediterranean is that is a “Restaurant Against Hunger”. Diners can order from a special menu of Syrian dishes, and proceeds from these sales are donated for the welfare of Syrian refugees. This is their way of paying it forward and at the same time, providing excellent food nonetheless.

So would Alexander the Great himself have partaken of this sort of meal (or at least its precursors?) Heaven only knows, but certainly food this good is worth traversing an empire for.

The Food Score:  4.5/5. The slight problem with the biryani aside, the food here was filling and very satisfying in terms of taste and quality. The serving sizes are reasonable, and their drinks selection (especially the yogurt drink lassi) is a treat.

Ambiance/Service Score:   3.5/5. Unfortunately the service, at least in this particular branch, is not attentive. It took a while for us to call the attention of the staff if we needed something. The ambiance of this restaurant is relaxed and casual, though it can only go so far given its location in a busy mall.

GERD Score: 4.5/5. Thankfully, the place has plenty of selections for people who have heartburn. Most of the dishes here are grilled, not fried which is a plus. However, the one thing everyone has to note is that the quantity of food per order can be a bit much for a single person, so to be on the safe side, share and just add one extra order of bread.

Epilepsy Score:  4/5. Spices and some flavourings used in the dishes here may trigger some sensitive diners. Some of the dishes use preserved meats (such as the pizza) so it may be best to give these a pass or at least some thought before ordering.
Team Glasses Score: 4/5. If one is looking for authenticity, this may not be the place to go. However for us, since we just want some good Mediterranean themed food to share, this is definitely one location we are returning to.

Il Pittore Cafe

For Team Glasses, this one is officially the start of our Maginhawa Street adventures together and for this one, my solo run and looking for a place to eat during the usual snacks in the afternoon. By a quick stroke of luck and proximity to where I was currently staying before my law school entrance exam, I found myself in Il Pittore, which means The Artist or The Painter in Italian. Hidden from view since it’s along the main street but tucked away in it’s own niche, it can be spotted readily enough with their distinctive sign.

Since it was cold outside after the rains, I decided on some soup first. When I visited, soup of the day was potato soup with hints of chopped parsley on top. I must say, that certainly hit the spot with its mild balance of flavors. Warm, hearty, and perfect for the cold.

Potato Soup

Every thick and hearty soup needs some bread to go along with it. And lo and behold, I struck gold with their bruschetta. Simple ingredients of bread, a splash of vinaigrette, tomato slices, basil leaves, and shrimp, deceiving in its simple appearance, but to put it poetically, each bite leaves an array of colors that engulfs your tastebuds with its punches of flavor. In other words, a masterpiece.

Brushetta

Throughout my stay, the owners Ryan and Olive were quite accommodating along with the coffee people outside, from what I needed to the story of how Il Pittore came to be. According to them, there’s a studio on the third floor, their fine dining room on second floor, and the actual cafe at ground level. I even got to do be part of the art but with a slight typo on the bruschetta, a perfect end to a great meal. I will definitely come back with Kat for more times to come when we have our Maginhawa food adventures.

Food Score: 5/5. The food is balanced in its flavors and simple in execution, but their execution is what makes the food stand out and blend with the ambiance of the cafe.

Ambiance / Service Score: 5/5. Hands down, the customer service is impeccable and the ambiance of painted murals and dim lighting make for a relaxed artistic vibe, a place where you can relax, write, and draw in peace.

GERD Score: 4.5/5. While not all the items on the menu are heartburn friendly, there are plenty of options to choose from and still get your money’s worth.

Epilepsy Score: 4.5/5. Well, what can I say? What’s an Italian place without coffee? It’s a necessary thing here. Fortunately, there are smoothies and other drinks to tide people over. Also the ingredients are fresh, with almost no use of preservatives. The use of cured or preserved meats is kept to a minimum here, thus making dining much safer.

Team Glasses Score: 4.5/5. Il Pittore is a great place to eat, write, and create art for anyone with a taste for pasta, bruschetta, and doodling. The cafe’s has room for solo artists and groups of friends wanting their own niche to dine without the wine but in a private and cozy atmosphere.

Hi everyone, we’re taking in suggestions for our next food adventures  whether in Makati, Maginhawa, or anywhere in the Metro. Hope to hear from you soon.