Crazy Tonkatsu Meals

Pork chops have become the new coffee, in terms of price points, I mean. I remember being very surprised at 150-peso coffee cups as I am at 500-peso pork chop meals now. It's scary to think this becoming the norm. Anyway, I digress.

I've always loved tonkatsu. When I was younger, I normally end up ordering a tonkatsu or a katsudon whenever we go to a Japanese restaurant. This is the reason why I finally gave Ginza Bairin a try even if it was crazy expensive. My friend also raves about this place and would often suggest this place for lunch.

Priced at an average of S$17 (600 pesos) per meal at a fastfood setting, while good, the meals didn't blow me away.







Tonkatsu by Ma Maison has also been getting a lot of positive reviews so I decided to eat out for my birthday there. Its the one time that I feel its okay to splurge.



I gave them a call to have a table for us reserved but I was told quite curtly that they don't accept reservations. There are two sitting areas at the Mandarin Gallery branch and one was closed off while the main area was full. There was only a one couple in line and then us but we waited for more than half an hour.





The restaurant finally decided to open the 2nd sitting area and I have to say this, we were very polite the whole time, never giving anyone from the restaurant a hard time. But what the guy from the restaurant did was a big turn off. Upon opening the 2nd sitting area, he told us that he'd sit us there only if we'd eat fast. He was really out of line, also, there was no event happening that day as all the diners after us were asked to sit there as well. I wanted to create a scene right there but seeing that we're already pressed for time since we already have tickets to a movie which was about to start in less than hour, I decided to let his comment pass.



The hire tonkatsu was thick and good. The finely sliced unlimited cabbage was fresh and the sauce was perfect for it. Priced at S$30 (1000 pesos), it comes with soup, radish, your choice of rice and tea but with the kind of service they have, it's not worth it.







In Manila, thanks to Chuvaness' blog, I heard about Yabu when it opened. Rhommel shares my liking for Tonkatsu so he requested that we have lunch there when I last visited.

I made the mistake of ordering the rosu katsu, it's not the restaurant's fault, but I find that particular part to be a bit funky tasting. (Call me wa-class but I don't like it.) I did like what Rhommel and Oliver ordered and when it comes to service, I give the restaurant a big two thumbs up. Their staff were friendly  and seem genuinely happy to see their diners there.





Average meal would be about 300 - 600 pesos.

Diamond Hotel's Corniche Buffet

Quite by accident, we chanced upon Corniche's buffet promo. Priced at only 999 net, it was impossible to pass up. Em-J who was wanting a Jollibee chicken joy lunch needed a bit of prodding so they asked us to look at the buffet spread. Upon seeing the Filipino dishes, specifically, the sinigang, he was sold.


salmon sinigang

The interiors of the restaurant were very elegant. The birds hovering above the diners and the floor to ceiling glass wall that showcases a garden with falls is just peaceful to look at.







The buffet spread itself was worth every penny that we paid for. They have fresh seafood, assortment of breads and cheese, salads and pizza for appetizers.





For the main dishes, they have Filipino, Western, Indian, Chinese dishes.


I loved all the dishes, if only I can try them all.









They also have a dedicated Japanese station.





Having a sweet tooth, their dessert station drove me to the wall. I made sure that I had plenty of room left.




Pinoy sweets and a halo-halo station


Assortment of different flavored Crème brûlées



I also loved this rack of sweet goodies that I'm sure children will also love.



More food photos here:










The flaky crepe was exceptional

Another good thing about the buffet is that it comes with a lemonade drink or soda with unlimited refills. I don't think it can get better than that since most buffets would charge an arm and a leg for a drink. The 999 promotion ends this August so make time and head to Diamond Hotel soon!

It is valid everyday except Tuesday, Thursday, Friday dinner and Sunday lunch.

Plus:

The Diamond Hotel is the official residence of The Phantom of the Opera which starts its run this week. The hotel has special show and stay packages and special discounts to Phantom ticket holders. Check out the packages here.

Telephone: (632) 528-3000
Address: Roxas Boulevard cor. Dr. J. Quintos St., Manila, Philippines 1000