Love at First Bite: Rico Rico

SM Aura’s food court is known to be a fancier version of your usual food hall. With more premium options to choose from, you’d have to shell out more cash for a meal. I wouldn’t mind spending a few extra hundreds if it means that I'd get a “good meal.” And that is exactly what I got from Food on Four’s new player. 
 
Hello, Rico Rico.

This new paella place caught my interest when it opened a few months ago. Vibrant colors and DIY paella were what caught my attention. And I grew even more curious when I found out that this brand is the brainchild of the group handling Las Flores and Rambla, restaurants known to serve superb Spanish dishes. But my schedule didn’t permit me to try this place sooner.

Love at First Bite: La Lola Churreria

A few weeks ago, I saw a Nokia Snake Level 10 line while buying taho at Powerplant Mall. Apparently, there’s a new craze in town and it’s the churros of La Lola Churreria. New? Yes. Yummy? I heard. Game? Definitely!!! Long queues never fail to make me curious.

Hello, La Lola Churreria!

We got to the place around 1 PM and the line was more manageable that time so we decided to join the craze.

I wanted to try all but K and E were hesitant with the idea as we were still going to visit Salt for lunch and it could kill our appetite. (And I was thinking… right! As if that could kill my appetite! I even had sorbetes before heading to the churros place.)

Anyway, we all compromised and just ordered Classic Churros (PHP110, medium 6 pcs | PHP195, large 12 pcs | PHP275 Xlarge 18 pcs) and Xuxos or stuffed churros—Nutella, Strawberry and Peanut Butter (PHP120 each). We also got a large Hot Chocolate Dip (PHP100).

 

The Classic Churros with Hot Chocolate Dip were served on a paper cone and you may eat it while walking or stick the cone on the table (the tables have holes for the pointy part of the cone) and eat it while people watching.

Love at First Bite: Rambla

Instagram sure makes me fat. Yes, it does. Every time a foodie friend or a food app account posts a dish, I end up drooling and craving. And there was a time when someone posted a photo of the liquid omelette of Rambla. Yes, LIQUID OMELETTE. Awesome right? I instantly messaged J (one of the T3 members I bug… most of the time) and he agreed. But for some reason, we never visited the place! *cries* But I am blessed as my favorite Dragon Lady was game. And so after antigravity yoga, we dropped by Rambla for lunch.

Hello, Rambla!

The place is pretty dark considering it was just 1 p.m. when we visited. I guess that gives it the cozy date ambiance. (But the place is great for some afternoon chat or mini gatherings as well.)

It took us a bit of time to decide on what to order but finally settled with the following: The “Liquid” Spanish Omelette (PHP125), Black Paella with Salmon Loin Tataki and Baby Carrots (PHP595) and Salmon and Arugula Mini Pizza (PHP245).

The liquid Spanish omelette arrived first and it was heavenly. The slowly and lowly cooked till creamy egg yolks topped with caramelized onions was a foodie treat. 

I also loved the delightful potato foam that somehow reminded me of cheese for some reason (must be the color). I’ll definitely order three glasses of this next time!

The mini pizza was served next and it was also a lovely dish. The thick salmon cut topped with arugula on a thin crust served as a great appetizer (or snack). One order is slightly too small for sharing though.