TRIED AND TASTED: SHAWARMA BROS @UP TOWN CENTER

Heard about Shawarma Bros when the new wing of UP town Center opened. One lazy weekend, the hubby and I decided to try it out for a late lunch. The places wasn't full so we took time to ask about what was good to eat. The food server recommended their specialty Lamb Steak Rice Meal over the Beef  Shawarma Rice Meal. So that's what I had.

While the hubby got the Chicken Shawarma Rice meal.

He got the "Big bro" serving so his meal was served with  Keema on the side. Keema is stewed minced meat with potatoes (though traditionally it should be peas) often used as bread filling in Mediterranean restaurants.

Both meals were served with salsa topped with a smidge of yoghurt and yellow rice which is supposed to be Turmeric rice but didn't taste much like it. Which is fine by me since I think plain rice always works best with grilled meat.

The Chicken Shawarma was spiced just right- not too hot, not too sour and not too salty.

The lamb steak was flavored to my liking. However, it was tough and rubbery which usually happens when there's not enough fat in the meat or if was cooked too fast in medium high heat. Lamb get tender when cooked in low heat over a long period. The lamb on my plate seemed to have enough fat so  I think the latter is the reason for the  chewy dining experience I had. Disappointed? Yeah. Maybe because they had set my expectation high by telling me it was their specialty. But I think I will give their Beef Shawarma a try next time.

Shawarma Bros.

2/F UP Town Center, C.P Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

TRIED & TESTED: CLEAN PLATE

Organic menus are a rarity in the era of processed food. The Clean Plate by Twist is one of the few restaurants to offer GO-free, all-natural organic ingredients whilst supporting local farmers.  

The shabby chic interiors reflect the  healthy alternative that the Clean plate menu offers- comfort food made with ingredients consciously sourced and prepared. That last sentence might send you running away but it shouldn't. Organic food doesn't have to be bland and boring, as The Clean Plate tries to prove.

I tried the River Prawn Sinigang. The tamarind -based broth had the right Pinoy level of sourness and you could taste that they used fresh tamarind (not bouillons or powdered mix). Instead of kangkong, the dish had arugula for greens. I like the bitterness that the arugula brought to the dish. 

To see if it was any different, I tried the Bacon Lechon Kawali. It was a too bland for my taste. I like my fatty food saltier. It tasted like unsalted Bagnet lite. And as you can see, the serving was spare and small. I failed to ask if these were weighed for caloric counts. But surely, a heftier eater would probably be disappointed.

 

I guess organic food is a matter of getting used to. Though I can't imagine how one can enjoy unseasoned meat.  Maybe next time I'll try the breakfast bowls and grass-fed beef plates, they seem to promise more excitement for my palate.

The Clean Plate

Address: 2/F UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Telephone: 02 2770622