Restaurant Review | Cafe Bola

Cafe Bola
2/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City
Type of Cuisine: Italian
Average cost per person: Php 120 - 200 (US$2.40 - US$ 4.00)
Overall Rating:

One thing that differentiates it from most other universities is the fact that student organizations in UP Diliman have application processes that last a whole semester--some organizations even have them for the whole school year. Part of the application process in UP Chinese Student Association (UP CSA) includes having a buddy lunch.

So lunch they had.

Since Tiffy has previously eaten at Cafe Bola, albeit in Gateway, she suggested it to the rest of them since they were then having the age-old dilemma of picking of a place to eat!

Bong, on the other hand, really wanted to try the place out since Cafe Bola is one of the restaurants, along with Cibo and Pepato, co-owned by famed chef and restaurateur Margarita Fores.


Penne in Chorizo-Parmesan Cream (Php 199.36, US$4.14)
Bong thought that this dish was so creamy -- the chorizo bits really complements the cheese well. According to him, it's a rich dish that "truly makes you happy."



Chicken Cutlet with Mozzarella (Php 147.84, US$3.07)
It came served with newly-prepared shoestring potatoes on the side, which were different from Piknik that people are usually accustomed to eating. The sandwich was rather tasty, which was surprising considering it was a bit dry.



Chicken Lollipop Balls Rice (Php 129.96, US$2.70)
It was Charles' first time to eat chicken lollipop. It was yummy in a chicken-y way. No big deal -- the dip was the ordinary mayo-and-ketchup mix. It's pretty straightforward. Although he thought that the three pieces didn't fill him up well and nice.

Chicken Bolas on Pasta | Sour cream paprika sauce (Php 180.32, US$3.74)
Sherlaine remembers the sourness of the dish. It was different than what she's tasted before. Tiffy, on the other hand, thought that it reminded her of yoghurt. Creamy sour yoghurt.



Oriental Teriyaki (Chicken)Alex thought that it was a bit lacking in presentation. The chicken balls were real meaty but the dish wasn't that spectacular. There was the rice, the balls, teriyaki sauce, and then the sprinkled carrots! The serving was kind of generous, though, so it was all good. He liked the chicken pesto pasta better!

Beef Bolas on Pasta | Parmesan cream + Ham (Php 180.32, US$3.74)
Tiffy didn't really taste the parmesan in the cream. Although it was creamy. She didn't like the bolas on it, though, since it tasted weird -- dry.



Chicken Skin Fritters (Php 129.92, US$2.69)
According to Bong, you really have to try this if you're a chicharon (fried pork skin) lover, or even if you just really love chicken skin, you'll just fall in love with this dish.



Overall, we loved the place -- from the round chairs, the bola (circular) themed walls, the numbers painted on the tables, and even the music and ambiance of the place. It's sort of like the restaurant counterpart of a cafe -- minus the racket of chattering people.

Reviewed by Bong and Tiffy.
Special thanks to Alex, Charles, Justin, and Sherlaine for their inputs.Photography by Tiffy.

Recipe | 15-minute Pasta

The 15-minute Pasta
Servings per batch: Good for 2 to 3 people
Total preparation time: Around fifteen minutes
Difficulty: Easy! :)


It's rare that I actually find time to cook during the academic year, but there come days when I feel compelled to just make something, and this happened to be one of those days.

I'm not a big fan of our local renditions of pasta dishes so today I wish to share with you a very simple pasta dish that may be quite different from what we can typically get in some of our more popular food establishments.

I hope you guys enjoy making and eating this as much as I did! :) Happy cooking!

PS. When cooking and baking, I don't follow recipes. I go by intuition. For this dish, feel around for how much of each ingredient you wish/need to put. It may seem a little intimidating if you're not comfortable with having no set recipe, but you'll see what I mean when I say you'll just know how much you need once you're there when, well, you're there cooking already ;)

I also encourage you to throw in things you have lying around in your cupboard, if you want. Things like a can of flaked tuna or a can of anchovies -- just a little common sense about what you put in there, of course :) Haha! Don't go too crazy.

The 15-minute Pasta [ good for 2-3 people ]

• ~½ pack of your pasta noodle of choice
  
• Olive oil
• Tuscan sauce (you can buy this or make your own; this would be a good idea to have as a staple :) it's salty and a bit spicy, you can use it in a lot of dishes, and a little Tuscan sauce goes a long way!)
  
• Pesto
  
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cheese (can be robusto, parmesano, etc -- even Quick Melt, if you like! :P you can use as many varieties as you want)
  
• Herbs of your choice (rosemary, Italian herb mix, etc)
  
• 1-2 tomatoes, diced
• 1-2 teaspoons tomato paste
  
• 1 small garlic, diced
  
• 1 small onion, diced
  
• A couple of olives, sliced
  

Be sure that all your ingredients are prepared beforehand because this really is a quick dish. Have your noodles boiling in a separate pot (water, a little oil, a bit of salt) while you throw together your sauce.

Pour a bit of olive oil in your heated pan (big enough to hold your pasta later on) followed by your garlic and onions. Once your onions are translucent, add some of your Tuscan sauce then your tomatoes. Mash them up (your tomatoes will add a little tang to the taste and some colour to your plate :9) then add your olives, pesto, salt and pepper, some more of your Tuscan sauce, tomato paste, and herbs to taste. This would also be the time to add your tuna/anchovies, if you wish. Add oil at your discretion -- hint: if it's looking a little dry, it's time to put more oil in. (Don't worry -- there's no meat here, so there's no fat from the meat for everything to cook in.) Add a bit of your cheese in.

Once you're happy with your sauce and your noodles are ready (al dente!), strain the noodles (basic idea: just strain them, pour a little cold water over them while still in the strainer) and once most of the water is off, add them into your pan. Stir well so all the noodles are coated, add more salt and pepper to taste (if you want), then add in your cheese. Stir some more, until everything is mixed well and serve.

Simple and delicious. :)

Announcement | Delifrance Tray Couture Winners

Delifrance
Tray Couture Contest
Annoucement of Winners


Lately school has been eating up the Foodistas' time. With Finals week and academic requirements piling up on everyone, we haven't had much content lately! Shocking, we know. Though we're hoping that you guys haven't given up on us!

Anyway, here are the winners for the Delifrance Contest (we apologize for the delay in posting) in no particular order:

Jane

The Seafood Deluxe Clubhouse arrived looking like a French queen sitting beautifully on a white platter. The companion is royalty too –Pomodoro Angel Hair’s tomatoes and onion spark with flavor amidst the thin noodles. Take a forkful and feel the tasteful gems on your tongue. This is the nearest thing to being born with a golden spoon in your mouth.

Between Bites
http://www.janedchua.com

Ronald*

Sporty personality of mine,
A Philippe coutery could well define.
Tuna, Onion and Mayo Clubhouse dish
its truly every health buff's wish!
Beef Stroganoff Pasta galore
for extra energy to let you do more.
My Philippe is quite a yummy treat,
a delightful meal thats quite hard to beat.
So go on, give Philippe a bow,
Head to Delifrance and order one now!

Lita Lim

I’m the health conscious Amelia, because healthy need not be dull, bland and boring. It can be just as delicious as you want it to be, all a matter of choosing the right foods for you. I realized I want to live longer so I’ve made a conscious choice to have more seafoods, fruits, and vegetables. When you get to my age you get to think about wanting to see your grandkids get married… so now I’m more like the health conscious Amelia.

Tricia Lorenzo

I may be a girl but I’m the hearty and down-to-earth Philippe!

I don’t mind getting down and dirty when the occasion calls for it, like trekking in the muddy fields on the way to a mountaineering adventure. Believe me, I need energy to do that which is why I prefer my meals hearty!

Sheila

I would have to say that I am Henrie. It’s but simple, Henrie is the most fashionable couture in Delifrance’s line. It is composed of the best materials : shrimp,pesto for the pasta and bacon and eggs for the clubhouse. I am just like Henrie- a high end type.

bonks

An easy choice, am definitely a Philippe. The robust flavors and taste of Philippe positively mirrors what I want in life, to live it to the fullest, and savor all what it may offer. Then again, it is all about the carbs and the almost contrasting experience of the flavours of onion, mayo and beef stroganoff.

Wendy*

I’d be a Cherie, probably. I come across as unapproachable to people who don’t know me but I’m actually very uncomplicated… as versatile as chicken with a punch like garlic, hahaha!

Monette*

I think I’m a Cherie. Since “Cherie” means Dear, I believe that like this tray I have lots to offer that makes me a “dear” one. Not just providing a healthy outlook in life but also comforting those who are close to me.

Boy kuripot

Given my tight work schedule, it's always a balancing act between work and play. I play as hard as I work. To me, everything needs its balance! Even when it comes to meals, I see to it that I eat balanced meals. I need to have enough carbs, proteins, and nutrients that fits my diet. Of course flavor needs to be well balanced too! For these reasons, PHILIPPE Delifrance Tray Couture best reflects who I am. It has enough carbs from the pasta and bread to give me a boost for my busy schedule, enough proteins from the beef and tuna, and nutrients to last me the day. A well balanced meal for a well balanced guy like ME!

Thea

I'm an Amelia because ermm.. I'm a devilish angel? :)) HAHAHA.

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Those with (*) after their names didn't leave us with any way of contacting them! Please email us (manilafoodistas@gmail.com) your contact details as soon as you can.